The Man Who Saved Christmas

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).

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.

What a pleasant surprise this movie was. Those of you used to seeing Jason Alexander as George Costanza will be amzed by the totally different character he plays here. Unlike the selfish neurotic he is known for, Alexander plays Gilbert as a wonderful boss, marketing genius, and CEO with a conscience.

If anything the movie does not go into enough detail about this amazing man. AC Gilbert was a Olympic gold medal pole vaulter (nope I wouldn;t have bought Alexander in any scenes from the Olympics), Harvard cum laude med student as well as a toy maker. The Erector set was considered "The Greatest Toy Ever". It was only the first of many toys that Gilbert invented.

The movie's story is simple but touching. Man invents toy, becomes a success. He is asked to put aside his toymaking to support the war effort. The movie is very fair in presenting this issue. The Gov't types who ask Gilbert to support the war effort did not do it to rob kids of Xmas. The US got into WW1 quite suddenly and was behind the eight ball is producing supplies to support the troops. Asking factories already in production for other goods to reconfigure was teh quickest was to do it. Gilbert is forced to chose between doing what he loves and supporting his country in time of need. He does so with a heavy heart and is equally successful as an arms maker. However, the horrors of war and it's impact on one his staff as well as his own family makes him re-think his decision. How he comes around to the man of the title of the movie probably didn't really happen that way in real life, but it makes for a touching story anyway.

At a time now when many of us are torn between supporting a war overseas as opposed to enjoying the comforts of home, this moview is especially timely. I taped it for my family and it will be a moview we will enjoy during the holidays for years to come.

That God we didn't see Jerry or Kramer as a couple of Gilbert's toy makers...

10 out of 10

"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.

A very charming feel-good seasonal tale of a man with strong dreams and expectations. Jason Alexander plays Erector Set inventor, A.C. Gilbert, who is asked by the Government to urge citizens to cancel Christmas during the first world war and buy bonds instead of toys. Gilbert turns his toy manufacturing plant in a war supply plant making gas masks, bomb casings, chemical suits and bayonets among other things. Gilbert has a change of heart and goes with his deepest and long fostered dreams. He goes before the nation's Defense Counsel and gets permission to go back to making his toys. The toy maker still kept manufacturing war supplies, but also turned his own home into a producing center for more Erector Sets. After the war, Gilbert continued manufacturing Erector Sets, Chemistry Sets , Magician Trick Sets, trains and other toys for over forty years.

Alexander is outstanding in this role and light-years away from his obnoxious role on TVs "Seinfeld". Also in the cast are Kelly Rowan, Ari Cohen, Ed Asner and Jake Brockman. Entertaining for all ages.