He can crack the whip in the air and the reindeer will understand.

To the people at the time, it was clearly understood that the little Dutch girl "who had just come over" would have been a war orphan who likely lost her entire family and was being adopted by the family of the woman with her.

It is bitter sweet. I love the classics and enjoy the younger generation's reaction but sad that none of you experienced these.

Edmund Gwenn won an Oscar for playing Kris Kringle. Gwenn died in 1959. He was cremated and his remains were stored in a vault in Chapel of the Pines in Los Angeles. Earlier this year, they were found in the vault and his family agreed to have his ashes inurned in The Cathedral Mausoleum in Hollywood Forever Cemetery. The ceremony was on December 3, 2023.

"Sawyer is a poo poo head." Can't ask for better movie analysis than that!🤣

The actor playing Kris Kringle, Edmund Gwenn, actually was Santa in the parade itself the year of the filming. (and he won an Oscar for this film)

Little Natalie Wood was just adorable in this and went on to have a great career. I also love Maureen O'Hara in this. It's my next favorite movie she did after The Quiet Man and McLintock both with John Wayne. The Quiet Man was set in Ireland.

The whip wasn't used to make contact on the reindeer (or horses) , but it was the cracking sound used to direct them and get their attention. Hitting them with the whip would have cut the skin, and left wounds. Not something you would ever want to do when you rely on them for transportation and work.

There’s six films that are absolute staples every Christmas season: “IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE,” “A CHRISTMAS CAROL,” “MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET,” “THE SHOP AROUND THE CORNER,” “ A CHRISTMAS STORY,” and “A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS”… (with “THE GRINCH” animated cartoon, and “ELF” getting there…) Happy Holidays!

There have been many film adaptations of Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol," but the definitive version was 1951's "Scrooge" (aka A Christmas Carol in the USA) starring the Scottish actor Alistair Sim. It is true to the novel and Sim's performance is amazing. If you haven't seen it, you should. A comedy murder mystery set at Christmas is "Lady on a Train" (1946) starring Deanna Durbin.

"Scrooge" (1951) with Alastair Sim would be my choice for best film version of "A Christmas Carol". And if Colin has never seen "It's a Wonderful Life", please don't let us wait another year to treat us to the two of you enjoying it together! And I'm asking Santa for Lorna & Colin to watch one B&W film per month & I know he won't let me down!🎄

The Little Girl in this is Natalie Wood. She became a fairly famous star when she grew up. Mostly for the movie version of West Side Story. She married another actor Robert Wagner. You might know him best as Number two in the first Austin Powers movie. But he was a pretty big star before that. Later, sometime in the 80's, I think, she was on her boat with Wagner and a then young actor Christopher Walken. As the story goes, Wagner and Walken passed out drunk and while they were sleeping, Natalie got on a small boat, sailed away from the yacht and somehow fell overboard and drowned. Needless to say, many people find that story a bit fishy. The actual house Suzy wanted for xmas is not too far from me on Long island. Until the 1980's Gimbles was as big as Macy's was.

I still can't believe the two of you are almost 40. You must be blessed with very good genes. I swear you don't look like you are out of your mid 20s. Maybe its the Scottish in you. My wife is 65 and people that meet her for the first time think she's in her late 40s to early 50s. She is what we call here Scots-Irish descent. Scot-Irish refers to a group of settlers that left Scotland for Ireland in the 17th century. Then in the 18th century they began migrating to the British colonies in North America. The first landed in the New England region but eventually traveled down the Appalachian mountain valleys and into the Carolinas were we now live. These Scots-Irish settlers were fiercely independent and many of them fought for American independence. They are an important part of our heritage. Sorry about the history lesson. As always, keep up the good work. Colin you are lucky to have such a beautiful and charming wife. Lorna, you are lucky to have a handsome manly husband. I know a wee bit about this having been married for 40+ years.❤😊

Love your reactions ! Edmund Gwen who played Santa won the Oscar for Best Actor for this role .

The movie bundle with 1951 Scrooge, It's a Wonderful Life, and White Christmas is a must for the holidays.

It's really great watching Lorna being so happy and cheery, it makes her twice as adorable as she usually is, so we're talking about a whole heck of a lot of adorable!!

Loved your reaction! Maureen O'Hara, an Irishwoman, speaks "American" beautifully, but her Irish slips out when she says "Tanks" and "Tank you" for "Thanks" and "Thank you" and "tought" for "thought." It's subtle, but definitely there. This is the definitive and original movie version - none should've been made after. You don't take perfection and try to make it better. You just set yourself up for failure. Take a bad movie and make it better - knock yourself out. So please do not bother with any other version! Oh, and I completely agree with the others who've written here that the 1951 version of A Christmas Carol (but called Scrooge) is the best, hands down. About the twin beds in Mr Gailey's place: this was back when adults sharing rooms to save expenses was a lot more common than now. No one would've thought a thing of it at the time. Also "fat shaming" - there was no such term 76 years ago! And far fewer obese people since fast food hadn't yet been invented, plus ultra thin "heroin addict" models weren't around to inspire young women to eating disorers. It was simply a different era when women used foundational garments to create whatever body shape was in fashion. It was only when women quit wearing girdles that it was expected that their actual bodies should conform to fashion. And obesity ballooned. And so did what is now called fat shaming. All this to say that what Kris said to the boy was just a gentle reproof which he (who would barely overweight by today's standards) hardly noticed. Lastly, it's a treat to see the lovely little Natalie Wood who actually made the transition to acting as an adult. She played Maria in Westside Story and was in Rebel Without a Cause and Spendor in the Grass plus many other movies before her tragic death of drowning at the age of 43.

Such a classic Christmas movie. I love it! A yearly holiday favorite.

The final float in the annual Thanksgiving parade in New York City is Santa and his sleigh. The appearance of Santa at the end of the parade officially begins the Christmas holiday season in America

You should definitely check the movie Its a wonderful life from 1947 also you won't regret it

Old office buildings in New York City had those mail chutes on every floor. I used to love watching the letters slide down them when I was younger. Around the 1980s or 90s they stopped being used, I think.

Maureen O’Hara (Doris) was Irish and passed away just a few years ago at the age of 95. She was probably the best costar that film legend John Wayne ever had.

Awesome! This version is the best one! Can’t wait to see your reaction; I’m sure it will be good! ❤

Huge thanks to Lorna and Colin! 🎅🏼 The jolly, white-bearded fellow was Edmund Gwenn. I hope you'll see him in THE TROUBLE WITH HARRY (1955) someday. The mother here is played by Maureen O'Hara; If you'd like to see another great one with her, try THE QUIET MAN (1952). The handsome neighbor was portrayed by John Payne... check him out in the musical SPRINGTIME IN THE ROCKIES (1942). The daughter was great Natalie Wood. The number of her *must-see* movies is massive... but if I had to narrow them down to three... REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE (1955), the musical GYPSY (1962) and BRAINSTORM (1983).

Yes, so glad y’all did this reaction! So very few are taking a look at the classic films, & are missing out. Some cheesy, sure…but overall they are so many endearing movies from the 40s-50s. This film is prime example; lovely story, great cast & without the garbage that is so prevalent today. Guaranteed to put a smile on your face! (Thrilled to know that “It’s a Wonderful Life” is a favorite of yours Lorna. Have a suggestion for another Christmas film: “The Shop Around the Corner”. Just a beautiful story that I know you will enjoy.)

What a sweet and joyful reaction! Lorna was so into it! She believed in Kris from the very beginning and never doubted!!! And your accents are so beautiful! I could listen to you talk all day! Looking forward to watching more of your reactions!!!

We watched this movie every year as kids. It's nice to see younger reactors getting into it.

Many large department stores did this, they kept books with the inventory of other local stores and they did this for a couple of decades until the late 1970’s.

This woman reactor is a star! So fun and smiley. The guy is nice too.

Maureen O'Hara. She and John Wayne star in "The Quiet Man", a classic set in Ireland.

Yes, would love to see you react to more classics!

It's the Macy's parade on Thanksgiving Day. The day after Thanksgiving would usher in the start of the holiday shopping season at the time.

Great Reaction..... To this Classic Movie Staple (Must See).... Maureen O'Hara and John Payne starred in several movies together in the 1940's..... Kris Kringle" was performed by actor Edmund Gwenn, who starred in many popular films of the 30's, 40's, and 50's. Gwenn won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for this role. He also starred in "Life with Father," (1947), co-starring William Powell (highly recommended), "Bewitched, " (1945), "Apartment for Peggy, "(1948). Susan was played by a Young Natalie Wood... who would later co-star in "Rebel without a Cause" (1955) with James Dean, "The Searchers" (1956) with John Wayne, "West Side Story" (1961) as Maria.... The Judge's Friend/Consultant is played by William Frawley was best known for playing Fred Mertz, landlord and husband of Lucy Ricardo's (Lucille Ball) best friend, Ethel Mertz, in the legendary "I Love Lucy" 50s sitcom, and was "Bud" on TV Show "My Three Son's".

'Shop Around the Corner' is another good Jimmy Stewart-Christmas themed film.

My dad and I have differing theories on Chris's... sanity. He says that Chris was a nice old man who was a psychiatrist and/or school teacher who loved Christmas and Santa more than anything and then convinced himself that he was Santa Claus. My theory is that Chris IS Santa, and because he's been around for a long time, he decided, "I think I'll study psychology. Why not?"

I am 55 yrs old . This movie has been my very favorite since i was a toddler. So fun watching you watch and experience the magic for the very first time

The proper use of a whip does NOT usually include actually hitting the animal with it, it's the crack sound of the whip.

The parade scene at the beginning of the film is at the Dakota Apartment building on Central Park West at 72nd Street (home of celebrities such as Lauren Bacall, Yoko Ono and John Lennon, Robert Flack, Leonard Bernstein, Paul Simon, Rosemary Clooney (George Clooney's aunt), Boris Karloff, and others.

To clarify what the whip is for, it’s not to physically whip the reindeer. What you do is crack the whip above the reindeer to signal them to go. In places where you would be using a team of reindeer, it’s likely to be very windy, making it difficult to give them a verbal signal to go, especially since your mouth is likely covered by a scarf or balaclava. But the crack of a whip can be heard over the wind, so it makes for a good signal to your team that they need to go or go faster.

In many office buildings and large apartment buildings in New York City (and other cities in the US) have built-in mail chutes that fail into a secure box .It is unlocked and emptied by a postal worker daily and taken to the local post office. These built-in mail chutes still exist, especially in vintage buildings. There will be a mail slot on each floor of a building as a convenience to the residents so they don't have to walk outside to deposit their mail in the mailbox on the street.

Maybe Mr. Gailey has the 2nd bed for guests or friends who come to visit, like an old college buddy😊

You two give me so much joy. Beautiful reaction and a very Merry Christmass 💕

Thank you both for a wonderful reaction! "The Shop Around the Corner " is another terrific 1940's Holiday movie you should see...

The mail thing: some large city apartments back then had those mail slots in the hallway, usually near the elevator or the stairwell.

Another very heartwarming Christmas movie is the 1947 “The Bishop’s Wife.” Highly recommended!

The parade that they’re showing is for Thanksgiving.

Lorna, "It's a Wonderful Life" is my favorite Christmas movie also. The producer/director, Frank Kapra did many wonderful movies in the 1930s and 40s. Another of his you should watch is "You Can't Take it With You," from 1938, also starring James Stewart. This isn't a holiday movie, so save it on your list to watch after New Years. Colin, you will like it as well. 😊

A Christmas Carol with George C. Scott. (1984)

Wonderful reaction, thank you, and you're right about pre-80's films. 1930's to mid 60's are best in general.

There is a Christmas film (romantic comedy) called "Susan Slept Here," (1954) starring Debbie Reynolds (Princess Leia's mom), Dick Powell, Red Skelton, Alvy Moore, Ellen Corby. The story is narrated by an iconic individual, but you'll have to watch the film to find out.

It's an apartment. The mail chute must go down to somewhere for pickup. That is pretty cool.

Sounds like you two are perfect to beat the drums for a big annual Holiday Parade. Only needs to start with one..............pick up the phone!

Hi Colin & Lorna!😊 It sounds like Lorna is really into the holiday season. "It's A Wonderful Life" came out the same year as this film. 1947 must have been a big holiday for the theaters that year. The remake of this film isn't as good as this one, but it is not bad. It is "The Miracle on 34th Street" (1994). The girl (Susan) would become a popular actress when she grew up, Natalie Wood. Great reactions to this Christmas classic, Colin & Lorna!!!!🎬👏👏👏👏Congratulations on the new Christmas tree!!!🎄🎄🎄🎄

I really enjoyed this reaction

Mars Attacks was originally scheduled for Christmas season so the ray guns shoot red and green blasts. But it came out the next spring I think.

Thanks for your reaction to one of my favorite Christmas movies! Since you said that you aren't prejudiced to watching old, black & white movies, I'd like to suggest two Christmas movies you may not be familiar with at this time. The Bishop's Wife (1947) and Christmas In Connecticut (1945). Merry Christmas!

Mail (or Post) chutes like those shown in the film were common in high-rise apartment buildings built in NYC in the 1920s-1940s, as well as offices, hotels, etc. They remain in many buildings from that era, although few if any are still used. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mail_chute

This and THE RIGHT STUFF are my all-time favorite movies. It is a deceptively complex movie.

Here are some older non Christmas movies you both might like to watch after Christmas. 1951 "The Day the Earth Stood Still", 1956 "The War of the Worlds", 1974 Rollerball", 1968 "Planet of the Apes", and Tron 1982.

Lovely review. Been getting emotional for decades watching this movie at Christmas time.

Oh for heavens sake, who *doesn’t* love the chitchat.

Now you've had the pleasure of being Introduced to Maureen O'Hara and Edmumd Gwenn. Maureen (1910 - 2015) was an incredibly talented and gorgeous Irish-born actress who became a major Hollywood star. Edmund [1877 - 1959), born in London, was a well-respected and talented character actor. He has such appeal and charm. Search the lengthy filmography of both of these legendary actors. You'll be impressed. Happy Holidays! ors

Macy's isn't advertising other places; they're putting the ads from the other stores in their book to use to recommend to customers (if necessary).

I am so glad you liked the movie. I’ve been watching it every year for over five decades. Never miss a year. ☃️❤️

What a wonderful reaction! You guys really are spreading the Christmas spirit🎅🏻🎄. I’ve watched this film every year at Christmas time since I’ve been a little kid. Your reaction made me feel like I was watching for the first time.

Best reaction ever!!!

Good reaction Colin & Lorna! Why did Fred have twin beds? Cuz, until the late 60s the movie industry had to abide by the HaysCode, which forbid many things, including adults laying in the same bed! So you'll see tons of films tween the mid-1930s&1968 where "married couples" actually lay down in separate beds at night...

LOL, Sawyer didn't get a lump of coal, but he did get a lump! 🤣

Here are two movie suggestions for the Christmas season Both movies are non-violent, there is no tongue- in-cheek irony in the recommendations, and though they may difficult to find it is worth the effort: Pocketful of Miracles (1961) and We're No Angels (1955) Be sure to get the years correct. Merry Christmas from America.

I just caught John Rex middle initial is "T". You probably looked it up, but in case you didn't, his name was John Hammond although his full name might have been John T. Rex Hammond, but I'm not sure.😊

Great reaction. Another charming 1940s Christmas movie is Holiday Affair (1949) starring Robert Mitchum and Janet Leigh. Its a romance but not rom-com. Chsrming. I watch it every year.

Hi Lorna & Colin, it`s always great to see someone else discover these Xmas classics & enjoy them. For me, this one is still preferred over the 1994 version, which though good is just not quite as good. There are several films from around the same period, that have proved very popular over the decades. Another couple for closer to Xmas Eve would be the 1947 film (The Bishop`s Wife) & the 1951 film (Scrooge). Given your reaction to this film, I think you would enjoy them both. Other`s I can think of are, the 1940 film (The Shop Around The Corner), the 1946 film (It`s A Wonderful Life) & the more obvious 1954 film (White Xmas).

I was more upset to find out Sherlock Holmes was fictional than I ever was about Santa Claus.

For those who believe in Santa Claus, this movie is the ultimate validation - and vindication. (I'm rather fond myself of the version made for American television in 1973 - making it 50 years old this year - starring, as Kris Kringle, the venerable character actor Sebastian Cabot, perhaps best remembered as proper valet Mr. French on *Family Affair.* ) A jolly holiday season to you folks, now and always...and in the spirit of said season, please accept as a gift my subscription. Nöel! 🎄 🎁 😁

Love how into Christmas Lorna is! It’s contagious😊

When shes a teen, Susie will appreciate living in Manhattan instead of Long Island.

8:26 The question is just that, is he Santa? 35:10 Lorna believes.😊

Hello from the Sunshine State of Florida 🇺🇲🌞 Happy Holidays & A Very Merry Christmas 🎄⛄❄️🕯️👑✨☀️🎁 If you enjoyed this holiday movie 🎥 may I suggest ( The Bishop's wife ) with Carey Grant

💫You might take a look at "I'll Be Seeing You" (1944), a holiday season romance that I think you'll find surprisingly contemporary. "Holiday Affair" (1949) is another good one in that genre. As you say, these older films were mostly made for adults rather than teen-agers, and that's also true of one of my very favorite romances, "Random Harvest" (1942) with the radiant Greer Garson, who I believe was in her late 30s at the time. Bring your hankie. All of the above movies are in b&w, as is "Johnny Belinda" (1948), one of the most beautifully filmed and acted movies I've seen, but it's worth remembering that many of the great films of the 40s and 50s were in color, and not just the musicals either.

A couple of good cartoon Christmas movie is Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer and The Nightmare Before Christmas. The Santa Clause is also pretty good and Scrooged with Bill Murray is a modern version of the Charles Dickens classic. A must right after Christmas is the great classic The Wizard of Oz. It use to be on TV every year in January. These are my best ideas for Christmas movies, if you haven't seen them. My worst idea is Violent Night. It's different is all I can say and will appeal to those that are tired of the love story Christmas movies and want some violence with their egg nog.

20:58 "I hope he gets a lump of coal." He'll get a lump!

Santa, the fat-shaming savage!! 😂🤣😂 Lorna I, too, carry a few extra inches of padding with me everywhere! Just a little more of us to love!! And poor Colin when Kris bopped Sawyer! 😲 He looked traumatized! 😂 "Saw yer later!"?? Bloody brilliant!! 👏👏👏 Lorna, you're a lucky lass!!

If you want the best Christmas movie, watch It’s A Wonderful Life (1946)

I love all movies that feature my home this is one of the Christmassy best! If you combine it with the remake it’s the perfect Miracle. On a side note After watching many many adaptations of Charles Dickens Christmas carol Im surprised to find personally the muppets Christmas carol tops them all but Mr Alastair Sim is a close second to Micheal Caine

Love your reactions 🎉

React to jingle all the way with Arnold Schwarzenegger if you haven’t seen it already. It is a Christmas movie.

Macy's Thanksgiving parade in NYC has become nothing more than political/social theatre for the most divisive issues of the day. It's nothing like the holiday celebration that it was for decades. It's common in NYC and other big cities to have a mail slot in the larger apartment buildings, where you can step into the hallway and post a letter. Some of the largest buildings in NYC even have their own postal code.

Watch "It's a wonderful life"!!! It's a great holiday movie with a great Christmas message.

This is one of my favorite movies ever - I'm glad you two enjoyed it as well!

Love you guys. Have a Happy Christmas and an even better New Years.

How is it possible that someone who grew up in the English speaking world hadn't already seen this film at least a dozen times? I call shenanigans.

This is the best version, the later version with 'the guy from Jurassic Park' is a bit of a let down - that guy is Richard Attenborough - brother of naturalist David Attenborough. For 'modern' Christmas movies, 'the Santa Clause' and 'Elf' are both better than I would have imagined. - and although it’s a thanksgiving movie, ‘Planes, trains and automobiles' can easily substitute for a Christmas movie.

Some ideas as greatest movies Casablanca Jaws My cousin vinnie Joker His girl Friday Christmas vacation Philadelphia Flight I know you get tons of these so you may not see it but thought I’d toss them out

The movie It's a Wonderful Life and the classic horror movie Psycho by Alfred Hitchcock have something in common. I suggest that you watch Psycho and then Watch It's a Wonderful Life and try to figure out what they have in common. Most people do not know.

If you are willing to try a different direction, based on historical events, then you need to watch "Twelve O'clock High" with Gregory Peck (1949). Though not tied to specific people, it is based on the Real U.S. 8th Air Force actions the broke the back of Nazi Germany, with the air fields in the UK. A lot of the air footage is taken from real films of what took place, at a time in WW-II where a Bomber crew had a life expectancy of about 30-days (20-missions). It is the movie that motivated me into going to the U.S. Air Force Academy when I was 18 (though I was unable to maintain the grades to graduate). Also, a number of large corporations have used this movie as part of their Executive Management training programs.

Recommending this oldie: The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) (originally in color)

weebitreacts: A gentle reminder; please, please, please react to "THE BISHOP'S WIFE" (1947) before Christmas Day 2023. Cary Grant, Loretta Young and David Niven, along with the rest of the film's stellar cast. A must see by you both for your "REACTION | FIRST TIME WATCHING | REACTION & COMMENTARY" !!

"Ho ho ho" does not a Christmas movie make. I think Colin probably can decide whether he thinks _It's a Wonderful Life_ is a Christmas movie after he sees it. (I think you said he hadn't seen it?)

If you haven't seen The Wizard of Oz, you should consider it for immediately after Christmas. It use to be shown on TV every January. There are some great animated Christmas specials that children enjoy year after year: A Charlie Brown Christmas Frosty the Snowman How the Grinch Stole Christmas (cartoon version) Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer. One of the best versions of Charles Dickens A Christmas Carole was the one with George C. Scott as Scrooge. A non-Christmas movie that fits the season is the fantasy Never Ending Story. Once again I love your reaction to this classic. Lorna reminds me of my wife. She is a Christmas nut. I use to climb up on the house to hang Christmas lights. I'm too old for that these days but that doesn't stop her from decorating all over the yard.

I'm enjoying this reaction so much, I'm going to break it up into 2 sections. There's a major storm heading this way. Time for a hot shower & cup of hot chocolate for part 2 later with the rain & wind going strong 🌧️🌬️☕