THE CHRISTMAS GIFT
US, 1986, 97 minutes, Colour.
John Denver, Gennie James, Jane Kaczmarek, Mary Wickes, Pat Corley.
Directed by Michael Pressman.
The Christmas Gift is one of those many American telemovies, so-popular with American audiences, that focus on Christmas, hardship, sentiment -and happy endings. This film focuses on a prominent architect, his being a widower, his attractive child, the big business behind him, a visit to Georgetown, Colorado to change it and make it prosperous, his visiting the town and liking the people, realising his attitudes, leading the campaign against the developer, helping the townspeople to a generous way of acting - and, of course, settling in Colorado with the heroine and his daughter.
It is all done quite pleasantly. John Denver is quite good as the architect. He sings to his daughter in the middle of the film.
The film has popular American ingredients - which may be a bit much for other audiences, but which is nevertheless quite pleasant for Christmas screening.
1. A pleasant contemporary story? Business and development? Money? Family? Christmas giving?
2. New York, the contrast with Georgetown, Colorado in the winter? The picture of the Colorado town and its homeliness, its spirit? Winter, the Rockies?
3. The title and its reference to George Billings, his daughter, the people in the town? The town and its gift to Jake and his family?
4. The Christmas setting, the focus on Santa Claus and gifts, belief in Santa Claus, the contrast with the moneyed developer and his tax shelters? The legend in Georgetown, the pioneers and the Rockies, Santa Claus, the tree, the gathering, the pageant? The centenary of the legend and their fulfilling it?
5. John Denver as George Billings? Widower, father, whiz-kid, Mr Renfield and his admiration for him? His work? The gift for his daughter? Going to Georgetown? Surveying the town? The drawing of the town and its Christmas celebrations, Georgetown fulfilling it? His busy attitudes with Susan at; the Post Office? His mellowing, Bud, Henny, the hotel? The traditions? Susan and her guidance? The attraction? The pageant and the rehearsals? The buying of the farm? Renfield's arrival? George's change of heart? His attack on him at the meeting? Alex's running into the snow, the search? His gratitude at her being found? The Christmas religious ceremony and his speech? Confrontation with Renfield? The proposal about the mortgages? The gift to Jake and his family? The reunion with Susan? His being fired, staying in Georgetown? The effect; of Christmas on him?
6. Alex, her love for her father, Christmas, Georgetown, entering into its life, the friendship with Susan, Aunt Henny, Scruff and the riding of the horse, the hideout? Her shock attitude towards her father, running away? The rescue? The Christmas gifts - the doll's house and the farm given to Scruff and his father?
7. Susan and the background of her life in Georgetown, in Denver, the return, her art, the Post Office, rudeness to George, apologies, the sleigh rides? Falling in love? Love for Alex? Disillusionment with George? Supporting him in his change? The happy ending?
8. Renfield and his tax shelters, committees, developers? Taking over Georgetown? His arrival, denouncing George, pressurising the mayor? His not winning?
9. The people in the town: Bud and his taxi, the plans to get him an engine? Aunt Henny and her running the hotel? The people at the gas station? The mayor and his concern about the money? The bank? Jake and his having to leave? Scruff and his surliness? At the dance? The life of the town: the letter day, the letters to Santa, the dance, the ceremony at the Christmas tree and the speeches, the legend, the religious ceremony, the pageant?
10. The blend of sentiment, comedy, pathos? Christmas viewing?
