Mr. Krueger's Christmas backdrop

Mr. Krueger's Christmas

1980·TV Movie·26m
7.1
Willy Krueger, a lonely and aging widower, lives in a basement apartment with only his cat George for company. Finishing his work for the day as the custodian for the building, he ventures out on Christmas Eve to buy a tree and on the way, he imagines he is a well-dressed gentleman while peering at some fine tailoring in a shop window along the snowy street. Returning home, he falls asleep listening to an LP by The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, dreaming that he is conducting them in carols of the season. Awakening to find some carollers outside his window, he beckons them to visit him offering hot chocolate, but they leave after only one song. In trimming the tree, he places upon it the mittens left behind by Clarissa, the youngest of the carolling group. Handling figures of the small nativity beneath his tree, Willy finds himself in the manger for the very first Christmas.
Directed by Kieth Merrill
holiday
choir
christmas tree
loneliness
salt lake city, utah
nativity
christmas
caroling

Cast

James Stewart
James Stewart
Mr. Krueger
Beverly Rowland
Beverly Rowland
Lead Caroller
Kamee Aliessa
Kamee Aliessa
Clarissa
Tamara Fowler
Tamara Fowler
Clarissa's Mother
Gordon Jump
Gordon Jump
Narrator
Oscar Rowland
Oscar Rowland
Tree Salesman

Crew

Kieth Merrill
Kieth Merrill
Director
Ernie Wallengren
Ernie Wallengren
Teleplay

Popular Reviews

3 reviews
Kaden Hansen
Kaden Hansen
Mr. Krueger's Christmas
I’ve seen this every year on Christmas Eve for probably 15 years. It’s probably my favorite Christmas short. It’s on YouTube so everyone should watch it. Can’t go wrong with James Stewart. My favorite part is when he imagines himself in the stable with Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus. It’s depicted so well and always makes me reflect what I would do or say if I was in that same situation. 

“You’re my closest, my finest friend—and that means I can hold my head high wherever I go.”
I’ve seen this every year on Christmas Eve for probably 15 years. It’s probably my favorite Christmas short. It’s on YouTube so everyone should watch it. Can’t go wrong with James Stewart. My favorite part is when he imagines himself in the stable with Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus. It’s depicted so well and always makes me reflect what I would do or say if I was in that same situation. 

“You’re my closest, my finest friend—and that means I can hold my head high wherever I go.”
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Nathaniel5678
Nathaniel5678
Mr. Krueger's Christmas
Incredibly cheesy, but Jimmy Stewart still gives a great and genuine performance here. Not an awful way to get some Christmas joy!
Incredibly cheesy, but Jimmy Stewart still gives a great and genuine performance here. Not an awful way to get some Christmas joy!
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Dr. Stone
Dr. Stone
Mr. Krueger's Christmas
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