Yes Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus (1991)

Truly Dreadful Film

Too much of everything

Absolutely Fantastic

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus (1991) ** 1/2 (out of 4) After the death of his wife and child, reporter Frances Church (Charles Bronson) hits a wall of depression and alcohol. Soon he's thinking about suicide until his paper receives a letter from a child named Virginia asking if there's a Santa Claus. Based on a true story, this made-for-TV film isn't a classic and it's certainly far from a great film but there's a certain charm to it that makes it worth viewing. I think the main appeal is going to be to fans of Bronson who are going to get a real kick out of seeing him play such a nice guy. Bronson made a career out of beating and killing hundreds of people but after the death of his wife he decided to try and do something softer and he does a very good job at it. You can't help but feel that Bronson was still feeling some of the same emotions as this character since his wife had died about a year before this film was made. Bronson gives it his all and really makes you feel sorry for his character. There's a scene inside an apartment room where the actor talks about guilt and you can't help but feel it's one of the best things the actor has done. Richard Thomas does a good job playing the father of Virginia. The side story deals with him being fired from his job and trying to find a new one while his family are without money. Edward Asner plays the editor of the paper and does a fine job too. I thought the producers did a very good job capturing the look and feel of when the story was set and there's no question that the costume and set designs are impressive. I think the one problem with the film is the direction, which never really pulls the two stories together and mixes them well. It really did seem uneven when the film jumped back and forth between the two and there just wasn't enough of an emotional connection to the family. With that said, the performance of Bronson is clearly the stand out here and it's good enough to make the film worth viewing.

Saw this movie on TV for the first time when my four grown children were then seven,six,four, and three years old. One of the best, if not THE best Christmas story we ever saw. Charles Bronson played one of the best roles of his career as Frances Church, the man who had to answer the famous question 'Is There a Santa Claus?' Even today when I read his answer it brings a tear or two to my eyes. This story has great performances by Ed Asner and also Richard Thomas, who is Virginia's father. He was the one who convinced his little daughter to write the letter to the newspaper. It has been long time since this movie first aired and there is not one Christmas season that goes by that any one of my now adult children wants to know if this movie is available in ANY format. I have to say no. Worse yet, I want it for myself. It would be great if it were released for distribution.

This is such a beautiful movie. I don't understand why it's not out on DVD yet! I remember seeing it on television when I was still a "little" girl and it just touched me so much. If anyone knows who one can contact to beg for a DVD release, please let me know. :o) It hasn't been shown on Danish television for years now and hardly anyone knows what movie I'm talking about when I mention it. Well, that's their loss. I guess I'll contacting all Danish TV stations within the next couple of weeks to find out if anyone has plans to air it this Christmas and if not, maybe I can convince them. ;o) I'll try my very best - I promise.

Charles Jarrott, who directed The Last Flight Of Noah's Ark, also directs this wonderful tv film that teaches the young and young at heart the true meaning of Christmas. Virginia O'Hanlon wrote probably the most famous letter to the editor of all time and Francis Church the most famous reply. This delightful movie captures turn of the century New York and the hardships it's people endured perfectly. Its a beautiful film to look at. The little girl playing Virginia is a delight as is Richard Thomas as her father. The biggest surprise of all is casting Charles Bronson as Francis Church. Believe it or not, he really does a fine acting job. I have always enjoyed Bronson's action films, but I never thought he could really "act" in the traditional sense. He proves me wrong with his sensitive portrayal. Bronson plays a man who recently lost his wife and there is even one scene where he is getting ready to kill himself. Charles Bronson really had lost his wife Jill Ireland to cancer the year before this film was made and I feel it helped him in his role. In a sense, he is able to find himself again writing to this little girl. This wonderful film is viewing for the whole family. In fact it is too good just to be shown at Christmas. It reminds us of a simpler time when families were loving and kids really appreciated the true meaning of Christmas. The message this film teaches will never go out of style.