A Time to Remember

I loved all the songs wish I could find them on Apple Music... The dad did seem a bit abusive...

There are at least 3 reasons to watch this drama, (1)if you like most Christmas shows, (2) are a fan of Donald O'Connor, or (3) Tommy Makem. Maybe most of the budget was spent on the stars as the production values and writing suffer. Yet the sentiments and songs win over in the end making this an hour worthwhile to watch. The child star almost steals the show from the vets. The plot has him wanting to sing, but it is a struggle uphill with multiple roadblocks. There are many opera tie-ins, mostly with Mario Lanza and the film, The Great Caruso. Donald O'Connor has a part that would have made Pat O'Brien jealous. O'Connor, a film legend, starting in movies way back in 1937, is best known for "Singin in the Rain" and the Francis the talking mule film series. He made a further connection with Christmas in 1992 with the album, Christmas with Donald and Debbie(Reynolds). It was popular enough to warrant a follow up. Tommy Makem, a well known recording artist with the Clancy Brothers[+ a semi-regular on The Danny Thomas Show] also made a Christmas album. Behind the scenes, some of the people connected with A Time to Remember had very few movie credits. Those that had more include, Editor Larry Marinelli, the sci-fi flick, Battle of the Stars. Make-up artist Bill Forsche also did Beetlejuice and the Exorcist III. Producer Randy Jurgensen is better know for his acting roles in such films as The French Connection and The Godfather. For the past few years, A Time to Remember has shown up on EWTN.

This film accurately and very movingly brings to light the real and true meaning of Christmas!

It fun to see how bad films can get and this one is big Christmas Fruitcake. If you are looking for a great "Christmas Movie" to see then keep looking. In this film it has a hidden "homophobia content to it".

A boy wants to be a singer. He has the talent but his "Macho Dad" doesn't want him to be a singer.

This has Donald O'Connor in minor role and that was disapointing. He was the reason why I wanted to see this to begin with

Review Date 1/7/2018

PLEASE BEWARE OF SOME REVIEWERS THAT ONLY HAVE ONLY ONE REVIEW. WHEN ITS A POSITIVE THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE PRODUCTION. NOW I HAVE NO AGENDA! I REVIEW MOVIES & SPECIALS AS A WAY TO KEEP TRACK OF WHAT I HAVE SEEN! I HAVE DISCOVERED MANY GEMS IN MY QUEST TO SEE AS MANY " C H R I S T M A S " MOVIES AS I CAN.

Someone keeps reporting my reviews. I guess they are jealous because I do tell the truth. I want to point out that I never make snide remarks about actors weight or real life sexual orientation. If there acting is terrible or limited "I talk about that". If a story is bad "I will mention that" So why am I being "picked on"? IMDB will not even tell me what someone found offensive. Well on to this review

Now the story had hopes but the director pads out every scene with very little dialog. I think the film run the first 5 minutes without anybody talking.

It is small town America in the 1950's. Twelve year-old Angelo Villano has one dream: to someday sing like his idol, Mario Lanza. His grandmother, Mama Theresa encourages him; and his beautiful voice catches the attention of the formidable but kind Father Walsh who arranges for him to receive formal training.

I think the film could be better if they cut about 15 minutes out of it. The trims would not harm the story. Best of all the audience will not get bored!