‘Tis the season once again, a time for hectic shopping adventures and anxiety-inducing family gatherings. Fortunately, it’s also the season to unwind by the fireplace, grab a plate of cookies, and drift off during Hallmark Channel’s annual marathon of classic (and not-so-classic) holiday films.
No holiday season would be complete without these movies, and many rotational favorites have been made even more memorable by the iconic cars featured in them. Today at Northpointe Chevrolet, we delve into a selection of classic Christmas films and their now-famous vehicles.
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
We begin with the godfather of Christmas movies (if not The Godfather of Christmas movies). We all know the story by now: down on his luck George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) loses some cash, contemplates a premature exit, is saved by wing-chasing angel Clarence, and proceeds to learn not only is he not fiscally ruined, but is in fact the richest man in town.
In a film brimming with fascinating cars from the 1940s, from Ernie’s taxicab to Burt’s police car, George is fittingly stuck driving a 1919 Dodge Brothers Touring. When an inebriated George hits his rock bottom by driving said Touring into a tree on Christmas Eve, it sets off the chain of events that ultimately leads to his salvation.
The actual Dodge from the film — which still includes its original studio ID badge — is currently owned by a Colorado couple. They put the Touring up for auction in 2014, but ultimately held off from selling it. Perhaps, like George himself, they realized that some things in life are too precious to put a price on.
A Christmas Story (1983)
BB gun aficionado Ralphie may be the face of 1983’s classic A Christmas Story (which, as a period piece, is also set in the 1940’s), but real ones know the true soul of the movie is his turkey fiend of a father. Unfortunately, Old Man Parker’s 1937 Oldsmobile Six seems in perpetual need of maintenance. (Or, as its owner puts it, “That son of a b**** would freeze up in the middle of summer on the equator!”)
The Oldsmobile encounters a flat tire, leading to one of the episodic film’s many iconic scenes, as Ralphie’s profanity-laced attempt to help his father with the tire replacement goes disastrously. The incident is mostly forgotten one bar of soap later, but the Oldsmobile’s issues would presumably persist. If only Parker had won a time machine to visit Northpointe Chevrolet’s Service Department, instead of that kitschy leg lamp.
Die Hard (1988)
In truth, there’s nothing particularly exceptional about the 1988 Lincoln Town Car limousine that escorts John McClane from LAX to Nakatomi Plaza. (The driver, however, does wind up playing a crucial role). It just seemed like a good time to work in our annual reminder that Die Hard is a Christmas movie, end of discussion.
Christmas Vacation (1989)
You could argue that Clark Griswold’s 1988 Ford Taurus wagon is just as important a character to this holiday classic as any member of the extended Griswold family (save perhaps Cousin Eddie). It’s certainly the star of one of the film’s madcap intro, where Clark (Chevy Chase, notably not driving a Chevy) gets into it with some fellow roadsters on the way to the Christmas tree farm. During his ensuing bout of road rage, Clark doesn’t even realize he’s piloting the Taurus beneath a tractor trailer hauling gigantic pine logs across the highway.
Clark eventually navigates out from underneath the larger vehicle, though he does need to evade a snowplow afterwards for good measure. And the Griswolds do arrive at their destination, albeit via a Dukes of Hazard-inspired aerial route. The scene sets the tone for the entire movie, and it’s all made possible by some impressive vehicular choreography.
Home Alone (1990)
You can’t say that the Wet Bandits didn’t put work into their backstory. Marv (Daniel Stern), one half of the criminal duo alongside Joe Pesci’s Harry, is obsessed with leaving a calling card in the form of running water at each house they burglarize. To further their cover story, the pair drives around the neighborhood in a 1986 Dodge Ram Van christened “Oh-Kay Plumbing & Heating.”
One of the unsolved mysteries of Home Alone — aside from the current market value of the McCallister home itself — is how Harry and Marv are utilizing all that van space. Are they adding to their front’s legitimacy by traveling with actual plumbing and heating equipment? Is it stuffed with underutilized burglar tools? Whatever the case, the Wet Bandits were clearly ill-equipped to combat the squatter Kevin’s unhinged, DIY booby traps.
It’s Christmas Time in the Chevy
When it’s time to take a pause in your holiday movie marathon, consider making your way to Northpointe Chevrolet. With our expansive inventory of new and pre-owned vehicles, you’re bound to find something to keep you in the holiday spirit year-round. Whether in the 2023 Malibu or the all-electric Bolt, you’ll drive into the New Year the right way with an assist from Venango County’s premiere Chevy dealership.
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