“Father Christmas” is the great rock band, The Kinks, hamming it up and clowning in their Christmas getups in this satirical music video. The Kinks’ main songwriter, Ray Davies, wrote this Christmas song in 1977 and its theme and attitude fits the times. Punk rock had basically broken out over the airwaves and this song talks about angry, annoyed kids demanding cash money and no toys for Christmas and beating up and mugging department store Santas and generally behaving very badly. Punk rock was antiestablishment and Christmas is based on long standing traditions, and, you get the idea. The music is very spirited and aggressive and [More]
I think I mentioned Tales From The Crypt in an earlier post. I stress this segment from the anthology film from the ’70’s because it features a diabolical madman on the loose who dons a Santa Claus suit to get into the spirit of the Christmas season during which the segment transpires. Seedy Santa leers and creeps outside the residence of an equally seedy sexpot played by Joan Collins. You can question whether there was type casting involved. I have. Anyway, an enjoyable if edgy representation of the jolly fat guy who in this case gets his jollies from stalking [More]
Charles Dickens’ classic literary work is converted to silent cinema form by inventor Thomas Edison’s film studios. Rather “stagey” in appearance but that is to be expected from early cinematic works. The language of film had yet to be developed and filmmakers relied on the conventions of the stage (all action taking place in a static location such as a stage set, minimal usage of close up or shot variation , etc.). By today’s standards, the film may seem a bit plodding and “stationary” but the multiple exposure materialization of the ghosts Scrooge encounters are generally effective. Get out the popcorn and [More]
A rousing, electrified musical number from ’70’s supergroup, Emerson, Lake and Palmer. I always play this song around Christmas time because it just radiates that time of year for me. The song itself is an ode to England and its majesty but ignoring the lyrics and listening to the music itself is a Christmas time treat. If that makes any sense. Swirling organs and flavorful synthesizer phrasings from Keith Emerson. Percussion professor Carl Palmer adds his intricate drum fills. String whiz Greg Lake also provides the shimmering, powerful vocals. A delight. Break out the cordials!