It would be difficult to say at this point if it were Richard Thomas or Charles Bronson who carried this timeless beauty so successfully to it's moving conclusion, but all performances were top notch. This movie NEEDS to be released to all for the upcoming Christmas season as it would quickly become a classic. These are the Christmas lessons we all try to teach the young this time of year and movies like this one are needed to do it so nicely. I hope to see this one on the DVD new release list soon!
38 Reviews
could as well have given it 9 ***
Sherparsa10 December 2018
Saw this on tv last night ... and actually, missed quite some parts of it as i switched to that channel by accident but i have to admit as an atheist who despises formal religions thus barely a superstitious person if ever, i just liked this not so well known movie of Charles Bronson with some direct hints at both religion as well as superstition, albeit done in such a 'logical' way it not only doesn't harm the viewer imo, it actually makes you welcome this kind of approach to such otherwise unacceptable topics ...
here, Charles Bronson acts in a role that's totally new to me considering he's almost always been seen in violent action movies appearing as a villain or a good, yet tough man ... but now he's exactly the opposite: depressed, mild, sentimental, suicidal even! and he has done a really good job at that, worthy of a nomination, which, rather curiously, apparently neither him nor the movie itself have received ...
the movie itself has a rather sad yet at the same time live and hopeful tone to it ... and i'm so glad i saw this plain, underrated, not very famous although really sensational Christmas-y movie, the likes of which are many of course but really good ones are surely rare ...
long story short, i don't think i'll ever forget this movie, especially because of Charles Bronson's really fine acting in a role not quite befitting him that came almost as a surprise to me ...
here, Charles Bronson acts in a role that's totally new to me considering he's almost always been seen in violent action movies appearing as a villain or a good, yet tough man ... but now he's exactly the opposite: depressed, mild, sentimental, suicidal even! and he has done a really good job at that, worthy of a nomination, which, rather curiously, apparently neither him nor the movie itself have received ...
the movie itself has a rather sad yet at the same time live and hopeful tone to it ... and i'm so glad i saw this plain, underrated, not very famous although really sensational Christmas-y movie, the likes of which are many of course but really good ones are surely rare ...
long story short, i don't think i'll ever forget this movie, especially because of Charles Bronson's really fine acting in a role not quite befitting him that came almost as a surprise to me ...
A great Christmas movie for older children.
Baldach6 October 1999
This movie tells the story of the famous letter that Virgina wrote to the Chicago sun editors over 100 years asking "Is there a Santa Claus?". The response is a classic American poetry that teaches the spirit of Christmas. There has been at least one other version about Virginia's letter, but I like the cartoon version best. A great movie that help teaches the spirit of Christmas. By the way , about a year ago, I saw on the P.B.S. show "The Antiques Road show" a relative who claimed to have the original letter Virginia sent.
delightful
dtucker868 October 2003
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.
"If you see it in The Sun, it's so!"
classicsoncall26 December 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I'm glad I ran across this film on DVD at a local library, otherwise would probably not have ever known about it. Richard Thomas was an obvious choice for the role of an out of work family man trying to make ends meet, while the surprise of the picture is the casting of tough guy Charles Bronson in the role of a down and out newspaper columnist, still mourning the death of a wife and daughter a year after it occurred. There are depressing aspects to the story, though they form a backdrop to the more inspirational outcome of Francis Church (Bronson) coming to terms with his life and realizing that he still has something to contribute to his newspaper and the world at large. Little moments in the film stand out, like eight year old Virginia O'Hanlon (Katharine Isabelle) agonizing over the existence of Santa Claus, and a postman's good will in offering her a stamp to mail her inquiring letter to The New York Sun. Rounding out the main cast is Ed Asner in the role of the paper's editor, much more sympathetic in the role than he was in the Seventies on 'The Mary Tyler Moore' show, and later his own series, 'Lou Grant'. It's a heartwarming picture in many respects, although the ending brings the entire cast together to the O'Hanlon doorstep in a somewhat unbelievable manner. By that time however, you'll believe in Santa Claus, making the film a wonderful holiday experience.
BEST CHRISTMAS MOVIE EVER MADE
RONSBLUE30 August 2002
This was the best Christmas movie ever made,at least in my opinion. Great actors and great acting. Made the whole story seem quite real. They could not have chosen a better actor than Charles Bronson for the part of the reporter who writes the fateful editorial that will live forever in time and in our hearts.
Best Holiday Show!
susaneliza-675-6747532 May 2013
I have been searching for this forever (years ago it didn't even show up at IMDb). I only wish I would have taped it when it aired and I cannot understand why such a beautiful movie is no longer aired, there is so much crap out there and this gem gets missed - it's mindboggling! Lifetime are you listening? AMC ? anyone? wake up!!!! I would really love to see this either out on DVD or aired this Christmas season! The story, performances and history all make this movie a standout. I again wonder WHY???? it isn't aired or accessible to viewers. I remember thinking Richard Thomas reprised his role as John Boy....Ed Asner and Charles Bronson, as always, were fantastic as were the rest of the cast.
Great film
fancykser4 January 2005
Very uplifting, Good Holiday Cheer! Everyone should see it if they can. Wish I could find a place to purchase this film for my collection. Great performances given by all cast members. Hope for humanity, and hope for our families. This film helps to lift my spirits and makes me remember just what is important in our lives. This movie is about a reporter who has lost his drive, now he could lose his job. A family struggles very hard to make it in the world (just like now for some). Watch Charles Bronson and Richard Thomas in there unforgettable roles as they give us a way to look at things all over again.(If your into Christmas Movies you should also try to see The Little Match Girl, Rudy from the Cosbys makes this film extra special)
Wonderful film about a famous Christmas letter and editorial
SimonJack13 December 2018
In 1897, the New York Sun newspaper ran a short article in its editorial section that has become famous. The heading read, "Is There a Santa Claus?" It was in response to a short letter written by eight-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon of New York City. The article printed the letter and then, with rhetorical questions and prose, answered it. "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus," penned Sun editorial writer Francis Church.
This is a TV movie about that event. The essential details are true, and the main characters are real. But the story in this film is mostly fictional. Yet it works to make a fuller and more meaningful plot; and, therefore, a better Christmas movie.
The film was shot in British Columbia, Canada. The scenes and settings seem to be authentic for 1890s New York or any North American city at the time. The cast has some big name actors and others - all of whom give very good performances. Katharine Isabelle is superb as Virginia O'Hanlon. Tamsin Kelsey is especially good as Evie O'Hanlon, wife of James. She plays an Irish immigrant woman who keeps a bright outlook for her small brood, in spite of the hard times.
The portrayal of hard times for immigrants adds some meat and meaning to the story. Richard Thomas plays Virginia's father, James. He and his friend, Donelli, spend cold days looking for work after being fired as dockworkers. The story gives a light portrayal of the ethnic tensions of the time. During the immigration of many Irish, Anglo-Protestants resented their competition for jobs. And, neighbors in tenement apartments help one another, by sharing food. A Jewish landlady widow, Mrs. Goldstein (played by Lillian Carlson) cooks too much brisket for just herself, so she begs the O'Hanlon's to take it off her hands.
Charles Bronson is very good in his role as Francis Church. But the character he plays was not the real Francis Church. Here, Church has been drinking heavily since losing his wife and daughter a year earlier. The film doesn't say, but it's implied it was a disease or epidemic. That's another nice touch in showing that aspect of history in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The real Frank Church was in his 50s and had covered the Civil War more than 30 years earlier.
It's true that Church didn't want to write the editorial, and didn't want his name associated with it. Only many years later was his authorship of the article made known. Even then, one wonders, because Church was supposedly an atheist. Yet he wrote in that editorial, "No Santa Claus! Thank God! He lives, and he lives forever." That's hardly something an atheist would write, and it's not very likely that he would have had to write that.
Edward Asner plays another real person well -- Edward P. Mitchell, the managing editor. Other reporters and people on the Sun staff are fictional. Yet Colleen Winton plays Andrea Borland very well, and Shawn Macdonald plays the copy boy, Teddy, very well.
The biggest fictional aspect was Virginia's family and where they lived. They weren't likely to be living in tenement housing as in the film. Virginia's dad, James, was a doctor. At the time, he was a coroner's assistant in Manhattan.
In the movie, the editorial in response to Virginia appeared in the sun around Christmas Eve. But the actual date it was printed was Sept. 21 - three months before Christmas. In later years, Virginia explained that around her birthday in July as a child she would begin to wonder what she would be getting for Christmas. So, she wrote her letter in July. And, the Sun editors didn't do anything with it for several weeks. And no one knows why they didn't wait until Christmas to publish it.
Even then, the article wasn't considered anything special at the time. But readers remembered and asked about it in subsequent years. So, more than 10 years after its first publication, the Sun again printed the article just before Christmas.
The story about the famous letter and Sun newspaper editorial is an endearing one. And the filmmaker's embellishment of the story helps make "Yes Virginia" a wonderful Christmas movie and look at history.
Here are a couple favorite lines from this film.
Andrea Borland, "Did you like my story on the Vanderbilt ball?" Edward Mitchell, "I printed it, didn't I?" Andrea Borland, "Well, half of it." Edward Mitchell: "That was the half I liked."
Mrs. Goldstein, "As my dear dead Saul used to say, 'It isn't a silver lining what makes the coat. It's the person wearing it.'"
This is a TV movie about that event. The essential details are true, and the main characters are real. But the story in this film is mostly fictional. Yet it works to make a fuller and more meaningful plot; and, therefore, a better Christmas movie.
The film was shot in British Columbia, Canada. The scenes and settings seem to be authentic for 1890s New York or any North American city at the time. The cast has some big name actors and others - all of whom give very good performances. Katharine Isabelle is superb as Virginia O'Hanlon. Tamsin Kelsey is especially good as Evie O'Hanlon, wife of James. She plays an Irish immigrant woman who keeps a bright outlook for her small brood, in spite of the hard times.
The portrayal of hard times for immigrants adds some meat and meaning to the story. Richard Thomas plays Virginia's father, James. He and his friend, Donelli, spend cold days looking for work after being fired as dockworkers. The story gives a light portrayal of the ethnic tensions of the time. During the immigration of many Irish, Anglo-Protestants resented their competition for jobs. And, neighbors in tenement apartments help one another, by sharing food. A Jewish landlady widow, Mrs. Goldstein (played by Lillian Carlson) cooks too much brisket for just herself, so she begs the O'Hanlon's to take it off her hands.
Charles Bronson is very good in his role as Francis Church. But the character he plays was not the real Francis Church. Here, Church has been drinking heavily since losing his wife and daughter a year earlier. The film doesn't say, but it's implied it was a disease or epidemic. That's another nice touch in showing that aspect of history in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The real Frank Church was in his 50s and had covered the Civil War more than 30 years earlier.
It's true that Church didn't want to write the editorial, and didn't want his name associated with it. Only many years later was his authorship of the article made known. Even then, one wonders, because Church was supposedly an atheist. Yet he wrote in that editorial, "No Santa Claus! Thank God! He lives, and he lives forever." That's hardly something an atheist would write, and it's not very likely that he would have had to write that.
Edward Asner plays another real person well -- Edward P. Mitchell, the managing editor. Other reporters and people on the Sun staff are fictional. Yet Colleen Winton plays Andrea Borland very well, and Shawn Macdonald plays the copy boy, Teddy, very well.
The biggest fictional aspect was Virginia's family and where they lived. They weren't likely to be living in tenement housing as in the film. Virginia's dad, James, was a doctor. At the time, he was a coroner's assistant in Manhattan.
In the movie, the editorial in response to Virginia appeared in the sun around Christmas Eve. But the actual date it was printed was Sept. 21 - three months before Christmas. In later years, Virginia explained that around her birthday in July as a child she would begin to wonder what she would be getting for Christmas. So, she wrote her letter in July. And, the Sun editors didn't do anything with it for several weeks. And no one knows why they didn't wait until Christmas to publish it.
Even then, the article wasn't considered anything special at the time. But readers remembered and asked about it in subsequent years. So, more than 10 years after its first publication, the Sun again printed the article just before Christmas.
The story about the famous letter and Sun newspaper editorial is an endearing one. And the filmmaker's embellishment of the story helps make "Yes Virginia" a wonderful Christmas movie and look at history.
Here are a couple favorite lines from this film.
Andrea Borland, "Did you like my story on the Vanderbilt ball?" Edward Mitchell, "I printed it, didn't I?" Andrea Borland, "Well, half of it." Edward Mitchell: "That was the half I liked."
Mrs. Goldstein, "As my dear dead Saul used to say, 'It isn't a silver lining what makes the coat. It's the person wearing it.'"
Horrible
LovesMyGarden10 May 2021
I went in to this movie with high expectations, but after watching the good guys be repeatedly beaten up, kicked and doused in beer by a bunch of thugs, I turned it off after about 15 minutes and deleted it from my DVR. Christmas movies should make you feel good, have a great message and nice music. This just made me want to cry. Don't waste your time. It's awful.
A classic film, with a great message
pacekl21 December 2005
While this is a made for TV film with some of the production weaknesses that are typical of films made for television, nonetheless this is a classic Christmas movie in a class with "It's a Wonderful Life" and "Miracle on 34th St.", primarily for it's ability to make the viewer cry with joy, even with repeated viewings.
Like the movies above, not all the characters are happy due to the difficult circumstances of their lives. The primary characters are struggling with despair. Like "It's a Wonderful Life", the lead characters are brought back from the brink through belief in something larger than themselves: The spirit of Christmas and the Hope that it brings to all of us.
I wish it would be released commercially at some point so that it could gain a larger audience. Contains great performances by Richard Thomas and Charles Bronson. Lou Asner is at his typical crusty best as the soft-hearted news boss.
Like the movies above, not all the characters are happy due to the difficult circumstances of their lives. The primary characters are struggling with despair. Like "It's a Wonderful Life", the lead characters are brought back from the brink through belief in something larger than themselves: The spirit of Christmas and the Hope that it brings to all of us.
I wish it would be released commercially at some point so that it could gain a larger audience. Contains great performances by Richard Thomas and Charles Bronson. Lou Asner is at his typical crusty best as the soft-hearted news boss.
The Best Christmas Movie Ever.
ganddmartin9 July 2006
I was able to watch this movie on Lifetime TV one Christmas. I was lucky to have taped it that year using VHS tape, but with all the commercials. I have not seen this movie on TV in years. I would love to see it aired on TV every Christmas season even though I have my own tape of it, and can watch it whenever I want to. I would love to be able to buy a DVD of this movie.
The movie is so heart warming with true Christmas spirit. I loved the editorial that Frances Church had written. Charles Bronson portrayed an excellent character in this movie. It's a great movie for the whole family to watch. If this movie were to ever be made for retail sale, you couldn't go wrong with purchasing this holiday movie.
The movie is so heart warming with true Christmas spirit. I loved the editorial that Frances Church had written. Charles Bronson portrayed an excellent character in this movie. It's a great movie for the whole family to watch. If this movie were to ever be made for retail sale, you couldn't go wrong with purchasing this holiday movie.
Good
Christmas-Reviewer6 May 2017
BEWARE OF FALSE REVIEWS & REVIEWERS. SOME REVIEWERS HAVE ONLY ONE REVIEW TO THEIR NAME. NOW WHEN ITS A POSITIVE REVIEW THAT TELLS ME THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE MOVIE. IF ITS A NEGATIVE REVIEW THEN THEY MIGHT HAVE A GRUDGE AGAINST THE FILM . I HAVE REVIEWED OVER 200 HOLIDAY FILMS. I HAVE NO AGENDA.
This film is based on true events. "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus" is a phrase from an editorial called Is There a Santa Claus?. The editorial appeared in the September 21, 1897, edition of The (New York) Sun and has since become part of popular Christmas folklore in the United States. It is the most reprinted editorial in any English-language newspaper.
This film however primary focus is not on the little girl Virginia. The main focus is on the adults that surrounded the events that let to writing and later publication of the famous editorial.
The film is well made. It is a little depressing at times because we see people struggling to just to make through the day. Charles Bronson is effective here as man who is drinking way too much to compensate for the loos of his wife & daughter. Ed Asner co-stars as the editor of The Sun.
This film is family safe but small children will be bored. If you want to introduce them to the story there is 2 animated cartoons that they will find more entertaining.
I liked this adaption and found it uplifting. I will watch this again
This film is based on true events. "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus" is a phrase from an editorial called Is There a Santa Claus?. The editorial appeared in the September 21, 1897, edition of The (New York) Sun and has since become part of popular Christmas folklore in the United States. It is the most reprinted editorial in any English-language newspaper.
This film however primary focus is not on the little girl Virginia. The main focus is on the adults that surrounded the events that let to writing and later publication of the famous editorial.
The film is well made. It is a little depressing at times because we see people struggling to just to make through the day. Charles Bronson is effective here as man who is drinking way too much to compensate for the loos of his wife & daughter. Ed Asner co-stars as the editor of The Sun.
This film is family safe but small children will be bored. If you want to introduce them to the story there is 2 animated cartoons that they will find more entertaining.
I liked this adaption and found it uplifting. I will watch this again
Fantastic Movie
suevannort492 November 2003
I have not seen this movie in several years and am truly saddened that I haven't. It has to be one of the best Christmas movies I have ever seen. As far as I am concerned, it rates right up there with all the Christmas classics and should be shown every year.
Charles Bronson, Yes Virginia
debbiejeantheresa8 July 2007
Finally! I've found this movie was never released. I have been looking for this movie forever it seems. I talk to people and they don't know what I'm talking about, have never seen it. I'm NOT going crazy. *lol* How can we get this movie released? IS there anything that a regular person can do? I saw the movie on TV and it's stuck in my head all of this time. It NEEDS to be released!!!! I feel, just my personal opinion, it's the best movie Charles Bronson ever made. I know, I know, real die hard fans won't say that but Christmas is in my heart all year long and it's the best Christmas movie I've ever seen. Please, if anyone knows anything, let me know. As I said, I've been looking for this movie forever. How can we get it released? Anyone?
Now That's How You Do A Christmas Movie
docm-3230422 December 2020
An excellent Christmas classic, that's VERY hard to find.
whee-618 December 2007
The unexpected mix of actors in the cast resulted in an outstanding telling (historical novel-style) of the true story it is based on. It also gives an 'in-your-face' view of what life was like in the northern US at that time, especially for Irish immigrants.
Personally, I found it better than any of the annual Christmas cartoons, and on par with the great classic Christmas movies. The acting was remarkable, especially Charles Bronson, Richard Thomas, Ed Asner, & Katherine Isabelle as Virginia. You could almost feel the deep emotions of grief, frustration, and experience their transformation. Wow.
There must be some really strange reason why it has not ever been released to the public. There are copies listed at iOffer.com, though I have yet to see what the quality is like.
Personally, I found it better than any of the annual Christmas cartoons, and on par with the great classic Christmas movies. The acting was remarkable, especially Charles Bronson, Richard Thomas, Ed Asner, & Katherine Isabelle as Virginia. You could almost feel the deep emotions of grief, frustration, and experience their transformation. Wow.
There must be some really strange reason why it has not ever been released to the public. There are copies listed at iOffer.com, though I have yet to see what the quality is like.
Great movie. Very unfortunate that it cannot be found on video.
nyjets-113 September 2001
This is an excellent Christmas movie, very touching story with great actors Charles Bronson, Richard Thomas and Ed Asner. As popular as the book and animated version are, it's difficult to understand why it would not be available on video. I have done much searching and do not find that it was ever released on video.
Good family movie
SHJ-BVM6 November 2017
A good Christmas movie based on a true story. I enjoy all the Christmas movies that Richard Thomas is in, especially "The Christmas Box" (made four years after this movie). For those still looking to see it again, "get TV" has several airings of it. 11/26/17, 12/08/17, 12/19/17 and possibly 12/25 (they are doing an all day marathon, but don't list what is being shown that day).
close to scrooge (a Christmas carol)
loddo19 November 2005
Warning: Spoilers
this fabulous movie is close to the qualities of scrooge, just without ghosts or it's a wonderful life. main difference should be it is a movie with a real historic background. each year i have to read the response on Virginia O'Hanlans letter, and each year I start getting in a Christmas mood. The movie is doing the same as only I'ts a wonderful life and several movies of Scrooge are able to. Christmas carol and, worth to mention, shows Charles Bronson as an actor for a hero without violence or strength, but therefore more charming. i am sorry that this movie isn't available on DVD or shown more often in Christmas time in Germany- it hasn't been broad casted for years.
I desperately need this movie for Christmas!
halito381 November 2001
I have been looking for over a year trying to find this movie. I don't care if it's on video or DVD. My 9 -year-old could really use this as she is asking that hard question this year!! If anyone finds it I would be most grateful to if they could pass on the information! I would do the same.
Bronson Turns in a Very Emotional Performance
Michael_Elliott22 December 2011
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.
** 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.
Surprisingly earnest and solid TV movie
I_Ailurophile3 December 2021
How does a timeless slice of cultural ephemera get turned into a 90 minute TV movie?
It's a long walk from establishing the time, place, and characters of the feature, to giving fictionalized context for the famous editorial. The movie weaves in thematic content including xenophobia, classism, sexism, alcoholism, harassment, wealth inequality, faithlessness in light of unanswered prayers for healing (quell surprise) - and, very early on, drawing a comparison between faith in a god and belief in a Santa Claus from the overly simplified and uninformed perspective of childhood innocence (you're SO close, kid). There's a lot going on here, not even taking into account a rather astonishing cast (a very young Katharine Isabelle! Ed Asner! Charles Bronson!), or strong production design and art direction to bring to life New York at the turn of the century. Attentive costume design, and set design and decoration, are one matter; the screenplay also includes extra period references, and flourishes in the dialogue, to make sure we grasp the time in which the picture is set.
For all that, though - for everything the screenplay broaches, including illness, loss, grief, hopelessness - the film is gratifyingly sincere, and refuses the easy melodrama or otherwise embellishment that would dilute the story it has to tell. Characters have refreshing personality, dialogue is real and heartfelt, scene writing is unexpectedly rich and compelling, and the overall narrative is - against all odds - satisfying, and even fulfilling. Yes, there's also astoundingly strong overemphasis on the everlasting import of the editorial, before Virginia even writers her letter; the feature rather inflates itself, and to this end is a bit ham-handed. However, much more so than not, all involved simply work hard to ensure that 'Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus' effectively communicates the same feelings as Francis Church's famous words.
I admire the heart that the assembled actors poured into their roles; even Bronson defies the limits of his low-boiling hardness to give a performance of minor nuance. Charles Bernstein's score rather reflects the romanticized tenderness that pervades the film, but is no less earnest to that point. It could be argued that this production is overly sentimental, too full of good will for its own benefit. But the fact remains that the picture is genuine, and heartwarming, and declines all the artifice that we have come to expect from TV movies. For whatever minor indelicacies or subjective disagreements one may find among the content, 'Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus' is, far and away, a touching piece, ever so excellent in its writing and craft, that I think deserves far more recognition.
How does a timeless slice of cultural ephemera get turned into a 90 minute TV movie? In this case, it turns out, with utmost honesty.
It's a long walk from establishing the time, place, and characters of the feature, to giving fictionalized context for the famous editorial. The movie weaves in thematic content including xenophobia, classism, sexism, alcoholism, harassment, wealth inequality, faithlessness in light of unanswered prayers for healing (quell surprise) - and, very early on, drawing a comparison between faith in a god and belief in a Santa Claus from the overly simplified and uninformed perspective of childhood innocence (you're SO close, kid). There's a lot going on here, not even taking into account a rather astonishing cast (a very young Katharine Isabelle! Ed Asner! Charles Bronson!), or strong production design and art direction to bring to life New York at the turn of the century. Attentive costume design, and set design and decoration, are one matter; the screenplay also includes extra period references, and flourishes in the dialogue, to make sure we grasp the time in which the picture is set.
For all that, though - for everything the screenplay broaches, including illness, loss, grief, hopelessness - the film is gratifyingly sincere, and refuses the easy melodrama or otherwise embellishment that would dilute the story it has to tell. Characters have refreshing personality, dialogue is real and heartfelt, scene writing is unexpectedly rich and compelling, and the overall narrative is - against all odds - satisfying, and even fulfilling. Yes, there's also astoundingly strong overemphasis on the everlasting import of the editorial, before Virginia even writers her letter; the feature rather inflates itself, and to this end is a bit ham-handed. However, much more so than not, all involved simply work hard to ensure that 'Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus' effectively communicates the same feelings as Francis Church's famous words.
I admire the heart that the assembled actors poured into their roles; even Bronson defies the limits of his low-boiling hardness to give a performance of minor nuance. Charles Bernstein's score rather reflects the romanticized tenderness that pervades the film, but is no less earnest to that point. It could be argued that this production is overly sentimental, too full of good will for its own benefit. But the fact remains that the picture is genuine, and heartwarming, and declines all the artifice that we have come to expect from TV movies. For whatever minor indelicacies or subjective disagreements one may find among the content, 'Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus' is, far and away, a touching piece, ever so excellent in its writing and craft, that I think deserves far more recognition.
How does a timeless slice of cultural ephemera get turned into a 90 minute TV movie? In this case, it turns out, with utmost honesty.
great holiday film
dmartin195424 October 2003
This was a very enjoyable holiday movie. We miss seeing it offered at Christmas time. For some reason it doesn't seem to have been on in years on national TV. And it is not available for sale on video which seems odd when the oddest things are available on video and DVD these days. We keep hoping to find it on TV so we can tape it or for sale some season soon.
Have many comments, all boiled down to excellent film
bones2517 January 2000
I really enjoyed the movie. It's funny that many, many people are not aware that the movie is based on fact -- while the movie may not have represented all the facts involved. The players were marvelous and did excellent jobs. They probably couldn't have found a better actor for the newspaper reporter.
Today, as well, so many children ask "Is there a Santa Claus?" I believe this movie should really be the answer they get. Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus ---.Just as an aside, I believe I recently heard that the original letter had been sold at auction but I can't remember for how much.
Today, as well, so many children ask "Is there a Santa Claus?" I believe this movie should really be the answer they get. Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus ---.Just as an aside, I believe I recently heard that the original letter had been sold at auction but I can't remember for how much.
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