The Man Who Saved Christmas
| The Man Who Saved Christmas | |
|---|---|
| Written by | Joseph Maurer |
| Directed by | Sturla Gunnarsson |
| Starring |
Jason Alexander Kelly Rowan Ari Cohen Edward Asner |
| Theme music composer | Jonathan Goldsmith |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) | Randi Richmond |
| Cinematography | Paul Sarossy |
| Running time | 100 minutes |
| Release | |
| Original release |
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The Man Who Saved Christmas is a film based on the true story about the efforts of toymaker Alfred Carlton Gilbert (portrayed by Jason Alexander) of the A. C. Gilbert Company to continue making toys during World War I. First broadcast on CBS television in 2002, it was released on DVD and Blu-ray in 2008, by Echo Bridge Home Entertainment in the US.
Plot
The movie revolves around A.C. Gilbert, his family and toy factory. The film is set during the First World War. Gilbert, a successful toymaker, is requested by the government to re-tool his factory to help produce goods for the war effort. Gilbert initially agrees to this, but comes to regret his decision. The movie also deals with Gilbert's relationship with his father (Edward Asner) and his son (Jake Brockman).
Things get the better of Gilbert as he learns that his brother (Ari Cohen) has been declared missing in action in the war. This and other factors cause Gilbert to confront the government over plans to encourage people not to celebrate Christmas in order to save resources for the war effort. Gilbert successfully lobbies the government to allow him (and other toy manufacturers) to resume the production of toys for Christmas. Thus earning him the name The man who saved Christmas.
In the final scene Gilbert's brother returns from the war in time to celebrate Christmas.
The film contains numerous errors and omissions: AC Junior is portrayed as an only child yet, in real life, he had two older sisters, Charlotte and Lucretia. Moreover, AC Junior wasn't even born when this film was set.[1]
The erector sets used in the film were the later, smaller versions not made until 1924 and not the original, larger pieces made from 1913 - 1923.[2]
Cast
- Jason Alexander as Alfred Gilbert
- Ari Cohen as Frank Gilbert
- Kelly Rowan as Mary Gilbert
- Edward Asner as Gilbert Senior
- Jake Brockman as Al Gilbert, Jr.
- C. David Johnson as Sam Ryder
- Jayne Eastwood as Mrs. Gilbert
References
Location
The Gilbert family home was shot in Spadina House, located next to Casa Loma in Toronto with the Distillery District used for external locations.