The Belles of Christmas: Holiday movies that are feminist and festive

It’s a Wonderful Life.  A Christmas Story.  Home Alone.  A Christmas Carol.  What do these films have in common?  They’re all, in their own special way, brilliant, whimsical, and outright beautiful tributes to the Yuletide holidays.  Oh, and one other thing; they’re all about DUDES.  All of these films concern the various ways in which various males celebrate, suffer through, and/or see their earthly existences forever transformed by this, the most wonderful time of the year.

Now before you pelt me with generously molded fruitcakes or outright threaten my earthly existence (I’m not sure which would be worse at this point), let me assure you that I absolutely love all the movies mentioned.  It’s just that, since my book Mauve Christmas was published in 2006, a lot of people have expressed wonder at the fact that I wrote a story about a female Santa Claus; and it got me to wondering about the existence of Christmas movies that feature feminist characters and themes.

Yes, Virginia, there are feminist Christmas movies!  Enjoy this list of femme-centric holiday features:

1. Christmas in Connecticut: It’s interesting to note that the ultimate feminist Christmas movie was produced way back in 1945.  Starring the legendary Barbara Stanwyck, this is the story of a successful writer who is forced to conform to conventional gender norms in order to make her fortune.  Columnist Elizabeth Lane is a single, self-sufficient career woman; but in order to attract readers of her generation, she poses as a homemaker and farm wife in order to write a food column.  Eventually she does find the man of her dreams; he’s a hot guy that can cook and change diapers—bonus!  And she keeps her career at the end; a rarity for movies of this era.
2. Miracle on 34^th Street: One of the most celebrated holiday films of all time, this classic stars two of the finest actresses in Hollywood history—Natalie Wood and Maureen O’Hara—in the story of a little girl who discovers the true meaning of the Christmas spirit and the value of whimsical dreaming.  While most child-centered movies focus on male characters—i.e., A Christmas Story, Home Alone, A Charlie Brown Christmas—this beautiful film centers on a bright, inquisitive little girl whose life is enriched by a meeting with Santa Claus.  In addition, the girl’s mother is a powerful department store executive and a divorced mother—a fact that, according to IMDB, actually raised the hackles of the Legion of Decency upon the film’s release—bonus!
3. Come to the Stable: “Come to the WHERE?!” you’re probably thinking.  Sadly, this lovely little film is virtually unheard of these days; yet after catching a showing this time last year I became an instant fan.  Loretta Young and Celeste Holm play enterprising nuns that start a children’s hospital in New England.  These women are bright, resourceful, and endlessly good-natured; and they ring in the Christmas season by making a real difference in the world.
4. White Christmas: As a romance writer, this gorgeous little gem of a motion picture is probably my favorite Christmas movie overall; but could it really be considered a feminist movie?  After all, it’s understood from the beginning that the two female protagonists (singing sisters Betty and Judy Haynes, portrayed by the luminous Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen) intend to give up their lucrative singing careers once they find their husbands.  Yet both ladies are portrayed as smart, caring, resourceful and deserving of respect.  Betty Haynes at one point deserts her newfound love and musical partner because she (mistakenly) believes him to be false and opportunistic, staking out on her own to start her own show; and as a self-admitted bratty little sister myself, I just adore the sly, clever and completely incorrigible Judy!  In addition, one of the movie’s major dance numbers revolves around a song called “Sisters”—this making it a “well, duh!” must for this particular list!
5. Call Me Claus: Santa Claus is about to retire and he has a specific replacement in mind; and it’s Whoopi Goldberg.  Ain’t it cool?  This 2001 comedy, which also stars Nigel Hawthorne as Santa, is a little seen delight that showcases Goldberg at her smartest, sassiest, funniest best.
6. A Christmas Without Snow: In this 1980 TV movie, available on DVD, a divorced mom (played by the brilliant Michael Learned) is trying to find a job and make a new home for her son; also honing a newly discovered singing talent as a member of a local church choir.  She holds her own against choirmaster John Houseman, takes on racial and sexual prejudice, and saves the day at the end.
7. The Bishop’s Wife/The Preacher’s Wife: These two takes on the same beautiful Christmas story feature Loretta Young and Whitney Houston in the title roles.  Both of these films address the importance of respecting and valuing the woman of the house—and the church.  Plus you get to see the legendary Cary Grant and the widely respected Denzel Washington as very hawt angels—bonus!