12 Days of Christmas (2019)

Bell Book and Candle (1958, Richard Quine)



The same year that Jimmy Stewart and Kim Novak shared the screen in Vertigo, the pair also starred in this festive romantic fantasy. Novak stars as Gillian, a modern-day witch who decides to use her powers to mess up the love life of her neighbor. Co-starring Jack Lemmon and Elsa Lanchester, this was adapted from John Van Druten’s play and would go on to inspire the television show Bewitched six years later.

Christmas Holiday (1944, Robert Siodmak)



In the bleak midwinter is right. A very melancholic noir crime film, Deanna Durbin stars as a woman trying to escape her abusive husband (Gene Kelly) and past by changing her name and taking a job as a singer in a New Orleans dive bar. With a screenplay from Herman J. Mankiewicz and directed by the man behind The Spiral Staircase and The Killers, this was a dramatic departure for Durbin who only sings two numbers in this unusual Christmas holiday.

Comfort and Joy (1984, Bill Forsyth)



Director Bill Forsyth’s followup to Local Hero, this sweet little Scottish film follows a radio disc jockey (Bill Paterson) whose life takes a dramatic turn in the days leading up to Christmas. Amusing and lighthearted, this features some fun sight gags and a good ensemble led by the always dependable Paterson.

The Exorcism (1972, Don Taylor)



An episode of the British television anthology series Dead of Night, The Exorcism follows two couples whose plans for reminiscing over Christmas dinner get thrown out the window when strange things start to occur. A ghostly and atmospheric tale that still holds up today, this is a fine alternative for those who like an extra bite to their festivities.

A Midnight Clear (1992, Keith Gordon)



Set in December 1944 in the early phases of the Battle of the Bulge, a small US Army reconnaissance and intelligence squad are tasked with occupying a deserted chateau near the German lines in order to gain enemy intel. The soldiers soon discover that war is not so black and white as the Germans exchange snowballs one evening and offer a Christmas truce. Starring Ethan Hawke, Peter Berg, Gary Sinise, Kevin Dillon, Frank Whaley and Ayre Gross.

Susan Slept Here (1954, Frank Tashlin)



With an opening narration from an Oscar statuette, this romantic comedy concerns a screenwriter (Dick Powell) suffering from writer’s block who has an unexpected Christmas present arrive at his door: Debbie Reynolds! Starring as the titular Susan, Reynolds plays a very amusing juvenile delinquent who gets to spend the holidays with Powell because the cop who dropped her off thinks she can inspire his latest screenplay (as you do). This was Powell’s final film and features a very fun dream sequence and great costume design.

Game Over / 36.15 code Père Noël (1989, René Manzor)



’Twas the night before Christmas and a young boy named Thomas, left in the care of his fragile grandfather, must face off with a psychopath dressed as Santa Clause who breaks into his home. Sprinkled with surprisingly gruesome violence, booby traps and a very relentless Saint Nick played by Patrick Floersheim, this is an entertaining and macabre festive thriller. With similarities to Home Alone, director Manzor threatened to sue Chris Columbus and company for plagiarism. Ho ho ho!