The holidays are here once again, the season for hectic outings to Christkindlmarkt and anxiety-inducing family gatherings. Fortunately, it’s also the season to kick your feet up by the fire, grab a glass of nog, and drift to sleep in front of the Hallmark channel’s endless parade of classic (and some not-so-classic) holiday movies.
It wouldn’t be Christmas time without its accompanying films, and many of the rotational classics have been made more memorable by the iconic vehicles featured in them. On the first of the month, we explored the history of Mercedes-Benz in the world of cinema. To close out November today, Mercedes-Benz of Macon takes a chronological look at the wide range of vehicles that made these holiday films into seasonal staples.
It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
We begin with the godfather of Christmas movies (if not The Godfather of Christmas movies). We all know the story by now: down on his luck George Bailey loses a good chunk of cash, contemplates an early exit, is saved by a wing-hungry angel, and proceeds to learn he’s actually the richest man in town.
In a movie filled with fascinating cars from that era, from Ernie’s taxicab to Burt’s police car, George is appropriately stuck driving a 1919 Dodge Brothers Touring. When an inebriated George drives said Touring into a tree on Christmas Eve, it sets off the chain of events that leads to both his low point and his ultimate salvation.
The actual Dodge from the film — which still includes its original studio ID badge — is currently owned by a Colorado couple. They put the Touring up for auction in 2014 but ultimately held off selling it. Perhaps, like George himself, they learned that some things in life are too precious to stick a dollar tag on.
A Christmas Story (1983)
Bunny pajama-clad Ralphie may be the face of 1983’s classic A Christmas Story (which also takes place in the 1940s), but real ones know that the heart and soul of the movie is his turkey fiend of a father. Unfortunately, Old Man Parker’s 1937 Oldsmobile Six seems perpetually in need of maintenance. (Or, as its owner puts it, “That son of a b**** would freeze up in the middle of summer on the equator!”)
It’s a faulty tire that leads to one of the film’s many memorable scenes, as Ralphie totally flubs his first attempt at aiding his father with the tire replacement, throwing in some profanity for good measure. The incident is mostly forgotten one bar of soap later, but the Oldsmobile’s issues would presumably persist indefinitely. If only Parker had won a time machine to visit Mercedes-Benz of Macon’s Service Center, instead of that gaudy leg lamp.
Die Hard (1988)
To be honest, there’s nothing particularly exceptional about the 1988 Lincoln Town Car limousine that escorts John McClane from LAX to Nakatomi Plaza. (The driver, however, does wind up playing a crucial role). It just seemed like a good excuse to get in our annual reminder that Die Hard is a Christmas movie, full stop.
Christmas Vacation (1989)
Clark Griswold’s 1988 Ford Taurus wagon is arguably just as important to this holiday classic as any member of the extended Griswold clan. It’s certainly the star of one of the film’s most memorable scenes, where Clark (Chevy Chase, notably not driving a Chevy) gets into it with some fellow roadsters on the way to the Christmas tree farm. During his ensuing road rage, Clark doesn’t even realize he’s piloting the Taurus beneath a tractor trailer hauling enormous pine logs across the highway.
When Clark does eventually steer out of harm’s way, further maneuvering is needed to evade a snowplow. The Griswolds do arrive at their destination, albeit via an airborne detour. This intro scene sets the tone for the entire film, and it’s all made possible by some impressive vehicular choreography.
Home Alone (1990)
You can’t say that the Wet Bandits didn’t put work into their fraudulent backstory. Marv (Daniel Stern), one half of the criminal duo with Joe Pesci’s Harry, is obsessed with advertising their moniker by leaving the water running at each house they burglarize. To establish legitimacy, the pair travels around in a 1986 Dodge Ram Van, which proudly has “Oh-Kay Plumbing & Heating” displayed on its side.
One of the unsolved mysteries of Home Alone is what – if anything – Harry and Marv are keeping in the spacious van. Are they sticking to their cover by traveling with actual plumbing and heating equipment? Is it filled with burglar tools? Whatever the case, the Wet Bandits were clearly ill-equipped to combat the squatter Kevin’s elaborate, DIY booby traps.
Step Into Christmas; Let’s Join Together
When it’s time to take a pause in your holiday movie marathon, make your way over to Mercedes-Benz of Macon. Our huge inventory of new and pre-owned rides will keep you in the holiday spirit year-round. Drive into the New Year the right way with an assist from Bibb County’s number one luxury dealership, Mercedes-Benz of Macon.
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