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One Christmas was an autobiographical short story written by Truman Capote. Buddy, in the story, is Capote. Capote's father was actually a scam artist who spent time in prison. This story along with "A Christmas Memory" and "The Thanksgiving Visitor" make a wonderful trilogy. This movie doesn't do justice to Capote's beautiful, bittersweet prose, but might be worth seeing if you are a big fan of Capote (like I am) or of Katherine Hepburn, as this was one of her last appearances. Also, the wonderful Julie Harris plays Sook, who is the heart and soul of the movie (and the stories mentioned above.) However, if you are looking for a "happy, happy, joy, joy" Christmas movie - you should probably skip this one.

Some of Truman Capote's childhood memories are the basis for One Christmas in which a film legend took her final curtain call.

Young T.J. Lowther all of 10 years old has been living in the custody of his aunt Julie Harris in rural Alabama. Harris is a kind and loving, but way too overprotective of the lad.

But one holiday season during the Great Depression the boy gets a chance to spend some time with his father Henry Winkler. Winkler is a self described promoter and entrepreneur, but is actually just a conman who lives high on the hog on other people's money. That's a profession that had even less respectability during the Depression. He's busy trying to promote an air race, and not an honest one.

The boy's very naiveté has an effect on Winkler and all around him, including the women and its women he usually is trying to fleece. He goes after them young and old with the vigor and zest of Zero Mostel as Max Bialystock from The Producers. One of them is Swoosie Kurtz who falls for Winkler and even her formidable dowager aunt Katharine Hepburn is affected by him.

Winkler and Kurtz are the stars, but as befitting a film legend, first billing goes to Katharine Hepburn. We barely see any of Hepburn in the first 2/3 of the movie. It's only in the last third when she nearly runs a runaway Lowther down and brings him to her home to explain some of the facts of life to him. No, not those facts of life. Poor Kate was really showing the tremors of Parkinson's Disease, but trooper that she was made it through the film. It was a nice farewell performance.

I wonder what memories young Mr. Lowther now approaching 30 has of working with two acting legends, Katharine Hepburn and Julie Harris. One Christmas isn't all warm and fuzzy like Miracle On 34th Street or A Wonderful Life. Still it's a more realistic type of coming of age at Christmas story in which the whole cast acquits themselves well.

One Christmas (1994)

** (out of 4)

Made-for-TV adaptation of Truman Capote's short story about an 8-year-old boy (T.J. Lowther) who goes to New Orleans to stay with his estranged father (Henry Winkler). Soon the boy starts to realize that his dad is a con man and his ideas of what life is all about are changed. I'm not familiar with the short story that this here is based on so I really can't comment on how good or bad it is but it certainly didn't make for a very good movie. The movie really made me think of a story that might have had a major impact on Capote as a child but it's just important to him and there's nothing really in the story that is going to connect with everyone. From what I've read, the boy in this film is based on Capote's own experiences and I can see how this story might have played a major role in his life but to me there just wasn't much going on here. I found the various situations to be rather boring and never thought they really added up to much. We've basically got a child whose been told lies all his life and now he's having to face the truth and it's something he doesn't like. The con man father isn't much better because it's simply a role we've seen too many times before and nothing new is done with it here. There are a few good moments in the film including the ending but there's not enough to keep it entertaining throughout. I thought the performances were quite good with both Winkler and Lowther doing nice work and having a strong chemistry together. The one thing this film will be remembered for is featuring the final performance of screen legend Katharine Hepburn. She's not given too much to do but she gets a couple good scenes and it's certainly great seeing her. Those wishing to see Hepburn in her final role are going to be about the only ones who will want to sit through this as overall the film just never really adds up to much.

The only reason I give this 6 stars is because of Katharine Hepburn. This just happened to be her final film role and I still can't figure out why she'd choose this as an end to her glorious career. She is the only reason I saw this movie and after viewing it, I can't say there was anything I enjoyed about this film other than her presence, even though her scenes took up less than 10 minutes of screen time. She is visibly frail in this movie, with her head shaking so severely, I though it was going to fall off any second. There were some good performances by Swoosie Kurtz and Henry Winkler but everything else about this movie "stinks". I just didn't connect with any of the characters due to their underdevelopment and the movie doesn't feel like it takes place in the 1930's, but then again I suppose the budget of this TV movie wouldn't allow that. Like I said before, I'd only recommend this to Hepburn fans, but anyone else shouldn't bother.

This is the story of Buddy (T.J. Lowther), an 8-year old boy who leaves Alabama to go live with his father (Henry Winkler) in New Orleans, and has a terrible time while he is there.

So, we have Katharine Hepburn in her final performance (and looking like she could die at any moment) and a brief appearance from the almost-as-legendary Julie Harris... seems like this should be a classic of some sort, but it never quite makes it.

I want to give credit to Henry Winkler. While he may not be known as a serious actor (he is stuck being branded as the Fonz), he went all out here. He had a wide range from loving father, to con man, to angry and misunderstood outsider. Is he ever truly likable? Maybe not, but that just means Winkler nailed the role, I think.

Some reviewers have said that they could not get into the film because Buddy was a whiny brat, and I think there is some truth to that. While his father seems to be at the heart of the story (and we wonder if he can change), the narrative follows Buddy. And, frankly, he really is not that great of a character. We can feel bad for him to a point because his mother is gone (either in New York or in a sanitarium, depending on whom you believe) and his father is a scam artist. But he seems demanding and ungrateful too often, and how can we love that?

Based on Truman Capote's autobiographical short story, a young boy, T.J. Lowther, spends Christmas with his father in New Orleans. He and his dad, Henry Winkler, don't get along, and they haven't seen each other in a long time. Repairing the bonds of father-son-hood isn't going to be easy, even over the holiday season.

While the majority of the film is about father-son bond, there are some secondary plot points. Henry tries romancing Swoosie Kurtz, but since he's a conman, he's not exactly trustworthy. And Swoosie's aunt, Katharine Hepburn, adds a bit of class to the movie and helps everyone get a little more out of life. If you absolutely love Kate, you might be a bit conflicted about seeing this movie. It was her final film, so if you'll be upset seeing her looking old and frail, you might want to stick to On Golden Pond instead. But if that won't bother you, and you like a bit of sappy family drama at Christmastime—who doesn't?—you can rent One Christmas. Don't expect too much from it, though; I prefer watching Little Women during the holidays instead.

I'm not sure how some others arrived at a negative conclusion after seeing this movie. I checked it out from the library,having found out it was the last thing Hepburn ever did on film. Hepburn is basically by this time playing herself (and except for her most extreme movie roles) I think she always had to some extent.

Her charm in the movie is simple and easy. Hers is really not the main role in the movie,that would be Buddy and his father. (Played by my favorite actor Henry Winkler.) While his character is obviously not aware that his best efforts in being Buddy's dad are only hurting him more,he is really just a man trying to re-connect with his boy.

Buddy is not a brat but a child filled with hurt and confusion. (With a dad like he has,that is crooked and an embarrassment before the town it's no wonder! ...but all becomes rectified by the end I wont say how). It is after all,a holiday film. One watch is all it took to make me want to see it again....at Christmas.

(Interesting to note: Kate's first movie "A Bill Of Divorcement" & last movie "One Christmas" both take place at Christmas.

You would imagine that for a story like this, the wheel has already been invented, there is a tried-and-true formula to follow. You take a flim-flan salesman, played by Winkler, and have a little 8-year-old come into his life. The little 8-year old's wide-eyed innocence and charm helps the conman become a better more honest person. And maybe the 8-year-old learns a thing or two along the way as well. If it's not broke don't fix it. Now, for this made for TV movie, it feels like they tried to over complicate things. Characters' motivations and changes are not made clear. By the end of the movie, I can imagine the characters just going back to what they've done before with no changes or lessons learned. Did I learn a lesson? Yes. Just because Henry Winkler and Katherine Hepburn are in a movie doesn't mean it is going to be good.

BEWARE OF FALSE REVIEWS & REVIEWERS. SOME REVIEWERS HAVE ONLY ONE REVIEW TO THEIR NAME. NOW WHEN ITS A POSITIVE REVIEW THAT TELLS ME THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE MOVIE. IF ITS A NEGATIVE REVIEW THEN THEY MIGHT HAVE A GRUDGE AGAINST THE FILM . NOW I HAVE REVIEWED OVER 200 HOLIDAY FILMS. I HAVE NO AGENDA. I AM HONEST

This film is wonderful. I can not find enough great things things to say about it. Its a very special film!

One thing this film does is that it shows that its "life's little moments that count the most".

Now in this film A young man is sent to visit his estranged father for Christmas in 1930 in New Orleans which is played by Henry Winkler! The boy however is wiser then his father and more compassionate then most adults will ever be.

The great Katherine Hepburn gives a performance that proves her iconic status. Swoosie Kurtz co-stars and gives a performance that at the end makes you want to reach through the screen give her a huge hug.

There are many holiday theme movies but this is one of the best!

While Henry Winkler and Swoosie Kurtz might be the top-billed stars, what truly makes One Christmas special is its ensemble cast, bringing together Katharine Hepburn (who won several awards for her performance), T. J. Lowther, and Tony Bill in a Truman Capote adaptation.

Despite being a made-for-TV movie, One Christmas holds a unique place among Christmas films, a status it rightfully maintains to this day. Based on a short story published in 1983, the 1994 TV movie adaptation still sparks questions about its autobiographical nature.

The story follows an 8-year-old boy from Alabama who travels to New Orleans to mend his broken relationship with his estranged father. Unlike his father, who's into baseball and American football, the young boy prefers baking cakes. While not a complete retelling, the story draws heavily from Truman Capote's own life.

The film's dialogue is peppered with Southern charm, particularly evident in the young boy's character. This adds authenticity to the setting and the characters, making them feel more relatable and genuine.

Capote's presence is felt throughout the film, not just in the story but also in the overall tone and atmosphere. There's a sense of nostalgia and bittersweetness that permeates the narrative, capturing the essence of Capote's writing.

T. J. Lowther delivers a remarkable performance as the young boy, capturing his innocence, vulnerability, and resilience. He carries the film on his shoulders, making him the heart and soul of the story.

One Christmas is a must-watch for fans of Truman Capote, offering a glimpse into his childhood and the relationships that shaped him. It's a heartwarming and poignant story about family, love, and the power of memory.

Overall, One Christmas is a heartwarming and nostalgic Christmas film that stands out for its Southern charm, Truman Capote's touch, and T. J. Lowther's stellar performance. It's a must-watch for fans of Capote and anyone seeking a heartwarming holiday story.

I mostly hate x-mas season on TV, 'cause there are thousands of ridiculous movies about it. However, this is an exception: it's intelligently made, with good performances (Katharine Hepburn, want more?) and, although it handles feelings and sensibility (just like a Christmas story), it gets away from common places and cliches. Don't miss it next x-mas!

This is such a cute film! It's a great Christmas movie and really cheer you up! I was surprised at Winkler's performance actually! I also was surprised that Hepburn only had 3 or 4 scenes, what she did have was adorable! She was practically just playing herself! Great, cute, family film!

An important snapshot into these lives, demonstrating that people have an effect upon each other which help shape us, and who we are really does matter to others.

The characters say it themselves. The father character made bad choices, finding himself disenchanted, pursuant of dreams he couldn't make happen, and slipped into quite a derogatory role in life. This is how easy a well-meaning person can find themselves in a bad place, where the surreal becomes the ordinary. Thank goodness he wants to be at a respectable level and that he keeps a stiff upper lip, realizes he has to stop making excuses for not being the person he would rather be, and that he has the energy to follow through with what he realizes is what he really wants... one decision at a time. Thank goodness he is surrounded by good people. Lets hope he sticks with it. I would hope he would work now to right some of the wrongs he has caused, to repair his reputation and respect with those people who see the good in him and who have been silent about his recklessness, his lack of respect. I wondered how in the world he was affording a house keeper. ~spoiler alert

The other main characters were adorable. Each with their own shade of true-hearted. I did really like the way the conversation went between father's love interest and her aunt, and subsequently, with the father. A woman expected to take the responsibility for her own happiness in those days, rather than depending on another person to bring it to her, and her thoughtful and honest delivery of her decision. Of course, despite the brevity, Katharine Hepburn plays a strong and adorable role.

Truman Capote's story rises above some mediocre acting. I love his writing so I watched this. I didn't enjoy it as much as his Thanksgiving story, but it had its moments.

I felt Winkler was badly cast. He seems like a New Yorker among Southerners, not sure if this was on purpose. Katherine Hepburn is fine despite her failing health.

The boy was not a brat, as some reviewers have said. He is a troubled boy who Misses his mother and wants to know where she is. Sadly, his father does not tell him the truth, and this causes him to wish to be back with his aunt.

Julie Harris is wonderful as his aunt.

All in all, it's worth watching if you can overlook some of the performances.

I can't really enjoy a film if I do not care for the main character. This one is a bratty little kid named Buddy who gets sent to live with his father during the Depression-era Christmas season. Buddy had previously been living with some older-by-about-60-years cousin(the only character I kind of liked) due to the fact that his father is basically a scheming criminal. The father(Henry Winkler) pretends to be some great success for Buddy, but Buddy doesn't really buy it and neither does the rest of the town, which looks down on the dad. Although the father makes an enormous effort with Buddy, Buddy the monster never really accepts his father or his new living situation. This means Buddy yells, complains and has outbursts similar to annoying Kevin Arnold's at the end of a Wonder Years episode. Instead of people yelling at Buddy and teaching him to appreciate his life, constant praise is heaped upon him and it is clear that Buddy is supposed to be some wonderful, charming child. I didn't buy it and did not appreciate being subjected to the little brat! (for the record, the rest of the film is disinteresting, slow-moving and not worth investing one's time in)