Arts: The Best Christmas Movie Ever Made

Now playing: Slate V, a video-only site from the world's leading online magazine. Visit Slate V at www.slatev.com.
Brow Beat The Best Christmas Movie Ever Made By Colin Fleming Posted Wednesday, Dec 21, 2011, at 06:30 PM ET We've looked at the worst Christmas movies and the most underrated. This week, with the day in question almost upon us, I'll keep it simple: What is the best Christmas movie ever made? One you can fire up on the DVD player at Easter time, if you like, or in the dog days of the summer, and not feel like you've dislodged yourself from the holiday space-time continuum? Even good Christmas movies tend to be so resolutely of their season that a TCM showing of, say, Christmas in Connecticut in late February can make you wonder if you pulled a Rip Van Winkle and missed a few months. But there is one that I can watch at any time of year, confident that the experience will be just as potent as it is this week, with the candles in the window, the frost on the lawn, and a glass of eggnog by my side. Just as the Ghost of Christmas Past advised Ebenezer Scrooge to come and know him better, I'd advise anyone who's not seen it to come and know the 1951 version of A Christmas Carol, the king of holiday films. There have, of course, been many versions of the Dickens classic. The role of everybody's favorite miser has proven especially malleable, with everyone from Mr. Magoo to Albert Finney to George C. Scott putting in solid performances. For a long time, the 1938 version, starring Reginald Owen, was the one most ... To continue reading, click here. Join the Fray: our reader discussion forum What did you think of this article? POST A MESSAGE | READ MESSAGES Also In Slate Gingrich Is Right: There Is a Huge Constitutional Problem With "Judicial Supremacy" Now on Sale: Occupy Wall Street Lego Sets! Is Rooney Mara Actually Good in Dragon Tattoo or Does She Just Look Awesome?	Advertisement
Manage your newsletters subscription: Unsubscribe | Forward to a Friend | Advertising Information
Ideas on how to make something better? Send an e-mail to slatenewsletter@nl.slate.com. Copyright 2011 The Slate Group | Privacy Policy The Slate Group | c/o E-mail Customer Care | 1350 Connecticut Ave NW Suite 410 | Washington, D.C. 20036