Yes Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus

A good Christmas movie based on a true story. I enjoy all the Christmas movies that Richard Thomas is in, especially "The Christmas Box" (made four years after this movie). For those still looking to see it again, "get TV" has several airings of it. 11/26/17, 12/08/17, 12/19/17 and possibly 12/25 (they are doing an all day marathon, but don't list what is being shown that day).

I have not seen this movie in several years and am truly saddened that I haven't. It has to be one of the best Christmas movies I have ever seen. As far as I am concerned, it rates right up there with all the Christmas classics and should be shown every year.

While this is a made for TV film with some of the production weaknesses that are typical of films made for television, nonetheless this is a classic Christmas movie in a class with "It's a Wonderful Life" and "Miracle on 34th St.", primarily for it's ability to make the viewer cry with joy, even with repeated viewings. Like the movies above, not all the characters are happy due to the difficult circumstances of their lives. The primary characters are struggling with despair. Like "It's a Wonderful Life", the lead characters are brought back from the brink through belief in something larger than themselves: The spirit of Christmas and the Hope that it brings to all of us. I wish it would be released commercially at some point so that it could gain a larger audience. Contains great performances by Richard Thomas and Charles Bronson. Lou Asner is at his typical crusty best as the soft-hearted news boss.

I have been looking for over a year trying to find this movie. I don't care if it's on video or DVD. My 9 -year-old could really use this as she is asking that hard question this year!! If anyone finds it I would be most grateful to if they could pass on the information! I would do the same.

The unexpected mix of actors in the cast resulted in an outstanding telling (historical novel-style) of the true story it is based on. It also gives an 'in-your-face' view of what life was like in the northern US at that time, especially for Irish immigrants. Personally, I found it better than any of the annual Christmas cartoons, and on par with the great classic Christmas movies. The acting was remarkable, especially Charles Bronson, Richard Thomas, Ed Asner, & Katherine Isabelle as Virginia. You could almost feel the deep emotions of grief, frustration, and experience their transformation. Wow. There must be some really strange reason why it has not ever been released to the public. There are copies listed at iOffer.com, though I have yet to see what the quality is like.

This movie tells the story of the famous letter that Virgina wrote to the Chicago sun editors over 100 years asking "Is there a Santa Claus?". The response is a classic American poetry that teaches the spirit of Christmas. There has been at least one other version about Virginia's letter, but I like the cartoon version best. A great movie that help teaches the spirit of Christmas. By the way , about a year ago, I saw on the P.B.S. show "The Antiques Road show" a relative who claimed to have the original letter Virginia sent.