Christmas Movie Review: ***^The Man Who Saved Christmas (2002)

 This is a made for TV movie feature released on TV  in 2002 and in DVD in 2008.  It tells the story of Alfred C. Gilbert (Jason Alexander) and his wife Mary Gilbert (Kelly Rowan). Gilbert has the dream of being a toy maker, but his special toy is not dong well, the erector set.  His wife suggests taking it out of the box so people can actually see them.  With that simple change the business takes off and they are quickly hopping off the shelves.  The business is one people want to work for with daycare and bonuses.

WWI comes along and things change.  Alfred's brother (Ari Cohen) is drafted, and Alfred is called to stop making toys and move to munitions and gas masks for the war effort.  The business prospers but no longer pays extra for overtime, nor bonuses nor are the able to provide for children.  Alfred's brother is missing in action.  What is worse is the government wants to cancel Christmas, and come up with a media campaign based on something Alfred said.  Alfred is backed into a corner, and comes across a dictophone message from his brother about Alfred being a dreamer.  

Alfred goes to Washington to petition to start making toys and to not cancel Christmas.  For this he was known as the man who saved Christmas.  His father (Ed Asner) supported him in this.  And the brother makes it home Christmas Day. 

Disney Animated Movie Review: ***Aladdin: The Return of Jafar (1994)

Not near as good as the original; and went strait to video rather than to theaters.  The glaring lack is that of Robin Williams.  He is the master and in this case he cannot be copied.

Jafar finally finds someone he can manipulate to touch the lamp, so as to keep himself out of the lamp and able to extract his revenge on Aladdin and Jasmine and her family.   Iago is conflicted in this movie; whether he should be Jafar's second fiddle or strike out on his own.  Jafar has many powers as a genie and a wizard.  However he cannot kill nor make people fall in love.  He imprisons everyone; and imitates Jasmine to order Aladdin's death.  Only the Genie has enough power to save him.

Voice Cast:

Dan Castellaneta as The Genie

Scott Weinger as Aladdin

Linda Larkin as Princess Jasmine

Jonathan Freeman as Jafar

Gilbert Gottfried as Iago

Val Bettin as Sultan

Jason Alexander as Abis Mal

Frank Welker as Abu (Aladdin's monkey), Raja (Jasmine's tiger)

Brad Kane as Aladdin (singing voice)

Liz Callaway as Jasmine (singing voice)

Movie Reviews: Musicals: ***Bye Bye Birdie (1995)

Bye Bye Birdie (1995) this is not the original version, but a newer made for t.v. version of the Tony award winning musical.  My only response is that I missed Dick Van Dyck.  Jason Alexander stars as Albert and Vanessa Williams as Rosie.  Williams plays the bar scene too hot and steamy for me.  However Marc Kudisch was excellent as Conrad Birdie.  Tyne Daly does excellent as the over protective mother, who refuses to let her son go, destroying her son's happiness, and her own as well.  Vanessa Williams has a beautiful voice, but her dancing was too risque for my tastes.