Interesting story with enough ups and downs to keep you watching. Not exactly a Christmas story, although Christmas time comes in toward the last. Reminds me a little of the Truman Capote story where Patty Duke makes fruit cake for the entire town, and "Buddy" goes off to school (only here, the boy returns to his mother after staying with his father). Acting is good. I was looking for more of a Christmas tale, but enjoyed this.

I wasn't sure what to expect of this movie after reading other reviews. It has a good message at the end. An unexpected character for Henry Winkler. I wouldn't call this a warm fuzzy Christmas movie.

Good Christmas movie, I was very disappointed that Harry Whinklier was a drunk, and stole money from women. After seeing the stat in Happy Days it is hard seeing him play a person xou dislike and unkind o his son. I almost stopped watching when he slapped his son! If you can stop thinking of him as a nice guy, as Fonzy, then you might like the movie. Be prepared to have a Kleenex box handy and wipe tears away!

This is a drama about a father-son relationship set against the backdrop of Christmas in New Orleans during the 1920's. It's not your typical 'feel-good' Christmas movie - and that's why there are so many negative reviews here I believe. It's a drama which shows real people dealing with real problems of growing up (son), making one's OWN way in the world without using others (father), and growing old (father's romantic interest). While not Hepburn's best role, as an elderly matron mother - it is good, and I find Winkler and Kurtz fine as the 'wheeling-dealing' father, and 'over-the-hill' yet kind-hearted wealthy woman. I find it a satisfying slice of life film to watch each year.

i GAVE THIS 5 stars because of the WONDERFUL service from the seller Half Price BOOKS. The movie was called "One Christmas", and it was not scheduled to arrive until after Christmas ! But I guess the seller seeing that it was a Christmas movie rushed it to me now before Christmas. Now that it very considerate and good business and I shall recommend Half Price BOOKS To my friends.
Now as for the TV movie itself, I wouldn't even give it 3 stars. And CHRISTMAS is not the theme of the storyline. It's just events that happened to a 'torn' family in the 30's. Katharine Hepburn is billed as the star although she is only on screen about 15 or 20 minutes. And there are two other great actors who have about 5 minutes and they are the great Julie Harris and Pat Hingle. For fans of these big stars this is a great disappointment. Why do they do this ? Henry Winkler has a good dramatic role as a 'ne'er-do -well' father who has a young son coming to spend Christmas with him. He hasen't seen the boy since he was a baby. His wife has been in an institution and that's probably what's broken up the marriage. The boy had been staying with a cousin as I understand the story. The relationship doesn't go to well as the boy realizes that his father is a scoundral, a con-artist, a lier, and a user of women with money. Swoosie Kurtz plays the most most dramatic rolr as on of the father's victim's, but she loves him anyway, but finally learns her lesson. The movie was fair. some may like it better than I did. But don't buy this TV movie if you think it's a 'Katharine Hepburn' movie or a Christmas movie for that matter, because it's not. In spite of the title, ONE CHRISTMAS.