The Christmas That Almost Wasn't (1966)

So much average

Fantastic!

The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

I'm surprised that the rating is only 3.8. Okay, I admit this movie is bad, but it's not that bad. It's mostly because I actually do really like the ending of this film. The plot is that Santa has to raise enough money for a full year's worth of rent as his landlord bought the North Pole. Merry Christmas Month, by the way! So, he becomes a mall Santa to make ends meet. I actually do like the ending of this film. Santa is still short so he gets help from a kid and he gets help from all the kids who give him money to pay rent. I thought that was sweet.Still, a lot of it was pretty dumb. How can he make a year's worth of rent in a single work month? Trust me, I know how that works. The guy who originally owns the store doesn't seem to believe in Santa. This is a world where Santa doesn't hide his existence as he has to pay rent for crying out loud! It is kind of a nice looking film. It's still pretty dopey but at least it's not "Santa Claus Conquers The Martians" or "Santa Claus". **

I have wonderful memories of viewing this film. One of the staples of the Christmas season was the weekend matinées of "The Christmas That Almost Wasn't." I remember seeing it with my mother and brothers; I suspect I have the same nostalgia for it that Whittier expressed for his youth in "Snow-Bound." However, we have to be real: after a 35 year absence, I noticed the film in the TV listings and I practically forced my kids to watch it. It was only then I realized with some disappointment how...well...imperfect...the film was. Part of this was due to a rather awful print and the choppy way the station presented it (the startlingly touching finale involving Prune had been butchered out.) It is a part of our youth; it is probably best it remain there. I still love the film and my memories of the time in which it appeared and the big deal we made out of it; sadly, it just doesn't translate today.

For reasons that cannot be explained in their entirety, this film is the absolute standard in holiday entertainment in my household. The music *must* be played (I burned a CD) while we decorate the tree, and the film *must* be watched (my brother burned a DVD) before going to bed on Christmas Eve. Either of course is subject to being played again in the background the following morning while presents are unwrapped. Why? We don't know! It's just...it's *funny*, I guess. My brother and I always cheer (we're both around 30 years old now) whenever Prune gets thwarted, and we always boo when it looks like he's going to destroy Christmas (again!). There's just something about this film that *is* Christmas, at least to us. The characters are all very entertaining, and we enjoy the songs. Seriously, it just never gets old. Obviously I'm highly recommending this film, as silly, harmless entertainment for the whole family.

I have been watching this movie since I was a little girl, It has become a family tradition in our home.My kids enjoy it as much now as I did then. This is definitly a family Christmas movie you shouldn't miss if you get a chance to see it. Shows the values of love, respect, and helping others,along with having some great music and lots of fun. And at the end you realy end up liking the bad guy. A must see...