The House Without a Christmas Tree
Encyclopedia
The House Without a Christmas Tree is a 1972 television movie
, based on a children's book by Gail Rock, that centers on the relationship between Addie Mills (Lisa Lucas
), a bright and energetic only child, and her melancholy father, James Mills (Jason Robards
). James never recovered from the death of his wife (Addie's mother), and is bitterly against ever having a Christmas tree in the house. The film was seen regularly on CBS between 1972 and 1977.
in 1946. Addie is a young lonely girl with large hornrimmed glasses. Her mother died shortly after she was born, and this builds resentment in her father James, as he wonders why his wife had to die, rather than the baby. His refusal to allow a Christmas tree in the house does not go unchallenged, as Addie has asked him in the past. Finally, Addie wins a school contest using a guessing technique learned from her father and is awarded a Christmas tree which she brings home. This is not well received by James and the story proceeds from there. Addie gives away the Christmas tree, but later finds a decoration, a star, which belonged to her mother.
on December 3, 1972, this movie was actually a very low budget film produced on videotape
. It was repeated several times in the 1970s, on CBS, during the holiday season. In 1991, it was released on VHS, and then on DVD in 2007.
All but the last of were highly rated and have been released on VHS. However, only "The House Without a Christmas Tree" has been made available on DVD. The original Christmas special is often recommended on a variety of lists, both for holiday viewing, and other themes such as about single parents.
Television movie
A television film is a feature film that is a television program produced for and originally distributed by a television network, in contrast to...
, based on a children's book by Gail Rock, that centers on the relationship between Addie Mills (Lisa Lucas
Lisa Lucas
Lisa Lucas is a former child actress, best known for her role as "Addie Mills" in the Emmy-winning Christmas television special, The House Without a Christmas Tree. It first aired on CBS-TV in December 1972, spawned three holiday-based sequels from 1973–1976 with the same cast, and was a...
), a bright and energetic only child, and her melancholy father, James Mills (Jason Robards
Jason Robards
Jason Nelson Robards, Jr. was an American actor on stage, and in film and television, and a winner of the Tony Award , two Academy Awards and the Emmy Award...
). James never recovered from the death of his wife (Addie's mother), and is bitterly against ever having a Christmas tree in the house. The film was seen regularly on CBS between 1972 and 1977.
Characters
- Addie Mills, the daughter (Lisa LucasLisa LucasLisa Lucas is a former child actress, best known for her role as "Addie Mills" in the Emmy-winning Christmas television special, The House Without a Christmas Tree. It first aired on CBS-TV in December 1972, spawned three holiday-based sequels from 1973–1976 with the same cast, and was a...
) - James Mills, the father (Jason RobardsJason RobardsJason Nelson Robards, Jr. was an American actor on stage, and in film and television, and a winner of the Tony Award , two Academy Awards and the Emmy Award...
) - Addie's grandmother (Mildred NatwickMildred NatwickMildred Natwick was an American stage and film actress.- Early life :A native of Baltimore, Maryland, she was born to Joseph and Mildred Marion Dawes Natwick. She graduated from the Bryn Mawr School in Baltimore...
)
Plot
The film takes place in fictional Clear River, NebraskaNebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
in 1946. Addie is a young lonely girl with large hornrimmed glasses. Her mother died shortly after she was born, and this builds resentment in her father James, as he wonders why his wife had to die, rather than the baby. His refusal to allow a Christmas tree in the house does not go unchallenged, as Addie has asked him in the past. Finally, Addie wins a school contest using a guessing technique learned from her father and is awarded a Christmas tree which she brings home. This is not well received by James and the story proceeds from there. Addie gives away the Christmas tree, but later finds a decoration, a star, which belonged to her mother.
Production
Originally shown on CBSCBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
on December 3, 1972, this movie was actually a very low budget film produced on videotape
Videotape
A videotape is a recording of images and sounds on to magnetic tape as opposed to film stock or random access digital media. Videotapes are also used for storing scientific or medical data, such as the data produced by an electrocardiogram...
. It was repeated several times in the 1970s, on CBS, during the holiday season. In 1991, it was released on VHS, and then on DVD in 2007.
Awards
Eleanor Perry won a prime time Emmy for "Outstanding Writing Achievement in Drama - Adaptation," and Paul Bogart was nominated for a Director's Guild Award.Legacy
The Christmas show was so successful, it resulted in three other specials with the same cast:- "The Thanksgiving Treasure" November 18, 1973 (VHS release retitled, "The Holiday Treasure")
- "The Easter Promise" March 26, 1975
- Valentine's Day special: "Addie and the King of Hearts", February 25, 1976
All but the last of were highly rated and have been released on VHS. However, only "The House Without a Christmas Tree" has been made available on DVD. The original Christmas special is often recommended on a variety of lists, both for holiday viewing, and other themes such as about single parents.