tonight -- what you never knew about your favorite holiday movies. >> ahh. >> set secrets from all the christmas classics. >> son of a nutcracker. >> from "elf" to "home alone."

>> everyone in this family hates me. >> cut. >> "christmas vacation" to "a christmas story." >> you'll shoot your eye out. >> behind the scenes with the stars. >> we're going to have fun. >> ha! >> plus, the casts then and now. >> it's the gift that keeps on giving. then, the not-so-mean man behind the new "grinch." pretty. >> "e.t.'s" kid correspondents ask the hard-hitting questions. >> what's your favorite color? >> blue. not as tasty as white icing. [ laughter ] >> this is "entertainment tonight." >> thanks for joining us, everyone, and we hope you're having a merry christmas eve. have you been watching a lot of holiday movies because there's a lot you don't know about your favorites, trust me. >> yeah. merry christmas, everybody. we're going to take care of that tonight starting with a classic that just turned 35, "a christmas story." >> i want an official red rider carbon action 200 air rifle. ooh. >> it's about a little boy

growing up in 1939 or '40. it takes place about three weeks before christmas. it's about a boy who wants a b.b. gun for christmas. >> ralphy was the role of a lifetime for pete billingsley, and that b.b. gun was super special. >> it's a red rider 200-shot range model air rifle. and so i go to my mother for it. i go to my teacher for it. and i go to santa claus for it. and they all tell me that i'm going to shoot my eye out. >> i don't want anybody shooting his eye out. >> you'll shoot your eye out! >> you'll shoot your eye out kid. >> bad boy scott was played by san joaquin ward. -- by zach ward. >> it's the gift that keeps on giving. every year i'm the long-lost family member everybody likes seeing. they laugh and smile and give me a hug, and i've never met these people. they've spent their lives watching and watching me get beat up and bleeding on the

ground. >> that's peter in "iron man." he had a role in "elf" and a part in "the breakup" where he also executive produced. >> i had the good fortune of working with vince quite a few times. we met original oh an after-school special many, many years ago. and he's a lot of fun. >> it continues as an iconic holiday classic and will probably always be peter's legacy. ♪ >> oh, my god. i shot my eye out! >> and "a christmas story" continues to be a pop culture phenomenon because you can buy your own leg lamp, not to mention the real-life point in ha ohio is a museum. we showed you peter billingsley's role in "elf." that classic turned 15 this year. i caught up with will for told discuss his favorite moment include -- will to discuss his favorite moments including this one -- the best part of making "elf"? >> getting to wear yellow tights for 75 days of shooting. >> go away!

>> son of a nutcracker. >> those tights are a timeless look. and papa elf, bob newhart, predicted the film will become a holiday tradition. >> i think it's just going to show like -- like every christmas. buddy, i think there's something i probably -- it makes you feel good. >> action! >> very first day of filming was in the lincoln tunnel, in the elf suit. people really -- didn't really look at me twice. >> people really didn't actually react that much because we were in new york. and you know -- nobody really cared. >> "elf" marked the first leading film roles for will ferrell and zoe deschannel who dyed her hair for the role. >> i'm sorry, blondes, i don't like being blonde. >> their most iconic scene is the duet in the shower -- ♪ the neighbors might say >> both of them really sing in the film, but zoe says their

chemistry together was pure movie magic. ♪ i wish i knew how he wasn't there -- he was singing separately from me. so like a lot of it, the water's not running. i'm just like singing my song, you know. that's movies. >> another on-set secret -- >> yeah, i did all my own stunt food eating you see in the movie. oh -- spaghetti with maple syrup, chocolate syrup, pop tarts, and m&ms. >> the scene actually had to be shot twice because apparently will couldn't keep it down the first time. >> it's nasty at first, but then it -- it's an acquired taste. >> look, we love this movie, but in this age of reboots and sequels, you have to be wondering will there ever be an "elf 2." will said absolutely not. he is done with those yellow elf

tights. and here's another question for you -- so "elf" did well at the box office, but what's the highest grossing christmas movie of all time? what's our next holiday classic -- "home alone." the behind-the-scenes secrets you never knew. >> welcome to "home alone." >> it's been more than 28 years since "e.t." was on the chicago set of "home alone." >> everyone in this family hates me. >> cut. [ laughter ] >> he was laughing. >> between takes, macaulay played games like a typical 9-year-old kid would. but here's the behind-the-scenes secret -- that wasn't him sledding down the stairs or ziplining from the roof. those scenes were performed by a 30-year-old stunt double. >> whoa! >> that's what i do -- double children in motion pictures. they can't have a minor doing anything just in case. >> daniel stern who played one

of the criminals explained the movie magic behind many of his seemingly painful scenes. >> walking across the bulbs, those were made of sugar. they were supposed to be a mechanical tarantula. the day of shooting, they said, yeah, that didn't look real. that's why i let out a scream that i think i copied from "psycho." [ scream ] >> as for the film's most iconic scream -- [ scream ] "home alone" director chris columbus told us that delivery was totally unscripted. >> i never expected his hands to stay attached to his cheeks and the scream to help like that. and when we say that we had to stop ourselves from laughing. we didn't know it was going to -- to be the universal image for "home alone." >> you never know when the greatest moments can happen. >> movie magic. >> keep rolling. here's another interesting fact about chris -- he was stopped direct another christmas classic, "national lampoons christmas vacation," but he quit

after taking two meetings with chevy chase saying i can't do it with this guy. >> wow. no holiday love left there, right? the griswalds did manage to bring in good box office tidings. and "e.t." was on set for the festive reunion. >> whenever i want to get into the clark griswald character, his essence is this guy -- ♪ >> everybody, come on -- >> we're going to have fun! a little bit phased in the eyes here. could go any minute. how could they get any worse? take a look around you, ellen. we're at the threshold of hell! you know they've got a warm heart. >> and as to be expected in "national lampoon's christmas vacation," everything that can go wrong does. >> oh, god. >> action. >> action! >> "e.t." was on the 1989 set of the holiday classic. >> boy.

smell that? >> oh, dear, i'm sorry. >> he's smelling the turkey. >> randy quaid returned to the franchise to reprise his role of cousin eddie. >> have you got a kiss for me? >> you better take a raincheck on that. he's got a lip fungus they ain't identified yet. >> there's a fine line between bumpkin and hick. this one, he shows up for a month with a motor home from hell. and says he's going to stay with them. >> i dedicate this house to the griswald family christmas. drum roll, please. [ drum roll ] >> and than stallman knew grith kids were cast. that's julia luis and a 14-year-old johnny galecki. >> mom? >> and grew up to be such superstar actors. all right. did you ever notice what was playing on the tv?

yep, that is "it's a wonderful life." and listen to the sweet connection behind that. the assistant director on "christmas vacation" just so happens to be the grandson of frank cappra, the director of "it's a wonderful life." now it makes wonderful sense. we've got much more holiday cheer coming up. >> it's not a good santa. >> hollywood's most infamous santas tell the on-set st. nick stories you never heard. >> we can't start disney movies with you murdering santa. plus, the iconic "love actually" theme hugh granted like to forget. >> this terrible black cloud hanging over the whole thing. and "e.t." kid reporters grill the new "grinch," their adorable date with benedict cumber

"e.t." isn't just on the air, we're everywhere, on every platform every day. check us out on fa

you want a stocking full of candy? >> how about i give you a stocking full of jenny craig. $5 a kid, $5 a kid. >> there will never be another st. nick quite like the one we saw in "a madea christmas." tyler perry always says he's done. >> no. never done. there's always another tyler perry project. >> another madea. >> goodness. tyler perry's not the only star whose belly has shook like a bowl full of jelly. topping our "christmas know and

tell" celebrity santas. >> merry christmas to all. to all a good night. >> in 1994, "e.t." was on set when tim allen first put on that jolly suit for the first of three installments of "the santa claus." in the film he transforms into santa after a christmas eve rooftop accident. >> you killed him. >> tim told jimmy fallon the original script was much darker. >> i actually shot and killed santa. but the head of disney, katzenberg, said, we can't start a movie like that. i said, why not? you can't start a disney movie with you murdering santa. >> in 2004, tim's "toy story" co-host tom hanks lent his voice to "the polar express." what would you like for christmas? >> me -- >> that was one of five characters he played in the film. >> i'm the father, the boy himself. then i'm the conductor, as well as the hobo and santa himself. >> and who can forget the time in 2003 when santa made the naughty list in billy bob

thornt thornton's "bad santa"? >> i play an alcoholic jewel thief who poses as a department store santa claus. it was real, but i got sick and all my hair fell out. so i have to wear this thing. >> why did you get sonic. >> i loved a -- sick? >> i loved a woman who wasn't clean. >> mrs. santa? >> her sister. not a good santa. >> the kind of santa that likes to drink the christmas spirit. >> the feel-bad comedy of the year. i'm benedict. i play him. the grinch. >> benedict cumberbatch may play the grinch, but his interview is full of heart. >> listen. it's beating away. and -- >> yippee -- >> why "die hard" is most definitely a holiday movie. our time with bruce willis on set. >> had them show me the stunt before i did it, i probably wouldn't have done it. i'd of been too scared. >> closed captioning provided by --

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face your fear -- >> jim carrey took on the mean one and nin "how the grinch stoe christmas" becoming the second highest grosses holiday movie in the u.s. and there's a new grinch voiced by benedict cumberbatch whose heart may explode after this special "e.t." interview. >> hi. what's your name? >> cindy. >> lovely to meet you. i'm benedict. i play him, the grinch. what's your name? >> daphne. >> our kid reporter, sidney, 6, daphne is 4. watch how sweet benedict is with them. >> wow, you've got a lot of questions, a list of questions. >> why was your heart -- >> last week -- >> really, you must be tired. that's a long time to be practicing. >> why was your heart little? >> because he was being protective of his heart. >> how's your heart? >> pretty good. do you want to listen? have a listen. you have to get closer to listen

-- it's than loud. >> i can't hear at all. >> trust me, it's beating away. >> i'm going to send you there, christmas -- >> benedict is so the opposite of his character, playing dr. seuss' the grinch. >> it's go time. >> the film mirrors the classic 1957 book about a cynical grump who goes on a mission to steal christmas only to have his heart changed by a young girl's generous holiday spirit. when our interview went off the rails because the girls got distracted by making a gingerbread house, he proved his heart is actually three sizes too big. >> what's your favorite color? >> blue. not as tasty as white icing. [ laughter ] wow. open your mouth. just open your mouth. [ laughter ] ah! you're going to have a great christmas. >> okay, girls. trying to take my job? you have a bright future ahead and looking adorable. the little dress.

something else i love, i'll give you a hint, it has "love" in the title. i'm talking about the movie "love actually." it just turned 15 years old. for one of its stars, hugh grant, it's a painful reminder of his now-iconic dance moves. >> i remember this terrible black cloud hanging over the whole film. ♪ jump the scene where i had to dance by myself on downing street. ♪ jump in ♪ do it cold by yourself at 7:00 in the morning is not a prospect -- but i got there. >> cut. >> "e.t." taking you back to the 2003 set of the ensemble rom-com starring emma thompson, liam neeson and then-18-year-old keira knightley. >> husband and wife. >> love triangle. they look like they have the perfect romance really. and then it turns out that mark, peter's best friend, is completely madly in love with her. ♪ it's written in the wind

everywhere i go ♪ >> bill nye says he never was the same after playing this washed out rocker. ♪ >> it was a very big day when i stood in front of a fake mountain with fake snow and was surrounded by beautiful women. >> and playing the love interest, she talked about filming the kissing scene. [ applause ] >> had an actual audience that their that didn't know that when the curtain falls that we would be kissing. everybody was like, ah. they filmed everybody's genuine reaction when it happened. oh, my god, that's kissing, what's going on? >> right. not quite as secret as we hoped. >> kev, it is not the holidays until you put on a footed pajama, have some cocoa, snuggle up, and watch "love actually." i love thatovie so much. >> great movie. never done that, though. >> you're a grinch. as for the sequel, i know you're wondering -- cast

reunited for last year's red nose day charity special. that is apparently as far as they're going to go. can we go with a holiday movie that i think is perfect to sit down and watch and snuggle up to? "die hard." it is a holiday movie. nothing says holiday like a christmas party taken over by terrorists. you know what i'm saying? here's the cool thing -- "e.t." was on the set when this was filmed. >> fire in the hole. >> i play a cop named john mclean. a new york cop who comes to los angeles on christmas eve to try and patch things up with his wife. yippee -- >> what more could you ask for in a holiday movie? there's a family trying to be reunited. >> get together, have a few laughs. >> a scrooge set on ruining christmas. >> a machine gun -- ho, ho, ho. >> "e.t." was behind the scenes of the 1988 iconic action film. >> three, two, one, go --

>> biggest stunt that i've ever done in my life is in that film. i jumped off a building into a -- a 25-foot fall into an airbag. and they blew the roof of the building up. there's this 40-foot ball of flame behind me. and actually had i had them show me the stunt before i did it, i probably wouldn't have done it. i'd of been too scared. i did the stunt, and when i saw the film, it was spectacular. >> despite the yuletide cheer and the happy ending -- >> merry christmas, john -- >> merry christmas. ♪ >> can you believe bruce made this declaration at his comedy central roast earlier in year -- >> "die hard" is not a christmas movie! yippee -- >> bruce let me put this piece in the christmas show and then tells me at the end that it wasn't a christmas movie? >> that worked. >> by the way, remember, they made four more "die hard" movies after this one. but of course, nothing beats an

original. >> no. >> ever. coming up, what you never knew about tim burton's "a nightmare before christmas." next on kron-4 news at eight: a chrsitmas eve storm rolls through the bay area causing headaches for last minute holiday travelers... details on how long this storm will last and how it may impact your holiday plans.... plus... for all those procrastinator s-- a lottery ticket makes a good last minute stocking stuffer... especially for tomorrow's mega millions jackpot... it now stands at 321 million dollars... and that means it could be a áágreen christmas for a lucky winner... i'm grant lodes i'm vicki liviakis. the news -- at eight -- is next.

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♪ that's the mastermind behind "rudolph the red-nosed reindeer" probably never dreamed we would be singing it this much later. it was technically a tv special when it debuted in 1964. it has aired every year since. >> and did you know it also inspired tim burton's "the nightmare before christmas"? i know, i know, i know. in turn the inspiration behinds gwen stefani's costume this year. and here's some more things you may not know about "nightmare." sweet dreams, right? >> bye, everybody. >> what's this? what's this. >> it took three years to complete this stunning 74 minutes of stop-motion animation. it was filmed on 19 sound stages with 230 sets and 227 individual puppet characters. jack cancelington had 400 heads

to s (grant) a big storm rolls

through... dousing the bay area with rain... making for a wet christmas eve...(grant) thanks for joining us, im grant lodes...(vicki) and im vicki liviakis... ken and pam have the night off.... it was wet, windy and foggy for much of the day... and the rain causing slick roads across the bay area... (grant) we have team coverage tonight as we track this latest storm... kron4's alecia reid is live along the embarcadero with a look at driving conditions in the area...(vicki) but first we start with chief meteorologist lawrence karnow... lawrence-- how long is the wet weather sticking around? lawrence karnow: showers will continue through midnight. we