She Likes to Watch

Get in the holiday spirit with a local screening of “White Christmas”

Some people say “It’s a Wonderful Life” is their favorite holiday movie.

Others prefer “Miracle on 34th Street” or have a soft sport for animated TV specials like “Frosty the Snowman,” “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “A Charlie Brown Christmas.”

And there’s the occasional oddball who prefers the boldly bizarre “Ernest Saves Christmas” to something sweeter, such as Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”

Personally, I’ve always loved Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas.”

Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye star as successful song-and-dance duo Bob and Phil. When the guys meet sister act Betty and Judy (Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen), they decide to accompany the girls to their next gig at a Vermont ski lodge.

Turns out that the inn belongs to Bob and Phil’s former World War II commanding officer, Major General Thomas Waverly (Dean Jagger).  With the inn empty due to a lack of snow, the four entertainers decide to “put on a show” to drum up business. The result is pure Hollywood magic.

A television staple from my childhood, this 1954 musical has all the hallmarks of a holiday classic: a winning cast, a winter wonderland setting and a whole host of memorable songs, including “Sisters,” “Snow,” “Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep” and the title track.

“White Christmas” screens at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Fremont theatre, 1025 Monterey St. in San Luis Obispo. Show up a half-hour early for a holiday social.

Tickets are $7.50.

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Also on Tuesday, winter sports impresario Warren Miller brings his 60th ski film to the San Luis Obispo Performing Arts Center.

“Warren Miller’s Dynasty” features far-out footage shot in China, Lake Tahoe and Norway’s Lyngen Alps, plus jaw-dropping performances by world-class athletes. There are even a few reels of vintage “extreme skiing” footage.

It’s not the first time that Central Coast residents have basked in the wintry wonder of a Warren Miller film. “Warren Miller’s Playground” played here in 2007, and “Warren Miller’s Children of Winter” visited in 2008.

“Warren Miller’s Dynasty” screens at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Cohan Center at the Performing Arts Center, 1 Grand Ave. in San Luis Obispo.

Tickets are $12. To purchase, call 756-2787 or visit the PAC online.

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Historian, author and activist Howard Zinn is the inspiration for this 2004 documentary.

Narrated by Matt Damon, “Howard Zinn: You Can’t Be Neutral on a Moving Train” features interviews with many of America’s greatest thinkers including author Alice Walker, philosopher Noam Chomsky and peace activist Daniel Berrigan.  Zinn, the author of “A People’s History of the United States” and other bestsellers, appears in archive footage.

“Howard Zinn: You Can’t Be Neutral on a Moving Train” screens at 6:30 pm. Wednesday at the Information Press office, 3436 Sacramento Dr., Suite A, in San Luis Obispo.

Tickets are $5 and include drinks and popcorn. Moviegoers are encouraged to bring their own bowls, as well as comfy chairs, blankets and throw pillows.

Call 545-7916 for more information.

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Also on Wednesday, there’s a VIP screening of “The Age of Stupid.”

Written and directed by Franny Armstrong (“McLibel”), the docudrama stars Pete Postlethwaite as a post-apocalyptic archvist researching why humankind failed to address the issue of climate change. The evidence he uncovers ranges from news footage, graphics and animation to interviews with Iraqi refugees, a retired Shell Oil geologist, an aspiring Nigerian doctor and an Indian entrepreneur.

“The Age of Stupid” screens at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Palm Theatre, 817 Palm St. in San Luis Obispo. A reception at Buona Tavola follows the screening.

The event is free, but space is limited. RSVP by visiting TheFutureofSolar.org.