Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Forgotten Movies: A CHRISTMAS MEMORY
Of course there is a Hallmark Hall version of this, but this was the original one from 1966 and I remember it as fondly as any holiday movie I've ever seen. Capote narrates it himself. It was directed by Frank Perry and Geraldine Page as the boy's cousin is breath-taking. It's simply told and filmed.
It was made for ABC's STAGE 67. Wonderful. You can practically watch it from the clips on you tube but I am not sure where else because NETFLIX won't allow me access (but not let's get into that again.) I know it's early to be talking about Christmas movies but this one is timeless.
Check out Todd Mason for more choices.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
15 comments:
Whenever I see this--or the 1980s remake by, I think, PBS--I find myself half-believing that old myth that Capote was actually the writer of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD.
I know but I was pretty persuaded otherwise by the recent biography about Harper Lee. But not completely.
I really do like the short story this is based on.
Video Yesteryear, usually OK for blurry public domain prints, has a dvd of this available through Amazon for 20 bucks and change...
Ah. I see the YT uplink is from the Video Yesteryear home video.
I don't buy movies. Phil never will watch one more than once.
Patti - I have to say I'd never heard of this one. But I have seen some wonderful Hallmark Hall of Fame films. I should give this a try...
I remember reading this story in high school. I can still see it in my head. Absolutely lovely. Funny enough I do not recall seeing any of the filmed versions of it ... must catch this one. I am always looking for quality holiday viewing.
Can't say I've seen this film though I'm certain it has been shown on TCM. A Christmas movie I'd recommend is Frank Capra's IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE starring Jimmy Stewart. I'm hoping TCM shows it this x-mas.
They'll show it endlessly along with A CHRISTMAS STORY.
I find the Capra film curious as a Christmas story. For two hours, horrible things happen to him and then there's five minutes of grace.
Kinda more like an Easter movie, thus.
Apparently, Allied Artists (more famous for producing loser films for most of its run) packaged in 1969 this ABC STAGE '67 version into an anthology film called TRILOGY (aka TRUMAN CAPOTE'S TRILOGY), so you might find that package on home video or streaming as well.
Patti--I'm glad I'm not the only one who finds "It's A Wonderful Life" not very wonderful. I could watch "A Christmas Story" over and over (and I usually do since TBS or TNT usually runs it for 24 hours straight from Christmas Eve through Christmas Day). In addition, "Blackadder's Christmas Carol" is hilarious, as is the unsung mid-1990s "Bernard and the Genie" with Alan Cumming, Lenny Henry, and Rowan Atkinson.
That's true, Todd.
Never have seen BLACKADDER. I wonder if they play it here. I'll have to try LOCATE>
Don't remember ever watching this, though I'm sure I must have.
Years ago there were tons of Christmas shows and movies shown throughout the entire month of Decemeber. Not to mention all the Christmas Specials. I have fond memories of the Perry Como Christmas Special...especially.
The BLACKADDER one is new to me too.
I'm with you on IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE. Never my favorite.
The full dvd in on sale
http://www.classicmoviesandtvcom.com/product/1966-a-christmas-memory-dvd-tv-abc-stage-67-truman-capote-color
Post a Comment