Have I Got a Christmas for You (1977 TV Movie) User Reviews

A Christmas gem that deserves to be seen again

[allenblank · 8/10 · 18 April 2007]

For years I only remembered bits of this special, but I also remembered how heartwarming it was. It was about how a Jewish congregation decided to help there Christian neighbors by that over their jobs on Christmas eve, so the Christians could have the evening off. I remember clearly Howard Gould volunteered his son, Barry Pearl, to take Wolfman Jack's place as DJ for the evening. Then his son who didn't want to be be volunteered, didn't show up, Gould himself took over, But the son, after hearing his dad's disc patter, decided to come down and do the job himself. I also remember a couple taking over a local pub, where the regular customers loved the Christmas stew that was always served. But an accident happened, and they only have a small amount of it. But the wife recognized the stew as some Jewish dish and made replacement stew and everyone was happy.

I would really like to see this special again, especially around Christmas. Maybe Halmark will finally release their old specials on DVD. I can only hope.

A most unusual Jewish Christmas tale.

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 28 December 2023]

"Have I Got a Christmas for You" is a most unusual television Christmas special. It's introduced by Milton Berle and he plays a real skeptic! It seems that in a city, a Jewish temple has a most unusual plan...to get members of the congregation agree to help out their Christians brothers at Christmas by covering for them on their jobs. This way, folks can be home with their families for the holiday. It then follows them on their attempts to cover for folks...both the successes and failures.

While the cast is mostly made up of B-list folks, the sheer number of celebrities in the show is pretty impressive. As for the story of unity and interfaith cooperation, it's heartwarming and clever...but mostly unique and unusual...which I appreciate. There are also a few nice scenes...such as Sheree North and Kim Fields in the hospital room, Jewish men playing Santa as well as a nice father-son conversation with Harold Gould. Overall, a very nice and worthwhile show to watch...and it's on YouTube if you are interested.

So Much Better Than THis Year's Effort to Include Hanukah

[sfeingold-63669 · 10/10 · 14 December 2019]

Hallmark's Xmas special this year incorporates Hanukah but via showing Jews dating Non-Jews. In contrast, this 1977 holiday movie emphasized that being fully Jewish does not at all interfere with full particpation in American life not by assimilating but by honoring our differences. The plot involves a Jewish community that decides to take over the jobs of those forced to work on Xmas so they can celebrate their holiday with family. Of course, many of the Jewish helpers have no experience in the tasks they volunteer for providing humor and joy to this excellent holiday feature. What is so disappointing is that Hallmark has never shown this favorite again and it is not available to rent or buy. And that is truly a shame. COMEON HALLMARK