[.ca] The House Without a Christmas Tree

A special place in my heart and on my video shelf:
I was thrilled to get a copy of this video. It was filmed at a house across from my grade school. I remember we got to sit outside and watching filming...but our teacher told us we had to be as quiet as mice. We were. My school is also featured in the movie. I'll never forget the experience, or the movie.

A Place I love to go to:
I have owned "A House Without A Christmas Tree" for several years and I watch it year around.I just watched it again. I feel like I have gone back to my house, as a child. I was born in 35 and Addie was born in 36. Her home and school look much like mine did. I liked the post war years and the simple Christmases that we had. I have watched this with my grandchildren and they compare me with the grandmother and call me a smart old character. I love everything about the movie. I love the home, the family, the Christmas season, but, my favorite part is the relationship that Addie has with her grandmother. Who is narrating this movie?

The Addie Mills series:
I have four of the Addie Mills episodes on video. "The House Without A Christmas Tree". 1972- "The Holiday Treasure" 1973( about Thanksgiving) and "The Easter Promise" 1974. I inquired and was told that the last in the series. "Addie and the King of Hearts" was not put on video and is therefore unavailable. I have no idea why not as I love the three that I do own. I was 14 when the first one The House Without a Christmas tree came out on TV. It made a very strong impression on me. My dad had died suddenly two years before and he looked alot like Jason Robards.I was kind of dismayed by some (I assume younger reviewers?) who were disapointed in the lack of special effects. That's not why we love it. We didn't need special effects for it to make an impression on us. If we want that we can watch Star Wars. We love it for the heart warming message it conveyed. No amount of special effects could even come close to that. And although I feel fortunate to own three out of the four movies. I'm greedy. I want the last one! Wahh !!!!

Get Out Your Hankies:
First, in response to the reviewer in Arizona who complained that the quality of the filming is terrible, let me point out that it's NOT filmed, it's taped, so if this is an issue, be prepared. By way of defense, let me say that not everything of quality has a high price tag attached (something people lose sight of in these days of expensive, obligatory special effects). That noted, let me say that this is a wonderful production. I hadn't seen it since its release in 1972, but I never forgot it. It finally occurred to that it might be available for sale and lo and behold, I found a reasonably-priced copy on Amazon.com (available only on VHS). I'm delighted to say that my memory hasn't betrayed me. I'm so grateful that these wonderful Christmas specials from the past are available for viewing in the vulgar, violent times in which we find ourselves. The cast shines in this story of a bitter, heartbroken widower who keeps his only child, Addie, at arm's length because she reminds him of his late wife. Addie finally succeeds in breaking through his reserve when she gives away the the Christmas tree she has won despite so desperately craving it, and which he just as desperately opposes because it, too reminds him of Addie's mother. WARNING: This production doesn't contain rap music, references to substance abuse, social commentary, or politically-correct platitudes, so if your idea of entertainment requires such content, look elsewhere. However, if you're looking for a beautifully-realized story of the true meaning of Christmas, put in your order for this wonderful VHS now, so that you can enjoy it in time for Christmas. I promise, it won't disappoint.

Very Enjoyable!!:
I was strange to watch this movie from my childhood after all these years. This was one of my sister's favorite Christmas shows - and we used to watch it years ago. I do not understand why some reviewers do not like this movie. It was after all, made in the early 1970's and probably on a shoe-string budget - but what they pulled off is wonderful and magical and still holds up to this day. I had a unique perspective watching this movie - for the last time I had watched it, I was younger than the character Adie - and now... I'm WAY so much older than her. It was a treat to watch the movie and remember it and pleasant times - There was also much that I had forgotten - so it was basicly like watching a new movie as well. Regardless, this is wonderful family viewing entertainment and the fact that it was taped shouldn't bother anyone.