As I started watching my old favourites earlier in the week I thought I would share my favourite films and see what other people are watching around this festive time of year.
[I'll only detail the unknown ones]
The Man Who Came To Dinner - 1940's comedy about a radio personality who after being invited to dinner at the home of an influental couple, wreaks havoc after injuring himself on their porch, and proceeds to take over their house and lives for Christmas. Not often Bette Davis is in a comedy so that's probably why I like this so much. And Monty Wooley has too much fun as the Man Who Came To Dinner not to be amused.
Holiday Inn - Musical comedy starring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire about a singer (Bing) who wants to get away from show business so opens an inn that has entertainment only on the national holidays and a dancer (Fred) who desperately wants to find the girl he danced with one night drunk, so she can be his new partner. Only trouble is, Bing loves the same girl and does everything he can to make sure Fred never sees her.... especially her back as that's all he remember of her.
White Christmas - My ultimate Christmas film. I feel like watching it now but I think I should save it for later in the week.
Danny Kaye in a red and white fluffy hat. 
A Muppet's Christmas Carol - you can hate LOTR, insult my mother and sell my Weta collection but anyone who doesn't laugh or smile with joy ONCE whilst watching this film..... heart.... made...coal...of....
The Bishop's Wife - This would be higher on my Christmas favourites list, as you can't beat Cary Grant and David Niven together... but I really don't like Loretta Young.
The Polar Express - Might not be the best film ever, but I cried when no one else could hear the bell ring, so it must be doing something right for me.
Miracle on 34th Street - I have to admit, I never liked this film much so it's another sign I am getting older when I make sure I watch it every year now.
A Christmas Story - One of my childhood favourites that I have only recently re-discovered. "You'll shoot your eye out" should be more regularly quoted.
Gremlins - This should be issued as a standard piece of "How To Survive Christmas" kit, to be watched on Christmas Eve. No matter who is coming to visit, or who you have to sit next to at dinner... NOTHING can go as badly as things do in this film. So chill.
Beauty and the Beast - Any excuse to watch this film and I am there. Cosy fire, hot chocolate with marshmellows and a Lindt reindeer completes this film.
It's A Wonderful Life - Greatest Christmas film of all time? Possibly, but not for me although it pains me each time I watch it to think James Stewart never got an Oscar. And I'm also in pain each time a kid is on screen.
Traditonally, there is never anything watched on Christmas Day or Boxing Day (much to busy) UNLESS there is a new Wallace and Gromit film on, in which case time is made for that. Or even an old repeat is worth watching again.
and of course Keira's story and Alan Rickman and the whole cast and crew.