Christmas Eve

When I was stationed in Belgium my sister-in-law recorded this excellent movie from the TV for us. Along with those stationed with us who watched this movie will agree it is one of the best Christmas movies ever produced for television. This will be a gift that will be remembered Christmas after Christmas. Enchanting as she was, Loretta Young brought the character of Mrs. Amanda Kinglsey to life. Her caring not only for her family, but those around her is a movie that will mist the eyes as she rescues a homeless street lady from dying in a county hospital to be rewarded with a private room and flowers to make her feel she was somebody. I can't believe of all the movies that have been re-released this one has not been re-released for DVD. If a vote counts there is one here in addition to my family of 30. This would be the greatest gift any distributor good give the American people to re-release this movie. If you've never seen a miracle at Christmas before, find and watch Christmas Eve. You'll find Christmas is about family and -- make you believe -- it is Christmas!!

Rich widow Loretta Young has learned she's dying and that it's only a matter of time. She wants to see her grown-up grandchildren, despite the fact that her son and them don't get along. Her son Arthur Hill is very selfish and mercenary, and is rather a cold fish when it comes to emotions. He lives and breathes money, status and more, more, and more. When Loretta wants to change her will, he's outraged. He says father wouldn't like it, but really that's just something to say. He isn't going to have it and his only recourse is to accuse her of not being of sound mind. That's a nice way to put it. By the way, another thing he doesn't like is her giving money to bums, cash, in person -not deductible. Meanwhile, she hired a p.i. to find her grandchildren, but it seems the wounds are too deep for them to consider coming home, even to see their grandmother. They are not told she is dying. This very fulfilling Christmastime TV-movie features one of Hollywood's most gracious, special, and beautiful actresses, Loretta Young; in fact I think she is even more beautiful here than in her earlier years and that's saying something. She adds much elegance to this rather predictable movie, but the performances by all actors are so genuine that we don't feel a false note or emotion from this tale. It all comes together very realistically and this has to be one of the best Christmas movies ever shown on TV. Maybe even better than The Gathering Part I. If you love Christmas movies and you love Loretta Young, you must find this right away. Unfortunately, that will be hard, since it hasn't been on TV since the late 1990s. I taped it then and that is why I have a copy now. I am hoping someday some way others will discover and enjoy this treasure!

Christmas movies are meant to be soft-hearted and this one certainly fits the bill but more important, it leaves you feeling uplifted. An elegant, philanthropic widow Amanda Kingsley (Loretta Young), who befriends the homeless and hands out cash, is pitted against her business tycoon son Andrew Kingsley (Arthur Hill), who wants to demolish a tenement and displace the residents to make way for a development.

Trevor Howard is Maitland, the dutiful butler, chauffeur and companion to Mrs. Kingsley. Ron Leibman is the private investigator Morris Huffner, who locates missing members of the family Mrs. Kingsley attempts to bring together for a Christmas reconciliation. The initial conflict is over the inheritance and putting money towards a shelter for the homeless in her neighbourhood. For her own family, her deepest wish is to heal the relationship between her son Andrew and his children.

Loretta Young is the epitome of mature elegance and gentility. Trevor Howard fits the bill as the rock solid butler she has come to lean on. Ron Liebman, as the private eye, is sceptical about Mrs. Kingsley's efforts but stays the course until the tearful finale. Very sentimental for sure but one of my favourite Christmas movies.

This is one of the best Christmas Movies ever and I am saddened but it hasn't been aired at least in my area of the country for some years. Very heartwarming and thought provoking. Does anyone know where I can get a copy? Stan

Loretta Young shows what a Golden Age movie star can do with a juicy role. Trevor Howard, Ron Liebman and Arthur Hill provide ample support. I think I like this film so much because it focuses on what the holidays are all about -- family. Loretta Young's character wants just one thing for Christmas -- to gather all her family around her. It's not easy because the family (like many families) has grown apart due to a rift between her son and his children. Young's unshakably belief that the family will reunite for Christmas drives the movie. Young is simply radiant in the role. Liebman is marvelous as the private detective she hires to find her grandchildren. Despite the conventional nature of the plot, the end is unexpectedly poignant.