Intermission · Ten questions
Questions From the Back Row
The questions we hear most often in December, answered before the lights go down.
What was the first Christmas film?
The earliest known is Santa Claus (1898), a British short of roughly a minute made by George Albert Smith in Hove. It shows Santa arriving down a chimney to fill children's stockings, and used an early form of superimposition, which was quite a trick for its day.
Is Die Hard a Christmas film?
John McTiernan's 1988 film is set on Christmas Eve at an office Christmas party, features festive songs and ends in falling paper "snow". It was released in July. We include it in our listings because so many households watch it every December, but it is strictly a late-night choice for adults.
Why is It's a Wonderful Life shown every year?
Its copyright was not renewed in 1974, which let American television stations show it freely. Constant repeats over the following years turned Frank Capra's modest 1946 release into a fixture. Rights were later reasserted, but by then the tradition was set.
What's a good first Christmas film for small children?
Begin with a short. The Snowman (26 minutes, no dialogue), A Charlie Brown Christmas (25 minutes) and How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (26 minutes) are gentle, brief and easy to discuss afterwards. See Reel Two for more.
Where did the song "White Christmas" first appear on film?
In Holiday Inn (1942), sung by Bing Crosby. Irving Berlin's song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song and inspired the 1954 film White Christmas.
Which Christmas TV special has run the longest?
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, first broadcast on NBC in December 1964, is often described as the longest continuously running holiday special in American television. In Sweden, the Christmas Eve Disney broadcast has aired every year since 1960.
Why was Miracle on 34th Street released in summer?
20th Century Fox released it in 1947 during the warmer months, when cinema attendance was higher, and kept the Christmas theme low-key in its publicity. It became a festive staple regardless.
How many films should a festive season include?
Most families comfortably manage two to four a week. A full 24-night plan works if you mix animated shorts and TV episodes in with features. Our planner shows one way to do it.
Can I show a Christmas film at a community event?
Usually only with a licence, even if the event is free. In the UK, Filmbankmedia and the MPLC issue non-theatrical licences for schools, churches, clubs and businesses. Buying or streaming a film covers private home viewing only.
Is Fablefjormelodycrat paid to recommend films?
No. We're an independent site and are not affiliated with any studio, broadcaster or streaming service. Read more on About the Programme.
"Seeing is believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can't see."The Conductor · The Polar Express