TheArchive: Reviewing the Rare, Retro, and Restored

The day after Thanksgiving marks the beginning of Christmas and Holiday movie marathons . Holiday films are an integral part of Christmas; they help set the tone for the holidays, foster community, and provide humor, warmth, and comfort during these cold winter months. Over the years, we have seen quite a transformation in holiday films, from the first-holiday film, a silent British film titled Santa Claus (1898) , directed by George Albert Smith, to the action-packed Violent Night (2022) that reimagines Santa Claus as a gritty, action-hero protector, holiday films are ever-evolving. Over the years, Christmas movies have seen significant changes , so let’s take a moment to explore how the genre has evolved. The wholesome, timeless classics like the 1951 version of A Christmas Carol , known as Scrooge , and 1994’s Miracle on 34th Street , reinforced belief in the spirit of Christmas, Santa, and magic, the importance of kindness and community. These films have become cherished traditi...

The shortest day of the year is just around the corner—Thursday, December 21st! That's right, it's the winter solstice ! As the world braces itself for the longest night, why not make it extra special by cozying up with films that capture the essence of Christmas and Winter? And we've got just the movie to kick off your solstice movie marathon: Unlikely Angel , a 1996 film directed by Michael Switzer, featuring none other than the legendary Dolly Parton as well as Roddy McDowal l.  In the heartwarming world of Unlikely Angel , lounge singer Ruby Diamond, played by Parton, meets her untimely death due to being killed in a car crash, only to discover that her entry into heaven relies on her doing one selfless act on back on Earth. She is denied entrance into Heaven by St. Peter because of the selfish way in which she had lived her life. For penance, she must reunite a family by finding a mother for two children and their widowed father. This leads to hilarious misunderst...

Each holiday season we dig deep into TheArchive  to provide something nostalgic that brings back that festive feeling. This year, for each day of Christmas, we're giving you another reason to watch.  So grab a comfy place to relax, curl up with some cocoa and popcorn (or just a splash of eggnog) because we've got 12 streaming stocking stuffers waiting to be unwrapped.  What better way to start than the antithesis of current release, Violent Night.  In  MY SANTA, MY DAD,  Gordon Covington's job keeps him from numerous family obligations. When he misses Christmas with his wife and kids, a grievous situation leads to his transformation into Santa Claus himself. You can see how one may confuse the two.... Next up is a "Soviet-based film" to celebrate the recent release of Brittney Griner. CANDLES IN THE DARK features Alyssa Milano, Chad Lowe, and Max Schell. Set in Soviet-occupied Estonia, a beautiful young American falls in love with a handsome rebel leader. ...