Looking for a little Natural State joy this December? If you're looking for some Christmas spirit with a side of state pride, enjoy this list of holiday movies with connections to the Land of Opportunity. After all, don't all roads, real or cinematic, lead back to Arkansas?
First up is A Christmas Story. This holiday classic — released in 1983 — has two significant Arkansas connections.
The film, set in the 1940s, is about a young boy named Ralphie who attempts to convince his parents, his teacher and Santa that a Red Ryder BB gun really is the perfect Christmas gift.
Ralphie's mother was played by Melinda Dillon, a Hope native, who hasn't been seen on the big screen since 2007.
And the Red Ryder BB gun — complete with a compass in its stock and a sundial — didn't exist. Filmmakers approached the Daisy BB Gun company in Rogers about making a prop for the movie. After the movie was released, Daisy added the features and the Red Ryder is now highly desirable by collectors.
And then there's Bad Santa. The 2003 flick — rated R — was not intended for children with visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads. It stars Malvern-native Billy Bob Thornton who plays a miserable con man who teams up with a partner to pose as Santa and his Little Helper to rob department stores on Christmas Eve. But they run into problems when the con man befriends a troubled kid.
Bad Santa is rated R for pervasive language, strong sexual content and violence. Ho ho ho.
Next up is P2 — a 2007 thriller starring Jonesboro-native Wes Bentley. The plot: A businesswoman is pursued by a psychopath after being locked in a parking garage on Christmas Eve. You guessed it. Bentley is the psychopath. It's rated R for strong violence, gore terror and language.
On a more cheerful note, here are a few movies that might get you in the spirit of the season.
One Magic Christmas, released in 1985, stars Mary Steenburgen of North Little Rock in the tale about an angel who must show a mother the true meaning of Christmas. It's not just about presents and materialistic things but the people she cares about. Rated G. Whew.
Country Christmas, released in 2013. When Santa Claus loses his magical powers and becomes stranded in their barn, two children from a small farming community help him save Christmas before it's too late. Starring Joey Lauren Adams of Little Rock.
Sons of Mistletoe, starring George Newbern of Little Rock. Released in 2001, the movie tells the tale of a foster home for boys is in danger of being closed when its benefactor dies.
The Santa Clause. While not necessarily a native Arkansan, Judge Reinhold makes the list because he is married to a local girl, Amy Miller, and lives in Little Rock. He co-stars with Tim Allen.
And finally Rodger Bumpass of Little Rock — the voice of Squidward Tentacles on the long-running Sponge Bob Square Pants. Check out It's a Sponge Bob Christmas, released in 2012.
And what holiday season is complete without a few tunes? Look no further than to Arkansas legends Johnny Cash and Glenn Campbell. I tried to count how many Christmas albums both men made and I lost count.
Counting today, you have 3 shopping days till Hanukkah, 6 days till Christmas and 7 days till Kwanzaa. Happy holidays!
Weekend on 12/19/2019