Comments on: Happy Thanksgiving: Pass the Turkey and Share a Movie

By: Nitamema

Nitamema — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 04:08:28 +0000

The original movie of the Waltons had to do with the father returning home in time for Christmas. I would like to get this movie in DVD or VHS. I loved it. Does anyone know where I could purchase this.

By: moirafinnie

moirafinnie — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 14:59:42 +0000

Oops, I wish that I'd mentioned a Star Trek episode, any Star Trek episode, but I believe that our blogging buddy Medusa recalled that Robert Walker, Jr. program, not I. Suzi, I love your collection of Thanksgiving flicks and will try to track down Squanto: A Warrior's Tale soon, since that is the only one I haven't enjoyed in the past. One movie with several memorable Thanksgiving segments that I'd toss in to any list would be Avalon (1990), written & directed by Barry Levinson, who wove parts of his own life into the Baltimore-based story of a family founded by immigrant grandfather, (beautifully played by Armin Müller-Stahl). As in every large family, there is always one malcontent who is rarely satisfied with the way that events flow. In Avalon, this part is embodied by Lou Jacobi, as a permanently irked relative, who, arriving late for the Thanksgiving meal--as usual--bursts in the door just as the family has given up waiting and is trying to enjoy the feast. Filled with indignation, Jacobi barks something like, "What?! You cut the turkey? You cut the turkey without me?" This line has become an immortal throwaway at the Finnie table every holiday, and always evokes a smile. Thanks for writing this terrific list of movies to enjoy at the Hols, Suzi!

By: Suzi Doll

Suzi Doll — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 19:51:00 +0000

Jenni: I made the same mistake as your husband. I thought THE HOMECOMING was a TG movie, but I confused it with a Waltons’ reunion special that came out after the series was cancelled. The reunion special was about TG. Maybe your husband is confusing the two as well.

Tony: I think THE NEW WORLD, which I really liked, absolutely counts as a TG movie.

Moira: I remember that Star Trek episode now that you mention it.

By: Tony Dayoub

Tony Dayoub — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 19:11:50 +0000

Doesn’t Malick’s “The New World” kind of count as a Thanksgiving movie?

By: Patricia

Patricia — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:38:08 +0000

Note to Jenni from St. Louis: you score one off your hubby. “The Homecoming”, the original Walton’s movie was set at Christmastime.

By: Medusa

Medusa — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:13:46 +0000

Great list, SuziD! Thanksgiving as an event is mostly all good — except for boring, battling relatives, perhaps — with great food and no religious overtones, not nearly as fraught with guilt and remorse and all those other dramatic emotions as Christmas. There’s not nearly as much melodramatic fodder to dump onto moviegoers.

Boy, give me Thanksgiving any day, in real life and onscreen! Thinking about Thanksgiving makes me hungry; thinking about Christmas gives me a headache…or is that just the cumulative after-effect of all that horrible holiday music in stores?

P.S.: I almost forgot, but being a Trek fan I have to mention it, that in the original series Captain Kirk, in the episode “Charlie X” (guest-starring Robert Walker Jr., son of RW), they are about to celebrate Thanksgiving but there is no turkey available on the ship.

By: Jim

Jim — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 12:19:39 +0000

I never would have guessed there were this many movies with Thanksgiving playing a major role. Of all of these, “Trains, Planes and Automobiles” is my favorite, followed by “Nobody’s Fool”. I used to like “Hannah and Her Sisters” a lot but now think it is over-rated and not worthy of the Oscar attention it got in 1986.

By: Laura

Laura — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 07:07:10 +0000

Don’t forget MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET — which starts, of course, with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

It is rather interesting, however, that this holiday is depicted so rarely in movies. Enjoyed your post!

Best wishes,
Laura

By: Jenni, St. Louis

Jenni, St. Louis — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 03:01:01 +0000

According to my teen daughter, the movie, Dan in Real Life, is about a large family and they celebrate Thanksgiving together.

I asked my husband if he could think of a TG movie, and he thought that the original Walton’s movie shown on TV, starring Patricia O’Neal, centered around TG, but I think it may be Christmas. Anyone out there remember?

By: debbe

debbe — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 00:43:52 +0000

you’re right, suzidoll, there aren’t alot of movies about TG, and the contemporary ones you mention aren’t really about sititng around the table…. but I liked that you included Hannah and Her SIsters and Pieces of April. TG provides a really nice background for good stories and better acting. BUt I wonder why there arent alot of movies about TG. Everyone celebrates it. It’s a brilliant idea though to make this list. ANy list that includes Nobody’s Fool, is a great list. Hope you have a nice TG.