One Magic Christmas (1985)

Director:

Phillip Borsos

Writers:

Phillip Borsos (screen story)
Barry Healey (screen story)

Release Date:

22 November 1985 (USA)

Genre:

Family | Fantasy

Tagline:

Miracles do happen!

Plot:

An angel must show a mother the true meaning of Christmas. It's not just presents and materialistic things, but the people she cares about.

Plot Keywords:

Angel | Christmas | Supernatural | Charity | Child

Awards:

2 wins & 7 nominations

Cast

Mary Steenburgen	...	Ginny Hanks Grainger
Gary Basaraba	...	Jack Grainger
Harry Dean Stanton	...	Gideon
Arthur Hill	...	Caleb Grainger
Elisabeth Harnois	...	Abbie Grainger
Robbie Magwood	...	Cal Grainger
Michelle Meyrink	...	Betty
Elias Koteas	...	Eddie
Wayne Robson	...	Harry Dickens
Jan Rubes	...	Santa Claus
Sarah Polley	...	Molly Monaghan
Graham Jarvis	...	Frank Crump
Timothy Webber	...	Herbie Conklin
Joy Thompson	...	Mrs. Monaghan (as Joy Thompson-Allen)
John Friesen	...	Mr. Noonan

Also Known As:

Disney's One Magic Christmas (UK) (video box title)
Father Christmas (Canada: English title) (working title)
Un drôle de Noël (Canada: French title)

Runtime:

88 min

Country:

Canada | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (DeLuxe)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Australia:G | UK:U | USA:G

Filming Locations:

Collingwood, Ontario, Canada

Company:

Silver Screen Partners II

Quotes:

Abbie Grainger: My brother's never going to believe this.

Movie Connections:

References Gremlins (1984)

Excellent balance of darkness and redemption

Like "It's a Wonderful Life", this is a movie that avoids being overly sentimental by exposing real darkness in the protagonist before she gets the opportunity to miraculously gain a new perspective on herself and the people important in her life. Harry Dean Stanton is heartbreakingly genuine as the Gideon, the Cowboy Angel. As an old fan of John Byner as a comedian/impressionist, I was impressed that I didn't even recognize him in a dramatic character role until I saw the credits. The children's responses as tragedy unfolds are remarkable, simple, direct and real. As a fan of Mary Steenburgen, with a bit of a crush on her when I saw the movie, it was difficult to see her be so convincing as an initially unsympathetic character. This is a film with an edge, perhaps not for the faint of heart or skittish children, but it's the kind of movie I look forward to seeing again and love to introduce to friends.