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.

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.

I never knew this old movie existed until it was recently remade. It sounded like a cute idea, but the new movie is by some guy who makes kinda Jesus-y movies so I went for this old TV movie instead, which contains the only non-MASH performance I've ever seen from Loretta Swit (who's quite good).

It's very cute. It's kind of weird to see what passed for "bad kids" back then, since nowadays ... well, we all know how insane things have gotten. So its nostalgic to see kids being bad in the old-school way.

It's a very sweet movie that's generally pretty funny and has some insight. I'd recommend it if you're looking for something to watch at Christmas.

Great fun and laughs for sure but on second watching of trailer noticed I believe some important underlying serious messages about the real meaning of Christmas.

The main meaning is that is the birth of Christ.

The next main message is that when He was on earth He normally chose the most unlikely people to achieve things for Him from a worldly point of view, and they each protested that they thought that He had made a mistake choosing them and told Him they were sure that they would let Him down and not achieve what he had asked them to to do.

However, as things turned out they each grew into the task He had given them and achieved the task at hand brilliantly.

I have always believed that you cannot judge a book by its cover and that each of us is able to do so much more than we recognize in ourselves at first.

Trailer whetted my appetite hugely for anticipated November 2024 release.

This movie was such so touching to my daughter (who was approx 5 when she saw the show) My Best friend has 4 daughters who then ranged in ages 11 down to twins 6 yrs old. This had to be one of the most touching movies for these girls to ever view on t.v. The girls today are in their 20's and most have children of their own now and they all still bring up this movie at Christmas asking if its on this year? each year their mother and myself search around for it, we have written tv guide, asked every video rental store, no such luck. This year we are on the "MISSION" once again. We need your help in telling us where to buy the movie... The movie Family was so real and even at the young age of our girls back then they still bring up the movie and want it on.. I feel they could really relate to the Family at that time and Mary's tears when holding Baby Jesus, or when the boys stole the ham.. just too funny .. please any info on this great movie? could it be on television this year? Thank you for your time

best wishes to you all rene