Christmas in Black and White

I come from a long line of "movie guys," namely my grandpa John on the Barone side. Coincidentally, I married a "movie guy," so watching a line up of holiday favorites was a family tradition that was easy for me to get my hubby on board with.

Each year, we watch a whole line up of favorite Christmas movies...new and old...animated and film...for big kids and little kids. 

If there is one thing that greatly influenced my movie watching experience, it was the way my grandfather got us all hooked on classic, black and white movies that have become a staple for our family and a timeless source of joy and entertainment. 

Here are a few classic Christmas films in black and white that just never get old for me. If you have never seen them, I encourage you to break tradition this year and incorporate some of these classics into your own holiday movie line up.

Miracle on 34th St.

When a nice old man who claims to be Santa Claus is institutionalized as insane, a young lawyer decides to defend him by arguing in court that he is the real thing. (www.imbd.com)

It's a Wonderful Life

An angel helps a compassionate but despairingly frustrated businessman by showing what life would have been like if he never existed. (www.imbd.com)

A Christmas Carol-with Alastair Sim 

An old bitter miser is given a chance for redemption when he is haunted by three ghosts on Christmas Eve. (www.imbd.com)

The Bells of Saint Mary's

At a big city Catholic school, Father O'Malley and Sister Benedict indulge in friendly rivalry, and succeed in extending the school through the gift of a building. (www.imbd.com)

The Bishop's Wife

A bishop trying to get a new cathedral built prays for guidance. An angel (Cary Grant) arrives, but his guidance isn't about fundraising. (www.imbd.com)