A Carol Christmas (2003)

An ego-maniacal TV talk show host is determined to destroy the festive fun in the studio.

Director:

Matthew Irmas

Writer:

Tom Amundsen

Stars:

Tori Spelling, Dinah Manoff, William Shatner

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tori Spelling	...	Carol Cartman
Dinah Manoff	...	Aunt Marla
William Shatner	...	Dr. Bob / Ghost of Christmas Present
Gary Coleman	...	Ghost of Christmas Past
Michael Landes	...	Jimmy
Paula Trickey	...	Beth
Nina Siemaszko	...	Roberta
Jason Brooks	...	John Joyce
Holmes Osborne	...	Hal
Holliston Coleman	...	Lily
David Atkinson	...	Crew Member
David Chisum	...	Frank
Ethan Sandler	...	Jerry
Steffani Brass	...	Lindsey
Kurt Doss	...	Tyler

Storyline

An ego-maniacal TV talk show host is determined to destroy the festive fun in the studio.

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Plot Keywords:

studio | talk show host | moral | christmas carol | scrooge | 

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Genres:

Family | Comedy | Fantasy

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Certificate:

TV-G

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 December 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

Carol karácsonya

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hallmark Entertainment,Alpine Medien Productions,Larry Levinson Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

William Shatner appears as the ghost of Christmas present; when he "moves" Carol from one location to another, a Star Trek teleporter effect is used, in reference to Shatner's famous role as Captain Kirk in Star Trek (1966).

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Quotes

Carol: You know, it would be a shame to have to go home and tell your family that you lost your job on Christmas Eve, wouldn't it?

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Connections

Version of A Christmas Carol (1908)

User Reviews

An update of Dickens classic, this enjoyable film has humor and good messages

Carol (Tori Spelling) is the star of an afternoon talk show. Unhappily, she is quite the diva and makes life miserable for those around her, especially her assistant Rebecca (Nina Siemaszko). Rebecca, a single mother, needs the job desperately and works far harder than she should to keep getting a paycheck. Now, its Christmastime, a holiday Carol hates, so she is very testy. After sending Rebecca shopping for meager presents for the staff, Carol lays down to take a nap. But, ho, ho, ho! First, she gets a visit from her deceased aunt's ghost (Dinah Manoff), the pushy woman who once acted as Carol's manager. Auntie warns Carol that she better change her ways and be kinder, for she herself has to wander the earth as a ghost, due to her past behavior. Then, just as Carol recovers from this shock, she gets a visit from Christmas Past (Gary Coleman), Xmas Present, Dr. Bob (William Shatner), and, naturally, ghastly Christmas Future. Past takes Carol back to her childhood, where her aunt manipulated the young girl into school play stardom, by hook or by crook. Then, its on to her early acting days, where Carol had a nice boyfriend but got "too busy" in her career to see him anymore. Carol also makes an invisible trip to Rebecca's very humble home, to her sister's abode and to her, Carol's, funeral, where few folks come to mourn. Will the talk show hostess change her ways? You bet! This is really a nice film, even though it is one of many modern takes on Dickens classic story. Spelling does a fine job as the insufferable Carol and the rest of the cast is very good, too, including Coleman, Shatner, Manoff, Siemaszko, and others. Two romantic male roles are filled by real lookers, although they are not household names. Originally on Hallmark, the movie also boasts nice sets, costumes, script, direction, and camera work. All in all, if you love romantic dramas or uplifting Christmas flicks, take time to find this one. Just like carol singers, the movie will put you in the right mood and attitude for the holidays.