25 days of Christmas

Today, the Family Channel begins its 25 Days of Christmas television programming. While there is some repetition, there is some "original" programming, along with some non-Christmas related movies.

Leading off tonight is Frosty's Winter Wonderland. This is not to be confused with the original "Frosty the Snowman," narrated by Jimmy Durante. This is a much weaker sequel, with Frosty trying to get married and Jack Frost trying to stop it from happening. This is followed by Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, a movie that just screams Christmas to me. ;)

However, be ready as there will be some really good shows coming along in the next few weeks:

• The Year Without A Santa Claus - one of my all-time favorite Christmas shows. You can't beat Heat Miser and Snow Miser. Santa voiced by Mickey Rooney and Shirley Booth (TV's Hazel) as Mrs. Claus. Showing on December 4, 9, 15, 20, and 24.
• Santa Claus is Coming to Town - another Rankin-Bass classic, again with Mickey Rooney as Santa, doing battle against the evil Burgermeister Meisterberger. "Put One Foot In Front of Another - And Soon You'll Be Walking Cross the Floor!" Showing on December 7, 9, 15, 18, and 24.
• The Polar Express will also be shown during the "25 Days of Christmas." I still prefer the book, but will probably take a look at this film at some point. Showing on December 8, 9, 14 and 25.
• Scrooged will also make an appearance. The modern "A Christmas Carol," Scrooged offers Bill Murray in the Ebenezer Scrooge role and he runs with it. December 10, 16, and 23.
• Another non-Christmas movie, but a good movie nonetheless, Mary Poppins will be shown on December 11, 12, 22, and 23.

I anxiously await the showings of It's A Wonderful Life, although I do own the DVD. Of course, Burl Ives singing "Holly Jolly Christmas" and learning that "Bumbles Bounce!" is essential to a complete holiday TV season. And don't get me started about "Mr. Magoo's A Christmas Carol."