The home television and local theater provided family entertainment in the 1940s. Popular TV specials and movies of that time period included The Bells of St. Mary’s (1945) featuring Bing Crosby, portraying Father O’Malley, and Ingrid Bergman as Sister Mary Benedict. Father O’Malley was sent to St. Mary's, a run-down parochial school on the verge of condemnation. He and Sister Benedict work together to save the school, though their methods differed.
Holiday Inn (1942), starred Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, and Virginia Dale. The trio were song and dance performers headlining at an inn that is only open during the holidays. The show features the well-known song, White Christmas, sung by Crosby. The song went on to become a worldwide favorite and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.
It's a Wonderful Life, a 1946 fantasy drama, stared James Stewart as a depressed and suicidal banker, George Bailey, a man who has given up his personal dreams to help others in his community. On Christmas Eve, George contemplates suicide, leading to the intervention of his guardian angel, who shows him how he has touched others and what it would be like if he did not exist. The film was produced and directed by Frank Capra and was nominated for 5 Academy Awards.
1947 brought what’s become a Christmas classic, Miracle on 34th Street to the big screen. This story is one of a department store Santa Claus claiming to be the real Kris Kringle. This claim results in a trial to prove the man’s true identity. The movie featured Edmund Gwenn as Santa, with Natalie Wood portraying a little girl, Susan Walker. Today, this film is a staple among those who love Christmas movies.
Christmas radio programming also provided enertainment for the family, listening along to a drama, comedy, or other story, interspersed with song and local advertising. The stories were often broadcast as a serial in 15-minute segments, with the storyline running from Thanksgiving until Christmas Eve. Cinnamon Bear was a children's adventure program that aired days a week, telling the story of Paddy O'Cinnamon as he helps Judy and Jimmy Barton try to recover the missing silver star that tops their Christmas tree. The Kraft Music Hall brought hours of entertainment into the home, especially during the holidays. We'll explore more holiday music in Thursday's episode of Christmas in the 1940s.
Holiday Inn (1942), starred Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, and Virginia Dale. The trio were song and dance performers headlining at an inn that is only open during the holidays. The show features the well-known song, White Christmas, sung by Crosby. The song went on to become a worldwide favorite and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.
It's a Wonderful Life, a 1946 fantasy drama, stared James Stewart as a depressed and suicidal banker, George Bailey, a man who has given up his personal dreams to help others in his community. On Christmas Eve, George contemplates suicide, leading to the intervention of his guardian angel, who shows him how he has touched others and what it would be like if he did not exist. The film was produced and directed by Frank Capra and was nominated for 5 Academy Awards.
1947 brought what’s become a Christmas classic, Miracle on 34th Street to the big screen. This story is one of a department store Santa Claus claiming to be the real Kris Kringle. This claim results in a trial to prove the man’s true identity. The movie featured Edmund Gwenn as Santa, with Natalie Wood portraying a little girl, Susan Walker. Today, this film is a staple among those who love Christmas movies.
Christmas radio programming also provided enertainment for the family, listening along to a drama, comedy, or other story, interspersed with song and local advertising. The stories were often broadcast as a serial in 15-minute segments, with the storyline running from Thanksgiving until Christmas Eve. Cinnamon Bear was a children's adventure program that aired days a week, telling the story of Paddy O'Cinnamon as he helps Judy and Jimmy Barton try to recover the missing silver star that tops their Christmas tree. The Kraft Music Hall brought hours of entertainment into the home, especially during the holidays. We'll explore more holiday music in Thursday's episode of Christmas in the 1940s.
