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Editorial Reviews
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The loss of a loved one is never easy and memories often make the holiday season especially difficult. Addie (Lisa Lucas) lost her mother when she was very young and, while she sometimes yearns for her mother, she is a happy well-adjusted ten-year old who wants nothing more than to have a Christmas tree in the living room. Addie's father (Jason Robards) absolutely refuses to have a Christmas tree in the house, but offers no explanation for his stubborn resolve which leads Addie to question his motives and his love for her. It falls to Addie's Grandmother (Mildred Natwick) to explain that her father is still immersed in grief over the loss of his wife and that the memories of Christmases past are simply too painful for him to endure. When Addie wins a tree at school, her father is enraged by both the presence of the tree in his home and the idea of his family accepting charity. Only by opening a line of communication and sharing their feelings and memories with one another can Addie and her father reconcile their differences and begin to understand one another. Set in 1964, this 1972 made-for-television special feels like a stage play with sets and scenery that evoke the essence of an age-gone-by. The message, of course, is timeless. (Ages 5 and older) --Tami Horiuchi
Product Description
Jason Robards, Lisa Lucas, Mildred Natwick. A tender story about a stern, withdrawn widower and his precocious young daughter who longs for her first Christmas tree. Based on the semi-autobiographical book by Gail Rock. 1972/color/75 min/NR/fullscreen.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
440 of 449 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
Hi, I am Addie Mills (Lisa Lucas)and I just wanted to thank all of you who wrote such warm and complimentary reviews about "The House Without a Christmas Tree". What touched me most is the lasting impression the show made on so many and I feel very privileged to hold a place in their memory and their holiday tradition. It was a wonderful experience working on such a meaningful project and with such talented people. Actually, we did four specials all together. One for Thanksgiving called "The Holiday Treasure", for Easter called "The Easter Promise" and Valentines day (believe it or not) called "Addie and the King of Hearts." All but the Valentines Day show are available on video and I believe all four books are still out there. It's nice to see that good quality and heartwarming emotional drama can still be appreciated. Thanks again. (No, I'm not acting anymore but I did go onto roles in "An Unmarried Woman" with Jill Clayburgh, "Turning Point" with Shirley Maclaine and some wonderful television films like "The Adams Chronicles","A Perfect Match" and "The Migrants" Special hi to Traci in Canada. Yes,I remember spending many a cold day in your school during filming!
139 of 147 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
I was 13 when this movie first came out. It touched me deeply and still does. I noticed one reviewer said the filming was terrible. You have to understand that this was filmed inexpensively, in the 70's as a childrens special.It was based on the book by Gail Rock and so it was as though looking at the illustrations in a book. We didn't have all those fancy technical affects they have now. And, even if they did, that's not what the movie was about. It was about family, emotions, the simpler times. That's what touched us.It tugged at our emotions and our heart strings. We didn't need great technical affects to entertain us. And if the feeling isn't there when you view it. It never will be. So, if you're looking for fantastic special effects, this isn't the movie for you. There are plenty out there, devoid the emotions. If your looking for a movie,that will touch your inner self, then this is the movie for you. I also am pleased to have the video sequels "The Holiday Treasure" and "The Easter Promise". I only wish they'd make available on video. "Addie and the King Of Hearts". I'm hoping it can be done as there are many of us that would love to own it on video.
35 of 35 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is finally on DVD! Thank God! I have been so worried about my VHS copy deteriorating.
I wish I could give this story an even higher rating than a mere five stars! It is 1946 in the small town of Clear River, Nebraska, and Addie Mills, the lively, intelligent and artistic daughter of widower James Mills, who is being raised by her grandmother because her mother died shortly after she was born, once again broaches the idea of having a Christmas tree. Her father, who has remained withdrawn and embittered in the long years since her mother's death, as always fobs her off. Then Addie wins the classroom Christmas tree and takes it home...
This wonderful story was filmed and first broadcast in 1972 and shown on CBS. It was produced on videotape, which takes away a bit of the magic. However, it also makes you feel as if you are eavesdropping on this family, as if they were participants in a reality series. Lisa Lucas is splendid as the articulate Addie and Mildred Natwick is a charming grandma, but major kudos go to Jason Robards in the role of Addie's father. He could have been portrayed as a soulless tyrant but is revealed to be a desperately grieving and unhappy man instead.
The "look" of this special contributes to its appeal; the clothing, the sets, the classroom situation all makes you feel as if you are truly back in 1946. Paramount Video needs to release the three sequels as well; THANKSGIVING TREASURE is particularly good, and the fourth story, ADDIE AND THE KING OF HEARTS, has never been released to video at all. It sells on bootleg sites for $$$!
(I have a web page devoted to Addie that covers the different specials and the books (no advertising allowed!) at addiemills dot flyingdreams dot com. Hope you enjoy.)
I wish I could give this story an even higher rating than a mere five stars! It is 1946 in the small town of Clear River, Nebraska, and Addie Mills, the lively, intelligent and artistic daughter of widower James Mills, who is being raised by her grandmother because her mother died shortly after she was born, once again broaches the idea of having a Christmas tree. Her father, who has remained withdrawn and embittered in the long years since her mother's death, as always fobs her off. Then Addie wins the classroom Christmas tree and takes it home...
This wonderful story was filmed and first broadcast in 1972 and shown on CBS. It was produced on videotape, which takes away a bit of the magic. However, it also makes you feel as if you are eavesdropping on this family, as if they were participants in a reality series. Lisa Lucas is splendid as the articulate Addie and Mildred Natwick is a charming grandma, but major kudos go to Jason Robards in the role of Addie's father. He could have been portrayed as a soulless tyrant but is revealed to be a desperately grieving and unhappy man instead.
The "look" of this special contributes to its appeal; the clothing, the sets, the classroom situation all makes you feel as if you are truly back in 1946. Paramount Video needs to release the three sequels as well; THANKSGIVING TREASURE is particularly good, and the fourth story, ADDIE AND THE KING OF HEARTS, has never been released to video at all. It sells on bootleg sites for $$$!
(I have a web page devoted to Addie that covers the different specials and the books (no advertising allowed!) at addiemills dot flyingdreams dot com. Hope you enjoy.)
Most Recent Customer Reviews
not the greatest christmas movie....
I am a connoisseur of Christmas movies, having seen practically every one ever filmed. This one disappointed me terribly. Read more
Published 13 days ago by darlene
love it
this brought back so many memories! It was perfect, my children even loved it and watched the whole show. My kids are 9 & 8
Published 2 months ago by R.mack0
Wonderful family movie
I remember watching this when I was a little girl and when I found out I could buy it for my own family I was so happy! We will watch this each Christmas from now on. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Sarah R. Orille
The House Without a Christmas Tree
I saw this movie many, many years ago and loved it. Every Christmas season I had hopes that it would be broadcast on one of the cable channels but it never was. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Mangonut
Hal Holmes / A House WITHOUT a Christmas tree
My dear Friend, insisted we "FIND" this movie for Christmas, and he remembered it from 1972, when he was only 8 years old.....We both cherish the Holidays and the Holiday films.. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Harold T. Holmes
Just OK Christmas fare.
I had never heard about this film, which is obviously a made for TV movie, but it had some good reviews and a strong cast so I thought I would give it a try. Read more
Published 4 months ago by J. Carey
The House Without A Cristmas Tree
To be honest, I haven't seen the movie just yet but I do intend to see it just as soon as I get a chance. Read more
Published 4 months ago by The Rare Ru
OK movie...
I would give this movie 3 stars. It's OK, but I wouldn't buy it again and I don't think it was worth what I paid for it but Amazon is always very reliable, with super fast... Read more
Published 4 months ago by CDC
There's More???!!!
Oh My God! I had no idea this was a series of movies! The House Without A Christmas Tree has absolutely been one of my favorite Christmas movies since it came out in 1972. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Victoria Britton
"...but I know we were both thinking of that same Christmas in 1946."
Along with "The Homecoming", this is my favorite Christmas television drama. I didn't catch it the when it debuted in December 1972, but my mother gave it a glowing review, and... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Classic film buff
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