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 | |
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Jake Brockman | ... | Al Jr. |
Kenneth Welsh | ... | Newton Baker | |
Edward Asner | ... | Charles Gilbert | |
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David Talbot | ... | Ben |
Jonathan Higgins | ... | Franklin Roosevelt | |
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Brad Borbridge | ... | Guard |
Bill Lake | ... | Secretary Daniels | |
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François Klanfer | ... | Secretary MacAdoo |
Craig Gardner | ... | Admiral |
Although their own father, bank Charles, refuses them a loan to start a novelty American toys company to rival the established German import, the brothers A.C. and Frank succeed, especially with constructive and educational products. When the US gets dragged into Word War I, Frank enlists and Woodrow Wilson's government recruits A.C. as consultant to convert factories like theirs for the war effort. Yet his gifted preteen son, whose schoolmates meanly turned on the 'Christmas killer's kid', ends up convincing him to refuse canceling Christmas and even resume toy production. Written by KGF Vissers
"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.