Once Upon a Main Street

Amelia Lewis (Lachey) dreams of opening a year-round Christmas store. Her dreams are almost a reality, until her realtor shares that there is a competiting bid on her location. The other bidder is Vic Manning (McPartlin), who immediately clashes with Amelia. They learn that the decision about the property belongs to Elder Dubois (Duffy).

Amelia and Vic drive to Elder's house to plead their respective cases: her Christmas store and his gourmet chocolate shop. Elder recently lost his wife and wants time to make the decision. He also needs to focus on a town decorating contest with all of the small businesses versus a neighboring town.

Amelia and Vic offer to help with the contest. Elder invites them to stay at his house while they work. Each tries to impress and sway Elder with their unique skills. They also have their hands full wrangling the small-business owners. Can both Amelia and Vic make their dreams come true, while helping Elder?

This is a Lifetime Christmas movie. Director Polly Draper also portrays pottery shop owner Rowena Marson. 

The Good:

Vanessa Lachey and Ryan McPartlin work well together. Both are charismatic actors and work well together. Patrick Duffy is heartbreaking as Elder.

The Bad:

The side characters - shop owners and Amelia's friend - are one-note. They have minimal to no personality and are mostly forgettable.

Other Comments:

-The film is fine... entertaining in the moment, but forgettable. I watched this film because I enjoy Ryan McPartlin and wanted to see him work with Vanessa Lachey. 

Once Upon a Main Street (2020) 87 minutes

Director: Polly Draper

Starring: Vanessa Lachey as Amelia Lewis

Ryan McPartlin as Vic Manning

Polly Draper as Rowena Marson

Scott Takeda as Billy Woo

Patrick Duffy as Elder Dubois

Nativity 2: Danger in the Manger!

Mr. Donald Peterson (Tennant) has a lot on his plate. He and wife Sarah (Page) moved to a new town, are expecting their first baby, and he has a new teaching position at St. Bernadette's school.

His class is a chaotic mess, under the direction of childish classroom assistant Mr. Poppy (Wootton). Mr. Poppy's antics have driven away all previous teachers, to the frustration of his aunt, headmistress Mrs. Bevan (Pam Ferris).

Mr. Poppy and the class want to compete in the "A Song for Christmas" competition. The winning school will win a cash prize and have the opportunity to record their song. They learn that their nemesis Gordon Shakespeare (Watkins) and his perfectionist class are competing. And the favorite is Mr. Peterson's twin brother Roderick, a famous composer, along with his choir. But Mrs. Bevan won't allow St. Bernadette's to compete without a teacher. 

They hold secret auditions, borrow a baby, and kidnap Mr. Peterson. But the trip to Wales does not go as planned. Can they work together to make it to the competition, perform their new song, and have fun?

The sequel to Nativity!. The story is set 3 years after the events of the first film.

The Good:

Like the first film, the kids are cute and the songs are entertaining. St. Bernadette's songs at thr competition are great.

The Bad:

The story is not great and Mr. Poppy is annoying (he does have some endearing moments, but not enough).

Other Comments:

-During the auditions there is a reference to the best song from the first song "Sparkle and Shine".

-David Tennant is great in duel roles. The look and personalities are distinct. Lobe the over-the-top facial expressions of Roderick during the songs.

-Jessica Hynes is funny as the conceited host of the competition, Angel Matthews.

-Cute, but not great.

-Director Debbie Isitt made 2 more sequels: Nativity 3: Dude, Where's my Donkey (2014) and Nativity Rocks! (2018).

Nativity 2: Danger in the Manger! (2012) 105 minutes

Director: Debbie Isitt

Starring: David Tennant as Donald Peterson

Marc Wootton as Mr. Desmond Poppy

Jason Watkins as Gordon Shakespeare

Joanna Page as Mrs. Sarah Peterson

Jessica Hynes as Angel Matthews

Holiday Affair (1949)

"Still engaged in commercial espionage, I see."

Connie Ennis (Leigh) is a war widow, with a young son, Timmy (Gebert).  To make ends meet, she works as a comparison shopper for a department store in New York.  While visiting Crowley's department store, she purchases a train set from salesman Steve Mason (Mitchum).  That evening Timmy peeks inside the box and is overjoyed, believing the the train is his Christmas present.  His joy is short-lived when he learns the box is for Connie's work.

Connie returns to Crowley's the next day to return the train, but is caught by Steve.  Steve gives her a full refund, but loses his job as a result.  The spend the rest of the day together and sparks fly.  That evening Steve meets Timmy and Connie's boyfriend, Carl Davis (Corey), a lawyer.  Carl wants a future with Connie and proposes.  Steve encourages Timmy to dream and kisses Connie.

On Christmas day, nothing goes as Connie planned.  Is she finally ready to find love and happiness again?

This film is based on John D. Weaver's story "Christmas Gift".  It was considered a failure at the time, but found new life as a minor Christmas classic thanks to repeated television airings and Turner Classic Movies (TCM).

The Good:

The cast.  Robert Mitchum often played tough guys in movies, but was cast here to revamp his image.  He is a solid romantic lead here.  And his character is in stark contrast to Wendell Corey's straight-laced Carl.  Janet Leigh is good as the female lead.

The story is fine, similar in many ways to Miracle on 34th Street (kid with a widowed parent, encouraged to believe/dream beyond their practical parent, etc). 

The Bad:

The character of Timmy can be grating - the actor is fine, but there are grating moments.

Other Comments:

-The court scene, with Harry Morgan as the judge, is hilarious.

-The film is ok - enjoyable while you watch it, but not overly memorable.  I would definitely watch it again, but it probably won't make the rotation of my annual Christmas movie watch lists.

Holiday Affair (1949) 87 minutes

Director: Don Hartman

Starring: Robert Mitchum as Steve Mason

Janet Leigh as Connie Ennis

Wendell Corey as Carl Davis

Gordon Gebert as Timmy Ennis

Griff Barnett as Mr. Ennis

Esther Dale as Mrs. Ennis

Henry O'Neill as Mr. Crowley

Harry Morgan as Police Lieutenant