A black and white Christmas movie always brings a certain joy to the holiday. They bring a sweet and sentimental feeling even if you are among family or by yourself. Here is a list of our old favorite Christmas movies from the 1930s-1950s.
Clicking the movie titles will take you to our Amazon Affiliate which helps support “It’s A Charming Life”. Perhaps you can tell our name was inspired by our love of old classic films? Our whole way of looking at life, in general, tends to be more suitable as a black-and-white movie. Perhaps because we love the simpler things in life, and have found the complexity in living a slow living lifestyle. How about you?
We hope you enjoy our top vintage movie list of what we consider to be the best classic movies for Christmas. Because sometimes something black and white might give you more colors than oh so many rainbows.
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
It’s a Wonderful Life is so much more than a classic Christmas movie. The town of Bedford Falls, NY feels like a real-life Christmas village. It’s a film of hope and love with Jimmy Stewart, Donna Reed, and a cast full of Capra characters bringing warmth to your heart.
White Christmas (1954)
“Oh, Vermont should be beautiful this time of year, with all that snow.” This film has what everyone always dreaming of when it comes to a perfect, cozy Christmas in New England, just like Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, & Vera-Ellen had!
Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
This is the perfect post-Thanksgiving film starring the cutest young Natalie Wood and, ever beautiful Maureen O’Hara, and handsome John Payne. What we love most about this vintage favorite is how they proved he is the real Santa Claus in a true Old Hollywood fashion.
Shop Around The Corner (1940)
Did you know this is the original “You’ve Got Mail” film? We love the witty banter between Jimmy Stewart and Margaret Sullavan as they find love. However, the best things about this old classic are the side characters’ heartwarming stories.
Holiday Inn (1942)
Ok, this is actually one of our favorite classic films of them all!!! A 1940s musical comedy set at a charming New England Inn with Bing Crosby & Fred Astaire fighting over the same girl. It is a black and white classic movie packed with all Irving Berlin songs for every holiday! Many don’t know that this was the original film to showcase the song “White Christmas.”
The Bishop’s Wife (1947)
What else can be said, except that Cary Grant is a true angel in this film as is Loretta Young. Well deserved to be on this holiday classic movie list.
A Christmas Carol (1938)
One of the most classic Dicken’s tale that most of us have heard or seen at least one time in life. It has been retold so many times but there’s something extra special about the 1930s version. All Victorian England aesthetics.
P.S. Who was really the man who invented Christmas? See the connections with Washington Irving (The Legend of Sleepy Hollow) and Charles Dickens.
Christmas In Connecticut (1945)
An adorable screwball comedy set in the most quaint New England home in the countryside with the classic antics of Barbara Stanwyck, Dennis Morgan, and S. Z. Sakall. Who can resist a white Christmas in Connecticut after watching this film?
Bundle of Joy (1956)
A darling film set in mid-century NYC with Debbie Reynolds looking cute as a button as a department store worker and unexpected mother!
Little Women (1949)
The most heartwarming story of 4 sisters (Janet Leigh, June Allyson, Margaret O’Brien, and Elizabeth Taylor) set in 1800s Massachusetts.
P.s. We were fortunate to be able to visit the author Louisa May Alcott’s house in Concord, …read more.
Meet Me In St. Louis (1944)
While not set entirely in wintertime, many don’t know that the classic song that is sung by Judy Garland “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” is from this film and not entirely a joyful tune when put in the context of the movie. It’s a story of all the ups and downs of a darling family in late Victorian Missouri.
Sun Valley Serenade (1941)
Alright, this might not be a Christmas film, but it had to be mentioned. This sweet story with the Norwegian ice skater Sonja Henie and Glenn Miller’s Band in wintry Sun Valley, Idaho, really gives the winter joy.
A few honorable mentions are “Remember The Night” 1940, “It Happened on 5th Avenue 1947, “Holiday Affair” 1949, “The Man Who Came to Dinner” 1942, “Tenth Avenue Angel” 1948. We hope you enjoyed our Christmas classic watch list, what’s on yours? Best wishes, -Lindsay & Jonas
Comments
My mother in law always watches Miracle on 34th Street at this time of year!
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Stellar selection! My all-time favourite Christmas movie from any era is White Christmas. Watching it was a steadfast tradition in my home growing up and I chalk to no small percentage of my lifelong love of vintage to this fabulous holiday season musical.
Autumn Zenith 🧡 Witchcrafted Life