J.T.

I first saw J.T. in the late 60's or early 70's on a show possibly called "CBS Children's Television Workshop". It was on Saturday mornings about noon after the cartoons were over. It was aired sporadically after that around Christmas in the mid 70's. It isn't a Christmas movie per say but the plot is set around the time of Christmas. Before I got a computer I had no luck finding J.T. anywhere. After I got one I still had no luck until I, like so few others, got wind of a store in NYC called Carousel books and films. I contacted them by phone and their asking price was really too high for a person on a budget. I waited and hoped that someday I'd come across somebody with a copy or a copy of a copy on Ebay. Two weeks ago my wait was over! Last night I got to see J.T. for the first time in nearly 35 years, in color no less!!! When I saw it last my parents had not yet had a color TV so I saw it in black and white. A lot of the story I couldn't remember because I was only about 7 or 8 when I last saw it, I'm 43 now. I remembered the main points though, the little boy who lived with his mother, nursing a homeless cat back to health in an abandoned building before and after school, the tragedy that happens, the saddest moment on TV since the Martins forced Timmy to give up Lassie to move to Australia in "Timmy and Lassie", (both of these tug at the heart strings and bring a tear to the eye) and the 'turn around' happy ending. This isn't academy award winning by any standards but it is a descent heart warming story that kids and adults alike can enjoy. A rarity to find that kind of quality in shows made today. I will cherish my copy of J.T. and will proudly play it every Christmas time in my home. It is a shame that it is not picked up by some cable channel and at least shown around Christmas like it used to be or better yet, put out on VHS or DVD, maybe someday.

Absolutely loved this film! I haven't seen it in 30 years but still remember the feelings it provoked. I still remember "I want me this cat I found"! I wish they would show it on television again. Networks show so many horrid Christmas shows over and over again, but an excellent film such as this seems to have been forgotten. I am going to Contact Carrousel Films to see if they have the movie in DVD now. From what others have said it's not cheap - but it's worth a lot to me to see this masterpiece again. Thank you so much to those who found where to buy this move. I don't know many who have seen this film so I plan on sharing it with those close to me.

I saw this movie when I was 9 yrs old and to this day it is the saddest movie i have ever seen. I even remember crying when it was over, but I haven't seen it for 35 yrs. The movie made a lasting impression on me, especially since I myself just found a stray cat in a warehouse and nursed it back to health. I wish I could find a copy for my kids who are also cat lovers. It is a must see movie, whether you're an animal lover or not. If you ever have the chance to see this movie, do not pass it up. Its a great family movie, despite how old the movie is an I, personally, think it is one of the best "made for TV" movies ever. I would give this movie my highest rating. Once again, its an excellent film.

They showed this movie to us in school when I was 7 or 8 years old and it was just so sad. Having grown up in a rough part of Chicago I connected with the settings and characters in the film right away and this film has stayed with me for the last 38 years. The film pulls you back and forth between joy and sorrow. between anger and sympathy. It will pull at you heart only to be devastated at the climax of the story. Even the villains in the film seem to realize what they have done and they suddenly go from being characters to hate to just people playing their role in the urban jungle. There are some very valuable lessons to be learned from this film for people of all ages and I would recommend it to anyone.

"J.T" is a simple, hour-long story of a young boy living in a New York ghetto, but it tackles some weighty issues. Kevin Hooks is an amazing, natural actor; he feigns indifference to everything in his life, but in his eyes you see his true feelings when he mentions the sick and abandoned cat he has found. Ja'Net Dubois is also great as his worried, exhausted mother, who is firmly mired in poverty, despite working many hours at a store day after day. She sees her son sliding hopelessly downhill into a life of crime, when he comes home with a radio he's stolen. This stolen radio provides the catalyst for the heartache that follows. Theresa Merritt plays Mama Meley, who arrives from down south to visit her daughter and grandson for Christmas, and she's so warm and down-to-earth that her voice can sooth any ill. Merritt was a wonderful actress, and a very under-appreciated one; she gives this show a very real and loving center.

J.T. builds a paradise for the cat, when his mother won't let him bring the animal home; he creates an oasis of comfort for his pet in an abandoned tenement, showing that he still has a huge capacity for love despite his harsh surroundings. This is also a story of a mother's struggle to be independent and support herself and her son, and how such a life can blind her to the suffering her own child is enduring. There is a small subplot with a kind local grocer and his wife; he provides the wonderful surprise at the end of the story, and his actions show that ghetto life has not broken his optimism. He still has hope, and through his gift he gives hope to J.T. and his mother. She sees at last just how hard she's been on the boy and is ashamed.

Everyone who watches this will have tears in their eyes at some point, but that's okay because "J.T." is, in the end, an upbeat film that will make you feel good. It isn't shown on TV much; the last time was 1987 on CBS when they were still committed to showing programs that meant something to young people. If you can find it, don't pass it up; it's marvelous at Christmastime.