Holiday Countdown Day 24
DAY TWENTY-FOUR
Tomorrow is the big day. There WILL be a post (probably either posted VERY early or late, not sure which yet). This has been fun to put together, though I'm not sure if I'll do it again next year. Maybe something different.
Movie
Today's movie is a holiday standard. But did you know that when it was first released it was a major flop? That's right, the original release of "It's A Wonderful Life" did not go over to well in 1946. Yes, I got that right. 1946. The studios released this film a year early due to the fact that Technicolor was unable to deliver prints in time for another movie, so they rushed "It's A Wonderful Life" into theatres with the copyright date still saying 1947. Interestingly enough, it wasn't until after 1974 that this movie became the hit is it today. Why? That was the year the copyright lasped. This movie is important also because before this for snow movies used painted cornflakes, this made for very loud snow so all dialogue had to be dubbed over. The director, Frank Capra, didn't want to do that so they invented a new snow effect using foamite (fire-fighting chemical), soap, and water. In fact, The RKO Effects Department received a Class III Scientific or Technical Award from the Motion Picture Academy for the development of the new film snow. Also, Cary Grant first owned the rights to make this film and the character was written for him, but when Frank Capra inherited the project he rewrote the role for James Stewart. This movie was slo Donna' Reed's first starring role. There are a TON of facts about this movie, but one thing is for sure. It's a great movie to enjoy with the family.
Book
Bet you don't the story behind the story of "It's A Wonderful Life." "The Greatest Gift" was written by Philip Van Doren Stern. He had a dream in the 1930s that inspired him to write this short story. In 1943 he published 400 copies himself and sent it to people as Christmas cards. It was one of these floating stories that got the attention of Cary Grant. The rest is movie history. The sad thing though, is that you can't find the original story almost anywhere. The reprint I linked was done in 1996 and impossible to find. Even a free copy on the internet is impossible to find. You can get the 1969 printing of "The Other Side of the Clock: Stories Out of Time, Out of Place" that, from what I've read, does have the short story in it. But I can't confirm that.
Since it's Christmas Eve how could I not post 'Twas The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore (especially since my other "book" recommendation is kind of a dud with it being damn near impossible to find.) Mr. Moore had written this poem for his children with no intention of publishing it (originally called "A Visit From Saint Nicholas"). Others had a different idea. Imagine, a poem written for his children on a cold sleight ride back home after being sent to go buy another turkey by his beloved wife (to cook and donate no less) on Christmas Eve of 1822 would always be read to children for many years to come.(If you want to learn more about Mr. Moore and his poem, there's a great site here.) Enjoy!
'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
while visions of sugar plums danced in their heads.
And Mama in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap.
When out on the roof there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
tore open the shutter, and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
gave the lustre of midday to objects below,
when, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
but a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer.
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles, his courses they came,
and he whistled and shouted and called them by name:
"Now Dasher! Now Dancer!
Now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid!
On, Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch!
To the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away!
Dash away all!"
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
when they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky
so up to the house-top the courses they flew,
with the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
the prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head and was turning around,
down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
and his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
and he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
His eyes--how they twinkled! His dimples, how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
and the beard on his chin was as white as the snow.
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
and the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
that shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
and I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself.
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head
soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
and filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
and giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, 'ere he drove out of sight,
Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!
Song
This was the only Youtube vid I could find of the song "The Night Before Christmas" with Gene Autry and Rosemary Clooney.
Click to viewDid you see this year's Christmas "The Guild" video? It's awesome. I know not everyone watches/likes/understands the series so that's why I included two "songs" today. This is just a spoof/retelling of "The Night Before Christmas."
Craft and Recipe
Today's craft and recipe are one in the same. It's Christmas Eve and what does this mean? You have to bake cookies for Santa! Let's go with a classic "Sugar Cookies" (this one by Alton Brown). How is this a craft you ask? Break out those cookie cutters and food colouring, and decorate those suckers baby!
Fanfiction
In honour of today's movie, I am linking this absolutely WONDERFUL Devil Wears Prada fic. "It’s a Life, Anyway" by hayseed-42. I LOVE this fic. It doesn't have to be Christmas for me to read it. It's in five parts and at the end of each part is a link for the next, but I'll link all five here just in case. Really, go read this. And don't forget to leave feedback!
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Special Link
No art today. It's Santa Tracking Time thanks to NORAD.