History with Rosie advent calendar day two ... the history of Christmas films!
See day one here
We all love a good Christmas film, from Elf to Love Actually there are so many choices but where did this originate from? Did Christmas films happen as soon as film was created or did it take a while from Christmas to influence the film industry?
The first accepted Christmas film is from 1898 called Santa Claus ... this film was not only the first to depict Santa on the big screen but it was the first film to have parallel action in so all in all a revolutionary film!
This was actually relatively early on in the world of film, with the first film being 'created' in 1888, so it only took 10 years to introduce a Christmas element in to filmmaking.
Watch a clip of Santa Claus here;
From then Christmas films just kept being made. French director Georges Méliès (you may of heard of him as he directed some of the iconic early films such as a trip to the moon) made the film the Christmas dream in 1900. From 1900 to 1912 more Christmas films were made, mostly depictions of Dickens' Christmas carol but still all channeling the Christmas spirit!
In 1942 during WW2 a Christmas film called 'Holiday Inn' was released. The nations spirits were low and this was a way to combat it. Although the film hasn't gone down in history, the song White Christmas by Bing Crosby which appeared in the film led to the 1954 film 'White Christmas' being created.
But why are Christmas films still so popular?
Christmas films are the ultimate escapism, they set a “barometer of how we might want to live and how we might see and measure ourselves.” It showcases key themes all wrapped in a christmassy bubble. The ultimate escapism from reality. Christmas films also have strong themes, Elf is about a son reuniting with a father, Love actually follows 8 ordinary relationships. We also see films such as the Grinch showing that Christmas isn't about consumerism but about the joy and love Christmas is truly about. With these strong themes, it is no wonder Christmas films are such a staple in the Christmas build up.
We now have Christmas dedicated channels, Netflix and Amazon films being made and lots of Christmas films airing over the Christmas period, so you really can't escape Christmas films - will people get bored? I highly doubt it. Just last year Last Christmas starring Emilia Clarke grossed over $100 million at the box office, showing us Christmas films aren't going away anytime soon.
So get cosy, grab a hot chocolate and escape with your favourite Christmas film this December.
What is your favourite Christmas film?
Comment below!
