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Since we were little kids, when this time of year rolls around many of us make of point of watching classic Christmas programs such as “Rudolph of the Red-Nose Reindeer,” “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” or “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”
Even as adults, those programs still resonate and many of us can quote the dialogue right along with the characters as we watch.
Of course, there are the Christmas movies too – the ones we welcome back year after year – like a wayward relative returning home for the holidays. There are the iconic black-and-white films such as “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “Miracle on 34th Street,” “Holiday Inn” and “A Christmas Carol.” There’s modern fare as well, some quickly making a case for “classic” status, like “A Christmas Story,” “Elf,” and “The Polar Express.”
Watching these shows together has become a family tradition for some, almost as important as trimming the tree and hanging those stockings by the chimney with care.
The Lewisboro Daily Voice sat down with some town officials and employees and asked what their favorite shows were and if viewing them has become a tradition within their own families.
“I like ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas.’ The real one, not the movie,” said Town Clerk Janet Donohue. “’Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer’ has been a favorite for years as well. I remember about four years ago, I took my daughters to Build a Bear and we got one of Rudolph and one of Clarice (Rudolph’s girlfriend). My kids just love everything about Christmas.
“My husband’s favorite is the old black and white ‘A Christmas Carol,’” she adds. “But my kids don’t like that one because of the ghosts. It’s a bit too scary.”
For her favorite holiday show, Lewisboro Library Director Cindy Rubino dug down deep and selected an unsung gem, “Mr. Magoo’s A Christmas Carol,” an animated musical version of the Dickens’ classic that stars the near-sighted curmudgeon Mr. Magoo, who is voiced by Jim Backus. It features the music and lyrics of Broadway songwriters Jule Styne and Bob Metrill.
“I know all the songs by heart,” Rubino said. “We own our own copy on DVD. It doesn’t matter that it’s Mr. Magoo because all the songs are so beautiful.”
Rubino also has a soft spot for “Dr Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”
“Boris Karloff was just perfect for that narration,” she said.
Mary Hafter, Lewisboro’s deputy town clerk and webmaster, said she’s been watching “It’s a Wonderful Life” “forever.”
“We just watched it once already – it was on last weekend,” she said. “My whole family watched it with me.
“I also watch ‘Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer’ and ‘Frost the Snowman,’” she added. “Those are Christmas staples.”
For Lewisboro Supervisor Peter Parsons, his family Christmas-story traditions don’t come from the television, but from a book.
“We didn’t watch TV growing up and the only TV my kids were allowed to watch was sports,” he said. “So the big tradition we have to today is that I read my grandchildren the poem ‘The Night Before Christmas.’”
We are talking a poll to see what is Lewisboro’s favorite holiday classic show or movie. Take a minute to fill it out and then have yourself a Holly Jolly Christmas.
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