2012: Another Year In The Books

Well, here it is again. The end of another year, and once again, I find myself less than enthused at what has transpired, and less than enthusiastic as to what lies ahead.

Melancholy is the right word, I suppose, but as I look back over the previous year, it just seems like each and every year has been a repeat of the “meh” that has come before it. Nothing profound, or noteworthy to make of, and certainly nothing that I would look back on specifically with any sort of fondness.

Collectively there are moments, and I can also look at what has transpired in the lives of my friends and family, and in doing so, feel a sense of elation, congratulation or satisfaction. This is the case for any situation, and I always try to go out of my way to let people know when I think they’ve achieved something really special or have been a significant part of my life, whether they knew it or not.

So that’s not what I’m talking about here. I’m talking about myself, and how I view myself, where I am, and where I’m going, because, to tell you the truth, I haven’t a clue.

Looking ahead, I’ve got one more semester at the University of Findlay. While getting to this point has a certain degree of satisfaction, the fact that I’m older in life, and am only reaching this point now, makes the achievement seem much less significant. When a younger student, recently graduated from high school goes off into college and spend four years or slightly more working toward a degree, they graduate and it seems like such a great thing, but when a person, for whatever reason, has to wait till later to get to that point, it’s more like “Oh, that’s cute,” “Good for you” and more patronizing comments. I know this because I have heard it, and sensed it from people around me.

But more than that, I am conflicted as to what’s next. A person today has no time to look over the work that they just completed and take in its significance because all energies are cued in to the next step, the next chapter, or the next phase. Frankly, it can drive a person crazy war gaming the possibilities. And this is compounded by the fact that everyone seems to always want to know.

You want to know the truth? The only thing I’ve ever wanted out of life is to find someone special, and spend time getting to that point. Get married someday, and raise a family. What I do for a living is one aspect of who I am, and is nowhere near the total of what makes me. It seems to me that that the best relationships I know share this common theme.

And I know some might take that to mean that he simply wants to get married. Couldn’t be farther from the truth. I know enough about myself to know I’m nowhere near ready for that sort of thing, and I’ve seen the results of too many who have jumped to that point before they were ready. It’s not pretty, nor is a relationship something that can be entered into on a whim. It takes time, it needs cultivated before anything can come of it, and it can’t happen overnight.

Also, it’s never perfect. Far from it in fact. I have two friends who I consider to be happily married who, in the last year or so, saw a breakdown in their relationship that got to the point where I believe they considered separating. They didn’t, and god willing won’t, but it happens. So it’s not something that I take lightly. There comes a point when you know you’re ready, and for me, that’s a long way off.

There are going to be some changes coming my way in the next year. Some are going to be good, and some, I’ve been looking forward to for a long time. Others, I know from experience, will be not good, and some will simply suck. There’s no two ways about it. I’m not as optimistic as to what lies ahead as I have been in the past but I know it’s there, and has to be done.

Like I did last year, tonight before the ball drops and all the parties are in full swing, I’ll take a moment and take stock of all that has transpired in the last year. I’ll note the things I know now that I didn’t then, and the people I know now that I didn’t know, and I’ll ponder the possibilities that lie ahead. One year from today, things are going to have happened which will have brought pain, happiness, and satisfaction, and only I will be able to know which.

So Happy New Year to you, wherever you happen to be. Be safe, have fun, and take stock. We all owe it to ourselves to reflect once in a while, and today is as good a day as any to begin.

Christmas Eve 2012

Today is Christmas Eve. For many it’s one of the slowest days of the year. This is especially true for children. But I know, for many adults, it is also a really slow day.

I remarked yesterday on my radio show the significance of Christmas Eve. When I was a kid, Christmas Eve was a slow day for sure, but it was also a day of anticipation. It’s the kind of thing you really can’t know or think about till you get older, but when I reflect on it, Christmas Eve was really the day we’d all been waiting on for the entire year.

I know, it’s not the first thing that comes to mind, but it was, and many of our Christmas memories are tied into that one day. What I remember with fondness isn’t so much what I would get for Christmas, but rather the anticipation of what was to come. It’s kind of like, when you watch a scary movie. The buildup to the big reveal as to whatever is supposed to be scary is usually more memorable and thus more fulfilling than the actual reveal itself.

Christmas Eve is a chance for all of us to take stock in the work that we’ve done in the month since Thanksgiving. The entire month of December is filled with decorating, getting cookies made, delivering presents, and shopping, as well as spending time with family and friends at parties, or volunteering your time for worthy causes. The entire month is a smorgasbord of activity that we can get lost in the commotion. It’s nice, and frankly healthy to have a day to reflect on all that we’ve done in the month past, take stock and enjoy it. Christmas Eve serves that purpose.

There’s a song that I’m quite fond of by the group Blackmore’s Night. Entitled Christmas Eve, it’s about that exactly. It reflects on how a child views Christmas Eve, but it also takes stock in all that has transpired in the last year, and what has been building to the great finale. And like all finales, it’s always somewhat underwhelming. But today, for one day, we can revel in the anticipation of what is to come, and take it all in.

When I was growing up, some of my favorite memories happened on Christmas Eve. Singing in church, or being in a church play. Going home and having the traditional lasagna for Christmas dinner, and perhaps watching a Christmas movie. Looking at the presents and wondering what tomorrow would bring.

It is more so as I get older. I enjoy this day much more than just about any other throughout the entire year. It is a day when anything can happen, and a day when we can look back and bask in all we have done to get to this point.

Simply put, it is my favorite day of the year. I hope it will be an enjoyable one, and I hope that you will have an enjoyable Christmas, wherever you happen to be today.

Merry Christmas!

Favorite Christmas Shows: #1 A Christmas Carol (1984)

#1: A Christmas Carol (1984)

Granted, throughout my life I wouldn’t have placed this film at the top of the list. Indeed, I first saw it not five or six years ago, after the Scott family had finally granted permission to have it re-broadcast. For my money, there is no finer adaptation of this classic Christmas tale than this one, and it’s my favorite film to watch and enjoy each and every year.

I suppose what I like best about this adaptation of the classic Dickens tale, as opposed to many of the other ones, is the strength of its cast. Led by one of the greatest actors of the 20^th century, George C. Scott, this film is supported by many great actors, who themselves have gone on to stellar careers. It also stars the great David Warner as Bob Cratchit, Roger Rees as Scrooge’s nephew Fred, (either of which would play an excellent Scrooge in their own right) Susannah York as Mrs. Cratchit, and so on and so forth.

Supporting cast members are also great. Many fans of Tim Burton’s Batman films will recognize Michael Gough as Mr. Poole, who asks Scrooge for a donation for the poor. Many of you will most likely not know the British actor John Sharp who also plays a minor role, but I recognized him from his character of Ezra Biggins who appeared in the television series “All Creatures Great & Small” which also appeared on this favorites list.

The 1984 film was filmed on location, in a manner of speaking. Filming took place in Shrewsbury England, which has since become a setting for many of Dickens film adaptations, in addition to being a great example of how London would have looked in the setting of the story. In fact, were you to travel to Shrewsbury today (and god willing, one day I will get the opportunity) you can visit the grave of Scrooge. The famous cemetery scene was filmed in a real church cemetery in the town and the tombstone was real, and still is there to this day.

The film was directed by Clive Donner. Donner served as an editor on the popular 1951 adaptation starring Alastair Sim, and was able to bring many of the same elements from that production into this one. And the music, scored by the great film composer Nick Bicat really sets the scenes. His overall theme, entitled God Bless Us, Everyone, is one of my all-time favorite Christmas tunes each year. I wish it were for general sale, but it isn’t.

As I said before, what makes this film so great is the quality of the acting, and this is the most true for its star. George C. Scott was able to channel Scrooge in a way that I haven’t seen anyone else quite rise to in any of the adaptations. Many times, when you watch an actor play a character as iconic as Scrooge, you get the feeling that they are simply reciting the lines. Perhaps it’s because many of us know the story well enough that we notice the action process more. I really don’t know. But it never seems to be that way with Scott.

He can take a line, like Scrooge’s line about the poor dying and they’d better do it or the line about every idiot going about with “Merry Christmas” on his lips and recite them as if he were the first and only person ever to utter those lines. You buy it, because he makes it so compelling.

My brother always says that if he were ever in a stage version he would play the Ghost of Christmas Future
Because he would only have to stand there, and point.

It’s a gem to watch a really great performer work. In smaller ways, I’ve seen stage actors, both at the local and professional level that I believe were able to tap into that, and Scott is one of those great actors. He makes this film, and the tremendous supporting cast that works along with him, also bring the same gravitas to their roles.

It is, in my humble opinion, the best adaptation of this classic tale, and, for my money, the best Christmas movie. I never miss an opportunity to watch and view this film at this time of the year, and sometimes multiple times during the course of the year. It’s amazing film, and worth anyone’s time to check out for themselves.

One more to go...

To Recap

Had some excitement today. I mentioned online how our Christmas tree decided to go for a walk, and failed. Well, for some reason, the clamps which hold it in place decided to quit working for a minute, and the tree went a tumbling. Needless to say, I really didn’t plan on spending the afternoon redecorating the tree from scratch, but that was more or less what we had to do. Hey, it happens.

Anyway, for the last couple of weeks, I’ve been reviewing my top twelve favorite Christmas shows that I try to watch at least once each year at this time. You can go back and review them yourselves but to recap.

Honorable Mention: Elf

12: The West Wing 1^st Season Christmas Episode

11: Prancer

10: Santa Claus is Comin’ To Town

9: Muppet Christmas Carol

8: Home Alone

7: It’s A Wonderful Life

6: All Creatures Great & Small Christmas Episode

5: The Andy Griffith Show Christmas Episode

4: A Charlie Brown Christmas

3: A Christmas Story

2: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

Tomorrow morning, I’ll reveal my all-time favorite Christmas show, so be sure to check that out. Before then though, I want to make mention of another show that has become sort of a family tradition to watch on Christmas day.

 Several years ago, when I was on one my trips to Washington DC, I picked up a copy of the A&E television movie, The Crossing, and gave it to my dad for Christmas. Dad really enjoyed it, and in all the years since, on Christmas night, after a whole day of enjoying Christmas, we would pop that movie in and watch it.

Basically, The Crossing is a telling of George Washington’s Trenton Campaign in December of 1776. Many know what happened, but basically, the Continental Army was at its lowest point ever in the history of the conflict, and had been beaten back time and time again. It was at the point where there was nothing to be done. The government had given up on the conflict, and the British had, more or less, considered it contemptible.

So, in a hail Mary play, Washington decides to cross the Delaware River and attack the German garrison at Trenton after Christmas. He is successful, and would go on to win the Revolution.

The film stars Jeff Daniels as George Washington. Supporting cast include Roger Rees as Hugh Mercer, Sebastian Roche as John Glover and Steven McCarthy as Alexander Hamilton among others. It’s a good film to watch, but not entirely accurate. Still, worth a look for anyone interested in the American Revolution. Like I said, it has become a bit of a tradition in the years since to view it on Christmas.

Check out tomorrow morning for the conclusion of this blog list. It’s been a pleasure sharing my favorites with you this year, and if you’ve read it once or twice, I thank you.

Favorite Christmas Shows: #2 National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

#2: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

There is no other film on this list, by far, that has resonated with my association of friends more than this film here, at Christmas time. We know it by heart, and quote it by heart. I have friends who watch it multiple times each week from Thanksgiving to Christmas day. (And for what it’s worth, I think that’s a little excessive) But nevertheless, it remains a penultimate favorite for many people around this time of the year.

It’s amazing, really, to think that you have instant classic when this film came out. Technically, it’s a third part of what is a now a four part movie series. But watching it, you wouldn’t know it. It’s entirely self-contained, and a rich comedy throughout.

Christmas Vacation is the story of Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) and his family. Clark wants to have that old fashioned large family Christmas at his home and to that end invites all the relatives out. But, in typical “Vacation” fashion, he overdoes everything in planning and executing this endeavor.

There it is!

It begins with the family going out, and literally freezing their asses off getting the family Christmas tree. (Clark also forgets the saw). Then the relatives arrive, and naturally chaos ensues between the various members of the two extended families. Clark spends most of his time outside decorating his house, leaving his wife Ellen (Beverly D’Angelo), and kids Russ and Audrey (Johnny Galecki and Juliette Lewis)to tend to everyone else.

Can't see the line can you Russ?

Hilarity ensues when the greatest character of them all, Cousin Eddie (Randy Quaid), and his family stops by uninvited and Eddie’s backwoods ways of viewing the world and other ways he carries himself.

The infamous Dickie

Clark had envisioned the Hallmark card of Christmases and as things begin to come off the rails ever more as the movie progresses, he gets more and more frustrated with the fact that things are not happening as he envisioned it. The whole situation is made worse by the fact that he had planned to put in a swimming pool with his Christmas bonus check and it hasn’t arrived by Christmas.

To this day, I cannot hear Bing Crosby's Mele Kalikimaka without thinking about this scene

Finally, Christmas comes and many things happen to push Clark to his breaking point, but the final nail is when he gets what he believes is his check, and it turns out to be a jelly of the month club membership. He snaps and takes it out on everyone, and everything around him. In one memorable scene Clark lays into his boss telling him he would like him there right then to really tell him what he thinks.

This inspires Eddie to track the guy down, and bring him back in chains, after which the cops track down everyone at the Griswold’s, and raid the place.

Naturally, I have left much out of this review. Many of you have already seen it, and those that haven’t are missing out on one of the best Christmas films ever made. There’s so much to love about Christmas Vacation, from the one liners, the setups, how Clark gets into trouble, and the feud he has with this neighbors, Todd and Margo. Each and every scene is classic, funny, and memorable. And with a cast such as this, it’s really no surprise. The film has talent throughout.

Merry Christmas!! Shitter was full!

There are not many films that I hold in the highest regard at this time of year, and on another day, or year, this movie would easily be number one. It’s just that good.

Favorite Christmas Shows: #3 A Christmas Story

#3: A Christmas Story

A good friend of mine and I recently got into a bit of an argument over this one. She doesn’t agree with me that it should be included on her list of Christmas favorites, and she didn’t understand why anyone else liked it. Frankly, I can understand that. The film doesn’t have an overall moral, or message, and unlike others on this list, it seems to favor more materialistic aspects of Christmas rather than portraying a message of hope, caring or goodwill to others.

So then, why should it be included?

Well, I can’t speak for anyone else, but for me, simply put; it reminds me of what it was like growing up at Christmas. I know, of course I didn’t grow up in Hammond Indiana in the 1940’s, but the story is told from the point of view of the main character looking back on his childhood. And like him, I can remember Christmas, childhood, anger, resentment, a respect of your parents, and how family situations never actually happened as they did on a Norman Rockwell painting, and still could bring about great times and togetherness that all good families seem to possess in their own way.

A Christmas Story is the story of Ralph Parker (Peter Billingsby), a nine year old boy who really wants a specific kind of Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas. (A kind that was never really made BTW) So the rest of the story, he takes you through the various steps he plots out to get this particular BB gun for Christmas. He plants an ad in his mother’s magazine, and then tells her. He writes a theme for school asking for it, and then he asks Santa Claus for it. At each turn, he is met with the appalling phrase “You’ll shoot your eye out!”

Now throughout this, the audience is treated to various mini stories involving the Parker family, and Ralph’s friends at school. We meet his brother Randy (Ian Petrella), his mother (Melinda Dillon), and my favorite, the Old Man, Mr. Parker (Darren McGavin). Additionally, Ralph’s friends Schwartz and Flick (R.D. Robb and Scott Schwartz), and the neighborhood bully, Scut Farcus (Zack Ward) make appearances.

Ralph describes his experiences at this particular Christmas. He outruns the bullies on a daily basis. He witnesses as Flick is dared to stick his tongue on a metal pole and gets it stuck. He recounts the various outlandish examples of his old man’s behavior, such as his constant fights with both the heater and the neighbors’ dogs, and that memorable scene when the family went out to get the family Christmas tree, and its aftermath.

Ralph gets the best of Farcus, and while he is turned away from his BB gun at every turn, he still is anticipating it on Christmas morning. This scene is particularly memorable as both Ralph and Randy bound down the stairs in typical childish fashion on Christmas morning in awe of what awaits under the tree, and later, both parents stumble down like they came off a bender the night before. (I can remember this scene clearly played out in our home as kids)

Ralph gets many great presents, and one not so great one which is particularly memorable. But he doesn’t see the BB gun. That is, until the Old Man points to a hidden present behind a cabinet, and to Ralph’s immense surprise, it is the present he’s been waiting for!

Later, the neighbor dogs get the best of the families Christmas day turkey, and the Parker family is forced to find other means of food on Christmas day.

Like I said above, A Christmas Story doesn’t have the heavy themes of most stories, and doesn’t hit the nail too on the nose with a moral or lesson, but it presents Christmas in a manner which I can relate to, in a small way, growing up. It’s a great trip down memory lane, and the jokes and lines throughout make it so. 

It also doesn’t hurt that the majority of the film was made here in Ohio, in the city of Cleveland, and the Parker home can be visited today as a museum of sorts to the film.

The BB gun, the bunny suit, the leg lamp, and all the other scenes make A Christmas Story a great film. One that is worth watching, and enjoying each year. It isn’t perfect, but really, you have to ask yourself, who among us can say ours was perfect? To Ralph it was, because that’s how he remembered it, and for me, I couldn’t agree or relate more.

Favorite Christmas Shows Countdown: #4 A Charlie Brown Christmas

#4: A Charlie Brown Christmas

There aren’t many Christmas specials which are almost universally beloved by all, and I know that there are a few people out there who, for various reasons, will make an effort to not like A Charlie Brown Christmas, but for me, it has always been a timeless classic, to watch, and enjoy each year.

I suppose it’s the simplicity of the story, how it’s told in a half hour format, and yet, at the same time, is true to the meaning of Christmas and how that meaning has been deluded over the years. It’s amazing, really, to know that these were the themes that were being discussed back in 1965 when the special was first made, and they’re still being debated today.

A Charlie Brown Christmas is a collection of a bunch of different stories all rolled into one. It begins with its namesake, Charlie Brown being depressed at Christmas. He wants to celebrate Christmas in the traditional sense but when he does, he’s still depressed. (For what it’s worth, I can relate).

At any rate, Lucy ropes him into being the director of the school Christmas play, and in doing so, Charlie Brown is determined to make the play get to the true meaning of Christmas, but neither he, nor most of his cast really know what that is. They go through the motions of course, and say their standards lines and parts, but it is missing something.

So finally, Charlie Brown decides that the play needs a Christmas tree. He and Linus go out to find one, and when they do, they see nothing but large, absurdly decorated, trees colored anything but green. However, in the midst of all of that, they find one which is little more than a collection of twigs and Charlie Brown determines it is the most worthy of their money and attention.

Naturally all the kids make fun of Charlie Brown for his simplistic view, and he gets more depressed. After being exasperated and at his wits end, he finally laments “ISN”T THERE ANYONE WHO KNOWS WHAT CHRISTMAS IS ALL ABOUT?”

Linus takes this opportunity to step up, and recites this passage from Luke 8-14

“and there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and goodwill towards men.'”

“That’s what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown”

Afterward Charlie Brown decides to take the tree home and decorate it, and even later, all the kids show up as well.

It’s kind of amazing, and a bit odd, to find a children’s Christmas special taking so much time being a critique on how modern people have devalued the true meaning of Christmas over the years. After all, Peanuts is a marketing empire as anything else, and still the show made an effort to get to the true meaning. I watched a special about the making of Charlie Brown Christmas recently, and they mention that at first, the network didn’t want the use of the Bible passage to be in the show, but creator Charlie Schultz was adamant that it be used. He remarked “If we don’t do it, then who will?”

Indeed. It’s a sad commentary on modern times, even as far back as 1965, and still it remains as prudent today as ever before.

I love the intermix between all the characters throughout, especially the dog, Snoopy’s scenes which are classic. I also love how the scores from jazz composer Vince Guaraldi have become staples to listen to an enjoy each year. In fact, Guaraldi’s theme for the show, Linus and Lucy became, for all intents and purposes, the overall theme for the Peanuts cartoons in general.

Simply put, there is no better children television Christmas special, or television Christmas special period. A Charlie Brown Christmas is classic, timeless, and like a fine wine, or good woman, gets better with each passing year. This one existed long before my time, and will exist, I imagine, long after I’m gone. It’s just that good.

Media Critique: How Far Is Too Far In Pursuit Of A Story?

In the coming weeks, and months, there will be much talk about the need for a comprehensive plan for gun control, or mental health evaluations in light of the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting. The government will, of course, introduce more legislation and those who champion it will hail it as the greatest success to curb violence in the history of the United States (you know, until the next horrific incident anyway). But one thing that has come out of this that will not be talked about at all; will be how the media will evaluate its actions in the course of reporting this story.

Simply put, there needs to be a discussion as to what is appropriate, and what isn’t appropriate when covering a fast breaking, traumatic, and horrific event such as this. What is proper, and what isn’t.

The media, as a whole, needs to look into itself to evaluate and examine its actions in reporting the Sandy Hook shooting. The mistakes made were countless, but my take isn’t so much on getting factual errors. I can accept that, simply because, in working in this field, I know how many times things can be misinterpreted, or not mentioned, and in a crisis situation, getting the facts clear and straight isn’t always going to happen.

No, I’m talking about other measures taken by the media shortly after the story of the shooting broke. When word broke as to the shooting itself, and the number of children killed, members of the media descended onto that small community and were relentless in their zeal for the story. The lowest point, of course, was the effort to interview children that were in the building at the time of the shooting. The media would no doubt say that the parents gave the media permission to interview their children, but consider the fact that these parents only just hours before found out that their children were not killed, and many others were. They were not in any sort of mind to clearly know or understand how something like this could affect a child who went through such a traumatic ordeal.

Yes, parents may have given permission, but they should never have been put into that position in the first place. The story isn’t worth that.

And in general, we’ve heard in the last week, stories of media types prostituting themselves in an effort to get some semblance of a follow up, to the point of flat out lying to members of the Newtown community and making a general nuisance of themselves.

As it was said years ago, HAVE YOU NO SHAME?

Look, I understand the media’s position. In my job, I have covered traumatic events. One time, I had to cover a fatal accident in Southern Hardin County. Many members of the same family were killed when their car was hit by another one. When I arrived, I began taking pictures and then talked with the onsite commander. When I returned to the station, I reviewed my pictures and noticed that I shot the car that the family was riding in before a sheet could be placed over the car. The back end was completely covered in blood. I took pictures after the sheet was in place, and made a decision to use those pictures rather than the ones before the sheet was placed.

I’m sure the other shot would have been more dramatic, but I thought using it would be in bad taste, and decided not to. I have no regrets and would do the same thing again.

I hope the media makes an effort to look in and evaluate its actions in response to this story. It needs to happen, if only to save whatever shred of credence it has left. The worse thing that could happen is for one of these so called reporters to win a journalism award for their reporting here. If any reporter is nominated for an award for their actions, they should decline, and if they accept, they should be ostracized.

It's getting so bad that the local guys are asking others to back off.

For our part, we need to make a conscious effort to unplug, and not feed the beast, so to speak. We need to not tune in or go looking for every minute detail of a story like this, and when one of these reporters goes too far, we need to make sure they know it, but shutting them off forever.

It will never happen. These guys will slap themselves of the back and say how great of a job they did, and will never acknowledge their failures and shortcomings, nor admit that any of their actions were wrong or over the line, and that's a real shame.

Favorite Christmas Shows: #5 The Andy Griffith Show

#5 The Andy Griffith Show: The Christmas Story

I’ve written about the genius and my fondness for the Andy Griffith Show before, so it’s really no surprise that an episode should appear here. But what is odd, is that in spite of the show running for eight years, only one Christmas episode was made. It was in the first season.

Many people most likely didn’t even know that The Andy Griffith Show had a Christmas episode. When aired in syndication, this episode is usually excluded because you never know when it will air, so airing it in the middle of July wouldn’t make sense. Still though, it’s a pity because the episode is really good, and an example as to why this show is so timeless, even all these years later.

This episode features many of the Andy Griffith Show favorites. Sheriff Andy Taylor (Andy Griffith), Deputy Barney Fife (Don Knotts), Andy’s son Opie (Ron Howard) and Aunt Bee (Francis Bavier). Additionally, appearances by Ellie Walker (Elinor Donahue), and Ben Weaver (Will Wright).

The main focus of the story in this episode is how the grouchy old owner of Weavers Department Store, Ben Weaver, wants the Sheriff to arrest Sam Muggins for making bootlegged whisky. Muggins only made it for himself at Christmas, but still, Weaver carries a lot of weight in town and demands that the sheriff follow the rule of law. Sheriff Taylor doesn’t want to keep Muggins away from his family at Christmas so he decides to “arrest” all the other members of the Muggins “gang” and brings them all together at Christmas.

Additionally, Taylor appoints more “deputies” to keep watch on the Muggins family while they are in jail. (Ellie, Aunt Bee, and Opie). While there, they decide to have a Christmas party. When Weaver see’s this, he realizes he is alone at Christmas too and doesn’t want to be left out, but because he is too proud to ask, he devises ways to get arrested so he can join in. Eventually, Sheriff Taylor arrests him, and when he is brought to jail, he brings presents for all in attendance.

It’s a simple story, and really gets to the heart of the season, in a way that the Andy Griffith Show was always famous for. One scene in particular was always a favorite of mine. It happens later when the family is almost ready to start their party, and Andy begins to play “Away in a Manger” and Ellie starts to sing it. It’s a great scene.

As I’ve written before, The Andy Griffith Show was one of my all-time favorites, and this episode is a clear example as to why it was so popular. Simple, elegant, not over the top and a lot of heart.