Episode Transcript
[00:00:06] Speaker A: Welcome to Five Minute Film Finder, brought to you by Pioneer Library System.
[00:00:13] Speaker B: Hello, welcome to Five Minute Film Finder.
My name is Samuel and today I am joined by Jamie. Welcome. I think this is our first time.
[00:00:22] Speaker A: Doing the POD together.
[00:00:23] Speaker C: It is. I'm really excited about this and this.
[00:00:25] Speaker B: Is an awesome one because it is sort of a holiday themed movie selection here. So do you want to.
Should we just jump in or do you want to talk a little bit about holiday movies in general before we dive into our picks? Do you have ritual watches every year?
[00:00:41] Speaker C: I have a couple and one of them is another version of A Christmas Carol that is. I think I've realized we talked about this, but I've only seen three versions of A Christmas Carol before.
One of today's picks, and one of those is A Muppet Christmas Carol. So that is my favorite Christmas movie overall. Yeah. And so that. Yeah, I have to. I have to watch that every year. I've already watched it this year, so. Yeah. What about you? Do you have any other.
[00:01:11] Speaker B: Yeah, so I mean, I really have two. There are two that I. I watch others, of course, but there are two that I want to watch every year. One is, is this version of A Christmas Carol we're going to discuss today, which is the 1951 version. And then the other one is It's a Wonderful Life.
[00:01:26] Speaker C: Yeah.
[00:01:27] Speaker B: So those are kind of the two. I own It's a Wonderful Life on Blu Ray, which is great. I need to track down this one, see if I can get it, like on a hard copy. But. But luckily it's on Kanopy.
[00:01:37] Speaker C: Right.
[00:01:38] Speaker B: So I have access to my library card.
[00:01:40] Speaker C: But so I just saw It's a Wonderful Life, like, all the way through for the first time just a couple of years ago.
[00:01:46] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:01:46] Speaker C: I'd always heard about it and I, you know, I'd seen the clips and stuff and I never realized, yeah. Like, how kind of dark it is at birth, you know, and it takes a while before you get to the whole thing with, you know, the angel and him not being. Seeing what life would be like without him.
[00:02:01] Speaker B: It wasn't popular when it came out because it was so dark. And it only. It only kind of got its status through showing up on television and that's how it became kind of like a holiday classic. But, yeah, it's an interesting history behind it. So.
[00:02:15] Speaker C: Yeah. I'm curious about your opinion.
Do you think Die Hard, it's a Christmas movie. I know this is like a debated topic.
[00:02:27] Speaker B: So I married into A Die Hard as a Christmas movie.
[00:02:30] Speaker C: Family.
[00:02:30] Speaker B: So for the sake of peaceful relationships, I'm gonna say it is a Christmas movie. Yeah, Yeah.
[00:02:36] Speaker C: I just saw a clip of an interview that Macaulay Culkin did, and he was asked the same question and he was like, no, it is not a Christmas movie. It just takes place around Christmas. But you could throw it into any holiday or time period and, you know, it's the same movie. So.
[00:02:51] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
[00:02:53] Speaker C: I never really thought about before until, like, the last few years when it suddenly became, like, in the lexicon. But I was like, yeah, it's a Christmas movie. They play Christmas music in it.
[00:03:04] Speaker B: So, yeah, I'm going to show my ignorance about it. But they. It's a classic sort of like Christmas musical composition that underlies, like, the whole film's score. Right. Is it. Is it like Beethoven's like. Like, is it like Joy to the World?
[00:03:21] Speaker C: Yes, they do play that.
And there's a big moment. Yeah. Where they really. That blows up and you loudly played. But yeah.
[00:03:28] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:03:28] Speaker C: So you're right.
[00:03:29] Speaker B: So, I mean, there's more than just a little cultural tie to the holiday season, so for sure.
Should we jump into your film?
[00:03:38] Speaker C: Yeah, let's go for it. And I guess we'll have Wilhelm start our timer.
Okay. So my pick, I'm gonna say, is mostly a sentimental pick. It's the 1954 classic White Christmas. It was directed by Michael Curtis and starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kay, Rosemary Clooney and Vera Ellen. So this was like my mom's favorite Christmas movie.
So I grew up watching it with her and she would tell me about, you know, she had memories of watching it with her mom.
So, I mean, almost makes me, like, a little emotional just like.
Like thinking about this right now, just talking about it.
Anyway, so it's your.
It's based on, of course, I think I read that Irving Berlin suggested a movie be based on his song. And I know that the song originally appeared in Holiday Inn. And so now they did. They did this movie and it's about a couple army buddies who, after World War II, they become like a dance, a song and dance act, and they become really big and they meet a couple of sisters played by Rosemary Clooney and Vera Ellen, and they go end up following them to Vermont through a series of events, and they end up at a lodge that is owned by their former general, who's retired General Waverly.
And to me, it's really funny. Interesting to me because, like, the main plot of the movie doesn't really get started until like 45 minutes in, like, they get to the lodge, finds out the lodge is, you know, not. Not doing well because there's no snow in Vermont, and so tourists are not coming. So they kind of have the whole little do the trope of like, let's put on a show and save the day.
[00:05:19] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:05:20] Speaker C: And I, of course, I like. I love musicals. My mom was really into them. I grew up watching them. I don't know. Are you a musical fan or do you.
[00:05:29] Speaker B: Historically, no, but watching a movie like this and you see, like, the range of talent, like an actress, like Rosemary Clooney has, you're like, that's impressive. But you don't really see that as much in studio films in Hollywood and things like that.
[00:05:45] Speaker C: Right.
[00:05:45] Speaker B: It's kind of. You're like, oh, man. Like, that's kind of cool, you know? Yeah, yeah, yeah.
[00:05:49] Speaker C: I feel like maybe like, after the 60s, it seemed like movie musicals kind of went, not to say by the wayside, but just, like, we didn't have as many, like, big productions like they did back in the 40s, 50s.
I love, like, Edith Head did the costumes. Oh, I'm sorry. I just remembered that it was the first film filmed in VistaVision.
[00:06:10] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:06:10] Speaker C: And I saw it. I went and saw it in theaters last year, and I was just almost distracted by, like, the colors and, like, how Bing Crosby's eyes so blue.
[00:06:20] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:06:20] Speaker C: I was like, wow, it's really, I think, a beautiful film. And like, I said, Edith had. Did the costumes.
What did you. Was this your first time watching it or.
[00:06:31] Speaker B: So this is. This is my second time. And I will say there's, like a. There's. There's also kind of a sentimental tie in because the first time I saw it was in grad school with, like, some of, like, the closest friends I've ever made in my life. And so that it was. It's like, there is this sentimental attachment to it.
[00:06:46] Speaker C: Yeah.
[00:06:46] Speaker B: And this time it was. It was lovely to see it again and be like. I think. I think the costumes were the thing that really jumped out to me. Like, just absolute beautiful sets with these, like, beautiful costumes and. And. And just wonderful numbers and stuff. And. And, yeah, yeah, it's. Yeah, it's. It's fun movie. Yeah.
[00:07:06] Speaker C: I.
Of course, you have the classic song White Christmas. I also really like the song. I think it's called the Old man, and it's the one they sing to their general. And that part. I don't want to give too many spoilers away, but there was a part where they sing to him, and it just like really tugs at my heartstrings. And I think I got a little teary eyed when I watched it this time again.
And I think his story is kind of the heart of the movie.
I do have a bit of trivia for you. Okay. Okay. Do you know there are two Oscar winners for best supporting actor in this movie that are not any of the leads.
Do you know who one or both of them might be?
[00:07:45] Speaker B: Oh, I don't. I saw. Okay. I actually, I was looking up stuff about this movie and I saw it, but I didn't clock their names.
One of them's like a dancer in the.
Is it the cabaret or like the scene where Rosemary Clooney's in New York City? One of the dancers. Yep, but I don't know their names.
[00:08:06] Speaker C: Yeah, George Shakiris who played. He won for Bernardo in West side Story. Oh, okay. Okay. And the other one is General Waverly himself. Dean Jagger, he won for 12 o' clock high.
[00:08:17] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:08:18] Speaker C: So yeah, I thought that was kind of interesting. And the song, of course, was not eligible because it actually White Christmas won Oscar for Holiday Inn, best original song. Count your blessings from this movie was nominated but did not win.
Also, I think I forgot to say that this movie is available on hoopla and I believe it's not rated, but I think it's just a great, nice holiday classic. It's.
Oh, we are almost out of time, but.
Oh, there we go.
But yeah, I think if you're just looking for like a nice, easy film to watch with some, some fun songs and if you haven't seen it, then maybe give this one a shot.
[00:08:56] Speaker B: But yeah, yeah, I mean it is, I think it is like considered a holiday classic.
[00:09:02] Speaker C: Yeah, for sure.
[00:09:04] Speaker B: And I know we're over time, but I, I love kind of the rom com plot.
[00:09:10] Speaker C: Right.
[00:09:11] Speaker B: Just getting Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney together. I don't know, I, I love that stuff. And then like, you know, the, the friends who are, you know, the sister and the.
And like plotting and I love that kind of stuff.
I think I, I grew up seeing a lot of rom com.
[00:09:24] Speaker C: Yes, me too.
[00:09:24] Speaker B: As a kid. And so you just like. I love that kind of like storyline and like trope, I guess.
[00:09:30] Speaker C: Yeah, me too.
[00:09:31] Speaker B: It's delightful.
[00:09:32] Speaker C: I'm a sucker for it, so.
[00:09:33] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:09:33] Speaker C: And I just like, especially around this time of year, I just kind of been in the mood lately just for more light hearted movies, a simple plot. So.
[00:09:42] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:09:43] Speaker C: Yeah, for sure.
[00:09:44] Speaker B: Well, on that note, should we dive into something a little darker?
[00:09:48] Speaker C: All right, let's do it.
[00:09:51] Speaker B: I guess Wilhelm will get our time started.
Okay. All right, so I have two movies I watch every year around Christmas.
One of them is Wonderful Life, but we're gonna set that to the side for now. The other one is Scrooge.
[00:10:11] Speaker C: Yeah.
[00:10:11] Speaker B: 1951, starring Alistair Sim. It is just. It's called Scrooge, It's A Christmas Carol. Right. I think most other adaptations are called A Christmas Carol, but. But Scrooge is. Is sort of.
That's the one I grew up watching, and it's, like, the only one I've watched.
I've told people I've maybe caught another one on TV some holiday season, but this is the one I watch, and this is the one I watch every year.
I absolutely love it. I don't know where to start with it.
I guess I would go with one. I think Alastair Sim is incredible as Ebenezer Scrooge, and I love the swing of emotions that the film produces from, you know, you get these, like, kind of understated looks he gives people as they're, like, asking him for money or asking him for mercy or, you know, all these things.
And then he's also.
He's kind of funny as a bad guy. Right? Like. Like a lot of. Like a lot of bad guys are. Are kind of funny. And it pains me to say it, but. But, yeah, he's kind of funny when he's, you know, talking to people and they're like, it's Christmas. And, you know, like, he has the whole bank holiday and a heat wave in August line. It's. It's kind of funny, but also terrible. So I want that on the record, as I'm talking about this.
[00:11:32] Speaker C: Don't agree with his.
[00:11:33] Speaker B: Yeah, I don't agree with his views and. And.
But then he goes from, like, being just scared out of his mind when Jacob Marley shows up and. And the other ghosts and. And. And the fear, it's almost exaggerated.
And I think it just works because A Christmas Carol kind of. It is, like, almost like this.
I don't. I don't know my literary errors, but is it like a Victorian style? Like, it feels very Victorian, and. And so that kind of performance just. It just resonates. It feels like it fits. Fits the source material to when he, like, has his redemption arc. He's. The hilarity of it all, like, is just over the top, and I love it.
And so that's. That's a big reason why I love this adaptation so much.
The other one is the Jacob Marley scene. I love the Jacob Marley scene. And I think a big. A big reason is.
And I get, like.
I get almost weepy every time it happens when Scrooge tells him, but you were, like, a great man of business.
[00:12:43] Speaker C: Yeah.
[00:12:43] Speaker B: He says, mankind was my business. Their common welfare was my business.
And I think the reason why I love this movie so much is because I. I believe that, like, I, like. I believe that, like, that to be true.
And.
And so every time I see it, like, I'm like, yeah, like, that's right. That's true. Like, you know, like, human. Like, you know, maybe updating, like, the language, like, humanity is. Is all of our business. Right. And.
And that should matter to us, you know, beyond just, like, you know, counting pennies and things like that.
[00:13:17] Speaker C: So when I was thinking about, like, what makes this the Christmas Carol story so timeless, that's so relatable, because how many of us have also, like, you know, looked back at our past, like, we should have done this differently or that, you know, this was my first time seeing it. Yeah. So thank you for having me watch it. Yeah, I.
I really enjoyed it. And I liked. One thing I liked about it was other versions of A Christmas Carol, I feel like. Or at least, I mean, I'm thinking mostly the Muppet Christmas Carol, this one. I feel like we saw more of his past and kind of reason, like, why he became the way he was because he had a s. The story and that. And, like, the Muppet version, she's not in it.
And so it just makes him more relate, you know, like, you really kind of understand, like, how he ended up the way he is or was.
[00:14:06] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:14:06] Speaker C: Yeah. So, yeah.
[00:14:08] Speaker B: Yeah. It does have, like, a real backstory. And you can see, like, the other thing is, like, we change over time.
[00:14:14] Speaker C: Right.
[00:14:14] Speaker B: And not always for the better. Right. And you see that, like. Like, Scrooge changes for the worse, and then he changes for the better right at the end. And I think that's like, a very, I don't know, like, very true thing to human nature.
[00:14:25] Speaker C: Right.
[00:14:27] Speaker B: I think another, again, I don't want to, like. Like, I don't want to disparage other adaptations because I haven't seen them.
[00:14:33] Speaker C: Yeah.
[00:14:34] Speaker B: I just, like, this is what I like about this adaptation, that it does do a good job of plotting his character. His character arc, which is, I find, like, incredible. And. And I think that's why Wilhelm's. I can. I can feel Wilhelm approaching here, his.
[00:14:51] Speaker C: Presence.
[00:14:55] Speaker B: And there he is.
Oh, no.
I feel like the Ghost of Christmas yet to Come has appeared in front of Me.
[00:15:04] Speaker C: Yeah.
[00:15:05] Speaker B: But. But yeah, no, and I. Well, I'll just. I'll just end on. I think A Christmas Carol is. Is also just an incredible story.
I actually, I'm gonna do a quick shout out to a co worker. My co worker, Lauren performed in Sooner Theaters production of Scrooge the Musical.
[00:15:23] Speaker C: Yeah.
[00:15:24] Speaker B: And I was watching that, had the same reaction to the, to the Marley scene of, you know, mankind is my business.
And then also just thought this, this story is just incredible. It's a really good story and I love it and that's why I like to watch it every year, I guess.
[00:15:37] Speaker C: Nice.
[00:15:37] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:15:38] Speaker C: I'd be really curious if you ever. If you do watch any other versions, what you think about him. So like to hear your thoughts.
[00:15:44] Speaker B: Yeah, I. I should. I. And I. And. And I probably. I'm not going to make this promise, but I'll try my best to.
[00:15:51] Speaker C: Maybe for next year.
[00:15:52] Speaker B: Maybe next year.
Yeah. Yeah.
[00:15:54] Speaker C: Like, I've never seen the version I think with Jim Carrey. Oh, I've never watched that one. I don't even know how many versions.
[00:16:00] Speaker B: There's so many.
[00:16:01] Speaker C: There's.
[00:16:02] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:16:02] Speaker C: But. Yeah. So.
[00:16:04] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:16:05] Speaker C: Okay.
[00:16:06] Speaker B: Awesome.
Well, I guess we hope everyone enjoys these selections for the holidays and everyone has a happy and joyful holiday season.
[00:16:17] Speaker C: Yeah.
[00:16:18] Speaker B: Yeah. Thank you for joining. This was a lot of fun, Jamie.
[00:16:21] Speaker C: I really appreciate it too. Glad we got to do this. So.
[00:16:23] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:16:24] Speaker C: All right.
[00:16:26] Speaker B: Till next time.
[00:16:27] Speaker C: Bye.
[00:16:30] Speaker A: Five Minute Film Finder is a digital program brought to you by Pioneer Library System in Oklahoma. All opinions expressed in this episode are those of the host and not those of the organization.
Five Minute Film Finder is produced, recorded and mixed by Ben C. Theme music by Ben C.
If you have any questions, concerns, or comments, please email podcastioneerlibrarysystem.org Remember to, like, review and subscribe.
Thanks for listening.
