Product Details

• Actors: Mickey Rooney, Scott Grimes, Barrie Youngfellow, George Gaynes, Gary Bayer
• Format: Widescreen, NTSC
• Rated: Unrated
• Number of tapes: 1
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0000665S8
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #71,138 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

It Came Upon the Midnight Clear [VHS] [VHS Tape] (1984) Mickey Rooney; Lew Horn

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

63 of 63 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Heartwarming Christmas Classic, November 1, 2003

By 

Sallie A. Martin (OK) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: It Came Upon the Midnight Clear [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This is one film that I wish was still aired during the holiday season.

Mickey Rooney stars as Mike Halligan, a loveable, devoted grandfather to Scott Grimes who plays Robbie Westin. Robbie and Mike are extremely close and are looking forward to spending the holiday season together. When Mike suffers a fatal heart attack, Christmas joy suddenly turns to Christmas sorrow, devastating Mike's daughter (Robbie's mom), Robbie and the rest of the Westin family.

As Mike arrives in Heaven (a very short montage), he asks for a second chance at life, because he has promised Robbie that they would go to New York for Christmas. An angel gives Mike an assignment that allows him to return to Earth, but for only a short time. Robbie accepts and welcomes Mike's second chance at life and Mike and Robbie take off for New York without the rest of Robbie's family knowing it, which sends the family into a confused, astonished dash for New York in search of their son.

The real impact of the movie comes when Mike and Robbie arrive in New York. Annie Potts (Ghostbusters, Pretty in Pink, Designing Women) who plays Cindy Mills, a news reporter, sets out on assignment to find the true meaning of Christmas in New York, and is left empty-handed and wondering what has happened to Christmas. Mike and Robbie, in the triumphant conclusion, help her and many other New Yorkers re-discover the meaning of Christmas. The ending is quite a tear-jerker as Mike and Robbie are reunited with their family on Christmas Eve.

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear is a family film. It sends that warm feeling through you that causes you to appreciate your family and the memories that come with each Christmas. Although this movie is not aired on television anymore (obviously because of it's family values), I still recommend that you search for it in the dusty holiday corner of your local video store. It really brings the holidays right to you, and may become a holiday viewing tradition.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Please bring this movie back to TV, December 8, 2004

By 

C. Fonash "C girl" (New Jersey) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: It Came Upon the Midnight Clear [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I remember watching this movie when I was about 7 years old around Christmas time. For the next few Christmases, I would check the TV guide to find out when it would be on again. Sadly, I don't think this movie has aired since the 80s. This is a truly wonderful, heartwarming story that really captures true Christmas spirit, which I feel is lacking in most modern Christmas movies.
Young Robbie's grandfather (Mickey Rooney) has promised to show him Christmas time in NYC. Grandfather dies shortly before they are to leave for their trip...but heaven gives him a second chance to take his grandson to NYC.
Now I am almost 30 and I still check the TV listings every year just in case it airs. It never does, so I am going to purchase the VHS .
I recommend this underated movie for anyone who loves Christmas.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What is the problem?, December 2, 2005

By 

Christmas Movie Buff - See all my reviews

This review is from: It Came Upon the Midnight Clear [VHS] (VHS Tape)

How sad that such a wonderful movie should be so hard to find, or that you would have to pay up to $99.00 for a used VHS in order to be able to bring enjoyment to your home at Christmas time, I debate paying this every year I go online to see if it has been released. There is a Mickey Rooney Website that takes feedback and I wrote strong comments about them releasing this movie again. I don't know what it can do, but maybe something. If I hear anything positive from that I will email you all that love this movie as much as me. Happy Holidays!