The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

"What did she says the play is called?"

"Christmas Pageant."

"That's no name. That's what it is."

"I know a name. I'd call it "Revenge at Bethlehem."

The Herdman kids, Imogen (Hunt), Claude (Heaton), Gladys (Dean), Leroy (Micus), Ollie (Punt), and Ralph (Reid), are well-known in their home town.  Their father is gone and their mother works late, leaving them to wreak havoc on the town.  They steal, cheat, smoke cigars, and terrify everyone... leaving only church as a safe haven from the Herdmans'.

The church is preparing for the annual Christmas pageant.  Everyone year the pageant is run by Alice Wendlekin (Hellman), but this year she fell and is in the hospital.  Directing duties are given to Grace Bradley (Swit).  Grace gathers the children to discuss parts for the play, and is shocked when the Herdmans' arrive.  Imogen announces that she will play Mary, with Gladys as the Angel of the Lord, and their brothers as Joseph and the Wise Men.  With the Herdmans' in the pageant, will anything go according to plan?


This made for TV film is based on the children's book "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" written by Barbara Robinson.  Robinson adapted the story into a play in 1982 and then into a TV movie for ABC the following year.  Due to the popularity of the book, play, and special, Robinson wrote 2 more stories about the Herdman kids: "The Best School Year Ever" in 2005 and "The Best Halloween Ever" in 2006.

I loved this book as a child.  I also grew up watching and loving this movie.  The characters are funny and memorable, with Gladys stealing the show (and pageant).  Loretta Swit is great as the mom, and all of the kids are funny.  This was the film debut of actress Fairuza Balk, who plays Alice the narrator.

This film is funny, while still focusing on the Christmas story, and the pageant packs an emotional punch.  I finally found a copy of this film and now I plan to watch it every Christmas.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (1983) 48 minutes
Director: George Schaefer
Starring: Loretta Swit as Grace Bradley
Jackson Davies as Bob Bradley
Anthony Holland as Reverend Hopkins
David Alexander as Charlie Bradley
Fairuza Balk as Beth Bradley
Ocean Hellman as Alice Wendlekin
Janet Wright as Helen Armstrong
Megan Hunt as Imogen Herdman
Beau Heaton as Claude Herdman
Teri Dean as Gladys Herdman
Jason Micus as Leroy Herdman
Shane Punt as Ollie Herdman
Glen Reid as Ralph Herdman