It’s a mystery why some movies and songs become associated with the holidays even they they have nothing to do with Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year’s Day or any other event throughout the holiday period.
For example, the song “My Favorite Things” from the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical The Sound of Music is now a mainstay on Christmas music stations. I guess the theme of the lyrics is supposed to be associated with kids writing their Christmas lists to Santa Claus, but the context doesn’t have anything to do with the holiday.
The Sound of Music (1965), The Wizard of Oz (1939), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968), Mary Poppins (1964) and other non-holiday classics are family-friendly musicals that are viewed throughout the holiday season. For all the debates movie fans have about Die Hard (1988) and Lethal Weapon (1987) being “proper” Christmas movies, it’s funny no one ever argues about the classic musicals being included.
One that’s always amused me is The Bells of St. Mary’s (1945), which appears to regularly get airtime on Turner Classic Movies every December, yet features only one Christmas-related scene. At least Meet Me in St. Louis (1944) has a good 25 minutes set during the holiday.
In any case, “My Favorite Things” is in good company as far as non-holiday related Christmas songs go, with Kenny Loggins’ “Celebrate Me Home” having only the opening line reference the holidays. Interestingly enough, though, Stevie Nicks’ “Blue Lamp” and the Specials’ “Blank Expression” both feature direct shout-outs to Christmas or winter in their lyrics, yet don’t usually get the same holiday attention.
If the most famous Christmas movie of all time—It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)—can only take place on the holiday for the last third of its length, then I guess audiences can choose what gets to be a Christmas tradition.
Megan Bianco is a Southern California-based movie reviewer and content writer with a degree from California State University Northridge.
