A Holiday Spectacular

Although overall I enjoyed this movie, once again, Hallmark sacrifices reality for inclusivity. The movie takes place in 1958.

Over all, most of the acting was pretty good. I thought the lead actress is quite talented. As usual, the movie is pretty people wearing pretty clothes, and going to pretty places.

My biggest quibble is that one of the Rockettes is a Black woman who says she has been with the troupe for 10 years. The first African-American Rockette wasn't actually hired until 1988. I realize Hallmark is not the History Channel, but they are trying too hard to "be all things to all people".

In 1977, my wife and I had our first trip to Las Vegas. I can't remember the casino, but I think it may have been seizures. Ann Margaret was performing. We ordered two tickets, and then got to the show only a few minutes before it was supposed to start. We were guided down to the very front, and sat at a table right in front of the stage. So we got to watch Ann Margaret up close and personal. She is a singular talent and it was a pleasure to watch her in this movie.

The chemistry of the two main characters was terrific and believable. And watching the Rockettes was fun. I don't think enough people understand how incredibly talented these women are. The competition for each spot is intense. Loved it.

Going for a period piece like this breaks the mold of the average Hallmark Christmas romance, but they still couldn't QUITE get away from the normal tropes. Both the romantic leads needed to "follow their dream". There was the typical split from the rich boyfriend for true love, and the always present crisis with the new boyfriend to be wrapped up in the last seven minutes.

Still, it was wonderful to see Ann-Margret. One never knows when she'll stop accepting roles, and she came off a LOT better here than Marlo Thomas did in her appearance a few weeks ago.

The Rockettes looked great. As others have mentioned, the Rockettes didn't integrate until 1988, and to this day only have two black dancers on the team. I'll give them a minor break in that they had to show the real Rockettes in the performance scenes, and they weren't going to ask two members to sit it out, so they kind of needed to show them in the acting scenes, or that would have stuck out.

My wife was more impressed with the movie than I, sort of a surprise with all those great looking women (and legs!) on display. :-)

She puts it in the "Watch again" category, while I put it in the "Glad I saw it but that's it category". :-)

I admitt, I was seduced by this very special, some different Hallmark movie. The first, great, precious and rare virtue is the atmosphere, admirable crafted, from costumes to the dialogue . Second, no doubts, the frame, a venerable lady telling her first steps in dance career to her granddaughter. Not the last, the beautiful acting, offering a sort of innocence of a generation not far by post war idealism , the dreams coming true, the relation with family and the honesty to themselves. And Ginna Marie Mason, like.derek Klena are perfects in their roles.

The accuracy ? Is it real - real important in this case , the story , touching at whole being more significant, for me, than a pledge agains racism ?

Hallmark hit the mark again with this holiday movie. A much different story line than the usual Hallmark plot. Focusing on the Rockettes really was a nice change while still developing the relationship between the two lead actors. Both Ginna and Derek were excellent in the movie as were the supporting actors. It was great to see Ann-Margaret, who one could actually believe, was a Rockette! She really looks great. Adding in Eve Plumb from the Brady Bunch was another nice touch. Carolyn McCormick as Maggie's mother was wonderful as well.

Personally, I remember as a child in the '50's seeing the Christmas Spectacular and the Rockettes at Radio City. I know some reviewers pointed out some historical inaccuracies, which you can do in most Hallmark movies that take place in the path, but that didn't detract from this wonderful movie. Hallmark has had some winners this season. Three Wise Men and a Baby, Time for Him to Come Home for Christmas and Ghosts of Christmas Always come to mind. I'll add this movie to my list!