7 Classic Holiday Movies with Michigan Ties

If you want to make at a “Pure Michigan” holiday, it won’t be complete without some classic movies with Michigan ties queued in the DVD or Blu-ray players.

Dianna Stampfler of Promote Michigan shares seven holiday films with ties to the state on the Pure Michigan blog.

The Polar Express

This classic enjoyed by kids of all ages was written by Grand Rapids native Chris Van Allsburg and prominently featuring the city and noted businesses like Herpolsheimer’s downtown department store. Most of the action takes place aboard Pere Marquette 1225, a steam locomotive which was recently restored and put back in operation in 2013 at the Steam Railroad Institute in Owosso, and one of the animated elves was played by actor Ed Gale, who graduated from Plainwell High School in the 1980s.

Prancer

Filmed in the Berrien County town of Three Oaks, this 1989 film starred Sam Elliott, Cloris Leachman and young Rebecca Harrel – an 8-year-old farm girl who discovers one of Santa’s reindeer has fallen from a downtown decoration and come to life. She later nurses the wounded reindeer, hoping to bring it back to health in time for Christmas, while inspiring the community with her spirit.

The Santa Clause (I, II and III)

The trilogy stars Tim Allen, who was raised in Birmingham, attended Western Michigan University, has owned several homes around the state and is the voice of the Pure Michigan TV and radio ads. His popular 1990s television sitcom, “Home Improvement,” was set in Royal Oak. The Santa Clause movies were actually filmed in Chicago.

The Christmas Bunny

A lonely foster child who finds a lost, injured rabbit in the woods on Christmas Eve in this movie, filmed entirely in Michigan. The eccentric “Bunny Lady” (played by Florence Henderson), nurses the rabbit back to health in an old barn behind her Michigan farmhouse. Several western Michigan towns – including Lowell, Alto, Wyoming and Zeeland – are prominently featured in the film, directed by Grand Rapids native Tom Seidman (Ordinary People, Dead Poets Society).

Silver Bells

Produced in association with the Salvation Army and filmed in Manistee, Grand Rapids and Ludington, this 2013 film stars Bruce Boxleitner (Scarecrow & Mrs. King, Babylon 5). According to a production release, a hyper-competitive father and overly win-driven sportscaster goes too far and must perform community service as a bell ringer. Through his work with the Salvation Army, he discovers the true meaning of Christmas. Michigan filmmaker Harold Cronk directed the project and 10 West Studios led the post-production efforts to keep the entire project in Michigan, qualifying it for state film incentives.

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Screenshot: Castle Rock Entertainment’s Polar Express