Yes, Virginia

Based on an 1897 editorial in The New York Sun, eight-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon believes in Santa Claus but it seems few others do. Her little brother suggests the skinny vagrant in the dirty Santa suit as the real Santa Claus. Her friends don't believe. She can't find any definitive answer in any book. Her father suggests writing to the newspaper. The editor is dismissive at first but eventually, with the vagrant Santa's urging, writes the iconic editorial.

The animation is second tier even for a TV special. It's a little dirty and grim. The story is really simple. The editorial is where the heart is and a larger portion of it has to be read. Like Linus reciting the biblical passage, the words have great power. This is a lesser level Christmas special but it's very sincere in its sentiment.

A few years ago, I reviewed Bill Melendez' animated version of "Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus" with narration by Jim Backus that I thought was excellent. This one is a new computer animated version partly produced by the Macy's company that differs from the previous one but is no less touching. In fact, making the New York Sun editor, Francis Church-the author of the actual editorial that became famous, express some cynicism before penning his piece brings somewhat of a more dramatic tone that made the thing a little more believable to me. And it was also interesting that the person that made him change his mind was a former employee reduced to being a Santa ringer in order to make money. And Virginia also is more touching as she experiences some self-doubt based on the way an especially snotty girl gets to her. So on that note, I highly recommend "Yes, Virginia".

This is a beautiful, heartwarming story that is great for the whole family. The animation is very well done and the Believe Meter helps even young kids understand what is happening throughout the story. I understand they used children to voice all of the kids roles and the wonder and delight, as well as the disappointments, clearly came through the roles. The characters are charming and endearing and all of the children who I've seen watch it have loved it. It's a great way to start off the holiday season and we plan on making it a family tradition to help us kick off our holiday cheer. I hope it will remain a holiday tradition for many years to come.

I like this one. there is one point that I want to make. WHen they were talking about Santa in other countries they referred to Santa Claus in Turkey as Haigha Sava. Turks are Moslim and don't celebrate Chrsitmas. Turkey in 2897 had a Christian minority consisting of Greeks, Armeniasn Syrinas Etc. The Turks are 99.9% Mulsim. "Aigha Sava" or St.Sava(Savas) Is a Greek Orthodox Saint from the 4th and 5th century. There was a reference to Santa clause in Japan. The Japanese are 99% Budists. Any Christmas celebrations in these countries is recent. I liked this show and I hope that it is on next year. I like neal patrick harris. This letter that Virginia wrote is often published around Christmas time every year in newspapers and magazines.

I assume most who praised this thing never seen the Emmy winning classic Bill Melendez special "Yes Virginia, There Is A Santa Claus" The Bill Melendez take on the story is more enjoyable than this as it felt believable with the response portrayed with more respect then the Macy's adaptation

the 2009 Macy's adaptation (of which saddens me that this rubbish made the Bill Melendez special fell into obscurity) is bad

Key points 1. It's dated Commercial for Macy's: When the (now obsolete/no longer used) Believeometer is a plot device of the special more so than Virginia's faith in Santa's existence and her letter to Mr. Church, You know we got problems

2. It's a Lifetime Film for Kids: Virginia through the special suffers misery as she's been tormented for her belief in Santa Her friend believe some stuck up little bitch and turn their back on her, same bitch mock her when she sees her letter trashed by Mr. Church - all that to the point of Virginia brought to the point of depression and all it took was a hobo in a Santa suit to restore her faith in Santa by confronting Church and motivate him to make that response

Again, Why this rubbish stuck around and the more enjoyable one ("Yes Virginia, There Is A Santa Claus") fell into obscurity as well as Dollar Store DVD fodder is beyond me

If you like this, To each his own but honestly, If you want your kids to know the legacy of "Yes, Virginia" and the moral it brings - You're better off hunting down Bill Melendez's "Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus"