It’s Christmas eve. The networks have Bob Clark’s “A Christmas Story” on (in a 24 hour marathon on TBS), Frank Capra’s 1946 wonderfully classic “It’s a wonderful Life” (on NBC), and Dr Seuss’ animated “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (on ABC). So, if you’re away from your TV, here’s your chance to take part in that great Christmas tradition: watching movies (I’ll have the yule log up by morning).

But this year there’s added value, a tragic one, in watching those films. Bob Clark, director of “A Christmas Story” and “Porky’s”, was killed earlier this year at age 67, when a drunk driver smashed into his car, killing him and his 27 year old son. So perhaps it would’ve been more fitting to play Clark’s other classic today, the horror film “Black Christmas”.

And Frank Capra Jr., son of director Frank Capra, died three days ago at age 73. He used to screen his own private print of “It’s a Wonderful Life” every Christmas at the University of North Carolina in Wilmington.

So, in their memory:

1.
Watch Bob Clark’s “A Christmas Story” in it’s entirety here.

2.
Watch Frank Capra’s “It’s a Wonderful Life“:

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3.
Watch Dr. Seuss’ animated “How the Grinch Stole Christmas“, directed by Chuck Jones: