"The Man Who Saved Christmas"

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Based on the true story of A.C. Gilbert, a toy maker, during WWI.    

A.C. Gilbert (Jason Alexander), a toy maker, who is determined to continue making toys during WWI after the Government summoned him to use his factory for the war effort.  He lobbies the Government to allow toys to continue to be made.  His appeal to them was that children need to have hope and to play with things that will enhance their learning abilities.  BTW, A.C. Gilbert is the inventor of the Erector Set.

From what I understand,a number of the details in the movie are not accurate, but the gist of the story is what makes this movie more than just another Christmas flick.  It's about hope.  

The hope referred to in this movie emerges from the period of WWI; however, hope embraces all generations, especially at Christmastime. Hope brings us happiness.  

Just as back in WWI in 1918, we, as parents and grandparents, have an obligation to encourage our children and grandchildren to thrive and learn with hope, which is expectation, and with faith, which is trust.  

Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

Now faith is the confidence in what we hope for and the assurance about what we do not see"

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Erector Set

Chemistry Set

The Auto Biography of A.C. Gilbert

The Man Who Saved Christmas

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"The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year"

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Jennifer (Brooke Burns), a driven business woman, educated and overly organized, is getting ready for the Christmas Holidays.  She is looking forward to meeting her jeweler and materialistic boyfriend's family for the first time this year.  

Her over-protective, retired NYC Cop, Uncle Ralph (Henry Winkler) is flying into Chicago from NYC, as he always does, to be with Jennifer, her son, Brian (Connor Christopher) and his sister, Jennifer's mom who was going to cook the Christmas turkey!

In a matter of a day, everything changes!  Jennifer's assistant, Denise, (Ruklya Bernard) tells her that her mom left a message that she is not coming. because she is taking an unexpected cruise and also that the one present her son, Brian, is asking for is the go-to toy of the year, a "Rocket Wheel" bike.  This late in the season, they are almost impossible to get.  Jennifer panics, as she never cooked a turkey before and how was she going to impress her boyfriend's family?!  How would she ever find a "Rocket Wheel" for Brian?!

Uncle Ralph, who is not a seasoned airport traveler, meets Morgan Derby (Warren Christie) who is a chef and who is traveling to meet his girlfriend.  They are looking into opening up their own restaurant, but with no solid plan in place.  Morgan sees how confused Ralph is at the airport and offers to help him.  They become rapid friends; Ralph likes the character he sees in Morgan.  

Upon arriving at the airport, Morgan's connecting flight is cancelled.  Ralph feels badly for Morgan and asks Jennifer if he could stay with them for just one night.  She immediately said no; that is, until she found out he was a chef and Turkey is his specialty.  One night turns into a few nights with Uncle Ralph's help.  Uncle Ralph does not like Jennifer's boyfriend, so he keeps making excuses why Morgan needs to stay.  Jennifer and Morgan do begin to have "something" between them, just as the boyfriend surprises Jennifer with an engagement ring; once she reluctantly accepts. 

Morgan then leaves and placed a thank you note on Jennifer's kitchen counter.  Unfortunately, the boyfriend sees the note and puts it in his pocket.  When Jennifer realizes that Morgan left without even as much as a goodbye, she is furious.  That is until Christmas Day, when the boyfriend tells Brian to go into his coat pocket because there's a gift in there for him, and Brian pulls out the note instead.  

Once Jennifer realizes the deception, she breaks off the engagement.  She also realizes that Morgan had taught her much about the holidays and living a good life.  Uncle Ralph encourages her to go to the airport and tell Morgan how she feels.  Unlike her, she does!  When she arrives, it looks like she missed him, but by accident she hits the intercom button with her large purse, her story is being heard by the whole airport.  Morgan realizes it's him she's talking about and races to find her.  They both return to Jennifer's home where Uncle Ralph declares, "Now! This is Christmas!"

Luke 12:15 (NIV)

"Then he said to them, "Watch out!  Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a person's life does not consist in the abundance of their possessions."

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The Best Turkey Roasting Pans

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IT HAPPENED ON 5TH AVENUE - 1947

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A drifter named Aloysius "Mac" McKeever (Victor Moore) skillfully has watched the comings and goings of a very rich business man named Mike O'Connor (Charles Ruggles).  Mac knows when Mr. O'Connor is living in his Northern residence and when he "snow birds" down South.  So Mac makes himself comfortable by staying in Mr. O'Connor's empty residences during the times of the year he is away.  

While Mac is staying at Mr. O'Connor's luxurious home in New York City, he meets a Veteran, Jim Bullock (Don DeFore), who has recently been evicted from a building owned by Mr. O'Conner.  Mac invites  him to stay with him, unbeknownst to Jim that Mac is staying there under false pretenses.  

One evening, someone enters the home and proceeds upstairs to a bedroom.  The unknown visitor happens to be the daughter of Mr. O'Connor, Trudy O'Connor, (Gail Storm), who has left school against her father's wishes.  She is startled when she realizes two men are in the house and are trying to stop her from what they think is stealing a fur coat.  

Mac and Jim question her, however she catches on very quickly that Mac is a drifter taking advantage of her family's home being empty for the winter.  She decides to keep her identity a secret and play along and tells them that she was desperate for something to wear because she was going on an interview.  Mac takes pity on her and asks her to stay.  She does, and it doesn't hurt that she also has an attraction for the veteran, Jim.  

This pretense starts snowballing, as Mr. O'Connor returns to NYC to find his daughter.  When he arrives home, she greets him immediately and somehow convinces him to play along.  She is upset with her father because he does not agree with her action of leaving school, as she wants to follow her own passion.  To add more "fuel to the fire", she contacts her mother, Mary O'Connor (Ann Harding) who is the estranged wife of Mike O'Connor.  Trudy knows her mother will take her side.  

At this point in the story, we have Mac, Jim, Trudy, Mike O'Connor and his estranged wife, Mary, all living and pretending in the same house.  The plot thickens as more people are invited to live in the house due to no available housing.  

This is an amusing, warm and heartfelt movie, as everyone begins to realize that Mac, the drifter, is full of wisdom and true kindness.  As time goes on each person learns a valuable life lesson that no amount of money that Mike O'Connor has could possibly have had the same wonderful impact on their lives.  

Proverbs 3:13 NIV

Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for they are more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. 

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CROWN FOR CHRISTMAS

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Allie Evans (Danika McKellar) lives with her two siblings, Lisa (Rose Neville) and Aaron (Rollo Skinner) in a small apartment.  Since losing their parents, they have been on their own and sometimes money gets tight.

Allie and Lisa work as maids at a big New York City Hotel.  On one particular day, Lisa was messaged that she has gotten an audition, one that she had been hoping for.  However, she needed to be at the audition in an hour; the middle of her work day.  Allie knowing how important this was to Lisa, tells her to go, and she would cover the rooms herself.  

Allie's didn't anticipate that one particular room looked like it had three parties in it the night before and knew this was going to be a challenge.  She begins working quickly; however, her superior, who is waiting for the room to be finished, sees that Allie is by herself, so she fires Allie and her sister.....and it's right before Christmas.   As Allie leaves upset and frustrated, she hands her superior a watch that was left in the room.  There's a man standing outside of the door who overhears their conversation and is impressed by Allie's actions.

The man, Fergus (Pavel Douglas) happens to work for a King.  King Maximillian (Rupert Penry-Jones) is a widowed father of a rebellious 10-year old girl.  He has been having difficulty keeping a Governess, because of his daughter's challenging behavior.  Fergus decides to pursue finding Allie and after checking her background, offers her the job.  It pays so well, it will help Allie's family, so she accepts the offer.

Allie is flown to Europe and is introduced to some unwelcoming servants in the castle, but finds others who are genuinely kind.  She has no problem speaking her mind which sometimes gets her in trouble, but the King secretly is finding it most refreshing.  

As the weeks go on, Allie is put to the challenge with Princess Theodora (Ellie Botterill), but manages to outsmart her every time.  After awhile Theodora becomes attached to Allie, and so does the King.   

I'll stop there, hoping you'll watch this entertaining flick that's a bit of a "Cinderella-type" tale; however, it's really about being true to yourself.  What kind of happy ending will there be? 

Proverbs 21:3 (NIV)

"To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice."

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THE CHRISTMAS BOX

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A very wealthy widow, Mrs. Parkin (the great Maureen O'Hara) lives alone and is looking for a live-in couple as caretakers.  The Evans family, Keri (Annette O'Toole), Richard (Richard Thomas) and their young daughter, Jenna (Kelsey Mulrooney) interview for the position.  Richard's work has really impacted his family life, so they have decided to make a change.

Mrs. Parkin is guarded, but hires the family.  Richard, the husband, also does not warm up to Mrs. Parkin as quickly as his wife does.  As time progresses, they learn a little more about each other, and Mrs. Parkin takes a special interest in little Jenna.  

There is a mystery though, one that Mrs Parkin holds close to her heart and keeps to herself.   

This is a story of compassion, learning and acceptance.  You'll see both Mrs. Parkin and Richard learn valuable lessons from one another. 

Colossians 3:13 (NIV)

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

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