From Atlantis to Interzone

Christmas is a time for TV schedulers to remind the public of the good old days when holiday-centred entertainment involved grinches learning the error of their ways, children poking their eyes out with BB guns and how wonderful a life it really is, as opposed to now where the cinematic Christmas diet consists of Tim Allen donning a fat suit every few years and the annual putrid festive comedy starring Vince Vaughn. There are quite a few good Christmas films amid all the crap over the years. Particularly festive examples such as A Christmas Story and The Shop Around the Corner still hold up very well. Some of my favourites, such as Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, The Proposition and Eyes Wide Shut, simply use the holiday season for setting purposes.

That’s all well and jolly good, but what I want to talk about is high quality scenes concerning Christmas from films that are not actually set primarily around the holiday season. I’ve decided to share with you, my potentially enthusiastic audience, some of my favourite Christmas scenes from non-Christmas films. Let’s get merry!

American Psycho (Mary Harron, 2000)
Not only does this Christmas party scene showcase Bale’s brilliant performance, it also contains the amusing image of yuppie psychopath Patrick Bateman wandering around with fake reindeer antlers. In addition to this, an important message is provided: women do not want breast implants for Christmas. That’s something I’ve certainly kept in mind over the years.

The Apartment (Billy Wilder, 1960)
This little sequence addresses a familiar feature of Christmas for many employed people: the staff Christmas party. Unlike most real staff parties, this one is exciting, wild and genuinely fun looking. It also contains the biggest 19th floor in the history of workplaces and a seductress employee. Everyone wants a seductress employee during the holiday season!

Black Narcissus (Michael Powell/Emeric Pressburger, 1947)
Sequence starts at 1:10
A carol service held by the nuns of St. Faith is interrupted by the drunken Mr. Dean, who feels the need to rudely express his views to Sister Clodagh. During the service itself, Clodagh reminisces of a Christmas past, back when all seemed perfect and she had the passion she has begun to long for again.

Life of Brian (Terry Jones, 1979)
Taking place on the original Christmas, the opening scene of one of the greatest comedy films involves the three wise men mistaking the titular character of Brian, as a newborn baby, for Jesus, born at the same time further down the street. Gifts are criticised, a woman is pushed over and a baby is slapped. The perfect Christmas!

Meet Me in St. Louis (Vincente Minnelli, 1944)
I think this one speaks for itself. A classic scene from one of the best musicals of all time.

Toy Story (John Lasseter, 1995)
Scene starts at 1:50
Since the film opens with the toys confronted with the mayhem of Andy’s birthday, it seems only fitting that the film’s climax, with order restored to the bedroom, takes place at Christmas, the second most hectic time of the year for all toys. Setting up a potential sequel, the film ends with a killer final moment.