DO YOU REMEMBER??

I am feeling a little down about Christmas today. Not sure why, just can't seem to get my a** in gear to start baking etc. I was thinking about things that I used to watch before Christmas that always got me "in the mood". Do you remember the Maxwell House commercials where they spirited the neighbor ( was it Margaret Hamilton, the wicked witch) out of her house and then decorated it? Made me cry every time. Or the ad where the son, Peter, came home from college late at night to surprise his parents and little sister? I am a sap for these rather maudlin displays of Yuletide nostalgia.

Back in the late seventies there were two, I think, Made for TV movies called The Gathering ( and the sequel had a similar name) starring Ed Asner, I can't remember the female lead's name (it wasn't Sada Thompson or Maureen O'Hara), but I can see her clear as a bell. Anyway the story was a family drama that took place at Christmas as Ed Asner is dying and wants to reconcile with his sons. More tearjerkers!!

Lastly there was a movie, again made for TV. Yes, you are right I don't go to the Cinema more than once a decade, but I do enjoy a movie while perched/draped on my couch with a fire and some wine. This movie was/is called "I'll Be Home For Christmas" and starts Hal Holbrook and Eva Marie Saint. It takes place in Marblehead Mass during WWII. This is sad and poignant and once again it will make you cry, but the house is wonderful. A typical upper middle class suburb with a beautiful colonial house. Worth watching or the house alone.

What about the movie with John Houseman and Michael Learned about a choir, that was a good one. The Christmas Wife with Julie Harris and Jason Robards. That one had great decorating with lots of blue and white.

Okay, I've got that off my chest now and perhaps I will feel a little cheerier. You know you are getting old when you start thinking along the lines of "they don't make'em like they used to.

Later,
Janet

Edited to add: Maureen Stapleton. And the movie is available on VHS for $250., someone has to be kidding!!! Also "A Christmas Without Snow" is the Michael Learned movie. I feel better at least knowing the titles and that I could view them if I had time and money to order them. Maybe I could put them on my birthday list and watch them next year. Who am I kidding I haven't even watched Christmas in Connecticut yet.!! LOL