A New Year of Classics

I hope everyone enjoyed the 1st Annual 25 Days of Christmas Nightlight Readings. I had so much fun researching the literary history of each posting. There is so much to look forward to in the new year, with weddings (including my own), new historical research and finds, the release of the 1940 census on Ancestry.com (FINALLY!), and so much more! So to start—the schedule for a new season of Masterpiece Classic. I am so looking forward to the 2nd season of Downton Abbey. If you haven't seen it before, I hope you caught up with the 1st season the last couple Sundays. If not, the last episode will be played this Sunday evening at 9. I believe it is available of Netflix as well. So without further ado, I give you the 2012 schedule (and it's a great line-up at that!)...

Masterpiece Classic

This winter and spring, Masterpiece classic returns with signature period dramas, hosted by Laura Linney.

• December 18 & 25, 2011; January 1, 2012 at 9pm
  (Check local listings)
  Downton Abbey, Season One
  Episodes 1 & 2 (Dec. 18th - 180 minutes);
  Episodes 3-4 (90 minutes); TV-PG
  A stately country house, a noble family and a succession crisis are the backdrop for this Primetime Emmy® Award winning drama by Julian Fellowes (Gosford Park) starring Hugh Bonneville, Maggie Smith, Elizabeth McGovern and others.
  
• January 8, 15, 22, 29; February 5, 12 & 19, 2012 at 9pm
  (Check local listings)
  Downton Abbey, Season Two
  Episode 1, 6 & 7 (120 minutes); Episodes 2-5 (60 minutes); TV-PG
  Multiple Primetime Emmy® Award winner (including Outstanding Miniseries) Downton Abbey resumes the story of aristocrats and servants in the tumultuous World War I era.
  
• January 15, 22 & 29, 2012 at 10pm
  (Limited TV airings; Check local listings)
  Sherlock
  Three 90-minute episodes
  Sherlock Holmes stalks again in this contemporary thriller, starring Benedict Cumberbatch (War Horse) as the go-to consulting detective in modern-day London, with Martin Freeman (The Hobbit) as Dr. John Watson.
  
• February 26, 2012 at 9pm   (Check local listings)
  The Old Curiosity Shop
  One 90-minute episode
  A teenage girl and her grandfather lose everything to a maniacal moneylender and flee his relentless pursuit. Derek Jacobi (I, Claudius) stars as Grandfather, with Sophie Vavasseur (Northanger Abbey) as Nell and Toby Jones (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) as Quilp.
  
• April 1 & 8, 2012 at 9pm   (Check local listings)
  Great Expectations
  Episode 1 (60 minutes); Episode 2 (120 minutes)
  Great Expectations tells the story of Pip the battered orphan boy, who rises from blacksmith's apprentice to gentleman under the patronage of a mysterious benefactor. Gillian Anderson (Bleak House), David Suchet (Hercule Poirot) and Ray Winstone star.
  
• April 15, 2012 at 9pm   (Check local listings)
  The Mystery of Edwin Drood
  One 120-minute episode
  An adaptation and completion of Charles Dickens' last novel left unfinished at his death, The Mystery Of Edwin Drood is a psychological thriller about a provincial choirmaster's obsession with 17-year-old Rosa Bud. Cast includes Matthew Rhys (Brothers & Sisters) and Julia MacKenzie (Miss Marple).
  
• April 22 & 29, 2012 at 9pm   (Check local listings)
  Birdsong
  Two 90-minute episodes
  Based on Sebastian Faulk's novel about lovers torn apart by World War I. Eddie Redmayne (The Pillars of the Earth) plays Stephen Wrayford, whose pre-war affair with Isabelle Azaire (Clemence Poesy, Harry Potter) has an enduring effect on him as he fights in the trenches.
  

Day 6 of Christmas Nightlight Readings: 5135 Kensington; or, Meet Me in St. Louis

I don't know about you, but whenever I think about one of my favorite movies, "Meet Me in St. Louis," I can't help but think of Christmas and my all-time favorite song, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." Although there have to be a hundred different versions, Judy Garland still does the best rendition. You might be wondering why I choose "Meet Me in St. Louis," for Day 6, because it's a movie not a book, which you are absolutely right! But one thing many people don't realize about this movie, is that the story is actually an adaptation of the memoir vignettes of Sally Benson (the real Esther Smith—played by Judy Garland). The stories were first titled "5135 Kensington," but in 1942 as the movie was being scripted, Benson added a few more chapters and titled it "Meet Me in St. Louis" after the script. (Benson wrote an early addition of the screenplay that was never used.)

If you are interested in reading the book, it is available at Amazon here.

One of my favorite scenes is when Esther returns from her Christmas ball to see Tootie still up, waiting for Santa Claus, worried that Santa may not find them next year after they move from St. Louis. Of course, Judy Garland begins to sing my all time favorite song. (Although in the movie they end up not moving from St. Louis, in the real story the family does move—but MGM did not think that would be an appropriate ending—after all happy endings sold tickets!)

Day 3 of Christmas Nightlight Readings: Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus

In September of 1897 a little girl, as most children do at her age, was contemplating the existence of Santa Claus. As she was an astute child (after all she was a doctor's daughter), she thought it necessary to inquire upon the truth. So she decided to write a letter to the editor of The New York Sun, and this is what she penned:

DEAR EDITOR: I am 8 years old.
Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.
Papa says, 'If you see it in THE SUN it's so.'
Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?

The reply, which we now know was veteran newsman, Francis P. Church, has been one of the most reprinted editorials in history. Not only becoming a published children's book (Yes, Virginia, 1971), but also—with the great sponsorship and the commercialization of Macy's—has become a CBS Christmas special. Even in one of my favorite Holiday classics, "Prancer," the last couple paragraphs are read. After reading the article, even the scroogiest Santa critic, will become a believer of Claus.

The original article from The New York Sun (Sep. 21, 1897)