Main Cast: Rossano Brazzi, Paul Tripp, Alberto Rabagliati, Lydia Brazzi, Mischa Auer
Release Year: 1966
Country: IT/US
Run Time: 88 minutes
Plot
In this tuneful Italian holiday film a scroogy old miser decides to evict Santa Clause and Company from the North Pole because the dead-beats are behind on their rent. Children from around the world rally 'round the Jolly One and send him their pennies and save the day. Songs include: "Christmas Is Coming," "The Christmas That Almost Wasn't," "Hustle Bustle," "I'm Bad," "Kids Get All the Breaks," "The Name of the Song Is Prune," "Nothing to Do But Wait," "Santa Claus (Round)," "Time for Christmas," "What Are Children Like When They're Fast Asleep?" and "Why Can't Every Day Be Christmas?" ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
Review
Beloved by many baby boomers, The Christmas That Almost Wasn't doesn't hold up as well as many other holiday films and TV specials. Truth to tell, Christmas was never a really good film, but children who experienced it near the time of its release tended to hold a special place in their hearts for the film, perhaps because the dire problem at the heart of the film -- the possibility of no Christmas this year! -- struck such a big chord with them. Whether modern children would also take Christmas so deep into their hearts is doubtful; the film looks cheap, which is more noticed by children nowadays, and the special effects are rather poor. More importantly, the plot -- never especially original -- is far too reminiscent of other Christmas shows. A stand out score would help, but Christmas's songs are merely pleasant -- and also quite predictable. Christmas does score points for its somewhat unusual take on Santa, as well as for an amusing credits sequence. And it has a fine cast, with Rosanno Brazzi quite memorable as the villainous Prune. Christmas is easy enough to watch; it's just not a great film. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
The Christmas That Almost Wasn't is a 1966 film that stars Rossano Brazzi and Paul Tripp. The movie had traditional December airings on Home Box Office (HBO) during the 1970s and early 1980s. The title in Italian is known as 'Natale che quasi non fu'.
Alberto Rabagliati, Paul Tripp & Sonny Fox in "The Christmas That Almost Wasn't"
In this Italian made film, Phineas T. Prune is an old miser who holds the deed to the North Pole. It seems that Santa Claus is behind in paying his rent. Prune plans to have Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves evicted and keep the Christmas toys. Santa asks Sam Whipple for help. Can Whipple and the children around the world help Santa and prevent Christmas from being cancelled?
The film was directed by and stars Rossano Brazzi. The actual story, based on his book, was written by Paul Tripp, who also stars in the film. The musical score was written by Bruno Nicolai which includes the title song sung by Glenn Yarbrough. In the USA, the film is rated G and has a running time of 89 minutes.
