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The Spirit of Christmas

1953·Movie
71
GoodGoodWatch score

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Not streaming in any country yet.

The Spirit of Christmas fingerprint

Calm.

Energy

Calm and low-key

  • Spectacle2
  • Tension1
  • Fast Pace1

Heart

Heartwarming and hopeful

  • Wholesome9
  • Hopefulness8
  • Nostalgia8

Humor

Serious throughout

  • Situational Comedy0
  • Wit & Wordplay0
  • Physical Comedy0

World

Faith and meaning

  • Rewatchability6
  • World Immersion5
  • Dialogue Centrality4

Craft

Solid, not remarkable

  • Narrative Structure5
  • Direction4
  • Acting3

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Music Centrality7
  • Music Composition6
  • Visual Stylization6

Who it's for

AdultsFamily Movie NightIntergenerationalKidsPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensBackground WatchComfort WatchDrop-in FriendlyPure Escapism

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You want something to laugh atYou want dark or edgy material

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

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.
Vintage Christmas SpecialMarionette PuppetryReligious Nativity StoryClassic Poetry AdaptationWholesome Family EntertainmentMid-Century TV AestheticSpiritual ReverenceNostalgic Comfort WatchEducational Folklore

Crew

Directed by:
Written by:

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about The Spirit of Christmas

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Spirit of Christmas legally?

You can rent or buy it from Google Play Movies. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is The Spirit of Christmas worth watching?

71
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 72/100 (IMDb 7.8). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

How long is The Spirit of Christmas?

0 h 27 min

The Spirit of Christmas runs 0 h 27 min.

What language is The Spirit of Christmas in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

What tropes does The Spirit of Christmas use?

Vitriolic Best BudsVitriolic Best BudsHypocriteAchilles' HeelMood WhiplashJesus Was Way CoolProperly ParanoidAx-CrazyBearded BabyJerkassJerkassCaptain Obviousand 63 more

TV Tropes lists 75 storytelling tropes for The Spirit of Christmas, including Vitriolic Best Buds, Vitriolic Best Buds, Hypocrite.