vchimpanzee Review of The Man Who Saved Christmas

The Man Who Saved Christmas (2002 TV Movie)

Enjoyable but sometimes unpleasant family movie

[16 December 2002]

Just before World War I, A. C. Gilbert (nicely played by Jason Alexander) and his brother are struggling to make a success of their toy business. The store where they are trying to sell erector sets wants to replace them with more popular items. The brothers must show how much fun their erector sets are, and the toys become a big success. The father of the two brothers (a gruff Ed Asner) wishes the sons were doing something worthwhile, especially since A. C. has a medical degree. Eventually, the war gives the brothers a chance to make a real difference. Several government officials, including a pre-polio Franklin Roosevelt, convince A. C. to convert his factory to a munitions plant. He agrees, which pleases his father. The brother gets drafted and eventually is reported missing in action. Later, the government convinces A. C. to lead a movement asking children to give up their toys--and their Christmas. He does so reluctantly. Later, A. C. wonders if he did the right thing. It's a nice story, with the unpleasantness of war (one of his workers loses a son, for example).