Below you will find my personal list of the TOP TEN Christmas moms from holiday movies and specials that I’ve watched over the last half century. Yes, I’m THAT OLD! This was a huge challenge – I have a notebook full of scratched out names I would love to have included. (And don’t worry – we haven’t forgotten about dear ole dad!)
This was not a mission I took lightly. I perused all of my Christmas movie reviews, took copious notes and ultimately had to make some very rough choices.
And like all lists of this kind, ask me tomorrow, and it may look totally different.
Some movie moms I considered but ultimately turned down include Florence Henderson in A VERY BRADY CHRISTMAS, Donna Reed in IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE, Mary Steenburgen in ELF and Toni Collette in KRAMPUS.
But for now, I’m satisfied with these choices.
TOP TEN CHRISTMAS MOMS
In no particular order, here are some thoughts about my personal TOP 10 CHRISTMAS MOMS.
Enjoy!
NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION
I always felt that Beverly D’Angelo was criminally under-appreciated for her Ellen Griswold in the National Lampoon VACATION movies. D’Angelo can be bawdy comedienne and tender dramatic actress with equal aplomb. Patriarch Clark provides the majority of the laughs here, but mamma Ellen gets her fair share as well, plus she also provides the heart and soul. Like many families, mom is the backbone that holds the clan together.
CHRISTMAS EVE
The legendary Loretta Young is absolutely glorious as Amanda Kingsley, a wealthy woman from humble beginnings who discovers she is dying and wants to track down her son’s estranged children for one last family Christmas together. Yes, the movie is often as sad as it sounds, but Young provides Amanda a sense of humor and a genteel kindness and an innate sense of goodness that makes her almost incandescent. 73 years old when this was released, Loretta Young looked as beautiful as ever.
THE NIGHT THEY SAVED CHRISTMAS
This is one of those movies I appreciate for what makes it good and what makes it bad – even the bad is so deliciously fun it almost becomes good. Claudia is a dutiful wife and mother, but she also cares not only about her family but the world that is surrounding them. And she has the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit Santa’s workshop and not only save Christmas but save the future. Frankly, Smith is not a great actress – she succeeds best when she stands silently in awe, her eyes glistening in wonder and awe. When she talks, not so much. But I like Claudia as a character, and I admire her tenacity.
THE FAMILY STONE
I did not give this movie a positive review, but the best thing about it is Diane Keaton’s Sybil Stone. She’s warm, she’s funny, she’s flawed and she has a smile that brightens the darkest of rooms. I love the unique relationships she has with her husband and each of her children. My favorite scene is a dramatic one between Sybil and her son Everett (Dermot Mulroney) that gives me goosebumps just thinking about it. Keaton is one of the most mis-used actresses ever, but when she is given the right role, there’s hardly anyone who can keep up with her.
THE SNOWY DAY
Blessed with the soulful voice of Oscar-winner Regina King, Peter’s mom appears only briefly in this fantastic animated short film based on the book by Ezra Jack Keats. But in the moments we spend with her, the kindness and goodness of the character are nothing short of radiant, and it’s obvious the love she has for her son. Sometimes it’s not the amount of time we have with a character but what we see within that limited time that makes even the smallest of characters unforgettable. And I could listen to Regina King’s beautiful, soothing voice on loop for the rest of my life.
A CHRISTMAS STORY
Here’s another example of dad getting the laughs and ingratiating the audience with his humorously cantankerous spirit, but it’s Mrs. Parker who holds the film together with her warmth and her soul and even her exasperation. Mrs. Parker isn’t perfect – we sense at times she is ready to pull her hair out due to frustration. But her humanity is never in doubt. Melinda Dillon was a marvelous actress, and she created a subtly memorable character here. When I think of A CHRISTMAS STORY, I don’t think of the leg lamp or the air rifle, but I think of Mrs. Parker’s laugh in the Chinese restaurant. It’s buoyant!
SCROOGED
I’ve had a rocky relationship with this movie – I originally gave it a negative review, but upon revisiting it at the behest of a friend, I slightly changed my mind and gave it a mild recommendation. One great aspect of the film never in doubt was the character of Grace, who is basically Bob Cratchit here for all practical purposes. In the hands of the luminous Alfre Woodard, my favorite scenes of the movie are Grace at home with her family. I don’t think this is a film with much heart, but the majority of what is there is because of Karen Allen’s smile and Woodard’s portrayal of Grace.
EDWARD SCISSORHANDS
This is one of those films that may not check all the boxes of what makes a Christmas movie, but it has always felt like one to me. From the magical musical score to Edward’s ice sculpture creations to Alan Arkin singing I SAW THREE SHIPS, this has Christmas written all over it in my mind. And Peg Boggs is simply one of my favorite movie characters of the last few decades. I can’t describe it, but this Avon lady with the heart of gold and the bravery to show love to someone different, well, she just warms my tinsel! And it doesn’t hurt that the remarkable Dianne Wiest is the actress bringing her to life.
MIRACLE ON 34th STREET (1947)
I have a dear friend who hates the character of Doris Walker, comparing her in the early parts of this film to Margaret Hamilton in THE WIZARD OF OZ! I couldn’t disagree more. I fell in love with Maureen O’Hara in this film, and to date she remains the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen on the silver screen. But beyond the superficiality of that statement, Doris has an amazing character arc that I don’t think gets enough credits by fans or detractors. For me, the most important scene of the movie may very well be when Doris writes “I believe in you, too” at the bottom of Susan’s letter to Santa. This is my favorite Christmas movie of all time, and Doris’ transformation is chief among its assets.
EMMET OTTER’S JUG-BAND CHRISTMAS
Alice “Ma” Otter has felt like a second mother to me for almost 50 years. Of course I exaggerate, but only slightly! With a voice sweet as honeysuckle on the vine and the youthful exuberance of a young otter as she joins Emmet on Pa’s ice-covered slide, Alice will forever be my ideal Christmas mom. The fact that she’s made of felt and foam rubber makes it even more remarkable. She’s real in my heart, and even when she’s hocking Pa’s tool chest to afford material for a dress, her heart is in the right place. I treasure EMMET OTTER’S JUG-BAND CHRISTMAS like few things in life, and this list without Alice wouldn’t be complete.
So, what Christmas moms are missing from my list? Who would you like to have seen make an appearance?
Share your comments below.
More Christmas Movie Posts:
The Holiday Movie Review: Heartwarming Holiday Classic
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