Christmas comes a little early with the Eighth Annual Vintage Holiday Show, a family-friendly afternoon of holiday and winter-related short films from the vaults of the Harvard Film Archive. This year, all of the films are from a recent addition to our catalogue, the Boston Public Library’s Circulating Collection. Today you can borrow a DVD from your local library, but in an earlier time, you could borrow a 16mm print, a screen and a projector! These films were shown mainly at public libraries in the Boston area, but were also available to the public. – Liz Coffey, Film Conservator
Free Admission
Sunday December 4 at 4:30pm
An animated Christmas Western that has become a Holiday Show staple.
Directed by Jeff Hale
Canada 1963, 35mm, color, 6 min
Told nonverbally with puppets, this delightful adventure story about six penguins teaches the value of helping others.
Directed by Asporoah Panov
Bulgaria 1973, 16mm, color, 5 min
This animated version of the book by Rosemary Wells illustrates Ruby’s futile attempts to put her little brother to bed on Christmas Eve.
Directed by Michael Sporn
US 1988, 16mm, color, 5 min
This O. Henry adaptation features Soapy, an affable bum in 19th-century New York City, who starts thinking about going to his "winter home" on Blackwell's Island. To set his plan into motion, all he has to do is break the law.
Directed by Peter Mark Schifter. With Robert Morse, Ralph Drischell
US 1982, 16mm, color, 20 min
This traditional Christmas carol is performed by choreographer Agnes de Mille's Appalachian dance troupe.
Directed by Gardner Compton
US 1968, 16mm, color, 10 min
A musical group, named after the Newfoundland Christmas dessert, plays and sings the old songs while donning strange costumes in the Mummer tradition.
Directed by William Gough
Canada 1978, 16mm, color, 10 min
Animated felt figures tell the story of a barnyard full of animals and their faithful watchdog.
Directed by Hermina Tyrlova
Czechoslovakia 1973, 16mm, color, 10 min
The Christmas visit of Mr. Pickwick and his friends to Dingley Dell Farm—with dancing, games and a substantial supper—is dramatized in this enchanting film.
Directed by John Barnes. With Roddy Hughes
US 1958, 16mm, color, 22 min
This charming film uses puppet animation to present the famous Christmas poem from 1823.
Directed by John Wilson
US 1968, 16mm, color, 8 min
