Sometimes it amazes me what becomes a Christmas Classic and what goes unknown. Not that any of the greats don't deserve to be there, "The Bishop's Wife" and "It's a Wonderful Life" have sparked the holiday cheer in my heart many years I can remember. But I have only recently discovered this one and am stunned that it doesn't play endlessly on television (it is in public domain, after all)
This wonderful little story tells of three older, successful men who have missed much in life while gaining in worldly wealth. One year they reach out to a random young woman and a singing cowboy from the rodeo and invite them for a holiday celebration. Over time they become mentors and chosen family to the two young people who are, not surprisingly, falling in love.
Then the three men pass away, but they just cannot let the young people's lives careen into bad things, as they seem to be doing. What happens is unapologetically sentimental and if that bothers you look away. If it doesn't, well, Merry Christmas!
Here is some of the cast:
Harry Carey . . . George Melton
C. Aubrey Smith . . . Allan 'Chad' Chadwick
Charles Winninger . . . Michael O'Brien
Alex Melesh . . . Josef - the butler
Maria Ouspenskaya . . . Madame Tanya
Helen Vinson . . . Arlene Terry
Rod La Rocque . . . Phil Hubert
Richard Carlson . . . James Houston
Jean Parker . . . Jean Lawrence
It is a rare thing to find something under the tree that both pleases and surprises. We usually have a pretty good idea what we are getting. But here is something you can give each other that will become a classic for all involved and no one had even heard of it before. It's a nice package to open!
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