Thanksgiving-related Films
Alice’s Restaurant (1969) Arthur Penn VHS DVD
Arlo Guthrie’s song comes to life. A Thanksgiving tradition for many households!
Avalon (1990) Barry Levinson VHS
Immigrants try to adjust to American life. Aidan Quinn stars. “You cut the toikey without me?”
Broadway Danny Rose (1984) Woody Allen DVD VHS
Some great Macy’s moments including a gunfight in the balloon storage area! Arguably one of Mia Farrow’s best roles.
The Daytrippers (1996) Greg Mottola VHS
A woman tries to find out if her husband is having an affair. With her whole family. Hope Davis, Anne Meara, Parker Posey, Stanley Tucci
Down and Out in Beverly Hills (1986) Paul Mazursky DVD VHS. Nick Nolte plays a homeless man who changes the lifestyle of a wealthy family. Richard Dreyfuss, Bette Midler, Little Richard.
Hannah and Her Sisters (1986) Woody Allen DVD VHS
Angst-filled Thanksgiving dinners open and close the film. Michael Caine won an Oscar for supporting actor. Barbara Hershey, Mia Farrow, Dianne Wiest.
Harvest of Shame (1960) (TV) Edward R. Murrow VHS
Broadcast on Thanksgiving Day, 1960 on CBS. Murrow points out the plight of migrant farm workers in America.
Holiday Inn (1942) Mark Sandrich VHS
Mostly about Christmas but there’s one great Thanksgiving scene. Bing Crosy sings "(I’ve Got) Plenty to Be Thankful For." Also starring Fred Astaire.
Home for the Holidays (1995) Jodie Foster DVD VHS
Holly Hunter goes home to deal with her dysfunctional family at Thanksgiving. Robert Downey Jr, Anne Bancroft, Charles Durning.
The House of Yes (1997) Mark S Waters DVD VHS
Another dark comedy about a messed up family gathering at Thanksgiving. Parker Posey, Genevieve Bujold, Josh Hamilton
The Ice Storm (1997) Ang Lee DVD VHS
Thanksgiving weekend 1973. Suburban angst ensues. Kevin Kline, Sigourney Weaver, Tobey Maguire, Joan Allen.
Miracle on 34th Street (1947) George Seaton VHS
It all begins at that wonderful Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade! Maureen O’Hara, Edmund Gwenn, John Payne.
The Myth of Fingerprints (1997) Brad Freundlich VHS
Yet another dysfunctional family drama about pent-up emotions. Noah Wylie, Julianne Moore, Hope Davis, Blythe Danner.
Nobody’s Fool (1994) Robert Benton VHS
Paul Newman plays Sully - a likeable loser who has to deal with his son whom he abandoned as a baby. Jessica Tandy, Bruce Willis.
Pieces of April (2003) Peter Hedges DVD VHS
Katie Holmes plays a wayward daughter who invites her dying mother and the rest of her estranged family to her apartment for Thanksgiving. Patricia Clarkson rocks.
Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987) John Hughes DVD VHS
Steve Martin and John Candy are forced to travel together, trying to get home for Thanksgiving. Funny stuff happens. A lot.
Scent of a Woman (1992) Martin Brest DVD VHS
Chris O’Donnell takes care of Al Pacino for one memorable Thanksgiving weekend. Oy yeah, did I mention that Pacino’s character is blind? Oscar time!
The Simpsons Vol.5 A funny Thanksgiving episode is on this tape.
Tadpole (2002) Gary Winick DVD VHS
A young man develops a crush on his stepmom. Things heat up when he comes home for Thanksgiving! Sigourney Weaver, John Ritter, Aaron Stanford.
What’s Cooking? (2000) Gurinder Chadha DVD VHS
Thanksgiving at four different homes: Jewish, Latino, Vietnamese, and African-American. Of course, tensions arise - it’s Thanksgiving! Joan Chen, Julianna Margulies, Kyra Sedgwick, Mercedes Ruehl, Alfre Woodard.
