The history of Christmas and the traditions that make the holidays the most wonderful time of the year.The history of Christmas and the traditions that make the holidays the most wonderful time of the year.The history of Christmas and the traditions that make the holidays the most wonderful time of the year.
Photos
Harry Smith
- Self - Narrator
- (voice)
Forrest Church
- Self - Minister, All Souls Church
- (as Rev. Forrest Church)
James Stewart
- George Bailey
- (archive footage)
Donna Reed
- Mary Bailey
- (archive footage)
Wayne Allwine
- Bob Cratchit (Mickey Mouse)
- (archive footage)
- (voice)
- (uncredited)
Peter Billingsley
- Ralphie Parker
- (archive footage)
- (uncredited)
Robert Clarke
- Fred (Scrooge's nephew)
- (archive footage)
- (uncredited)
Rosemary Clooney
- Betty Haynes
- (archive footage)
- (uncredited)
Bing Crosby
- Bob Wallace
- (archive footage)
- (uncredited)
Melinda Dillon
- Mrs. Parker
- (archive footage)
- (uncredited)
Taylor Holmes
- Ebeneezer Scrooge
- (archive footage)
- (uncredited)
- Writers
- Alison Guss
- Robert May(uncredited)
- Clement Moore(uncredited)
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- GoofsThe producers mistakenly identify the production of "A Christmas Carol" excerpted as having been made in 1958, when in fact it is a 1949 production.
- Quotes
Jean Shepherd: [last lines, referring to Christmas] Now you can be cynical all you want, but you still enjoy it.
- ConnectionsFeatures It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
- SoundtracksDance of the Sugar Plum Fairy
(excerpt)
from "The Nutcracker"
Music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Played by anonymous orchestra as background music
Featured review
Yule light up my life
Christmas Unwrapped: The History of Christmas (1997 TV documentary)
Everyone knows that the Christians usurped December 25. However, many people do not know where some of the other obscure traditions came from. No documentary could be the end-all-be-all. However, this one comes fairly close. At least it touches on the main themes and traditions of today's Christmas and their roots in history. A few things have been overlooked such as Clara and her Nutcracker. But overall, you will find that the subjects they cover are covered well. Who would have suspected the metamorphosis of Santa Claus? Or the real transference of the Christmas tree from its origins to the US?
There are a lot of great visuals, some nice music and narration by Harry Smith. I was surprised to see Elaine Pagels's "The Gnostic Gospels" (1979); I think this was her first media introduction.
Once again, the History Channel does a decent job of unwrapping Christmas for us and we get to enjoy watching snippets of our favorite old movies, seeing our traditions from a traditional standpoint, and downright having fun saying I did not know that.
Everyone knows that the Christians usurped December 25. However, many people do not know where some of the other obscure traditions came from. No documentary could be the end-all-be-all. However, this one comes fairly close. At least it touches on the main themes and traditions of today's Christmas and their roots in history. A few things have been overlooked such as Clara and her Nutcracker. But overall, you will find that the subjects they cover are covered well. Who would have suspected the metamorphosis of Santa Claus? Or the real transference of the Christmas tree from its origins to the US?
There are a lot of great visuals, some nice music and narration by Harry Smith. I was surprised to see Elaine Pagels's "The Gnostic Gospels" (1979); I think this was her first media introduction.
Once again, the History Channel does a decent job of unwrapping Christmas for us and we get to enjoy watching snippets of our favorite old movies, seeing our traditions from a traditional standpoint, and downright having fun saying I did not know that.
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- Bernie4444
- Oct 23, 2023
Details
- Runtime50 minutes
- Color
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Top Gap
By what name was Christmas Unwrapped: The History of Christmas (1997) officially released in Canada in English?
Answer