With the Holiday Season in full swing it’s time for a debate around the television - which Christmas movie has the most holiday spirit?
A recent poll found that Michigan’s favorite Christmas movie is A Christmas Story.
Ben Thorp sat down with Patty Williamson, a Professor at Central Michigan University and self described film buff, television binge watcher, and reality television expert, to talk about what makes the movie so appealing to Michiganders.
Ben: So I have brought you in today to talk about Christmas movies. Here in Michigan the most popular Christmas movie, by a fairly wide margin, is A Christmas Story.
Patty: That doesn’t surprise me.
Ben: Ok, why not?
Patty: I think it’s one of those that it isn’t one of the truly traditional movies that you’d think of years ago like It’s a Wonderful Life, which is still beloved by many. I think it’s a slightly updated more updated version of a Christmas movie but not too modern. It’s something the whole family can watch. I think the comedy is a little quirky and it has sort of midwest roots so seems perfect for Michigan, I think, as a favorite Christmas movie.
Ben: What makes this movie good for the midwestern audience?
Patty: I think there are so many quotable lines and the content is really relatable. It’s kind of a throwback in some ways but there are so many jokes that people get. The fact that the little brother sticks his tongue out to the frozen flagpole and gets stuck. That’s something that I think we can relate to in Michigan with all the freezing cold Christmases we have and being bundled up in your winter gear so you can barely move and you end up being a big Michelin man trying to get out in the snow when you are a little kid because your parents go overboard. I think everyone can relate to that. It’s become a sort of more modern classic.
Ben: You are also kind of saying that what maybe makes a good Christmas movie is when is cutting in between in terms of age demographic.
Patty: I think so.
Ben: You’ve got your older demographic who can say “I grew up with this particular christmas movie” but it’s also quirky enough or maybe fresh enough that a younger generation can watch it and say “this is pretty good” too.
Patty: Definitely. I think that is the key. It doesn’t seem too outdated. It’s set in the past a bit but it still has things that everyone can relate to.
Ben: Further down the list, I’m just going to read this to you, we have Elf at second. Home Alone is number three. It’s a Wonderful Life is four and then at five we hit Die Hard.
Patty: Oh, that’s always a good one to debate with people.
Ben: Where did this crop up? This is now a classic Christmas question. Why is Die Hard a Christmas movie?
Patty: I think some people will argue it is not a Christmas movie. But I think the film is set at Christmas and it’s all about trying to get home for the holidays if you really boil it down. John Mcclane is trying to save his family so they can be together at Christmas time. Obviously, it’s a pretty violent Christmas movie, it’s not going to be for little kids, but it’s also sort of corny in its violence as well. I remember debating with friends 15 years ago whether Die Hard was a Christmas movie. At first I didn’t really think it fit the bill but now I’ve really come around. I think it has become more of a Christmas movie. And, hey, truthfully whatever people think is a Christmas movie can be a Christmas movie. If it is set at Christmas and includes Christmas lights, Christmas trees in the film anyone can argue it is a Christmas film. When it comes down to it, it is all about ritual. We have all these traditions and rituals at Christmas. That’s where we watch these same movies over and over because after you open the gifts and you eat a big meal you’re probably sitting around the house together as a family. Either you’re going to watch a movie together or you’re going out to a theater to see a movie together. So I think it’s that family bonding that goes on with the films that is the most important question when you ask is it a Christmas movie.
Ben: Thank you so much for coming in today and happy holidays.
Patty: Thanks, happy holidays.