The Man Who Saved Christmas

I caught The Man Who Saved Christmas in the wee hours of this Christmas on Book Television, and I have got to say, it become a favorite of mine. I am planning on ordering the DVD and adding it to my collection of my other holiday classics.

Outside of his voice acting in the "Aladdin" series and sequels, I've never been a big fan of Jason Alexander's work. That was, however, before I saw this movie. His performance as A. C. Gilbert was believable and touching, as was the other aspects of the movie.

While "The Man Who Saved Christmas" is a Christmas movie, it is one that I believe can be viewed at any time of the year. It gives one hope during a difficult time.

In the early 1900's, A.C. Gilbert (Jason Alexander) is the son of a wealthy businessman, Charles (Ed Asner). Although the younger Mr. Gilbert went to medical school, he has never gone into practice. Instead, A.C. invented the Erector Set and is trying to get it onto the toy shelves of the country. Helping him is his younger brother, Frank (Ari Cohen) and offering strong support is his wife, Mary (Kelly Rowan). This is in opposition to Charles' views, for he thinks the venture is certain to fail. After celebrating the birth of his son, A.C. finds creative ways to market the toy and does become successful. Flash forward seven years. Now, A.C.'s factory is humming along and he offers daycare to his workers, along with other benefits. But, alas, The Great War has broken out and the Gilberts placid life is about to change. First, Frank is drafted and the whole family prays for his return. Then, A.C. is startled to be summoned to the White House, where top officials ask him to convert the toy factory into a weapons manufacturing company for the duration of the war. "No" is really not an option, for fear of being labeled unpatriotic so the switch is made. After another passage of time, the war is still raging and Frank is missing in action. Now, government officials ask A.C. to be their spokesman for a campaign to avoid "toy giving" for the coming holidays and buy war bonds instead. With a young son himself, who looks forward to Christmas like any other child, what will A.C. do this time? This is quite a lovely film for the family, although very young children would find it harder to appreciate. The story is a heart-grabbing, character-building winner, based on actual events and people. The cast is very fine, with Alexander doing a wonderful job in the primary role and Rowan, Asner, Cohen, and all of the others complimenting him nicely. Also, the sets, costumes, photography, script and direction are quite admirable as well. I bought his lovely film in a "one dollar" bargain bin and it included a musical CD of Christmas songs. So, yes, the price was right but this is a film to savor, worth much more than a buck. Lucky me and anyone who sits down for a view.

Just before World War I, A. C. Gilbert (nicely played by Jason Alexander) and his brother are struggling to make a success of their toy business. The store where they are trying to sell erector sets wants to replace them with more popular items. The brothers must show how much fun their erector sets are, and the toys become a big success. The father of the two brothers (a gruff Ed Asner) wishes the sons were doing something worthwhile, especially since A. C. has a medical degree. Eventually, the war gives the brothers a chance to make a real difference. Several government officials, including a pre-polio Franklin Roosevelt, convince A. C. to convert his factory to a munitions plant. He agrees, which pleases his father. The brother gets drafted and eventually is reported missing in action. Later, the government convinces A. C. to lead a movement asking children to give up their toys--and their Christmas. He does so reluctantly. Later, A. C. wonders if he did the right thing. It's a nice story, with the unpleasantness of war (one of his workers loses a son, for example).

"The Man Who Saved Christmas" would probably fail the historical accuracy test on any number of points -- casting roly-poly Jason Alexander as the former Olympic athlete A.C. Gilbert, for example; or the fact that A.C. jr., who features prominently in the film's storyline, wasn't even born until almost a year after World War I ended -- and so, if historical accuracy is your main criterion in judging a film, skip this one.

If, however, you're after warmth with intelligence, or a dose of sweetness that is neither sappy nor cloying, with perhaps a few telling insights into human nature thrown in for good measure, I suggest taking a look at this one. Jason Alexander crafts an amazing character, balancing childlike innocence against shrewd business savvy as his A.C. Gilbert struggles in his decency to do the right thing. First, however, he has to determine for himself just what is, ultimately, that "right thing," blind, unquestioning patriotic adherence to what the government wants out of him, or to look within himself as well and to follow the voicings of his own conscience? And, if so, then how to reconcile the two?

It's a particular strength of this film that there are no clear-cut "bad guys," per se. Even the senior Gilbert's seemingly hardheaded Scrooginess (under Ed Asner's stewardship) is tempered by an affection that doesn't come off as forced; but then, neither does the man's various changes of heart as he's forced to reconcile his own attitudes with those of his sons.

The real-life A.C. Gilbert is said to have trusted in the intelligence of the children to whom he marketed his science/technology-oriented toys. The same can be said for the producers of "The Man Who Saved Christmas" and their attitude toward their audience.

I taped this movie when it first came out and have watched it every year since. I was about to put it in tonight while wrapping gifts and realized, the tape is wearing out and just ordered it on DVD. It should be a yearly classic.

I'm not a fan of Jason Alexander, from Seinfeld but I have to give him credit. He did very well in this movie, I was so surprised. This is a true story.

It is a very well thought out movie, it has heart and I highly recommend it. watch it with an open mind.

Kelly Rowan and Ed Asner did very well.