Christmas Classics Collection [DVD]

Collection of four classic Christmas films. In 'It's a Wonderful Life' (1946) George Bailey (James Stewart) has spent his entire life in the small town of Bedford Falls. Despite his yearning to see the world, George has always sacrificed his personal ambitions for the sake of his family and the local community, settling down to marry his childhood sweetheart, Mary (Donna Reed), and raise a family. However, when a huge a of money goes missing from his savings and loans company he panics and finds himself preparing to commit suicide. George is shown the error of this idea by Clarence (Henry Travers), an angel who has been sent to Earth in order to earn his wings. To this end, Clarence shows George just how badly Bedford Falls and its residents would have turned out had he never been born. In 'Holiday Inn' (1942) Jim Hardy (Bing Crosby) and Ted Hanover (Fred Astaire) are a successful song and dance double act until Jim decides to retire and become a gentleman farmer following Ted's seduction of his girlfriend. Jim fails as a farmer, but decides to convert his property to an inn that is only open on public holidays. He also finds happiness with the lovely Linda Mason (Marjorie Reynolds) - that is, until Ted shows up! In 'White Christmas' (1954) two army buddies (Crosby and Danny Kaye) team up after the war and become a successful song-and-dance act. While on a skiing holiday the pair stage a benefit to save an inn run by their old commander, who is beset by financial difficulties resulting from a lack of snow. Finally, in 'Scrooge' (1970) miserly Ebenezer Scrooge (Albert Finney) is so mean-spirited that he resents giving his clerk Bob Cratchit (David Collings) the day off for Christmas. At night, Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his late partner Jacob Marley (Alec Guinness), who warns him that three spirits will visit him in an attempt to save his soul.