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Parents' Guide to

The Christmas That Almost Wasn't

By Tracy Moore, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 6+

Maudlin tone and overly long, but some lessons in kindness.

Movie G 1966 89 minutes
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Is It Any Good?

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Kids say (1 ):

This 1966 Christmas tale has a few things going for it: wonderful sets, an excellent cast, and a heart of gold. But it's also a bit of a downer, and the gothic set, cobwebs, and funeral wallpaper as well as the heavy themes of disenchanted, bitter grownups could be alienating for younger kids. What's more, the plot largely hinges on this tricky back-payment-of-rent issue, which may be hard to explain to a 4-year-old.

That said, kids who like the creepier side of things may enjoy this old, maudlin tale, and the lessons here -- about compassion and warmth and kindness (and the legalities of back rent!), even in the face of capitalist greed and longstanding bitterness -- are worthy ones for any age.

Movie Details

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