The Polar Express

"The bell only rings for those who believe."

When Thomas was young, my Mom bought him a copy of Chris Van Allsburg's The Polar Express which came with a bell.  It was around the time that the movie came out starring Tom Hanks.  A little boy (the hero boy) is questioning the existence of Santa.  On Christmas Eve, a train headed to the North Pole, modelled on the Pere Marquette 225 that Allsburg used to play on as a boy in Michigan, stops at his house and he climbs aboard.

http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/family-kids-news/polar-express-coming-christmas-2016-11732830

On the train he meets a know-it-all boy, a friendly girl and a poor boy.  The children are treated to a steaming cup of hot chocolate, served by a team of dancing and singing waiters.



                                

                                             Hot chocolate scene from the Polar Express                            courtesy https://www.pinterest.com/pin/339247784410367408/.



 A problem arises when the little girl loses her ticket, which floats through the air over the hills and through the woods passed an array of animals.  The hero boy discovers the girl's ticket which has slipped back through the window of the train.  He meets a hobo on top of the train, also voiced by Tom Hanks.

https://www.amazon.com/Polar-Express-Widescreen-Tom-Hanks/dp/B000AGTPUK

As the train approaches the North Pole, it crosses a frozen lake. The train zigzags back and forth like a roller coaster to avoid the cracks in the ice, caused by a cotter pin.  The North Pole is designed according to the American history of railroading:  one building is patterned after Chicago's Pullman Factory; another is patterned after New York City's old Penn Station.

Pullman Palace Car Company in Chicago courtesy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Polar_Express_(film).

Santa arrives to much fanfare, his sac of toys airlifted by a zeppelin.  One bell breaks lose from a reindeer's harness.  The hero boy retrieves it and puts it in his pocket.  Santa declares that the bell is "the first gift of Christmas".  When the conductor stamps the hero boy's ticket as he disembarks the train, the ticket says "BELIEVE".  At first, the hero boy couldn't hear the bell ring in his housecoat pocket, but now he does.

http://missionlanguagelab.blogspot.ca/2012/12/the-polar-express.html

Home Alone

Home Alone house in Chicago courtesy 

http://www.housekaboodle.com/famous-movie-house-home-alone-is-sold/.

When Rob and I were attending Teachers' College in Windsor, we saw the Christmas movie Home Alone at the theatre.  I fell in love with McCauley Culkin's character, Kevin McAllister.  I clipped a photo of the little boy with the big blue eyes out of a magazine, pinned it to the bulletin board in my dorm room, and named him "Little Thomas" (the name we picked out for our future son).





                                 

The photo that I clipped out of the magazine circa 1990 and called "Little Thomas" courtesy http://www.eonline.com/news/715334/home-alone-s-most-iconic-quotes-ranked-in-honor-of-the-25th-anniversary.

Twenty six years have passed, but I still love that movie.  Kevin is mistakenly left at his Chicago home by his parents, who fly to Paris, France with his siblings.  He could have easily panicked; instead, he rose to the occasion.  I love how Kevin manages to outsmart the two crooks who keep trying to break into the family home.  I love how Kevin uses cardboard cutouts to make it look like he's having a party at his house, even thought he's really home alone.  I love how Kevin goes into the magnificent church with the giant manger scene outside and meets up with his eccentric neighbour.  For the first time he discovers that his neighbour isn't a character from a horror movie but a real person with a heart.  Kevin listens to his dilemma, how he and his son haven't spoken for years.  Later, we see Kevin peeking out his window and seeing the father and son reconciling.  Yes, after all these years, Home Alone doesn't lose its charm.

Kevin talks to his "scary" neighbour in the church courtesy https://cool.com.ng/home-alone-everyones-favourite-holiday-movie/.

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

https://themaindamie.com/2013/12/13/5-for-friday-the-5-most-bad-ass-rankin-bass-characters/

Santa Claus is Coming to Town brings back great memories.  I remember the Burgermeister slipping on a toy and breaking his leg...a baby being left on the doorstep of the Burgermeister who sends the infant to the orphan asylum...Tante Kringle adopting the baby...

http://anybodyspecialtonight.blogspot.ca/2010/12/saying-merry-christmas-with-movie.html

Kris Kringle carrying a sac of "forbidden" toys to the children of Sombertown...the Burgermeister soldiers wearing World War I era helmets...Jessica, with her bright red hair and doe-like eyes, singing in the town square...the Winter Warlock "taking one step in front of the other"...the Burgermeister's heart melting after Kris Kringle brings him a yo-yo.

http://www.georgiadunnstudio.com/2011/12/twelve-days-of-christmas-day-six-great.html

Here are ten facts you may not know about the TV show Santa Claus is Coming to Town:

• the TV show was based on a song first performed by Eddie Cantor on the radio in 1934 (http://alinefromlinda.blogspot.ca/2015/12/james-gillespies-santa-claus-is-coming.html)
• when the TV show airs on ABC today it's usually edited to fit into the one hour time slot; the songs "My World is Beginning Today" and "If You Sit on My Lap Today" are cut
• when the TV show airs on Freeform (formerly ABC Family) disturbing scenes for children are cut like the Burgermeister burning the children's toys
• Rudolph is not heavily featured in the story since he is so big, he merits his own TV show
• Alvin & the Chipmunks made a remake of the song "Santa Claus is Coming to Town"
• first released in 1970, Santa Claus is Coming to Town stars Fred Astaire as the narrator, Mickey Rooney as Kris Kringle and Keenan Wynn as the Winter Warlock
• the TV show was created in Japan using stop motion animation called "Animagic"
• all the characters are made out of wood and plastic
• two of the songs on the TV show are performed by the Westminster Children's Choir (Santa Claus is Coming to Town; If You Sit on My Lap Today)
• Burgermeister's full name is Burgermeister Meisterburger which means Town Mayor Master Citizen in German

https://thedinglehopper.wordpress.com/2014/12/28/movie-review-santa-claus-is-coming-to-town-rudolph-the-red-nosed-reindeer/

Rudolph: As Beloved as Caroling and Putting out Cookies for Santa

"Fifty years later, the tradition seems to be as beloved as caroling and putting out cookies for Santa." http://mashable.com/2014/12/06/rudolph-the-red-nosed-reindeer-tv-special-facts/#EymBOUVggkqP

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudolph_the_Red-Nosed_Reindeer

Christmas just wasn't Christmas without watching Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer on TV.  The childhood images come flooding back to me:  Rudolph flying in the sky and then plummeting to the earth, all to impress the does...Clarisse batting her long curly eyelashes at Rudolph...the narrator snowman gliding across the snow in his plaid vest and top hat...the misfit toys that nobody wanted...the Abominable Snow Monster who scared me as a youngster...the elf explaining that he really wanted to be a dentist...Yukon Cornelius chopping away at the block of ice...Mrs. Claus pleading with her husband:  "Eat, Santa, Eat!"

http://museu.ms/event/details/117809/film-rudolph-the-rednosed-reindeer

Although Rudolph first appeared in a booklet in 1939 published by the Montgomery Ward Department Store, and although the song debuted in 1949, the character did not take off (literally) until the TV show premiered in 1964.

                                

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_Ctt8TfaXU

Here are some interesting facts about the production:

• More than 200 puppets were carved for the TV show.
• Rudolph stood only 4 inches tall.
• The special took 18 months to complete.
• Twenty-two room-size sets were used in the production.
• Animators spent two days observing deer to create Rudolph.
• The original narrator, Larry Mann (Yukon Cornelius), adopted a New York accent for the role.
• The elf who wanted to be a dentist was named Hermey, not Herbie.
• It took 24 frames to create one second of filmed animation.
• Silver & Gold was originally recorded by Yukon Cornelius.
• No one was allowed to touch the puppets except the puppet maker and the animator in order to preserve them.  

Source: http://mashable.com/2014/12/06/rudolph-the-red-nosed-reindeer-tv-special-facts/#EymBOUVggkqP 

Burl Ives with the puppets courtesy 

http://miserbros.com/shop/posters/burl-ives-rudolph-the-red-nosed-reindeer-publicity-photo/.

How to Grow Gratitude

   

Image courtesy www.bible-basics-layers-of-understanding.com.

Today our family watched Mr. Magoo's "A Christmas Carol".  Of course it starts with Scrooge, played by Mr. Magoo, counting his gold coins.  Although his money bag is full, his heart is empty. After having visits from the four ghosts, Scrooge has a rebirth.  He visits his overworked employee's household where he gets down on all fours and plays horsey with Tiny Tim.  Shocked, Bob Cratchit comments that his boss has become like a child again.  It reminded me of the Scripture verse:  "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 3:18)

Image courtesy http://4.bp.blogspot.com. 

It is so easy for us to complain about what we don't have rather than rejoice in what we do have.  However, we know that it is those who count their blessings are the happiest.  We wait and wait for the big events to happen:  the big job offer, the big house, the new job, the new spouse, the new baby.  But we don't take the time to notice the little things:  the warm smile that the cashier gave us; the person that held the door for us; the compliment someone gave us.

A Kansas City minister gave a 21 day challenge to everyone:  try to refrain from complaining.  He handed out wrist bands that said "NO COMPLAINT".  With a physical reminder like a wrist band, he thought they would be more likely to notice when they were complaining and try to reverse the bad habit.  The minister's challenge is something that we all should try.

Image courtesy http://theprojecthitchhiker.com. 

As one blogger points out, gratitude is not the reaction to getting what we want, it is a state of mind.  It is something that we should feel all the time, regardless of our circumstance.  Material things provide us with only fleeting pleasure.  Only God can provide us with eternal joy.

People who notice the simple pleasures, who are aware of their blessings, who realize that life itself is a miracle, are happier more resilient individuals.  They form stronger relationships, they enjoy better health, they experience less stress and they achieve their personal goals more often.

Like Scrooge, we need visits from the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future.  We need to have everything we hold near and dear taken away from us.  Only then will we realize how precious our blessings are; how precious life is.  Only then will we get down on all fours and play horsey with our children.  Only then will we live life to the fullest.

Image courtesy http://theseconddisc.com. 

As Meister Eckhart said:  "If the only prayer you say in your life is 'thank you', that would suffice."

Every Who Down in Whoville

"Every Who Down in Whoville liked Christmas a lot.  But the Grinch, who lived just north of Whoville did not...He stood there on Christmas hating the Who's.  Staring down from his cave, with a sour grinchy frown at the warm lighted windows below in their town." (How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Dr. Seuss)

www.theiphonemom.com

Rumor has it that Theodor Geisel was turned down not once but three times at the University of Virginia, a school founded by Thomas Jefferson.  Dr. Seuss vowed one day to look down on that university.

In 1937, Theodor Geisel struck gold when he signed a contract with Vangard Press for his first book And to Think that I Saw it on Mulberry Street (see post "From Mulberry St. to Madison Ave" at http://alinefromlinda.blogspot.ca/2012/04/april-29.html ).  He went on to fame and fortune with Horton Hatches the Egg, If I Ran the Circus and other picture books.

Before writing How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Theodor Geisel, now Dr. Seuss, bought a stately home in the mountains overlooking Virginia (just as Thomas Jefferson purchased Monticello).  Just as Dr. Seuss lived on a mountain overlooking Virginia, the Grinch lived on Mount Crumpit overlooking Whoville.  The University of Virginia mascot was called a Wahoo or a Hoo for short.  Some say that Dr. Seuss' inspiration for the Who's was the Hoo's.

Regardless of the book's inspiration, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, which first appeared on the shelves in 1957, became an instant hit.  It wasn't long before Americans were familiar with phrases like "a heart two sizes too small" and "little Cindy Lou Hoo" and "carve the roast beast" and "the last can of who hash".  According to some websites, How the Grinch Stole Christmas is the fifth most popular book Dr. Seuss ever wrote.

In 1966, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas premiered on television. Boris Karloff played the role of the narrator.  Albert Hague and Eugene Poddany brought the story to life with their musical score.  I so looked forward to watching that story on TV each year.  I can just imagine the trumpet sounding on Christmas morning...the Who's playing with their wind up toys...little Cindy Lou Hoo asking Santy Claus why he is taking their tree in a peep peep voice...and the voices of the Who's singing Christmas carols which waft up Mount Crumpit and melt the Grinch's heart.  Yes, "every Who down in Whoville liked Christmas a lot."

The Who stands on Mount Crumpit looking down on the Who's courtesy http://www.playbuzz.com/vanjaorman10/how-well-do-you-know-the-grinch-who-stole-christmas.

The Bells of St. Mary's

"The Bells of St. Mary's" premiered in December of 1945 and starred Bing Crosby as Father O'Malley and Ingrid Bergman as Sister Benedict, two teachers trying to save their run-down parochial school from the wrecking ball.  Father O'Malley is new to the school and believes in liberal theories of teaching; Sister Benedict, on the other hand, has been instructing at the school for years and believes in firm discipline. One early scene involves the priest introducing himself to the sisters and as he speaks, he's puzzled at why everyone is laughing; a kitten has jumped into his hat sitting on the piano behind him.

Another funny scene involves Sister Benedict, in her habit, training student Eddie in the art of "pugilism", after he was tripped by the school bully.  Father Benedict helps a weaker student named Patsy with her essay, and after some prodding, discovers that her mother and father are estranged; the priest relocates Patsy's dad and brings the couple back together again.

The cutest scene of "The Bells of St. Mary's" occurs at Christmas time.  The Grade 1 class prepares a pageant in which they sing Happy Birthday to baby Jesus, played by the younger sibling of one of the students.  Rather than remaining in the manger, "toddler" Jesus keeps jumping out.

In the meantime, their neighbour, Mr. Bogardus, has built an office building next door and dreams of St. Mary's being torn down so he can build a parking lot.  However, Sister Benedict has been praying that Mr. Bogardus will donate the building to the parish to use as their new school.  The crotchety businessman goes to the doctor who diagnoses him with a bad heart.  What is the prescription?  Give with your heart and it will be full (and healthy).

"The Bells of St. Mary's" received eight Academy Award nominations and became a staple in American cinematography.



Photo courtesy http://cf1.imgobj.com.