“The Polar Express”
To celebrate the holidays, the Dietrich Theater in historic downtown Tunkhannock is presenting a gift of movies for all ages with its third annual 12 Movies of Christmas.
Running through Dec. 21, the Dietrich Theater will be showing a lineup of 12 favorite Christmas movies plus “It’s a Wonderful Life.”
The best part is that admission is free.
All are welcome to attend for free thanks to the generosity of lead sponsor Ace-Robbins, Inc. and the following sponsors: The Belt Law Firm, PC; Catherine J. Garbus; Century Farm – on behalf of Kenneth and Caroline Taylor and Tom and Margarita Taylor; Corterra Energy; the Endless Mountains Visitors Bureau; First Energy Foundation; GEM 100 & 104 (WGMF/WGMM); Kintner Modular Homes and Nostalgia Car Wash; M & T Bank; Nimble Hill Vineyard & Winery and Nimble Hill Brewery; P & G Credit Union; the Sheldon Family Foundation, and the Wyoming County Chamber of Commerce.
Curated by Dietrich Theater General Manager and Film Booker Ronnie Harvey, this year the 12 Movies of Christmas will include Arthur Christmas, A Christmas Story, Christmas in Connecticut, Eight Crazy Nights, Elf, The Holiday, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Last Holiday, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, The Polar Express, Prancer, and White Christmas. Plus, there will be the bonus free showings of It’s Wonderful Life on December 21.
Ronnie shares, “The 12 Movies of Christmas offers a wide variety of films that appeal to all ages and all genres. From the joyous splendor of The Polar Express to the laughter of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and to the poignant classic It’s a Wonderful Life, there is something for everyone.”
Credit for the idea of the 12 Movies of Christmas goes to Jean Ruhf, Executive Director of the Endless Mountains Visitors Bureau. Since reopening the Dietrich in 2001, the historic theater always showed It’s a Wonderful Life in December and sometimes an additional Christmas film, but Jean suggested something much bigger – a Christmas movie festival. As home already to four seasonal independent and foreign film festivals, the Dietrich staff and board of directors quickly saw the potential, and the idea became a reality in December 2020. Erica Rogler, Dietrich Theater Executive Director shares, “What better way to get into the holiday spirit than with a festival of twelve Christmas movies!”
As the lead sponsor of the 12 Movies of Christmas, Ace-Robbins is providing free small popcorns and sodas for all who attend showtimes of the Twelve Movies of Christmas on Friday and Saturday, December 2 and 3. They will also provide free popcorn and soda for all who attend It’s a Wonderful Life on Wednesday, December 21, which will show at 2 p.m., 7 p.m., and 8 p.m. that day. Other sponsors will provide free small popcorn and small soda for other specific showtimes during the 12 Movies of Christmas. Those showtimes are asterisked below.
Seating to all showings of the 12 Movies of Christmas is first come, first served. Advance tickets are not available. For more information, please feel free to call the Dietrich Theater at 570-836-1022 x3 or visit DietrichTheater.com. The following are movie show times and film synopses for the 12 Movies of Christmas:
Arthur Christmas
Show times: Dec. 7 at 4 p.m., Dec. 11 at 1 p.m., Dec. 13 at 1 p.m.;
Rating: PG
Runtime: 97 minutes
Directed by: Sarah Smith and Barry Cook
Starring: James McAvoy, Jim Broadbent
Each Christmas, Santa Claus delivers presents to every child. But when the unthinkable happens, and Santa misses one child, it’s up to Arthur, Santa’s youngest son, to deliver a present to the forgotten tyke before Christmas morning dawns.
A Christmas Story
Show times: Dec. 9 at 4 p.m., Dec. 11 at 7 p.m.
Rating: PG
Runtime: 94 minutes
Directed by: Bob Clark
Starring: Peter Billingsley, Melinda Dillon, Darren McGavin
A Christmas Story follows the wintry exploits of Ralphie, who spends his time dodging a bully and dreaming of a “Red Ryder air rifle.” He struggles to make it to Christmas Day with his glasses and his hopes intact.
Christmas in Connecticut
Show times: Dec. 8 at 1 p.m., Dec. 10 at 4 p.m.
Rating: not rated
Runtime: 101 minutes
Directed by: Peter Godfrey
Starring: Barbara Stanwyck, Dennis Morgan, Sydney Greenstreet
While recovering in a hospital, a war hero grows familiar with the column “Diary of a Housewife”. His nurse arranges with the column’s publisher, for him to spend the holiday at the writer’s Connecticut farm with her family. But the column is a sham, so the publisher hastens to arrange a publicity ploy by setting up single, nondomestic Elizabeth on a country farm.
Eight Crazy Nights
Show times: Dec. 13 at 4 p.m., Dec. 14 at 1 p.m.
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 76 minutes
Directed by: Seth Kearsley
Starring: Adam Sandler, Rob Schneider, Jackie Sandler
Party animal Davey Stone finds himself in trouble with the law, but in keeping with the holiday spirit, the judge gives Davey one last chance at redemption — spend the holiday performing community service.
Elf
Show times: Dec. 8 at 4 p.m., Dec. 10 at 7 p.m
Rated: PG
Runtime: 97 minutes
Directed by: Jon Favreau
Starring: Will Ferrell, Zooey Deschanel, James Caan, Bob Newhart
Elf is a spirited comedy about one of Santa’s biggest helpers, Buddy. Unable to shake the feeling that he doesn’t fit in, Buddy travels to New York in search of his real father.
The Holiday
Show times: Dec. 9 at 1 p.m., Dec. 12 at 7 p.m.
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 136 minutes
Directed by: Nancy Meyers
Starring: Kate Winslet,Cameron Diaz, Jude Law
Two women, one from America and one from Britain, swap homes at Christmastime after bad breakups with their boyfriends. Each woman finds romance with a local man but realizes that the imminent return home may end the relationship.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Show times: Dec. 8 at 7 p.m., Dec. 12 at 4 p.m., Dec. 15 at 1 p.m.
Rating: PG
Runtime: 104 minutes
Directed by: Ron Howard
Starring: Jim Carrey, Taylor Momsen
In this live-action adaptation of the beloved children’s tale by Dr. Seuss, the Grinch decides to ruin Christmas for the cheery citizens of Whoville. Reluctantly joined by his dog Max, the Grinch comes down from his mountaintop home and sneaks into town to swipe everything holiday-related from the Whos. However, the Grinch finds a hitch in his plans when he encounters the endearing Cindy Lou Who.
Last Holiday
Show times:
Dec. 13 at 7 p.m.
Rating: not rated
Runtime: 112 minutes
Directed by: Wayne Wang
Starring: Queen Latifah, LL Cool J, Gérard Depardieu
The discovery of a terminal illness prompts introverted saleswoman Georgia to jet off to Europe for one last lavish holiday. Georgia charms everybody she meets, including renowned Chef Didier. The only one missing from her new life is her longtime crush.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
Show times:
Dec. 9 at 7 p.m., Dec. 11 at 4 p.m., Dec. 14 at 7 p.m
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 97 minutes
Directed by: Jeremiah S. Chechik
Starring: Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo, Juliette Lewis
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is a laugh out loud holiday classic. Clark Griswold wants to have a perfect family Christmas. However, things go awry quickly when his family shows up unplanned and start living in their camper on the property. Even worse, Clark’s employers renege on the holiday bonus he needs. Will Clark be able to save Christmas?
The Polar Express
Show times: Dec. 10 at 1 p.m., Dec. 14 at 4 p.m.
Rating: G
Runtime: 100 minutes
Directed by: Robert Zemeckis
Starring: the voice of Tom Hanks
The Polar Express is an inspiring adventure about a doubting young boy who takes an extraordinary trainride to the North Pole, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe.
Prancer
Show times: Dec. 7 at 7 p.m., Dec. 12 at 1 p.m., Dec. 15 at 4 p.m.
Rating: G
Runtime: 103 minutes
Directed by: John D. Hancock
Starring: Sam Elliott, Cloris Leachman, Rutanya Alda
Refusing to give up her belief in Santa Claus, Jessica discovers a hurt reindeer, which she believes to be Prancer. With the help of a veterinarian, she takes care of the wounded creature. It’s supposed to be a secret, but eventually the entire town find out about Prancer, leading to big problems for Jessica and her family.
White Christmas
Show times:
Dec. 7 at 1 p.m., Dec. 15 at 7 p.m.
Rating: not rated
Runtime: 120 minutes
Directed by: Michael Curtiz
Starring: Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney
The holiday musical White Christmas follows two opposing acts who band together to perform a Christmas show in rural Vermont and save a quaint country inn from failing. With the help of each other, they are sure to put the inn back in business and each other on the map.
It’s a Wonderful Life
Show times:
Dec. 21 at 2 p.m., Dec. 21 at 7 p.m., Dec. 21 at 8 p.m.
Rating: PG
Runtime: 130 minutes
Directed by: Frank Capra
Starring: James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore
It’s a Wonderful Life follows George Bailey who wishes he had never been born. An angel is sent to earth to make George’s wish come true. George quickly starts to realize how many lives he has changed and impacted, and how they would be different if he was never there.
