The holiday season takes its final last stand on TV

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CHRISTMAS MAGIC ON TCM AND LIFETIME

Turner Classic Movies’ Christmas marathon ends on Christmas day with 1949’s “Holiday Affair,” which may not be seen as truly in the Christmas spirit as what one may find on the Hallmark Channel.

Interestingly enough, TCM announced its holiday marathon by noting that “Christmas movie,” means different things to different people. After all, many argue that “Die Hard” is a Christmas movie, and throw in “Bad Santa” for good measure.

According to TCM, the Christmas movie label is subject to personal definition because Christmas films have not historically comprised a distinct genre. For some fans, the mere appearance of the season onscreen, no matter how brief, will suffice for the holiday spirit.

Growing in popularity over the years, “Holiday Affair” stars Robert Mitchum and Janet Leigh, who was just 22 at the time. The film was clearly an attempt by RKO Studios to capitalize on the success of “Miracle on 34th Street.”

Like that 1947 classic, “Holiday Affair” centers on a single working mother with a young child in Manhattan.

Both films prominently incorporate department stores and their owners, and devote much time to their child characters.

But while “Miracle” touches on fantasy and explores our inner-child, “Holiday Affair” is geared more toward adults, and adult relationship issues.

Leigh’s Connie Ennis, a young war widow, finds herself having to choose between two men: rugged, free-spirited Mitchum’s Steve Mason and more traditional, steady Wendell Corey’s Carl Davis.

Simmering under the surface is Connie’s continuing heartbreak over having lost her husband, and the Christmastime setting of “Holiday Affair” is key to emphasizing the importance of family.

The Lifetime Channel is another source of holiday programming. “The Holiday Dating Game” finds dating coach and aspiring book author Abigale Slater (Maria Menounos) close to making her lifelong dream come true, but with a catch that ties into Christmas.

Abigale has completed her first book, a how-to-guide for dating in today’s modern world, and is ready to become a published author. However, her publisher Jack (Steve Vinovich) won’t proceed with the deal without knowing that her advice actually works.

Before he has a chance to say no, Abigale proposes that she prove the rules work by using them herself and making a man fall for her by Christmas Eve in 12 days.

Although Abigale has never seen love as a priority for herself, she sets out to find someone who will tumble quickly enough into ardor to get this book in print.

Things change when Abigale meets Michael Ryan (Brent Bailey), and her single-minded mission takes an unexpected turn. While following her own advice, Abigale discovers the romance of her dreams. And just like that, “The Holiday Dating Game” becomes a Christmas movie.

If you have ever visited New Orleans, you know they like to celebrate everything, from a Saints victory to Mardi Gras to Halloween. They even have marching brass bands for funeral processions through the French Quarter.

Lifetime’s “A New Orleans Noel” weaves the Christmas theme into the lives of Grace Hill (Keshia Knight Pulliam) and Anthony Brown (Brad James), both of whom went to college to study architecture together.

But they could not be more different, and their lives took them on completely different paths. However, when they’re both hired for a job at the home of Loretta Brown (Patti LaBelle), a New Orleans praline icon, they end working together at Christmas.

When Anthony and his family discover that Grace will be celebrating Christmas alone, they invite her to take part in their traditions and celebrations.

Soon, fiercely independent Grace begins to learn the importance of family and community, while modern Anthony learns to embrace tradition and the magic of Christmas.

But when Grace is offered a new job far away from New Orleans, she’ll have to decide whether to go, or follow her heart. Well, does the heart believe the Crescent City is a romantic place?

New Orleans is often referred to as one of the most romantic cities in the nation, and according to the tourist bureau that’s no surprise given the beauty of the city’s architecture, gorgeous views, and candlelit bistros.

If New Orleans is a city for lovers, then tune into “A New Orleans Noel” to see if that notion, as well as some Christmas magic, holds true or not for Grace.

An essential part of holiday fun is indulging in the gastronomical pleasures of such staples as turkey and gravy, baked ham, mashed potatoes, and gingerbread. Some may like fruitcake, but I call those people lunatics.

In any event, Lifetime’s “A Recipe for Joy” brings food into the equation when ambitious culinary correspondent Carly Hayes (Erin Agostino) gets a shot at
her own TV show.

She’s sent to Angel Heights to help chef Grant Quinn (Dillon Casey) reopen his family’s beloved diner and film it as a holiday television special.

Thanks to Carly, Grant will not only reopen his restaurant, but most probably his heart too. And that’s how you get a recipe for romance during Christmas.

Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.