In 1898, the first ever Christmas film, Santa Claus, was released. This was a silent movie made in Britain by George Albert Smith. Since then, Hollywood has grown into a mass industry with a significant holiday platform.
Before the mass industry came the mid-century boom, when Christmas cinema found its legendary charm. Through films like It’s a Wonderful Life and White Christmas, families added Christmas movies to their holiday ritual. As decades passed, this media was met with suburban comedic cinema. These films take place in a typical American suburban neighborhood. Some all-time favorites include Home Alone, Elf and National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.
Classic movies like these have a timeless, warm nature. Similar to other old genres, earlier Christmas movies follow a slower pace. This gentle plot helps the audience slow down and unwind, exactly what’s needed during a busy holiday. Simple scenes like a silent snowfall while looking out the window, the glow of light decor and fire crackling all contribute to this sense of relaxation. Without modern distraction, these films provide a moment to breathe.
Furthermore, there’s a sense of visual warmth throughout old Christmas media. Before the flashy effects and loud color displays were black-and-white or faded color displays. This almost glowing imagery makes for not only a nostalgic sense, but also a handcrafted one. Take, for example, the classic sugar cookie recipe passed down from generation to generation compared to the store-bought pink frosted Loft House sugar cookies. The sincerity of a grandmother’s fresh and warm cookie carries comfort. In a similar way, the simplicity of an old Christmas movie carries charm.
The soundtrack is yet another key feature found in the classics. Musical choices made by these producers usually hold slow harmonies and memorable melodies. Comforting songs with a classic holiday hue, like the sound of a church choir, add dreamlike characteristics. The nostalgia of Christmas classics feels like watching a memory playback in real time.
To top it off, older cinema typically follows a straightforward plot line. The holidays are the time to spread cheer, kindness and gratitude. These movies captured that and in turn the audience is able to rely on the characters and theme to enjoy watching. Instead of being overstimulated, they can appreciate the timeless and intentional aspect.
In recent years, the streaming franchises have been stealing the Christmas charm, with endless new titles with familiar plot lines: always a safe ending and perfect production. This seemingly systematic structure on top of mass marketing has made for an unwanted Christmas cinema reboot.
A large factor is the repetitive remakes. Take the Grinch in How the Grinch Stole Christmas. What was originally a 1966 antagonist for toddlers has turned into an animated fluffy green figure. The evolution of our new and bland 2018 Grinch is influenced by Jim Carrey’s 2000s film. This Grinch film started as a story to encourage gratefulness throughout children, especially during the holiday season. However, the most recent How the Grinch Stole Christmas is classified as a comedy. This infamous movie started as an important lesson yet has turned into a surface level animation: the prime example of America’s mass media apathetic takeover.
The lack of emotional depth and repetitive plot lines have caused new Christmas movies to miss the mark. To recapture the charm, producers should focus on storytelling. The evolution of all movies started with storytelling, therefore when filmmakers base their theme with a classic plot line, it’s automatically gaining charm.
Christmas cinema is an extensive tradition, reshaped throughout the decades. From timeless romances to flashy comedies, they’ve become a holiday staple. In recent years, it can be difficult to appreciate the quick moving, crowded new movies. To regain the much needed Christmas charm, all the film franchise needs is to add some genuine cheer. A simple yet sincere personal touch can go a long way.
With producers’ help, bringing back the Christmas cinema classics could be, quite possibly, a Christmas movie miracle.
