As we begin preparations for our annual holiday podcast at Stuck in the '80s, we're confronted with this nagging question: Does 1984's Gremlins officially qualify as a holiday flick?

(Yes, that's what qualifies as a "nagging question" in my world. Love it or leave it.) Let's put a bright light! on the subject. (Sorry, couldn't help it.)

1. The mogwai named Gizmo (voiced by Howie Mandel) is indeed a Christmas present for Zach Galligan. (One he should have kept for later years when he starred in flicks like Mortal Passion and G-Men from Hell.)

2. Gizmo spawns more mogwais when doused with water, something that always seems to happen to me each Christmas Eve at the Spears Lair.

3. The evil mogwais, led by Stripe, form cocoons and turn into evil Gremlins after pigging out on food after midnight. Oh yeah, that has "Spears and Daly Visit Taco Bell on Christmas Day" written all over it.

4. The soundtrack features NO songs by Bryan Adams? Well, we almost had a perfect case.

So what do you think? Does Gremlins belong in our official SIT80s holiday podcast this year?

[Photo from Gizmoplus.com]