Mr. Krueger's Christmas

Unlike so many stars James Stewart was careful and choosy with the material he did when he became a senior citizen. No slasher flicks, no self caricatures capitalizing on his image for Mr. Stewart. This film that Stewart did for the Church of Latter Day Saints is a perfect example of his good taste.

Jimmy Stewart is Willie Krueger, senior citizen and widower, who works as an apartment building janitor and lives alone except for his cat named George. With his wife dead and children scattered if any, Christmas is a lonely time for the elderly and particular this elderly. But he's a man content with the life he's led, it was a good if obscure one.

He still would like some human company though and in his imaginings he finds himself directing the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in their Christmas holiday show and then in the presence of the baby Jesus in a nativity scene. Viewers will find that a most moving scene as he thanks the Babe for his life and the faith that he had to sustain him.

Stewart's performance reminded me very much of Tyrone Power in The Long Gray Line. In that one Power aged almost fifty years and the scenes in that basement apartment reminded a lot of Power as an old man after the death of Maureen O'Hara. Of course Stewart did not need any aging makeup at this point in his career. I really believe that the folks at the LDS church who produced Mr. Krueger's Christmas were influenced by that John Ford classic.

Mr. Krueger's Christmas has become a minor holiday classic in the tradition of that most famous of Jimmy Stewart films, It's A Wonderful Life. It's a simple and profound story and a great tribute to that most beloved of American players.

This is an absolutely amazing short little film that really touches my heart every time I watch it. It reminds us all of the true meaning of Christmas, which is the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. It is a reminder to be kind and serve one another. This reminds us that we should seek to do good to all mankind and treat them with love and respect and help them feel loved. This is the true spirit of Christmas and is the reason for the season. I really think Jimmy Stewart did an amazing job of his portrayal of Mr Krueger. I really loved the scene of him in the manger telling the baby Jesus of his gratitude for all that he did for him. It is such an inspiring and heart warming scene. I would highly recommend this to all people

I have seen this movie every year for the past 25 years and I still get very emotional when I see it. It helps me and my family remember what the true meaning of Christmas is all about. My children really enjoyed it and they want to make it a tradition of watching this along with all of our other Christmas movies. Jimmy Stewart did such a good job in this movie. I could tell that he really liked directing the Choir and also how the choir responded to him. I remember reading in an article years ago, that Jimmy Stewart had always wanted to direct the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. He did a good job and you can see that by the way that the choir members responded to him. Thanks for a great movie.

Beautiful and touching Christmas story about Mr. Krueger (James Stewart), who loves Christmas but has no one to share it with. The moments of Krueger reaching out to strangers, looking for anything from a simple "Merry Christmas" returned to someone to drink hot chocolate with him, were very sad. I really felt bad for this guy. Throughout the story, he drifts off into daydreams. These are all wonderfully done segments. Particularly the final one, where he finds himself at the manger with baby Jesus. This is the most powerful scene, with Stewart delivering his lines with such authentic emotion, I couldn't help but get weepy. Jimmy Stewart really was a one-of-a-kind actor and a very special man, as well. After this, he would only do a couple of more projects and some voicework. So this really was his last great performance in a career full of them. It's a true holiday classic and I would encourage everyone to see it.

I watch this every year after I decorate my tree. It is a little tradition. It is one of the warmest moments of the Holidays for me. Jimmy Stewart was never more "real". The video is available from the "Mormons". I had recorded it off the TV and one of my former students who was a Mormon gave me a fresh copy one Christmas. Get it. It is touching and will help you to remember what Christmas is all about.