The Christmas That Almost Wasn't

The Christmas That Almost Wasn't

A more wonderful...more magical...more musical entertainment than this - there just isn't!

G 1966 · 89 min · ★ 3.0 · Fantasy, Family

Sam Whipple, an attorney in once-upon-a-time-land, is startled to receive a visit from Santa Claus shortly before Christmas. It seems that when he was a child, Sam wrote a letter thanking Santa for the presents he'd received, and offering to return the favor someday. That day is now - a mean old soul named Phineas Prune, who holds the deed to the North Pole, is demanding back rent. Otherwise, he's going to evict Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves and take all the Christmas toys. It's up to Sam and Santa to find a way to pay off Prune and prevent Christmas from being canceled.

Directed by Rossano Brazzi · Written by Rossano Brazzi

Your Rating

Cast

Make it a double feature

The Christmas That Almost Wasn't

Per amore... per magia...

Both from Rossano Brazzi.

More from Rossano BrazziSee all →

Harold Robbins' The SurvivorsHarold Robbins' The Survivors · 1969
Harold Robbins' The Survivors
★ 9.01969
SeriesDrama
The Survivors is a high-profile prime time soap opera aired by the ABC television network as part of its Fall 1969 lineup. This program is probably most noted now for having been the only appearance as a regular series character of major Hollywood actress Lana Turner, and also starred other "big names" such as Jan-Michael Vincent, Ralph Bellamy, Diana Muldaur, George Hamilton, Clu Gulager, and Natalie Schafer. Despite their presence, and that above the title of bestselling author Harold Robbins, since the characters were from his novel of the same name, the program was a ratings fiasco, losing badly to Mayberry R.F.D. and The Doris Day Show on CBS and The NBC Monday Movie on NBC. A program as expensive to produce as this one must garner large ratings in order to be successful, so it was cancelled at midseason, although it was rerun the following summer in an attempt to recoup at least some of the investment.
Orient ExpressOrient Express · 1979
Orient Express
★ 8.51979
SeriesDrama
A six-part French tv series first broadcast in 1979, each episode of Orient Express focuses on a different tale of a journey on the legendary train; each one is set between the outbreak of the First World War and the outbreak of the Second.
Little WomenLittle Women · 1949
Little Women
★ 7.41949
MovieRomanceDrama
Four sisters come of age in America in the aftermath of the Civil War.
The Far PavilionsThe Far Pavilions · 1984
The Far Pavilions
★ 7.41984
SeriesDramaAction & Adventure
Adapted from M.M. Kaye's best-selling novel, this dramatic HBO miniseries follows two star-crossed lovers -- the young British officer Ash (Ben Cross) and the betrothed princess Anjuli (Amy Irving) -- as they face daunting odds in their quest to be together. Set in India during the time of the British Raj, this haunting (and BAFTA-nominated) love story features spectacular scenery and an epic saga of battle, treachery and intrigue.
Hawaii Five-OHawaii Five-O · 1969
Hawaii Five-O
★ 7.21969
SeriesAction & AdventureDrama
Hawaii Five-O is an American police procedural drama series produced by CBS Productions and Leonard Freeman. Set in Hawaii, the show originally aired for 12 seasons from 1968 to 1980, and continues in reruns. Jack Lord portrayed Detective Lieutenant Steve McGarrett, the head of a special state police task force which was based on an actual unit that existed under martial law in the 1940s. The theme music composed by Morton Stevens became especially popular. Many episodes would end with McGarrett instructing his subordinate to "Book 'em, Danno!", sometimes specifying a charge such as "murder one".
Run for Your LifeRun for Your Life · 1965
Run for Your Life
★ 7.11965
SeriesDrama
Run for Your Life is an American television drama series starring Ben Gazzara as a man with only a short time to live. It ran on NBC from 1965 to 1968. The series was created by Roy Huggins, who had previously explored the "man on the move" concept with The Fugitive.
Per amore... per magia...Per amore... per magia... · 1967
Per amore... per magia...
★ 7.01967
MovieAdventureFantasy
There was once upon a time the Grand Duchy of Forilalì where Aladdin lived. After taking part in many robberies, he decided to turn honest for the love of the beautiful Princess Esmeralda. But his intention lasted only a few days. Afterward he found himself in jail with his old companions. They were freed by the magician Magrebì and in a night of lunar eclipse, Aladdin found a magic lamp. He succeeded in cleaning his sister Adalgisa's house with the help of the genie and then, with no help at all, to marry Esmeralda. But evil powers were in action.
The Name of the GameThe Name of the Game · 1968
The Name of the Game
★ 7.01968
SeriesAction & AdventureSci-Fi & Fantasy
The Name of the Game is an American television series starring Tony Franciosa, Gene Barry, and Robert Stack that ran from 1968 to 1971 on NBC, totaling 76 episodes of 90 minutes. It was a pioneering wheel series, setting the stage for The Bold Ones and the NBC Mystery Movie in the 1970s. The show had an extremely large budget for a television series.
The Italian JobThe Italian Job · 1969
The Italian Job
★ 6.91969
MovieCrimeComedy
Charlie's got a 'job' to do. Having just left prison he finds one of his friends has attempted a high-risk job in Torino, Italy, right under the nose of the mafia. Charlie's friend doesn't get very far, so Charlie takes over the 'job'. Using three Mini Coopers, a couple of Jaguars, and a bus, he hopes to bring Torino to a standstill, steal a fortune in gold and escape in the chaos.
Hart to HartHart to Hart · 1979
Hart to Hart
★ 6.91979
SeriesAction & AdventureCrime
Wealthy couple Jonathan and Jennifer Hart, a self-made millionaire and his journalist wife, moonlight as amateur detectives.
The DuPont Show with June AllysonThe DuPont Show with June Allyson · 1959
The DuPont Show with June Allyson
★ 6.81959
SeriesDrama
The DuPont Show with June Allyson is an American anthology drama series which aired on CBS from September 21, 1959 to April 3, 1961 with rebroadcasts continuing until June 12, 1961. The series was hosted by actress June Allyson.
The Barefoot ContessaThe Barefoot Contessa · 1954
The Barefoot Contessa
★ 6.81954
MovieDrama
A washed-up filmmaker gets a second chance at stardom when he discovers stunning peasant Maria Vargas dancing in a Madrid nightclub. Goaded by his producer, the director convinces Maria to screen test for, and then star in, his next big picture. But as the producer's possessive nature and the realities of stardom weigh on Maria, she seeks a genuine lover with whom she can escape.
SummertimeSummertime · 1955
Summertime
★ 6.71955
MovieDramaRomance
Middle-aged Ohio secretary Jane Hudson has never found love and has nearly resigned herself to spending the rest of her life alone. But before she does, she uses her savings to finance a summer in romantic Venice, where she finally meets the man of her dreams, the elegant Renato Di Rossi.
AusterlitzAusterlitz · 1960
Austerlitz
★ 6.71960
MovieDramaHistory
Napoleon Bonaparte crowns himself emperor and fights the English, Austrians and Russians in 1802.
Charlie's AngelsCharlie's Angels · 1976
Charlie's Angels
★ 6.71976
SeriesAction & Adventure
Beautiful, intelligent, and ultra-sophisticated, Charlie's Angels are everything a man could dream of... and way more than they could ever handle! Receiving their orders via speaker phone from their never seen boss, Charlie, the Angels employ their incomparable sleuthing and combat skills, as well as their lethal feminine charm, to crack even the most seemingly insurmountable of cases.
The Ruth Rendell MysteriesThe Ruth Rendell Mysteries · 1987
The Ruth Rendell Mysteries
★ 6.61987
SeriesDramaMystery
The Ruth Rendell mysteries is a British television series made by TVS and Meridian Television for ITV between 2 August 1987 and 11 October 2000.

More Like This

PrancerPrancer · 1989
Prancer
★ 6.21989
MovieFamilyDrama
Jessica, the daughter of an impoverished apple farmer, still believes in Santa Claus. So when she comes across a reindeer with an injured leg, it makes perfect sense to her to assume that it is Prancer, who had fallen from a Christmas display in town. She hides the reindeer in her barn and feeds it cookies, until she can return it to Santa. Her father finds the reindeer and decides to sell it to the butcher, not for venison chops, but as an advertising display.
BlizzardBlizzard · 2003
Blizzard
★ 6.02003
MovieFamilyComedy
A young girl's aunt tells her the tale of a young ice skater and an enchanted reindeer.
The Boss Baby: Christmas BonusThe Boss Baby: Christmas Bonus · 2022
The Boss Baby: Christmas Bonus
★ 6.72022
MovieAnimationFamily
Christmas Eve takes a twisty turn when the Boss Baby accidentally swaps places with one of Santa's elves and gets stranded at the North Pole.
Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of MouseMickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse · 2001
Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse
★ 7.02001
MovieAnimationFamily
When a huge snowstorm leaves everyone stranded, Mickey and all of his guests at the House of Mouse, including Pooh, Belle, Snow White, Cinderella, Ariel and many more of his old and new friends, break out the cookies and hot chocolate to help Donald mend his tattered Christmas spirit.
Christmas StoryChristmas Story · 2007
Christmas Story
★ 7.22007
MovieFantasyFamily
Hundreds of years ago in Lapland, a little boy named Nikolas loses his family in an accident. The villagers decide to look after the orphaned boy together. Once a year - at Christmas - Nikolas moves to a new home. To show his gratitude, Nikolas decides to make toys for the children of the families as good-bye presents. Over the years, Nikolas's former adoptive families become many, and soon almost every house has presents on its doorstep on Christmas morning. At thirteen, Nikolas is sent to live and work with Iisakki, a grumpy old carpenter, who forbids Nikolas to continue making presents for Christmas. Gradually, however, Nikolas wins Iisakki's trust. Together they begin to look after the Christmas traditional that Nikolas has begun. When the aged Iisakki has to leave Nikolas and move away, the tradition of Christmas presents is once again at risk. Thankfully, Nikolas comes up with a solution that brings children joy every Christmas, even continuing to today.
That ChristmasThat Christmas · 2024
That Christmas
★ 7.12024
MovieAnimationComedy
It's an unforgettable Christmas for the townsfolk of Wellington-on-Sea when the worst snowstorm in history alters everyone's plans — including Santa's.
Babes in ToylandBabes in Toyland · 1934
Babes in Toyland
★ 6.31934
MovieFantasyComedy
Ollie Dee and Stannie Dum try to borrow money from their employer, the toymaker, to pay off the mortgage on Mother Peep's shoe and keep it and Little Bo Peep from the clutches of the evil Barnaby. When that fails, they trick Barnaby, enraging him.
Santa with MusclesSanta with Muscles · 1996
Santa with Muscles
★ 3.61996
MovieActionFamily
A heartless millionaire believes he is Santa Claus after an accident renders him amnesiac.
Santa Claus Conquers the MartiansSanta Claus Conquers the Martians · 1964
Santa Claus Conquers the Martians
★ 3.21964
MovieComedyFantasy
Martians fear their children have become lazy and joyless due to their newfound obsession with Earth TV shows. After ancient Martian leader Chochem suggests that the children of Mars need more fun—including their own Santa Claus—supreme leader Lord Kimar assembles an expedition to Earth. Once there, they kidnap two children who lead them to the North Pole, then capture the real Santa Claus, taking all three back to Mars in an attempt to bring the Martian children happiness.
EragonEragon · 2006
Eragon
★ 5.12006
MovieFantasyAction
In his homeland of Alagaesia, a farm boy happens upon a dragon's egg -- a discovery that leads him on a predestined journey where he realized he's the one person who can defend his home against an evil king.
Christmas & Co.Christmas & Co. · 2017
Christmas & Co.
★ 6.32017
MovieComedyFantasy
Christmas is on its way and with it disaster. The 92,000 responsible for manufacturing children's toys all become sick at the same time! It's a tough moment for Santa, better known as Father Christmas. He's left no choice: he must make an emergency trip to Earth with his reindeer to search for a remedy. When he arrives, he must find some allies to save the magic of Christmas.
Santa's SlaySanta's Slay · 2005
Santa's Slay
★ 5.52005
MovieComedyFantasy
Santa Claus is actually a demon who lost a bet with an angel, so he became the giver of toys and happiness. But this year the bet is off, and Santa is about to return to his evil ways.

Rate this film

Your ratings make Midnight smarter