Daily Dirt: From George Bailey to Billy Mack, Feliz Navidad!

I hope you had a great Thanksgiving and are not too bloated … welcome to Vol. 139 of the Daily Dirt and today’s three thoughts.

1. Day by day, hour by hour … Christmas is drawing closer, and what better way than with these three famous movie quotes? Can you name the film they are from? (Scroll to the bottom to find the answers.)

• A. “You”ll shoot your eye out, kid!”
• B. “Merry Christmas, you filthy animal!”
• C. “Faith is believing in things when common sense tells you not to.”

2. My five favorite characters from Christmas-themed movies:

• George Bailey, played by Jimmy Stewart in “It’s A Wonderful Life.” I can’t wait to watch this magnificent movie — again.
• Billy Mack, played by Bill Nighy in “Love Actually.” One of the best comedic — and yet incredibly touching performances in the modern history of film.
• The prime minister, played by Hugh Grant in “Love Actually.” To this day, Grant’s finest effort before a camera.
• Clark Griswold, played by Chevy Chase in “Christmas Vacation.” Come Dec. 24, if it’s been a rough holiday season for whatever reason, just take a couple of hours and relax watching this classic.
• Ralphie, played by Peter Billingsley in “A Christmas Story.” Every year I watch this film, just waiting for Ralphie to stick his tongue on that frozen pole. Every year.

3. My four favorite Christmas songs to hear on the radio:

• “Feliz Navidad,” Jose Feliciano. I sing along with this song each time I hear it, and I have absolutely no idea what half of it even means.
• “Do They Know It’s Christmas,” Band Aid. The year was 1984, and mostly British and Irish pop music stars generated millions of dollars of relief assistance for Ethiopia.
• “Silver Bells,” the Diana Ross version. Simply awesome, just like Miss Ross. 
• “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home),” Darlene Love. Remember when she was a holiday regular singing this song on the old late-night David Letterman show?

Quiz answers
A: “A Christmas Story.” B: “Horne Alone 2: Lost In New York.” C: “Miracle on 34th Street.”

Steve Fact O’ The Day
Steve has often identified as Ralphie.

Can you imagine Steve singing “Feliz Navidad” and belting out “I wanna wish you a merry Christmas” at the top of his lungs while driving around Quincy? Neither can we.