The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Many people have been involved in a church Christmas pageant at one time or another, so there was bound to be a story like this. Take a typical middle-class family (the Bradleys) involved in a typical middle-class church Christmas pageant, a little uptight and steeped in tradition, and throw in some lower-class ruffian kids (the Herdmans) who take starring roles. This movie is a little different from the novel The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, but that should be okay, because Barbara Robinson wrote them both. It seems like the book did say that the narrator figured that the Herdmans were going to hell, while the movie has her say she figured they were going to the devil. I suppose "devil" was supposed to be less offensive than "hell," but I'd rather have the narrator say "hell" like in the novel. Loretta Swit from M*A*S*H plays the mother directing the pageant. You might think this would be an unlikely role for her, but she does a good job.

This movie is so great on so many levels! One moment you are touched and the next you are rolling on the floor laughing! I think what makes this movie so enjoyable is the fact that we can all identify with it! We all have gotten roped into volunteering when we don't want to and we all know a family just like the Hermans! Watch it!!!!

BEWARE OF FALSE REVIEWS & REVIEWERS. SOME REVIEWERS HAVE ONLY ONE REVIEW TO THEIR NAME. NOW WHEN ITS A POSITIVE REVIEW THAT TELLS ME THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE MOVIE. IF ITS A NEGATIVE REVIEW THEN THEY MIGHT HAVE A GRUDGE AGAINST THE FILM . NOW I HAVE REVIEWED OVER 200 HOLIDAY FILMS. I HAVE NO AGENDA.

In this film you meet There the nastiest, dirtiest kids you could ever meet and they've just decided to be in this year's pageant. But the town thinks they belong in the care of the local police. When the curtain finally goes up, a miracle begins.

What is great about this film is that it shows that all of us judge others. It does not however preach that. I love the fact that it shows that "All of us are born with certain cards" and "That you play the hand you were dealt".

Nice family Safe Film.

I never thought any tv movie could do justice to the classic novel on which this Christmas special is based. But this flick succeeds brilliantly. All the classic lines & situations from the book are here, along with some added surprises. (The ham, and the surprise visitor at the pageant!) The Herdmans are exactly how I pictured them, and their "house" is completely realistic as well- love the factories in the background! The supporting characters (especially Charlie, Alice Wendelken, and (I think his name is) Hobie Carmichael), are all perfectly cast. And the message of the book is perfectly preserved-- there's a pretty amazing moment with the young actress who plays Imogene Herdman, when she's looking at a picture of Mary & Jesus and starts to cry. For anyone who hasn't read the book (which is a masterpiece & one of the most hilarious books I've ever read), I at least recommend you getting a hold of this movie. It will help you remember the "true" meaning of Christmas.

Such a wonderful story it's a shame that it isn't being aired anymore. Why not? I was a teacher's assistant in an elementary library for several years and I know many teachers keep this story alive, I don't know why the networks haven't.