Classic Christmas movies on the big screen!

Miracle On 34th Street screens today at Richmond's Byrd Theatre!

This is the time of year when many of the classic Christmas films show up on tv.  It's A Wonderful Life, A Christmas Carol (various adaptations), A Christmas Story, Christmas Vacation and modern classics like Elf are all over the cable schedules and dvd/blu-ray release calendar.  Of course holiday fanatics like us can't get enough of these movies.

But as much as we enjoy watching at home, nothing compares to seeing these films in a theater with an adoring crowd.  Here in Richmond, we're lucky to have several opportunities this holiday season to do this.

Last year, the historic Byrd Theatre hosted a charity screening of White Christmas.  It was exciting and touching to hear the multi-generational crowd singing along with the film and clapping at the end.

Interior of the Byrd Theatre.  Richmond's movie palace opened on Christmas Eve, 1928.

Today, we're getting another classic Christmas movie at the Byrd!  Miracle On 34th Street will be shown at 1:30, proceeds will benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Edmund Gwenn as Kris Kringle, with Natalie Wood and Maureen O'Hara.

The Byrd will also continue its tradition of showing It's A Wonderful Life on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

But these holiday movie events aren't just limited to our city.

On December 7, select theaters nationwide will be showing a Double Feature of Christmas In Connecticut and the 1938 version of A Christmas Carol.  Check here to see if this event will be showing in your area.

And a week later, White Christmas celebrates its 60th anniversary by returning to theaters!  It will be shown on December 14th and 15th, look for tickets here!

So if you've always wanted to see these classic movies in the theater, we recommend you take advantage of this opportunity.

Merry Christmas In July!

Yesterday, RigbyMel and I attended a Richmond Flying Squirrels Baseball game. The game was host to a celebration of 'Christmas In July'.

They had a local band singing songs like 'White Christmas' and 'Winter Wonderland' at the stadium entrance, and Santa was present too, wearing a Hawaiian shirt and posing for pictures with children.




The Flying Squirrel's mascot Nutzy played "Santa Nutzy", he was kind enough to help me record a "commercial" for this blog!:



And Santa also "endorses" this blog!



We had a great time at the game, and it was a nice reminder that as of today, Christmas is only five months away!

If you live in a town that has a Major or Minor League baseball team, check their schedule this week, they may also be celebrating 'Christmas In July!

J.A.