Cast: (voices) Paige O’Hara, Robby Benson, Jerry Orbach, David Ogden Stiers, Bernadette Peters, Tim Curry, Angela Lansbury
Credits: Director: Andy Knight; Writers: Flip Kobler, Cindy Marcus, Bill Motz and Bob Roth; Walt Disney Home Video; 1997
Disney, hoping to capture some of the magic of the original Beauty and the Beast, released this direct-to-video title during the 1997 holiday season. The animated film finds the now human servants preparing for a festive Christmas. Chip asks to be told the story of Christmas the year before. The action picks up previously when Beast has saved Belle from the wolves in the original film. She and the Beast are becoming friends and the servants (in the form of talking household items) happily encourage the budding romance—all that is except for the evil pipe organ, Forte (voiced by Tim Curry). Forte thrives on the dependence his master has upon the dark and gloomy music that Forte spews forth. Helping Forte in his quest to ruin the romance is Fife (Paul Reubens), a timid instrument who, although he adores Belle, follows the orders of Forte.
On Christmas Eve, Belle (Paige O’Hara) and the servants decide to have Christmas and surprise the Beast (Robby Benson). Belle carefully wraps a story she has written and sneaks it into the room of Beast. Angelique (Bernadette Peters), the former castle decorator, at first argues with Cogsworth (David Ogden Stiers) and Lumiere (Jerry Orbach) but grudgingly gives in and follows the other decorations downstairs. The hall is festively decorated with wreaths and ribbons, Christmas ornaments and candles. A delectable banquet is supervised by Mrs. Potts (Angela Lansbury) and Belle and Chip (Haley Joel Osment) go in search of a Christmas tree.
None of the evergreens will do, and they are about to give up when a beautiful music draws them to the hall of Forte. He convinces them that a Christmas tree is just what the Beast needs to cheer him up and suggests they go to the Black Forest. Belle protests. She has promised never to leave the grounds, but Forte turns her words around and makes her seem selfish. Belle and Chip take a sleigh and head for the frightening forest.
Meanwhile, Forte tells Beast where Belle has gone. Beast is enraged and destroys the decorated hall before heading out after Belle. Beast hates Christmas because it was on that Christmas Day many years ago the spoiled and cold-hearted Prince cruelly turned away an old woman who sought shelter from the cold. The woman put a curse upon the Prince and his household. Beast cannot stand the thought of the holiday.
Belle and Chip find the perfect tree, cut it down, and tie it to the sleigh. They start to return to the castle across a frozen lake, but Fife (sent by Forte to make sure they never return) startles the horse who rears and breaks the ice. Chip falls into the water and Belle, trying to rescue him, falls also. The rope from the tree wraps around her leg and pulls her under.
Beast arrives in time to save her but throws her into the dungeon. At midnight, Belle’s friends visit her and convince her that Beast cannot cancel Christmas. Christmas is hope and that is never gone. Belle cheers up.
Beast, seeking the solace of the melancholy tunes of Forte, listens as the evil pipe organ tries to convince Beast to destroy the rose that keeps alive Beast’s hope of becoming human. Beast, his emotions controlling him, goes to the rose but sees the present from Belle. The story, about a girl and a Beast who discover the joy of Christmas, warms his heart, and he goes to Belle for forgiveness. A festive holiday is planned by all, but Forte decides to destroy Beast and Belle so he will live forever as the pipe organ. He plays shattering notes as the walls begin to crumble around Belle and Beast. Beast, with help from little Fife, grabs the keyboard and destroys it, destroying Forte and saving the entire household. Treetop angel Angelique oversees the decorations and a joyous Christmas takes place in the dark castle.
Mrs. Potts finishes the story for Chip as Belle and her now human prince enter the great hall. Christmas this year is even more grand since everyone is now back to their human forms. Fife leads the orchestra for a Christmas dance.
Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas will charm adults as well as children who have grown to love the original movie. The songs are not the quality of the Ashman/Menken originals, but they are sweet. The CGI animation of Forte is quite remarkable and makes him one of the more frightening Disney villains. The animation is heads and tails above Saturday morning cartoons, and the colors are bright and cheerful. The castle glows with warmth and happiness at the end of the film.
Highly recommended for children’s holiday viewing.
Bell, Book and Candle
Cast: James Stewart, Kim Novak, Jack Lemmon, Ernie Kovacs, Hermione Gingold, Elsa Lanchester
Credits: Producer: Julian Blaustein; Director: Richard Quine; Writer: Daniel Taradash; Columbia; 1958
This witchy love story may be more appropriate for Halloween than Christmas, although it does occur during the holiday season. Like most people, Kim Novak is longing for a romantic Christmas holiday. The fact she is a witch makes finding the perfect mate a trifle more difficult. She casts a spell over neighbor Jimmy Stewart who proposes to the conniving witch. But she can’t live with herself knowing his love is a spell. She confesses and he leaves in a rage. But things eventually work out and the witch and the mortal find true love.
The Bells of St. Mary’s
Cast: Bing Crosby, Ingrid Bergman, Henry Travers, Ruth Donnelly
Credits: Producer/Director: Leo McCarey; Writer: Dudley Nich-ols (Based on a Story by Leo McCarey); RKO; 1945
This sequel to Going My Way has one truly adorable Christmas scene as a school room of children rehearse their Christmas pageant and sing “Happy Birthday” to baby Jesus.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
Cast: Fairuza Balk, Jackson Davies, Teri Dean, Beau Heaton, Loretta Swit
Credits: Director: George Schaefer; Television 1983
The town bullies decide to participate in the Christmas pageant with remarkable results.
Beyond Tomorrow
Cast: Harry Carey, C. Aubrey Smith, Charles Winninger, Jean Parker, Maria Ouspenskaya, Richard Carlson
Credits: Producer: Lee Garmes; Director: A. Edward Sutherland; Writer: Adele Comandini (Based on a Story by Mildred Cram and Adele Comandini); RKO; 1940
“Bah Humbug” could have just as easily been uttered by crusty old George Melton in this RKO Christmas fantasy. Charles Dickens
was surely the inspiration for scripters Mildred Cram and Adele Comandini, who wrote this light comedy in which three old gentlemen take a young man and woman under their wings and, when the three are tragically killed, come back as ghosts to try to help the estranged lovers.
The beginning of the film stresses there is nothing sadder than being alone on Christmas Eve. George Melton (Harry Carey, Sr.) and Chad Chadwick (C. Aubrey Smith) keep their employees late this Christmas Eve, frantically working on an important engineering project. In bustles partner Michael O’Brien (Charles Winninger), a sparkling elf-like character with more than a touch of the blarney about him. Michael distributes Christmas presents to the staff and dismisses the eager-to-get-home workers. George exclaims, “Christmas. Nothing but a merchant’s holiday.” The men expect dinner guests, but they cancel at the last minute. George feels they have canceled because they didn’t want to associate with him. In his younger days George lost his wife and children over a loose woman. The experience has made him angry and bitter even though his two best friends have stood beside him. Chad also has no family; he lost his only son to the war and his wife is long dead. Michael never married and he too is alone.
The three form an extended family with their beloved Russian servants Madame Tanya (Maria Ouspenskaya) and Josef (Alex Melesh). Madame Tanya solemnly presents Josef the Order of Stanislav.
“You were a great friend to follow me to America, Josef.”
“It was no longer my Russia without you there, excellency.”
“Josef, when I had jewels and lands and palaces I was often weary and discontent. When everything was taken away except my life, I learned that the way to be really happy is to serve others, to be needed. So don’t be sorry for me or what was lost.”
Hardly subtle, but the good intent of the writers wins out as the audience perhaps thinks of the things they are blessed with and for a few moments forget the quest for material possessions.
When the trio of old gentlemen present Madame Tanya with a fur coat as a Christmas present she remarks, “It’s beautiful, but it will keep me no warmer than your kindness has all these years.”
At first we expect to find the old men as mean and tight as Scrooge, but this is not the case, they are merely eccentric, using their work to shield them from their loneliness.
Chad looks at a photo of his long gone family and remarks, “It really seemed like Christmas in those days. What we should have, George, is a troop of grandchildren.”
Michael and Chad try to bolster George’s spirits with a hearty toast. “Confusion to our critics and to us, a merry Christmas.”
Deep down George realizes he is lucky to have his friends. He pulls aside the heavy curtain and watches the crowds hurry through the falling snow. “There must be some lonely souls out in that crowd.”
Michael gets an idea and takes three leftover Christmas presents, wallets with $10 in each one. The men each insert their card into the three wallets.
“We’ll throw them out of the window and maybe they’ll bring back somebody to have dinner with us.”
Chad is slightly shocked. “What, strangers out of the street?”
Michael replies, “There are no strangers on Christmas Eve. Besides it’s better than sitting around hooting at each other!”
George, as usual, takes the negative view, “Bet not a one of them comes back.”
“I’ll take you up on that... win or lose we dine at seven.” The first wallet is found by a rich couple who give it to their chauffeur.
It’s close to seven when George announces, “Well, it looks like you pay for the dinner O’Brien.”
“Maybe I do [the doorbell rings] and then again, maybe I don’t!”
The second wallet is returned by a young cowboy, James Houston (Richard Carlson), who has no overcoat and worn-out boots.
The men happily lead him into the cozy room and offer him a drink.
“It really feels like Christmas Eve in here,” Jim tells the gentlemen. He came to New York with a rodeo in September and stayed too long. He was now working for the money to return home.
The third wallet is returned by a young woman, Jean Lawrence (Jean Parker). Jean and Jim notice each other immediately and they and the gentlemen spend a charming holiday eve together. After dinner they gather for a sing-along where it is discovered Jim has a marvelous singing voice, lending it to “Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair.” Even old George cracks a smile. Everyone, including servants, joins in for a truly international “Jingle Bells” with Russian, German and Italian lyrics thrown in. As the young couple prepare to depart, Madame Tanya insists Jim forgot his overcoat; grouchy old George has given him his without making it seem charity. As those inside wave good-bye from the window, Michael notes, “Ah, they’re grand youngsters.” Chad remarks, “That boy reminds me of David.”
Jim walks Jean to the children’s hospital where she lives and works. She contentedly remarks, “You know I wouldn’t be a bit surprised to see Santa Claus’ reindeers and all sliding right down the sky any minute. Would you?”
Jim and Jean find it difficult to part company but they force themselves. Christmas day Jim, Madame Tanya, and the gentlemen arrive to entertain the children at the hospital. It’s difficult to know who is having the most fun. The little group grows closer throughout the following weeks, as do Jim and Jean. They go with the gentlemen to the airport to see them off on a business trip. But tragedy occurs when the plane crashes and all are lost. Jim and Jean are devastated—they were going to announce their engagement to them when they returned. Madame Tanya can feel their presence in the room, and indeed she does, for the old gentlemen are right there watching over their friends. Jim gets his big break on radio and, in a typical success-spoils-all story, is stolen away from Jean by slinky seductress Helen Vinson (Arlene Terry). The ghosts try their hardest to set things right, but one by one they depart. Chad joins his dear son, George is called to a dark oblivion, and soon Michael is alone; he is called but cannot go, feeling responsible for the troubles of Jim and Jean. Michael watches in horror as Jim is gunned down by Helen’s ex-husband and lays dying on the operating room table. Michael appeals to God to save Jim and his faith and goodness are rewarded, for Jim is spared and Jean forgives him. Michael walks toward the light as the credits roll.
The film was not critically well-received and does become slow going after the initial Christmas scenes. Variety’s Walt noted, “Picture carries initial handicap of no strength for marquee dressing, and its overall content won’t help to either get customers in or to provide entertainment during its unfolding. It’s one of those pictures that turn up so often to present the question ‘Whatisit.’”
Charles Winninger as Michael is as always a charming character. Winninger, a well-known character actor, is perhaps best known as Captain Andy in 1936’s Showboat. Harry Carey, Sr. left the wild West for this role in Beyond Tomorrow. He was more comfortable in dusty cowboy duds and a 10-gallon hat. C. Aubrey Smith was another well-known character actor whose refined British accent ensured him steady work in Hollywood. He appeared as the March family’s neighbor Mr. Laurence in Little Women (1949) and with Shirley Temple in John Ford’s Wee Willie Winkie (1937). Jean Parker was another Little Women alumna, appearing as Beth in the 1933 version. Richard Carlson, who appeared as Jim, was a man of many talents and, in addition to his starring roles in films such as Too Many Girls and The Magnificent Ambersons, he also wrote and directed.
The only critical praise offered the film was for cinematographer Lester White and producer Lee Garmes for their special effect photography of the spirit scenes.
Although the film has flaws, it is still an important Christmas title with its examples of the extreme value of friendship, loyalty and humble happiness.