Christmas Literature & Film

So, it's coming to that time of the year. I always find myself reaching for certain books and films that fit this time of year.

So far I have read 'The Box of Delights'...better get reading then!!!

My reading list includes: 'The Hogfather' Terry Pratchett
                                         'A Christmas Carol' Charles Dickens
                                         'The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe' CS Lewis
                                         'Just William: Christmas'
                                         'Hercule Poirot's Christmas'
                                        

Films: The Nightmare Before Christmas
            A Christmas Carol - various including A Muppet Christmas Carol
            It's a Wonderful Life
            Gremlins
           

TV:  The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe
         Only Fools & Horses
         The Vicar of Dibley
         Father Ted
         The Hogfather
         The Box of Delights

The Hogfather

There's always more Christmas films you forget that pop over the next month (although I saw some being shown in November...little too early I feel!)

So what literature/film & tv traditions do you have this time of year? Any recommendations?

Poirots Last Cases

Well, after years of watching David Suchet as the unforgettable Hercule Poirot, the last few cases are approaching.

After watching the last episode- 'Elephants Can Remember', I was caught by the fashions of the time (although the novel is based in the 70s), the 20s/30s feel does suit Poirot.

The very distinctive Hercule Poirot - photo: carnival films

Whilst the novels are great to read, the production of Poirot in tv and film has been very popular - not beating her record as the best selling novelist of all time (quite a feat!), but equally they should be noted for the deadication and attention to detail that specifically the tv series has continued to show.

Die hard Agatha Christie fans may well question its translation from novel to screen (as any books moving to screen suffer critical analysis) whilst some changes can be seen as unnecessary, the changes in the latest episode fitted in keeping with the original novel.

I literally finished the novel on Sunday, just with hours to go before the episode - it was a challenge set to me to read the last few novels before the episodes air, we then heard the first episode was on Sunday so I had a week to read it. I'm not the fastest reader, unless a book grips me! And I'm usually reading several books, but I put them to one side and completed my challenge. I could then compare notes with my sister on its translation to screen (just as my mum would.) Overall - storyline and the characters and of course the setting, worked well together.

The fashions do stand out, I think more so nowadays with the increased interest in 'vintage'.

So looking at some 30s fashions -



Smart wear was the style of the day, no casual hoodies back then!

 

Miss Lemon always looks very smart and elegant

 

 

 The styles had begun to change in the 30s from the shorter flapper style dress to longer fitted dresses and collars were very popular too.

 

 

A fabulous 1930s fashion tale comes from Wallis Simpsons wedding dress which you can find out more about at Madame Guillotine. It's not quite what you might deem a wedding dress to look like...

Wallis' wedding dress 1937 - but don't be deceived - the dress was originally blue! Photo from Madame Guillotine


You might want to try this great blog post I found on Poirot from Diamond Stash