Every winter, the owner of a super-rich mansion on Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue settles in for the season and leaves for a warmer climate, creating an annual holiday tradition for the traveling hobo (Victor Moore): he breaks into the house, and makes himself into his place. Home, and spend the winter months in luxury. But this time, he takes with him a down-on-his-luck veteran (Don DeFore) and they meet the owner’s runaway daughter (Gail Storm), who hides her true identity when she falls in love with the vet. This is the first of many complexities and deceptions that run through this charming farce, which celebrated a Found Family Christmas before the phrase became a buzzword, and without sacrificing its screwball goodwill.
3 godparents (1948)
Everett Group
It takes some cleverness to make a Christmas movie almost completely devoid of seasonal imagery: no colored lights (this is a Western set sometime in the 19th century), no snow (it was filmed in Death Valley), and no family gatherings — at least Not traditionally, as the godfathers of the title are a trio of outlaws who are unrelated to each other. Instead, the fifth of 14 collaborations between star John Wayne and director John Ford is a loose retelling of the story of the Three Wise Men, only here the men end up accidentally protecting a newborn, rather than intentionally visiting him during the Christmas season — as is often the case. Prosecuted under the law after a bank robbery. Some of this material is a bit typical, but once they take charge of the child, the film blends light comedy with a poignant portrayal of male responsibility and selflessness in the holiday season.
Cover up (1949)
Cover-up, from left, Denis O’Keefe, Barbara Britton, 1949Courtesy Everett Collection
