Movie: The Spirit of Christmas

Top 1 Billed Cast

Alexander Scourby
Alexander Scourby

Clement Moore / 'Nativity' Narrator (voice) (uncredited)

  • HomePage

  • Overview

    This Christmas film, created as a special for television broadcast throughout the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania viewing region, was produced by puppeteer Mabel Beaton and her husband Les for Bell Telephone Company and first aired in 1953. Following a short live-action opening portion, featured are two extended marionette segments, the first dramatizing Clement Moore's "A Visit from St. Nicholas", the second reverently telling the Nativity story; the two stories are staged in classic, traditional style. From 1953 onward, for several years, The Spirit of Christmas was broadcast in the intended region multiple times per holiday season. It was also available as a 16mm film licensed to schools for showings to students. This film often is misstated to have originally been broadcast in 1950.

  • Release Date

    1953-12-01

  • Average

    6.4

  • Rating:

    3.2 starts
  • Tagline

  • Genres

  • Languages:

    English
  • Keywords

Recommendations Movies

Bedtime for Sniffles
62%

Bedtime for Sniffles(en)

1940-11-23

Christmas Eve, and Sniffles is determined to stay awake to see Santa. Not an easy task.

The Gendarme Gets Married
65%

The Gendarme Gets Married(fr)

1968-10-30

The Saint-Tropez police launch a major offensive against dangerous drivers. Marechal Cruchot (Louis de Funès) relishes the assignment, which he pursues with a manic zeal. Cruchot is after an offending driver, who turns out to be Josépha (Claude Gensac), the widow of a highly regarded police colonel. When they meet, Cruchot falls instantly in love....

My Mother's Castle
72%

My Mother's Castle(fr)

1990-10-26

To his chagrin, young Marcel Pagnol and his family move back to their home in Marseilles, France, far from their pastoral holiday cottage in the hills. Determined, Marcel makes the long voyage back to the cottage on foot and lands himself in trouble. One day Marcel's father discovers a shortcut to the cottage, but it requires trespassing. Despite their trepidations, Marcel and his family begin using the secret trail to reach their cottage.

Pale Rider
72%

Pale Rider(en)

1985-06-28

A mysterious preacher protects a humble prospector village from a greedy mining company trying to encroach on their land.

Diary of a Country Priest
75%

Diary of a Country Priest(fr)

1951-02-07

An inexperienced, sickly priest shows up in the rural French community of Ambricourt, where he joins the community's clergy. But the locals don't take kindly to the priest, and his ascetic ways and unsociable demeanor make him an outcast. During Bible studies at the nearby girls school, he is continually mocked by his students. Then his attempt to intervene in a family feud backfires into a scandal. His failures, compounded with his declining health, begin to erode his faith.

The Sucker
74%

The Sucker(fr)

1965-03-24

In this Frenco-Italian gangster parody, a shop keeper on his way to an Italian holiday suffers a crash which totals his car. The culprit can only compensate his ruined trip by driving an American friends car from Napels to Bordeaux, but as it happens to be filled with such contraband as stolen money, jewelry and drugs, the involuntary and unwitting companions in crime soon attract all but recreational attention from the "milieu".

Fantomas
68%

Fantomas(fr)

1964-11-04

Fantômas is a man of many disguises. He uses maquillage as a weapon. He can impersonate anyone using an array of masks and can create endless confusion by constantly changing his appearance.

Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones
66%

Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones(en)

2002-05-15

Following an assassination attempt on Senator Padmé Amidala, Jedi Knights Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi investigate a mysterious plot that could change the galaxy forever.

Project A: Part II
71%

Project A: Part II(cn)

1987-07-25

Dragon is now transferred to be the police head of Sai Wan district, and has to contend with a gangster kingpin, anti-Manchu revolutionaries, some runaway pirates, Manchu Loyalists and a corrupt police superintendent.

Death Wish 4: The Crackdown
57%

Death Wish 4: The Crackdown(en)

1987-06-11

After the death of his girlfriend's daughter from a drug overdose, Paul Kersey takes on the local drug cartel.

Good Morning
77%

Good Morning(ja)

1959-05-12

A lighthearted take on director Yasujiro Ozu’s perennial theme of the challenges of inter­generational relationships, Good Morning tells the story of two young boys who stop speaking in protest after their parents refuse to buy a television set. Ozu weaves a wealth of subtle gags through a family portrait as rich as those of his dramatic films, mocking the foibles of the adult world through the eyes of his child protagonists. Shot in stunning color and set in a suburb of Tokyo where housewives gossip about the neighbors’ new washing machine and unemployed husbands look for work as door-to-door salesmen, this charming comedy refashions Ozu’s own silent classic I Was Born, But . . . to gently satirize consumerism in postwar Japan.

Manhattan
77%

Manhattan(en)

1979-04-25

Manhattan explores how the life of a middle-aged television writer dating a teenage girl is further complicated when he falls in love with his best friend's mistress.

Fantomas Unleashed
68%

Fantomas Unleashed(fr)

1965-12-08

In the second episode of the trilogy Fantômas kidnaps distinguished scientist professor Marchand with the aim to develop a super weapon that will enable him to menace the world. Fantômas is also planning to abduct a second scientist, professor Lefebvre.

The Little Bather
67%

The Little Bather(fr)

1968-03-22

Louis-Philippe Fourchaume, another typical lead-role for French comedy superstar Louis de Funès, is the dictatorial CEO of a French company which designs and produces sail yachts, and fires in yet another tantrum his designer André Castagnier, not realizing that man is his only chance to land a vital contract with the Italian magnate Marcello Cacciaperotti. So he has to find him at his extremely rural birthplace in 'la France profonde', which proves a torturous odyssey for the spoiled rich man; when he does get there his torment is far from over: the country bumpkin refuses to resume his slavish position now the shoe is on the other foot, so Fourchaume is dragged along in the boorish family life, and at times unable to control his temper, which may cost him more credit then he painstakingly builds up...

Another 48 Hrs.
60%

Another 48 Hrs.(en)

1990-06-08

For the past four years, San Francisco cop Jack Cates has been after an unidentified drug kingpin who calls himself the Ice Man. Jack finds a picture that proves that the Ice Man has put a price on the head of Reggie Hammond, who is scheduled to be released from prison on the next day.

The Under-Gifted In Vacation
54%

The Under-Gifted In Vacation(fr)

1982-03-10

A group of friends are planning how to spend their summer vacation. One plans to go to the Seychelles with his American girlfriend. At the airport she dumps him for another guy. He has no money so he steals a backpack and goes camping. Somehow he meets a pretty girl and convinces her to share his tent. But a famous singer sees the girl and wants her too. He convinces the luckless guy to act like a fool and the girl leaves him and goes with the singer to the French Rivera.

NYAD
71%

NYAD(en)

2023-10-18

Athlete Diana Nyad sets out at 60 to achieve a nearly impossible lifelong dream: to swim from Cuba to Florida across more than 100 miles of open ocean.

Female Trouble
70%

Female Trouble(en)

1974-10-04

Dawn Davenport progresses from a teenage nightmare hell-bent on getting cha-cha heels for Christmas to a fame monster whose egomaniacal impulses land her in the electric chair.

The Man with Two Brains
62%

The Man with Two Brains(en)

1983-06-10

A brain surgeon marries a femme fatale, causing his life to turn upside down. Things go more awry when he falls in love with a talking brain.

Squeak-squeak
68%

Squeak-squeak(fr)

1963-11-20

Léonard Monestier owns a large fortune, alas his wife Cynthia made a bad investment in a worthless oil concession. Far from letting this get him down, Léonard decides to find a sucker to buy this concession from him. Right on cue appears Antoine Brévin, a befuddled billionaire who is very interested in Léonard's beautiful daughter Patricia and would do anything to win her hand...

Similar Movies

The Reluctant Dragon
66%

The Reluctant Dragon(en)

1941-06-19

Humorist Robert Benchley attempts to find Walt Disney to ask him to adapt a short story about a gentle dragon who would rather recite poetry than be ferocious. Along the way, he is given a tour of Walt Disney Studios, and learns about the animation process.

Lucy Shimmers and the Prince of Peace
84%

Lucy Shimmers and the Prince of Peace(en)

2020-10-19

Second chances start when a hardened criminal crosses paths with a precocious little girl who is helped by an angel to change hearts during the holiday season.

Santa Buddies
59%

Santa Buddies(en)

2009-10-22

When Puppy Paws, the fun-loving son of Santa Paws, gets bored, he finds Budderball on Santa's naughty list and figures he's just the dog to show him how to be an ordinary pup. When the magical Christmas Icicle starts to melt however, and the world begins to forget the true meaning of the season, it's up to Puppy Paws and his newfound Buddies to journey back to the North Pole and save Christmas.

Father Christmas
64%

Father Christmas(en)

1991-12-24

Classic animation based on Raymond Briggs' book. What does Father Christmas do with himself for the other 364 days of the year ?

Tom and Jerry: A Nutcracker Tale
67%

Tom and Jerry: A Nutcracker Tale(en)

2007-10-02

Christmas is never so spirited as when Tom and Jerry lock horns for the holidays in their new original movie--Tom & Jerry: A Nutcracker Tale In an empty opera house, Jerry wishes for a chance to perform -- and magically his dream comes true. The little mouse is whisked away to an enchanted kingdom where anything is possible: candy forests, singing snowflakes, even the toys spring to life! Jerry has a great time with his new friends, and when Jerry dances with the music box ballerina, he is as happy as happy can be. Unfortunately, alley cats led by Tom crash Jerry's party, kidnap the music box ballerina and wreak havoc in the holiday kingdom. It's up to Jerry to set things right -- and with help from a fellow mouse named Tuffy and more newfound friends, Jerry just may win the day!

VeggieTales: The Star of Christmas
51%

VeggieTales: The Star of Christmas(en)

2002-10-29

It's 1880's London, and Cavis Appythart and Millward Phelps (Bob and Larry) are putting the finishing touches on their first Christmas musical, "The Princess and the Plumber." Filled with spectacle and more electric lights than London has ever seen, Cavis is convinced his impressive show will "teach London to love!" Unfortunately, a church Christmas pageant staged by Little Edmund Gilbert (Junior Asparagus) is opening the same night, right down the street, and features the "Star of Christmas"– A priceless artifact that hasn't been seen in 80 years. Just how far will Cavis go to make sure his show opens on top? Find out in this hilarious, action-packed adventure which teaches that it's the true story of God's love that shows us how to love one another– at Christmas time and throughout the year!

The Incredible Mr. Limpet
62%

The Incredible Mr. Limpet(en)

1964-03-28

Milquetoast Henry Limpet experiences his fondest wish and is transformed into a fish. As a talking fish he assists the US Navy in hunting German submarines during World War II.

Christmas Staycation
70%

Christmas Staycation(en)

2020-12-12

When a family can't be together on Christmas, they bring their dysfunctional family Christmas online.

Santa's Christmas Crash
60%

Santa's Christmas Crash(en)

1995-01-01

Santa's sled crash-lands in the desert where some children and a herd of magic camels help get him back in the air.

Monkeybone
51%

Monkeybone(en)

2001-02-23

After a car crash sends repressed cartoonist Stu into a coma, he and the mischievous Monkeybone, his hilarious alter-ego, wake up in a wacked-out waystation for lost souls. When Monkeybone takes over Stu's body and escapes to wreak havoc on the real world, Stu has to find a way to stop him before his sister pulls the plug on reality forever!

Holiday in Handcuffs
63%

Holiday in Handcuffs(en)

2007-12-09

A ne’er-do-well thirty-something attempts to appease her family by kidnapping herself an attractive boyfriend for the family Christmas. Despite unlikely odds and dysfunctional family moments, the two fall in love and share a magical Christmas.

It's Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown
59%

It's Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown(en)

1992-11-27

As the holiday season rolls around and all the Peanuts gang are getting ready for it. Whether it be Charlie Brown struggling to raise money for his girlfriend or Sally and Peppermint Patty struggling to rehearse and memorize their one word lines for the Christmas pageant, these kids try to keep with the Christmas spirit while Snoopy has his mischief to do.

Peppa Pig: Peppa's Christmas
65%

Peppa Pig: Peppa's Christmas(en)

2007-01-01

Peppa and family are getting ready for Christmas. Peppa and George post letters to Santa, then head to Miss Rabbit's tree shop to buy a Christmas Tree.

Miracle on Christmas
45%

Miracle on Christmas(en)

2020-10-31

The holiday spirit seems distant for the Boyce family until an unexpected visitor and miracle change everything on Christmas day.

Santa vs. the Snowman
72%

Santa vs. the Snowman(en)

2002-11-01

A lonely snowman finds Santa's workshop. But when he sets off the perimeter alarms and is chased away, he wonders why he couldn't be Santa and get all the love and fun this year. With the aid of "Snow Minions Made Easy", he pits his snow army against Santa's elves and captures Santa. But can he really do Santa's job?

Stilton's In Charge 2
0%

Stilton's In Charge 2(en)

2023-02-12

Conclusion to the longstanding Stilton series, starring an older version of the pink boy we all know and love.

The Greatest Store in the World
48%

The Greatest Store in the World(en)

1999-12-24

Geraldine and her two daughters, Livvie and Angeline, are living rough on the streets on London. When their van blows up, they must find an alternative place to stay. At first, they live in temporary housing, but the conditions are unbearable. Geraldine reacts quickly and the family decides to take up residence in Scottley's, the best department store in London. They must keep it a secret from doorman Brian (whom the girls call Mr. Whiskers), and a couple of bumbling thieves who want to rob the store safe of its jewels.

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel
56%

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel(en)

2009-12-21

Pop sensations Alvin, Simon and Theodore end up in the care of Dave Seville's twenty-something nephew Toby. The boys must put aside music super stardom to return to school, and are tasked with saving the school's music program by winning the $25,000 prize in a battle of the bands. But the Chipmunks unexpectedly meet their match in three singing chipmunks known as The Chipettes - Brittany, Eleanor and Jeanette. Romantic and musical sparks are ignited when the Chipmunks and Chipettes square off.

Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse
69%

Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse(en)

2001-11-06

When a huge snowstorm leaves everyone stranded, Mickey and all of his guests at the House of Mouse, including Pooh, Belle, Snow White, Cinderella, Ariel and many more of his old and new friends, break out the cookies and hot chocolate to help Donald mend his tattered Christmas spirit.

Christmas Story
72%

Christmas Story(fi)

2007-11-16

Hundreds of years ago in Lapland, a little boy named Nikolas loses his family in an accident. The villagers decide to look after the orphaned boy together. Once a year - at Christmas - Nikolas moves to a new home. To show his gratitude, Nikolas decides to make toys for the children of the families as good-bye presents. Over the years, Nikolas's former adoptive families become many, and soon almost every house has presents on its doorstep on Christmas morning. At thirteen, Nikolas is sent to live and work with Iisakki, a grumpy old carpenter, who forbids Nikolas to continue making presents for Christmas. Gradually, however, Nikolas wins Iisakki's trust. Together they begin to look after the Christmas traditional that Nikolas has begun. When the aged Iisakki has to leave Nikolas and move away, the tradition of Christmas presents is once again at risk. Thankfully, Nikolas comes up with a solution that brings children joy every Christmas, even continuing to today.