Better watch out, film buffs: Holiday classics are coming to Modesto

The holidays are all about classics – music, dance, TV specials and, of course, classic films.

The State Theatre in Modesto offers the community a chance to spend the three days leading up to Christmas in classic fashion with season’s screenings of three traditional favorites, “A Christmas Story,” “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “White Christmas.”

“We started this a few years ago in the hopes of turning it into a Modesto, and certainly a State Theatre, tradition,” Sue Richardson, executive director at the State, said in an email interview. “It’s great how many grandparents bring their adult children and grandchildren to these films. They want to share!”

All three films will be shown on the historic downtown venue’s big screen at various times all three days – Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Richardson and members of the nonprofit theater’s board selected the three offerings based on patron feedback.

“These films are still so popular because they’ve managed to withstand the test of time – they still hold up with messages that are relevant today,” Richardson said.

“A Christmas Story,” released in 1983, is a comedy set in the 1940s when 9-year-old Ralphie wants one thing for Christmas: an official Red Ryder BB rifle. When he asks for the BB gun, he repeatedly hears the same thing: “No, you’ll shoot your eye out.” Ralphie fears he’ll never get his Christmas wish.

“It’s a Wonderful Life” is the Frank Capra classic from 1946 in which George Bailey (James Stewart), an affable man who’s never turned his back on a friend in need, nevertheless believes his family and the townspeople of Bedford Falls would be better off without him. Then Angel Second Class Clarence (Henry Travers) shows him what Bedford Falls would be like had he never been born.

“White Christmas” is filled with the music of Irving Berlin and stars Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye and Rosemary Clooney in a heartwarming romantic comedy released in 1954. After two World War II Army buddies form a successful song-and-dance act, they follow two sisters to a Vermont ski lodge to perform a Christmas show. When they get there, they find that it hasn’t snowed since Thanksgiving and that the lodge, owned by their old Army general, is on the verge of failing.

Richardson said patrons often return multiple days to take in the classics. During the screenings, the State will sell special holiday-themed martinis, hot chocolate and popcorn.

General admission to the films is $5 each at the State, 1307 J St. See www.thestate.org for specific times or call (209) 527-4697.

“These are among the most popular holiday films of all time, and the season wouldn’t be the same without them,” Richardson said. “Seeing one of these films is like a trip back in time, and people love it!”

This story was originally published December 19, 2014 at 11:51 AM with the headline "Better watch out, film buffs: Holiday classics are coming to Modesto."