Stumbled across this on WGN and stayed to be captivated, and not just by the discovery that Jason Alexander can play a character who isn't a schmuck. Most of my toys growing up seem to have been from the AC Gilbert Company--Erector sets, science kits and of course the ONLY electric train worth its salt, American Flyer. I mean, how many steam locomotives needed a third rail? Fie upon thee, Lionel, I'll take S over O any time. It's pretty factual in the big arena though one can niggle about details. Still, Gilly really did save Christmas during WWI, and except at the end it's remarkably light on holiday schmaltz and sentimentality. A welcome relief from the hammered-home messages of the rest of the Christmas pudding.

I stumbled across this movie yesterday on WGN. I really enjoyed watching it. I collect old toys and knew a little bit about the AC Gilbert company. Movie takes place from about 1910ish to Xmas 1918. Alexander was very good in the role--only yelled once in the film. The props were mostly right on. The Dictaphone machine used was incorrect--an authentic Dictaphone from the time didn't use a horn to speak into. Plus they were electric by this time. Also the cylinders are longer than the one used. I also noticed a fan in the factory that was made well after WWI. Another critic noticed AC jr was born in 1919. Otherwise, props were appropriate for the time period. Film moved nicely from beginning of the business through the end. I thought the young FDR was done well. I'd recommend the film both as a Xmas tradition and a history lesson about AC Gilbert. If you ever owned an American Flyer trainset, chemistry set or Erector set, you've been in touched by AC Gilber.

I taped this movie when it first came out and have watched it every year since. I was about to put it in tonight while wrapping gifts and realized, the tape is wearing out and just ordered it on DVD. It should be a yearly classic.

I'm not a fan of Jason Alexander, from Seinfeld but I have to give him credit. He did very well in this movie, I was so surprised. This is a true story.

It is a very well thought out movie, it has heart and I highly recommend it. watch it with an open mind.

Kelly Rowan and Ed Asner did very well.