Hugh Hewitt & Schmaltzy Christmas Movies

Hugh out-did himself today by suggesting that Emmett of the Unblinking Eye come up with (for next week) the absolute lamest movie category ever: “Schmaltzy Christmas Movies.”

Surprisingly, the list of such movies that qualify for this label are relatively few (I can’t count TV movies or animation). In any case, below are my suggestions. Happy schlepping schmaltzing!

White Christmas (winner…hands down for schmaltz)
Miracle on 34th Street (2nd place because Natalie Wood is NOT schmaltzy at all)
Boys Town 1944 (shcmaltz with a little bit of an edge, a message AND an actual plot)
All I Want for Christmas 1991 (very bad schmaltz)
We’re No Angels 1955 (regrettable schmaltz)
Note the 1989 remake isn’t good enough to rise to the level of schmaltz
Santa Clause—The Movie 1986 (forgettable schmaltz)

Note: It’s a Wonderful Life DOES NOT QUALIFY…it transcends “schmaltz” and is in a unique category of its own.

Note #2: Holiday Inn and White Christmas should not, in all fairness, appear on the same list, otherwise it would have made my list, too!