It’s officially the holiday season, and we’ve got lots of great films coming up at Park City Film. There’s nothing like a holiday classic, though, so we asked Park City Film staff members, volunteers, and board members to tell us their favorite holiday films. Read on for Park City Film’s favorite holiday movies!
Katy Wang, Executive Director
The Original How the Grinch Stole Christmas
“It’s a great story that I used to look forward to seeing every December when I was a kid, since back then you could only see it on TV. It made Dr. Seuss come alive for me and what could be better than Boris Karloff as the narrator? And of course, as a New Yorker, what could be better than Miracle on 34th Street?”
Jay Zynczak, Board Member
A Christmas Story
Jay’s childhood friend, Zach Ward, plays the bully in it! He also loves It’s A Wonderful Life, Elf and Holiday Inn.
Kathleen Stone, Program and Marketing Coordinator
A Christmas Story
“I love this movie for its wittiness and sarcasm, but it still captures the Christmas spirit nicely. It also totally sums up the chilliness of winter in general– I think of ‘I can’t put my arms down!’ every time I add lots of layers on a particularly cold day.”
Lesley Christoph, Board Member
Love Actually
“Since my absolute favorite, A Charlie Brown Christmas, is a TV special not a movie, I’ll have to go with Love Actually for Hugh Grant’s dancing and the poignant/ridiculous love stories throughout.”
Jill Orschel, Filmmakers Showcase Director
White Christmas
“One of my favorite Xmas movies is White Christmas with Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, and George Clooney’s mom, Rosemary Clooney! I love it for the music, which I sing along to every year—especially the songs SISTERS and SNOW. The plot centers around a small resort town waiting for much needed snow, so it’s a story us mountain town skiers can relate to!”
Larry Brownstein, Board Member
White Christmas
“Love the ending when the doors open to the Vermont snowfall. It’s a corny, sappy, old-fashioned musical. A nice message of successful people helping out their old army sergeant.”
Cheryl Soshnik, Volunteer
It’s a Wonderful Life
“I don’t even have to think about this one. It’s a Wonderful Life of course. No Christmas season is complete without watching this classic, a film that still makes me cry every year with happiness. The true meaning of Christmas and family. Classic!”
Diana Pérez, Board Member
The Day of the Beast/El día de la bestia
Diana grew up in Spain, and she watched Spanish versions of the movies Americans know and love like It’s a Wonderful Life, A Christmas Carol and Love Actually. Her favorite Spanish film is The Day of The Beast (El día de la bestia).
“It’s directed by Alex De la Iglesia, who is one of my favorite Spanish movie makers. This is a dark comedy that takes place during Christmas Eve, and it has one of the most interesting views of Madrid.”
Tom Horton, Volunteer
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
“It’s the best parody of Christmas, and the holiday has become so overblown it needs all the parodies it can get. Bad Santa is a close second.”
Craig McCarthy, Board Member
Home Alone
“It is funny, and the one-liners and various situations presented are really creative and keep your attention. It is nice change from all the feel good movies about the holiday season.”
Daniel Lewis, Projectionist
Home Alone 2
“The homeless lady in the movie is the sweetest character in the whole movie. Her accent is so sweet. Every scene with her in the movie brings out the true meaning of Christmas!”
Katarina Krska, Volunteer
Tri Orisky pro Popelku
Katarina grew up in Slovakia, and though she has lived in Park City for more than 20 years, she hasn’t watched many American holiday movies. Here is her favorite from Slovakia.
We grew up on Tri Orisky pro Popelku (Three wishes for Cinderella) which was filmed in 1973 and it is played every Christmas to this day. It is a story very much like Cinderella. The theme song is sung by famous (for us) singer Karel Gott who to this day is quite popular. The Popelka (Cinderella) is played by Libuse Safrankova, a very famous actress in our country. Christmas can’t officially begin without watching this movie.
Leslie Masters, Volunteer
Holiday Inn
The interplay between Bing Crosby (nice guy) and Fred Astaire (fancy Hollywood actor and conniver) is addictive. I frequently call upon the song “I’ve Got Plenty to be Thankful For” when I ponder my problems. The innocence of boy meets girl is wonderful. The New Year’s Eve dance by Fred Astaire is legendary. According to interviews, Fred drank a shot each time they had to re-shoot the New Year’s scene, so he actually had seven shots (or more!) in him when they shot the final cut!
During this holiday season, we’re so grateful for all of the Park City Film staff members, board members and volunteers who make us unique! Did we miss your favorite holiday film? Let us know at the box office, and don’t forget to join us for “Miracle on 34th Street” on December 20th!
