Starring: Bill Murray, Karen Allen, John Forsythe, John Glover, Bobcat Goldthwaite, Carole Kane, Robert Mitchum

Director: Richard Donner

A selfish, cynical TV executive is haunted by three ghosts on Christmas Eve who all work to help him find his heart again, while he tried to plan a live special and keep his job.

What Is It:

An 80’s era Christmas Carol movie that’s very Billy Murray, with a bunch of the popular players of the time and pokes fun at the era’s obsession with success and the TV stations ruthlessness. From the director of The Goonies and Lethal Weapon and featuring the much played song Put A Little Love In Your Heart as it’s end theme.

Why Do I Love This One?

It’s not Christmas until I’ve watched this Film. I remember watching this with my brother on VHS with our Dad when we were really small. The entire film went over my head then. I thought Carole Kane was beautiful and hilarious, and Karen Allen’s big smile was charming. I loved Bill Murray movies. But I didn’t get this film’s jokes til I as a bit older, and I think that in that way, it’s been a film that keeps on giving for me. At different ages, I’ve noticed different things.

Also, I really love all things 80’s now, and the hair and clothes in this film is epic, so it’s really fun to come back to. I love the way this film looks, with it’s nighttime scenes and city streets and warm Christmas colors against scenes of cold and concrete.

I think this is a good film and it always makes me laugh and gives me that warm Christmas feeling. But of course, I’ve seen it so many times that I’m probably not really seeing this film, in the objective sense. I feel like all the people are having fun in this film and there’s good chemistry between everyone. I feel like Bill Murrays flat tones and cynicism also give way to warmth sometimes with different characters, especially Karen Allen. It’s a favorite for me.

Bill Murray fans or people who remember the 80’s will probably like this warm and funny version of the classic Christmas Carol story.