Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Kristy Swanson | ... | Martha Evans | |
Edward Herrmann | ... | Les McCallum | |
K.C. Clyde | ... | Joe Hopkins | |
Tess Harper | ... | Trudy Willis | |
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Kevin Herring III | ... | Miles Evans (as Kevin Lee Herring III) |
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Kirstin Dorn | ... | Mel Evans |
Mike Hagerty | ... | Owen Bullington | |
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Page Petrucka | ... | Lola Metcalf |
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Star Herrmann | ... | Carol Ann Bullington |
Danielle C. Ryan | ... | Jeanie Bullington (as Danielle Chuchran) | |
Bart Johnson | ... | Cal Evans | |
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Claudia Mejia | ... | Carmelita Carnes |
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Kent Richards | ... | Jim Carnes |
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Shawn Nottingham | ... | Frank Rasmussen |
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Lilee Clyde | ... | Lilee Evans |
MARTHA EVANS has been abandoned by her ne'er-do-well husband, who took all their cash and left her homeless and virtually destitute with her two daughters and stepson. Martha leaves town in hopes of finding a job and a place to stay, she finally finds a job at a sleepy rural diner, formerly famous for its home-made root beer. But with her car broken down and the bills piling up, it looks like it's going to be a bleak Christmas for the Evans family. However, there are warm hearts working behind the scenes that ultimately make this the happiest holiday of Martha's life -- a real answer to her prayers... Written by Bryce Fillmore
The drama rose above the clichés because of excellent performances all around, especially by Kristy Swanson. There was enough material, and enough characters (mostly endearing), for a regular TV series spanning a year. This single mom had a TERRIBLE two weeks. My only regret was the inevitability of everything winding up in a hurry.
I got a laugh from the review saying that at 42, Swanson was too old to play the part of someone who should be around 30. For this role, you need someone who might be thirty but who shows the prematurely ageing effects of too much worry and too many sleepless nights. I thought she was perfect. Lots of good characters, so this Hallmark Christmas movie is recommended. However, I'd steer clear of the menu at the diner, far too much gravy.