Let it Show, Let it Show, Let it Show
Friday night, and you're finally Home for the Holidays.
After weeks going a caroling, decking the halls, and even that one night spent rockin' around the Christmas tree, you finally sit down with a little something Frosty – just in time to see the same bad holiday film showing on 14 different channels.
You're a reveller without a Claus.
We've got what you need to have a varied little Christmas – a few movies that probably aren't on your usual yuletide list. We've also checked the tv schedule (we checked it twice) to make sure you don't miss the final showing of your favorites.
Meet Me in St. Louis
Judy Garland is sweetly earnest in this musical depicting a year in the life of a turn-of-the-century St. Louis family (ice trucks, corsets, and they make their own ketchup!). The second-highest grossing movie of 1944 also marks the debut of the classic song "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas".
Saturday, 1 p.m. on TCM, 602 or 44 on analog cable.
Better Off Dead
Before there was Ione Skye, young John Cusack (1985 wow!) deals with the four stages of high school break ups: depression (comedic suicide attempts), hallucination (claymation dance scene involving a hamburger), machinations (works on car with cute French foreign exchange student), and athleticism (beats rival skiing on one leg). Add a scary newspaper boy, Asian Howard Cosell impersonator, and one ridiculously bad Christmas sweater for a totally wacky cult classic.
Watch right now on Netflix and try not to spend the day saying "I want my two dollars".
Holiday Inn
Yep, this is where the name of the hotel chain originated. Singer Bing Crosby and dancer Fred Astaire battle over the affections of another performer in a hotel that is only open for the holidays. Bonus: listen to the original crooner Crosby's premiere of Irving Berlin's "White Christmas" .
Sunday, midnight on AMC, 600 or 42 on analog cable.
Want more of a comedy? White Christmas features some great rapid-fire repartee between Crosby and Danny Kaye. Sorry, you'll have to rent it online for $2.99.
Mystery Science Theatre 3000, Santa Claus
The plot of MST3K – a janitor and two robots stranded in space are forced to watch bad movies for eternity. Their smart, sardonic commentary is true entertainment – especially when turned on a film about the devil disrupting the travels of an already frightening-looking Santa Claus.
Free on publicdomainflix.com. Don't miss the comments on children's greetings to Santa from around the world at 9:03.
Santa Claus is Coming to Town & The Year Without a Santa Claus
Before Pixar and post Gumby, these stop-motion claymation films break down the traditions of Santa Claus (why is he in red? Why are toys in stockings?) and introduce the Heatmeister and Snowmeister to generations.
Santa Claus is Coming to Town: Saturday, 5 p.m. on ABCFamilyHD, 1442 (7 p.m. 442 or 34 on analog cable.)
The Year Without a Santa Claus: Saturday, 6 p.m. and Sunday, 10:30 a.m. on ABCFAMILYHD, 1442 (Saturday, 8 p.m. and Sunday, 12:30 p.m. 442 and 34 on analog cable.)
A Muppet Christmas Carol
Singing vegetables, Gonzo as Charles Dickens, a whole crew of rats, and Michael Caine. Done.
Sunday, 6 a.m. on HUB, 335/789 digital cable only.
We Won't Judge You If You Watch:
He-Man & She-Ra: A Christmas Special – Saturday, 6 p.m. on KITVDT2, 86.
Fat Albert Christmas – Saturday, 7:30 p.m. on KITVDT2, 86 digital cable only.
Familiar Favorites:
A Christmas Story – Showing constantly from 6 p.m. Saturday to 6 p.m. Sunday on TBS, 551 or 45 on analog cable.
Diehard – It does take place on Christmas Eve. Saturday, 4 p.m. on HDG4, 1437 (7 p.m. on 437).
Elf – Shows twice starting Sunday 8 p.m. on USA 555/1555, 29 on analog cable.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas – animated – Sunday, 7 p.m. KITV, 6/1006.
It's a Wonderful Life – Saturday, 7 p.m. KHNL, 8/1008.
The Santa Clause – Saturday, 9:30 p.m. and Sunday at 11:30 a.m. ABCFAMILYHD, 1442 (Saturday 11:30 p.m. and Sunday 1:30 on 442 and analog cable 34).
