Classic Hollywood: Yuletide treasures and Billy Barty

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his is Susan King, a 25-year veteran of the Los Angeles Times and guardian of the Golden Age of Hollywood galaxy. Every Friday in my Classic Hollywood newsletter, I share my passion about everything vintage, including movie and TV milestones, notable births and deaths, fun events happening in Los Angeles, the latest in DVDs and books, and memories of the legends I’ve met over the years.

This is Susan King, a 25-year veteran of the Los Angeles Times and guardian of the Golden Age of Hollywood galaxy. Every Friday in my Classic Hollywood newsletter, I get to share my passion and love for all things vintage, whether it be notable births and deaths, TV and movie milestones, memories of the famous folks I have chatted with over the years, and fun events around town for the discerning movie buff and couch potato.

With Christmas a week away, all of the yuletide movies are out in full force.

Edmund Gwenn, left, as Kris Kringle greets actress Natalie Wood in a scene from the 1947 film “Miracle on 34th Street.”

(Fox Home Entertainment )

Edmund Gwenn, left, as Kris Kringle greets actress Natalie Wood in a scene from the 1947 film "Miracle on 34th Street." (Fox Home Entertainment)

TCM and Fathom Events have teamed up once again to bring the beloved 1947 "Miracle on 34th Street" to select theaters across the country Sunday and Wednesday, with an introduction by TCM host Robert Osborne. Maureen O' Hara, John Payne, Natalie Wood and Oscar-winning Edmund Gwenn star in this enchanting gem.

Speaking of TCM, the movie channel is airing several classic holiday films and one turkey this evening in prime-time: 1944's "I'll Be Seeing You," 1945's "Christmas in Connecticut," 1940's lovely "Remember the Night," 1949's "Holiday Affair" and the 1956 hoot "Bundle of Joy."

Among the holiday films screening locally are a double bill of 1954's "White Christmas" and 1942's "Holiday Inn" on Friday at the American Cinematheque's Aero Theater in Santa Monica;  the beloved 1946 "It's a Wonderful Life" this Saturday at the Cinematheque's Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood and Sunday at the Aero; and Cinespia's presentation of Joe Dante's 1984 "Gremlins" Saturday at the Palace Theatre in downtown Los Angeles.

Movie milestone

Mike Nichols' R-rated romantic comedy "Working Girl," starring Melanie Griffith, Harrison Ford and Sigourney Weaver, celebrates its 27th anniversary Monday, and it is one of the movies I never get tired of watching. I saw it at an early press screening, and I was hooked as soon as I heard Carly Simon's Oscar-winning anthem "Let the River Run," as well as such wonderful lines as "I have a head for business and a bod for sin. Is there anything wrong with that?" And who doesn't like a great comeuppance story?

I still have my "Working Girl" scarf, which I received at the huge party for the movie on the Fox lot. The studio turned into New York City, replete with carriage rides, reindeer, an ice skating rink and delicious food. And all the stars were there: Ford, Weaver (who took to the ice), Griffith (she was pregnant with Dakota Johnson) and Don Johnson.

Frankly, my dear, don't touch that dial

Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh star as Rhett Butler and Scarlett O’Hara in “Gone With The Wind.”

(New Line Cinema)

Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh star as Rhett Butler and Scarlett O'Hara in "Gone With The Wind." (New Line Cinema)

The New York premiere of "Gone With the Wind" on Dec. 19, 1939, actually aired on television. The station W2XBS, with Ben Grauer as master of ceremonies, telecast the stellar opening at the Capitol Theatre. The experimental station became WNBT and was later named WNBC-TV.

Sneak peek

In this Sunday's Classic Hollywood, I sit down with a pair of veteran British actors: two-time Oscar nominee Tom Courtenay ("The Dresser," "Doctor Zhivago") and Charlotte Rampling ("Swimming Pool," "The Verdict"), who talk about their new marital drama "45 Years." It has been receiving rave reviews.

The film, which opens on Dec. 23, revolves around a retired couple preparing for their 45th anniversary party. Then a letter arrives for the husband that changes their lives and marriage.

Rampling has already won the European Film Award and the Los Angeles Film Critics Assn. honor for her radiant performance.

Notable birthdays this week include Cicely Tyson (Dec. 19); Irene Dunne (Dec. 20); Samuel L. Jackson (Dec. 21); Snow White (Dec. 21); Kiefer Sutherland (Dec. 21); Ruth Roman (Dec. 22); and Susan Lucci (Dec. 23)

A big heart

Actor Billy Barty in 1978.

(File photo)

Actor Billy Barty in 1978. (File photo)

Billy Barty, the diminutive performer who created the nonprofit Little People of America and the Billy Barty Foundation, died on Dec. 23, 2000, of heart failure at age 76. Barty, who appeared in such films as 1933's "Footlight Parade," got to show off his comedic skills in the 1950s when he joined Spike Jones and His City Slickers.  He frequently guest-starred on TV, including in such classic series as "Barney Miller," "The Waltons" and "The Golden Girls." Here is the Barty obit as it appeared in the Los Angeles Times on Dec. 24

For more vintage Hollywood, go to the Classic Hollywood Los Angeles Times Facebook page and follow me on Twitter at @mymackie.