Shining Time Station: 'Tis a Gift (1990)

It's Christmas at Shining Time Station! Stacy Jones is busy helping passengers, Schemer tries to win the role of Santa's helper for the Indian Valley Gala Holiday Pageant, Mr. Conductor ... See full summary »

Directors:

Gregory Lehane, Frank Vitale (uncredited)

Writers:

Britt Allcroft (created by), Rick Siggelkow (created by)

Stars:

Ringo Starr, Didi Conn, Nicolle Rochelle

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ringo Starr	...	Mr. Conductor
Didi Conn	...	Stacy Jones
Nicolle Rochelle	...	Tanya (as Nicole Leach)
Rachel Miner	...	Vickie
Brian Edward O'Connor	...	Schemer (as Brian O'Connor)
Jason Woliner	...	Matt
Lloyd Bridges	...	Mr. Nicholas
Jonathan Freeman	...	Tito Swing
Olga Felgemacher	...	Didi (as Olga Felgemacher Marin)
Alan Semok	...	Tex Boy
Craig Marin	...	Rex Boy
Vanéese Y. Thomas	...	Grace the Bass
Ardon Bess	...	Tucker Cooper
Jerome Dempsey	...	Mayor of East Shemp
Mart Hulswit	...	J.B. King Esquire

Storyline

It's Christmas at Shining Time Station! Stacy Jones is busy helping passengers, Schemer tries to win the role of Santa's helper for the Indian Valley Gala Holiday Pageant, Mr. Conductor tells the kids a story about Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends and helps them deal with a bratty kid, while a kind old passenger, Mr. Nicholas, arrives and brightens the holiday for everybody.

---

Plot Keywords:

pretending to be a doll | decorating | ornament | mediation | model train | 

---

Genres:

Comedy | Family | Fantasy

---

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

December 1990 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Studio Oasis, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Tucker says Harry was transferred to Twiddly Junction in November. By the time of Shining Time Station: Scare Dares (1991), set the next year, Tanya writes in her letter that he was transferred to Fort Farley.

---

Goofs

When Vickie picks up Mr. Conductor, it is clear that he is replaced with a doll.

---

Quotes

Schemer: J.B. King Esquire. Exalted head of the Indian Valley Railroad. My favorite. Can I talk to you a second? I understand that you are on the committee that's going to pick Santa's helper for the holiday pageant. Then I feel it is my duty to inform you about some flaw's in my opponent's character.
J.B. King: Flaws in Miss Jones' character?
Schemer: Did you know that she trains rats?
J.B. King: She trains rats? Why?
Schemer: Why? Um... To steal cheese! To steal cheese! Because she is so fond of cheese sandwiches, see? Now that is something...

---

Connections

Features Thomas & Friends: Big World! Big Adventures!: Thomas, Terence and the Snow (1984)

---

Soundtracks

Shining Time Station
Sung by Kevin Roth

User Reviews

A rare treat, one of the best Christmas specials I've seen

I have enjoyed watching "'Tis a Gift" every Christmas for about the past ten years and every time I am still touched, amazed, and entertained by this film. Not only does it feature the usual stars like Stacy Jones, Schemer, and Ringo Starr as Mr. Conductor but we also get a great role from Lloyd Bridges, guest-starring as Mr. Nicholas, a mysterious man who ends up touching a little girl's life, teaching her the true meaning of Christmas and giving. The discussions and interactions between those two are what makes the film as great as it is. Schemer trying to win over the votes of everyone in the station to elect him as Santa's helper is what gives the film a very funny side as well. The entire cast singing "'Tis a Gift" (the folk song after which the film is titled) is the true highlight of this one hour special. This is a rare film not to be missed. Find it, watch it, and continue to enjoy seeing it year after year.

***1/2 out of ****