Mary Christmas

This is another feel-good Christmas movie that is made for TV, where nine year old Felice (Jenna Boyd) writes a letter to Santa Claus asking for a mommy. Her father is widower Joel Wallace (John Schneider) who is a workaholic and lets reporter Mary Maloney (Cynthia Gibb) get the scoop of Felice's story inside their home. She soon learns that miracles can happen.

Schneider and Gibb make a great duo and had great on-screen chemistry. Much of the acting was spot-on and the story was mostly entertaining, if a bit too slow at times. But, there is a nice plot twist to the story.

It's another nice movie for Christmas time, providing you with some good, clean entertainment and with some heartfelt moments that will make you feel good.

Grade B

Excellent acting by John Schneider (Dukes of Hazard County & Smallville), Cynthia Gibb, and nine year old Jenna Boyd, who played Schneider's nine year old daughter, Felice Wallace, who wrote a letter to Santa Claus asking for a mommy. The letter ended up on the desk of Gibb's Mary Maloney, a TV reporter who was goaded into filming Felice and her family's Christmas. Tom Bosley did an excellent portrayal of a mysterious temporary governor, i.e., a male nanny, for Felice. Renee Ridgeley of "The Young And The Restless," portrayed the woman in Schneider's life whom Felice felt was intrusive in their relationship. My wife and I were spellbound watching this movie with a heart. This movie crosses age groups and I would recommend it to anyone wanting good clean entertainment. This review was of the November 26, 2005 showing recorded from PAX television and viewed several days later.

Wasn't expecting much, but this TV movie presses all the buttons for a great Christmas movie With a really good cast and a wonderful Dickensian plot this has that X factor that so many movies miss. Gives you a warm glow. Very soppy but very enjoyable from a 50 year old bloke.

This is the best Christmas movie I've seen for many years; Best since "The Christmas List".

I thought all four of the principal actors demonstrated great personalities consistent with their characters and the storyline. Situational dialog between all character was great; and included many enjoyable scenes of Christmas spirit, sentiment, and humor.

I'd strongly recommend viewing of "Mary Christmas" to become an annual holiday season tradition for everyone; especially busy and lonely people, plus families large, small, or fragmented. It will remind them of hopes (past and present), and brighten their spirits (present and future).

Toastmaster Joe

While it may seem that this film is just another version of Miracle on 39th St, it adds so much more. The writer drops hints that you probably wont pick up on until the very last.I enjoyed the somewhat suspenseful story line. I thought I had it all figured out until the last scene. And it was definitely worth waiting for the final scene. All of the actors do a splendid job. I was impressed at the natural air of the production. By that I mean all of the actors, even those not in the forefront of a particular scene gave the impression that this was a real story happening right then. John Schneider and Cynthia Gibb do a superb job in portraying their characters. And Tom Bosley carries his character's suspense right to the very end.

It is just a great film. I may wear my copy out and have to buy a new one. I believe this will be a modern classic, with the likes of "A Wonderful Life" and Miracle on 39th Street. I have shown the film to several people because I want to hear and see their reaction at the end. So far reactions have been fairly consistent with a surprised "Oh!" For anyone who wants to see something great happen to someone else they can experience just that with "Mary Christmas".