Ahh, the Music Box Theatre: the gem of Southport Avenue. The only place where you can find art-house films, midnight screenings of “The Room,” classics in 70mm, and—a surefire way of bringing holiday cheer to every Grinch—a double-bill screening of “White Christmas” and “It’s a Wonderful Life” every holiday season, now in its thirty-sixth incantation. The experience is even more magical with the pre-show Christmas sing-along, led by an exceedingly merry crew of carolers, and it culminates with Santa Claus himself joining the proceedings, Okay, maybe not actually Santa Claus, but I can dream. It’s a tradition I look forward to every year, especially the audience hisssssssing at Mean Old Mr. Potter in “Wonderful Life.” Atta boy, Chicago. (Ben Kaye) 3733 N. Southport, December 12-24
