everything you have heard about this movie is true.

Better Late Then Never

It's a good bad... and worth a popcorn matinée. While it's easy to lament what could have been...

The joyful confection is coated in a sparkly gloss, bright enough to gleam from the darkest, most cynical corners.

My wife had ordered this movie as a free gift off of the TV several years ago. It sat on my movie shelf for years. Finally, three years ago, I watched it, not knowing anything about it. While only 25 minutes long, I was blown away by the story and Jimmy Stewart's acting. He's always been one of my favorites, but this was exceptional. A lot of us know people like his character, alone (because his wife had died), lonely and craving company. Stewart plays the part beautifully. What some reviewers miss is not only his fantasizing, but the fact that when he is on the street, he is saying, "Merry Christmas" to everyone he sees, but no one responds, as if they're too busy, which only adds to his loneliness. At one point, someone drops money into Mr. Krueger's hat thinking him to be a beggar. Mr. Krueger promptly puts the money into a Salvation Army bucket. The music of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir is fantastic, but the scene where Mr. Krueger goes to the manger is dynamite. He talks to the baby Jesus with a love that is unmistakable. At the end, he develops a very special relationship with a young caroler. This movie is a 'must watch' for everyone's Christmas season and will help you remember what Christmas is REALLY all about. BTW, there is a special feature on the DVD of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir beautifully singing various songs.

This is an incredibly entertaining Christmas movie that has become a Christmas Eve family tradition. Mr. Krueger is a lonely old man prone to daydreaming. He gets the chance to make a connection with some carolers on Christmas Eve and invites them in for "chocolate". Mr. Krueger ends up going caroling with them and a little girl in the group of carolers captures his heart. Short, sweet, and entertaining, this movie touches you deeply and makes a lasting impact. If the scene where Mr. Krueger meets baby Jesus doesn't bring tears to your eyes then you must be a robot. The performance by Jimmy Stewart is a crowning accomplishment at the end of a legendary career. Watching this movie is one of the few times all year we can get our four hyper children to all sit down and focus.

My Christmas Eve viewing for this year consisted of Frank Capra's holiday favourite 'It's A Wonderful Life (1946),' preceded by 'Mr. Krueger's Christmas (1980).' The latter was clearly a very personal project for James Stewart, who had pretty much retired from acting by the close of the 1970s. In the film, which runs for 25 minutes, a lonely widower (Stewart) tries to share his Christmas spirit, but finds this difficult in a dingy underground apartment with no company. After imagining several dreamy sequences of holiday-themed harmony – including an affecting visit to baby Jesus in his barnyard manger – Mr. Krueger befriends a group of Christmas carolers, in particular a bright-eyed young girl (Kamee Aliessa) who represents everything that is pure and joyful about Christmas.'Mr. Krueger's Christmas' was produced by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and unfortunately the film does end with the sour note of religious propaganda. Interrupting what might have been a touching moment of Christmas goodwill, a random voice-over interjects with "I love you. That's what Christmas is all about... Clarissa said it to Mr. Krueger; Mr. Krueger said it to Jesus; and Jesus in so many ways said it to all of us." Leave it to a religious institution to state the obvious. Luckily, James Stewart's incredibly-heartfelt performance manages to elevate the film above these syrupy foundations. Had the role of Mr. Krueger been in any other actor's hands, there'd be very little to recommend. However, behind Stewart's eyes, there lies the subtle mingling of love, sadness and joy, and an astonishing conviction in his film's message.

Marvelous movie - Clearly shows real meaning of Christmas. Impact of key scene, lovingly acted by Jimmy Stewart leaves viewer wanting it to last. Earnest prayer impacts viewer's life vicariously. This should be shown every year to everyone wanting a fresher look at the Christmas story through the eyes of a poor, devout and gentle man.