The Man Who Saved Christmas (TV 2002)

A.C. Gilbert figures out a way to keep Christmas alive after the war threatens to take it away in his name.

Director:

Sturla Gunnarsson

Writers:

Joseph Maurer (teleplay), Debra Frank (teleplay),

Stars:

Jason Alexander, Kelly Rowan, Ari Cohen

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jason Alexander	...	A.C. Gilbert
Kelly Rowan	...	Mary
Ari Cohen	...	Frank Gilbert
C. David Johnson	...	Sam Ryder
Jayne Eastwood	...	Mrs. Gilbert
Daniel Kash	...	Hiram Harris
Jake Brockman	...	Al Jr.
Kenneth Welsh	...	Newton Baker
Edward Asner	...	Charles Gilbert
David Talbot	...	Ben
Jonathan Higgins	...	Franklin Roosevelt
Brad Borbridge	...	Guard
Bill Lake	...	Secretary Daniels
François Klanfer	...	Secretary MacAdoo
Craig Gardner	...	Admiral

Storyline

A.C. Gilbert figures out a way to keep Christmas alive after the war threatens to take it away in his name.

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Plot Keywords:

christmas | pregnant wife | meccano | world war one | pre world war one | 

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Taglines:

He couldn't stop the war, but he wouldn't let the war stop Christmas.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Family | War

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Details

Country:

USA Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 December 2002 (USA)

Also Known As:

O Homem Que Salvou o Natal

Filming Locations:

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alliance Atlantis Communications, Orly Adelson Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

In a scene set during the 1910s, the "A. C. Gilbert" logo on the truck door is printed in Aachen Medium, a font that was released in 1977.

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Quotes

Frank Gilbert: [after giving a Christmas gift to A.C. Gilbert] You don't know how hard it was finding you something you didn't invent!

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Soundtracks

"O Come, All Ye Faithful"
(uncredited)
Traditional

User Reviews

Enjoyable but sometimes unpleasant family movie

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).