A CHRISTMAS CAROL (1938) Reginald Owen portrays Charles Dickens’ holiday humbug Ebenezer Scrooge, the miser’s miser who has a huge change of heart after spirits whisk him into the past, present and future. From sets to stars to story, this triumphant adaptation adds a glow to the season. Like Tiny Tim’s benediction, it blesses us – every one. CHRISTMAS IN CONNECTICUT (1945) A magazine columnist totally devoid of the homemaking skills espoused in her column had better get some fast: her boss has invited himself and a recently returned war hero to her home for Christmas. Laughs, romance, holiday cheer: that’s the recipe Barbara Stanwyck and a stellar company follow in this perennial favorite. IT HAPPENED ON 5TH AVENUE Home for the holidays! GI families hit by the post-World War II housing crunch take over an abandoned New York City mansion. THE SHOP AROUND THE CORNER In the third of their four screen pairings, Margaret Sullavan and James Stewart engage in re (more…)

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There is no It’s a Wonderful Life or Miracle on 34th Street to be found among the four titles that comprise this Warner Brothers Classic Holiday Collection, Vol. 2, but there’s still plenty here to placate most everyone’s inner Grinch. Although the actual holiday season for the most part plays only a passing role, certain elements recur: for instance, two encompass post-World War II hardships, two are fact-based, and two are shameless heartstring-tuggers dealing with the plight of orphans. In chronological order, they are: Blossoms in the Dust (1941): A radiant Greer Garson stars in the exaggerated but real-life tale of Edna Gladney, “a great woman” who did “great work… for humanity.” Born spoiled and rich, Gladney married happily (husband Sam is played by Walter Pidgeon) but suffered a skein of hardships–the suicide of her adopted sister, the death of her son (leaving Gladney barren) and husband, bankruptcy–before becoming a tireless advocate for home (more…)

Celebrate the season under the sea with Ariel as she decorates her coral Christmas tree. Porcelain bisque figurine 4.25″ high.

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Studio: Warner Home Video Release Date: 09/23/2008 Run time: 150 minutes Rating: Nr

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Celebrate the holidays with MICKEY’S CHRISTMAS CAROL, a beloved classic short film that is now part of the Disney Animation Collection! Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and many more of your favorite characters join the cast in this delightfully charming adaptation of a classic holiday tale. Ebeneezer Scrooge Scrooge McDuck is far too greedy to understand that Christmas is the time for kindness and generosity. So, with the guidance of some wise ghosts with Goofy and Jiminy Cricket, and the examples set by his clerk Bob Cratchit Mickey and nephew Fred Donald, Scrooge learns how to embrace the true spirit of the season. Each volume in the Disney Animation Collection series is packed with classic Disney short films that will bring laughter and merriment into your family’s home. Add them all to your DVD library today!Bonus Features Include the following shorts: Mickey’s Christmas Carol, Pluto’s Christmas Tree, The Small One, Santa’s Workshop

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Studio: Warner Home Video Release Date: 09/23/2008 Run time: 150 minutes Rating: Nr

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Celebrate the holidays with MICKEY’S CHRISTMAS CAROL, a beloved classic short film that is now part of the Disney Animation Collection! Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and many more of your favorite characters join the cast in this delightfully charming adaptation of a classic holiday tale. Ebeneezer Scrooge Scrooge McDuck is far too greedy to understand that Christmas is the time for kindness and generosity. So, with the guidance of some wise ghosts with Goofy and Jiminy Cricket, and the examples set by his clerk Bob Cratchit Mickey and nephew Fred Donald, Scrooge learns how to embrace the true spirit of the season. Each volume in the Disney Animation Collection series is packed with classic Disney short films that will bring laughter and merriment into your family’s home. Add them all to your DVD library today!Bonus Features Include the following shorts: Mickey’s Christmas Carol, Pluto’s Christmas Tree, The Small One, Santa’s Workshop

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Donald Duck’s nephews learn why holidays come once a year, Goofy and son discover the spirit of Santa, and Mickey and Minnie reenact a classic tale of giving in this all-new holiday offering. Kelsey Grammer (TV’s Frasier) narrates as Donald hosts Christmas at his house, complete with an egg and pancake breakfast, a sled for each duckling in the closet, and Daisy under the mistletoe. But the celebration gets old fast when the boys’ wish for Christmas every day comes true. Next up, Goofy’s son wonders whether there is a Santa after the villainous Pete tells him there’s not and he catches Dad impersonating the portly gift-giver. Goofy demonstrates the spirit of giving by taking a meal and presents to less-fortunate neighbors, and many Goofy-style mishaps later, father and son have a surprise visitor. In the third story, the mouse lovebirds give an updated spin to O. Henry’s “The Gift of the Magi,” with Minnie having the heirloom watch with no chain an (more…)

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If you thrill to the soaring operatic voices of The Three Tenors (and imagine every Christmas comes with its own orchestral majesty), Il Divo has made this disc for you. The four GQ-handsome male singers were handpicked by American Idol’s Simon Cowell for what seems to be their ability to sing opera and classical music with the hint of a pop sensibility. Their Christmas Collection features 10 standards (although the last time Santa looked, he wasn’t quite sure “Over the Rainbow” and “The Lord’s Prayer” were part of the Christmas canon). Still, it’ hard not to imagine these emotionally stirring renditions as part and parcel of the reverential treatment the four finely sculpted voices bring to more exact seasonal fare such as “O Holy Night,” “Ave Maria,” “Panis Angelicus” and even “White Christmas.” Dave Arch’s predictable choral and orchestral arrangements are aimed right at the sweet spot where sophisticated church choir music and traditional classical music mee (more…)