The House Without A Christmas Tree is a low budget, three character teleplay made in 1972 for CBS. It features Jason Robards, Mildrid Natwick and Lisa Lucas.
The movie is based on a children's book by Gail Rocks and tells the story of Addie Mills (Lucas) a girl growing up in a small Nebraska. Her father James Mills (Robards) is a melancholy man who has never gotten over the death of his wife. The family is held together by Mrs. Mills, James' mother and Addie's paternal grandmother (Natwick).
It is Christmas 1946 Addie and her father's relationship comes to ahead when Addie is old enough to really want a Christmas tree in the house and does not understand why her father does not celebrate the holiday.
The film is told in five acts with each seen opening and closing with beautiful paper collages.
The film was nominated for an Emmy and has become a sentimental Christmas classic that perfectly captures a piece of American life.
At The Movie House rating **** stars.
2 comments:
I remember seeing this when it first aired...was it really that long ago?...a very sentimental movie...reading your review and realizing it takes place in 1946 in Nebraska, you can't help but think that it is a nation coming out of war and depression, whioch all must have added to the father's despondency. Good little TV movie and thanks for the review
Watching the film as a child I loved the story and the sentimentality. Watching it as an adult I understand the emotions better and really appreciate the acting craft of the three stars, especially Mildred Natwick and Jason Robards.
The depression is mentioned by the grandmother as a reason why son does not spend money easily, using that as an excuse to hide the real reason why her son does not celebrate Christmas. Robards time worn face (mostly from alcoholism) perfectly captures the sense of a defeated, man who ahs lost the ability to love. An excellent film.
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