Eddie Murphy wants ‘Candy Cane Lane’ to put you in the Christmas spirit for years to come

NEW YORK — Eddie Murphy has fond childhood memories of gathering with his family in Brooklyn and being wrapped in the wonder of the season as they watched classic holiday movies. “I’m excited to watch kids watch the movie.” Eddie Murphy and Tracee Ellis Ross pose with “Candy Cane Lane” director Reginald Hudlin. So, I said, why not put everything you like into one movie?”, explained Hudlin, whose 1990 flick “House Party” starring Kid ’n Play was added to the National Film Registry last year. “Christmas movies are surprisingly elastic.” Reginald Hudlin “Candy Cane Lane” is Murphy’s first holiday film and his first reunion with Hudlin since their 1992 classic “Boomerang.” The uber-popular romantic comedy helped expand Murphy beyond comedy-first roles and action films, allowing him to flourish in new Hollywood territory as a debonair ladies man. Murphy, a father of 10 and a grandfather, echoes Ross’ sentiments: “Christmas movies have a built-in audience – your family’s all together and they want to look at something that they can all watch together…if you do a good job, you watch them forever.” ___ Follow Associated Press journalist Gary Gerard Hamilton at @GaryGHamilton on all his social media platforms.