burn4580
My wife had ordered this movie as a free gift off of the TV several years ago. It sat on my movie shelf for years. Finally, three years ago, I watched it, not knowing anything about it. While only 25 minutes long, I was blown away by the story and Jimmy Stewart's acting. He's always been one of my favorites, but this was exceptional. A lot of us know people like his character, alone (because his wife had died), lonely and craving company. Stewart plays the part beautifully. What some reviewers miss is not only his fantasizing, but the fact that when he is on the street, he is saying, "Merry Christmas" to everyone he sees, but no one responds, as if they're too busy, which only adds to his loneliness. At one point, someone drops money into Mr. Krueger's hat thinking him to be a beggar. Mr. Krueger promptly puts the money into a Salvation Army bucket. The music of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir is fantastic, but the scene where Mr. Krueger goes to the manger is dynamite. He talks to the baby Jesus with a love that is unmistakable. At the end, he develops a very special relationship with a young caroler. This movie is a 'must watch' for everyone's Christmas season and will help you remember what Christmas is REALLY all about. BTW, there is a special feature on the DVD of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir beautifully singing various songs.
ackstasis
My Christmas Eve viewing for this year consisted of Frank Capra's holiday favourite 'It's A Wonderful Life (1946),' preceded by 'Mr. Krueger's Christmas (1980).' The latter was clearly a very personal project for James Stewart, who had pretty much retired from acting by the close of the 1970s. In the film, which runs for 25 minutes, a lonely widower (Stewart) tries to share his Christmas spirit, but finds this difficult in a dingy underground apartment with no company. After imagining several dreamy sequences of holiday-themed harmony – including an affecting visit to baby Jesus in his barnyard manger – Mr. Krueger befriends a group of Christmas carolers, in particular a bright-eyed young girl (Kamee Aliessa) who represents everything that is pure and joyful about Christmas.'Mr. Krueger's Christmas' was produced by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and unfortunately the film does end with the sour note of religious propaganda. Interrupting what might have been a touching moment of Christmas goodwill, a random voice-over interjects with "I love you. That's what Christmas is all about... Clarissa said it to Mr. Krueger; Mr. Krueger said it to Jesus; and Jesus in so many ways said it to all of us." Leave it to a religious institution to state the obvious. Luckily, James Stewart's incredibly-heartfelt performance manages to elevate the film above these syrupy foundations. Had the role of Mr. Krueger been in any other actor's hands, there'd be very little to recommend. However, behind Stewart's eyes, there lies the subtle mingling of love, sadness and joy, and an astonishing conviction in his film's message.
bkoganbing
Unlike so many stars James Stewart was careful and choosy with the material he did when he became a senior citizen. No slasher flicks, no self caricatures capitalizing on his image for Mr. Stewart. This film that Stewart did for the Church of Latter Day Saints is a perfect example of his good taste.Jimmy Stewart is Willie Krueger, senior citizen and widower, who works as an apartment building janitor and lives alone except for his cat named George. With his wife dead and children scattered if any, Christmas is a lonely time for the elderly and particular this elderly. But he's a man content with the life he's led, it was a good if obscure one.He still would like some human company though and in his imaginings he finds himself directing the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in their Christmas holiday show and then in the presence of the baby Jesus in a nativity scene. Viewers will find that a most moving scene as he thanks the Babe for his life and the faith that he had to sustain him.Stewart's performance reminded me very much of Tyrone Power in The Long Gray Line. In that one Power aged almost fifty years and the scenes in that basement apartment reminded a lot of Power as an old man after the death of Maureen O'Hara. Of course Stewart did not need any aging makeup at this point in his career. I really believe that the folks at the LDS church who produced Mr. Krueger's Christmas were influenced by that John Ford classic.Mr. Krueger's Christmas has become a minor holiday classic in the tradition of that most famous of Jimmy Stewart films, It's A Wonderful Life. It's a simple and profound story and a great tribute to that most beloved of American players.
Lee Zurligen
I just watched the 25th anniversary edition DVD of Mr. Krueger's Christmas. A previous reviewer was right--this Jimmy Stewart classic is the definition of "heartwarming" and on the digitally remastered DVD, Stewart's touching performance comes across better than ever. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir has also re-recorded its music for the new release, so this DVD sounds great, too. The disc also includes seven Christmas carols performed by the Tabernacle Choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square in the beautifully decorated LDS Conference Center, as well as two short films. If you have a hard time finding this DVD, try asking a Mormon friend or neighbor how you can get a copy--they'll probably give you one for Christmas!
AD
