Yes Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus (1991)

Inspired by the famous 1897 editorial that has become a holiday staple, Yes Virginia, There Is A Santa Claus tells the story of young Virginia O'Hanlan.

Director:

Charles Jarrott

Writers:

Val De Crowl, Andrew J. Fenady

Stars:

Richard Thomas, Edward Asner, Charles Bronson

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Richard Thomas	...	James O'Hanlan
Edward Asner	...	Edward P. Mitchell
Charles Bronson	...	Francis Church
Massimo Bonetti	...	Donelli
Tamsin Kelsey	...	Evie O'Hanlan
Colleen Winton	...	Andrea Borland
John Novak
Katharine Isabelle	...	Virginia O'Hanlon (as Katherine Isobel)
Shawn Macdonald	...	Teddy O'Hanlan (as Shawn MacDonald)
Garry Chalk	...	Goss
Lillian Carlson	...	Mrs. Goldstein
Virginia Bagnato	...	Maria
John Kirkconnell	...	Sean O'Hanlan
Kerry Sandomirsky	...	Celeste
William Samples	...	Mr. Schuller

Storyline

While newspaper writer Church struggles with the death of his wife, he receives a "special" assignment. He must answer a little girl's question about whether Santa Claus really exists. Based on a true story.

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Plot Keywords:

girl | little girl | newspaper | santa claus | brother sister relationship | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

PG-13

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the movie, Yes Virginia, There Is A Santa Claus (1991), Charles Bronson plays a man struggling with the death of his beloved wife. In real life, he himself was in mourning, having lost his wife, Jill Ireland, the year before in 1990.

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Goofs

The real Francis P. Church only married after the publication of the "Yes, Virginia" letter in 1897, and had no children.

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Quotes

Mrs. Goldstein: As my dear dead Saul used to say, "It isn't a silver lining what makes the coat. It's the person wearing it."

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Connections

Referenced in Night Court: Party Girl: Part 1 (1992)

User Reviews

Good

BEWARE OF FALSE REVIEWS & REVIEWERS. SOME REVIEWERS HAVE ONLY ONE REVIEW TO THEIR NAME. NOW WHEN ITS A POSITIVE REVIEW THAT TELLS ME THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE MOVIE. IF ITS A NEGATIVE REVIEW THEN THEY MIGHT HAVE A GRUDGE AGAINST THE FILM . I HAVE REVIEWED OVER 200 HOLIDAY FILMS. I HAVE NO AGENDA.

This film is based on true events. "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus" is a phrase from an editorial called Is There a Santa Claus?. The editorial appeared in the September 21, 1897, edition of The (New York) Sun and has since become part of popular Christmas folklore in the United States. It is the most reprinted editorial in any English-language newspaper.

This film however primary focus is not on the little girl Virginia. The main focus is on the adults that surrounded the events that let to writing and later publication of the famous editorial.

The film is well made. It is a little depressing at times because we see people struggling to just to make through the day. Charles Bronson is effective here as man who is drinking way too much to compensate for the loos of his wife & daughter. Ed Asner co-stars as the editor of The Sun.

This film is family safe but small children will be bored. If you want to introduce them to the story there is 2 animated cartoons that they will find more entertaining.

I liked this adaption and found it uplifting. I will watch this again

Details

Country:

USA Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 December 1991 (USA)

Also Known As:

...und den Weihnachtsmann gibts doch

Filming Locations:

British Columbia, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fenady Associates, Quinta Communications, Paradigm Entertainment (II)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1