It Nearly Wasn’t Christmas (1989): Cast
It Nearly Wasn’t Christmas is a 1989 drama directed by Burt Brinckerhoff, starring Charles Durning as Santa, Beverly Rowland and Bruce Vilanch. It runs 1 hour 40 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 40m (100 min)
- Director
- Burt Brinckerhoff
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Osmond Entertainment
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is It Nearly Wasn’t Christmas About?
The premise of It Nearly Wasn’t Christmas without spoilers.
Disillusioned Santa Claus (Charles Durning) feels unnecessary and decides to abandon Christmas. A determined little girl, hoping to reunite her separated parents for the holidays, convinces him to act. With the bumbling chief elf Philpot (Bruce Vilanch) in tow, Santa travels across America, rediscovering that people still need his magic and that caring for one another matters.
It Nearly Wasn’t Christmas Themes & Keywords
· 48 tags- christmas
- elf
- little girl
- santa claus
- missing child
- knocked unconscious
- santa claus suit
- merry christmas
- african american
- pigtails
- hiding in a car trunk
- limousine
+36 more Show fewer
- train
- magic
- criminal
- motorcycle with a sidecar
- hot air balloon
- title appears in song
- title as song
- song in title
- piano playing
- mrs. claus
- voice over letter
- letter
- christmas eve
- factory worker
- factory owner
- race
- sleigh
- intergenerational friendship
- cross country
- factory
- shopping mall
- song
- runaway girl
- runaway
- absent father
- father daughter relationship
- mother daughter relationship
- baseball cap
- husband wife relationship
- los angeles california
- bus station
- greyhound bus
- bus
- statement in title
- four word title
- family relationships
It Nearly Wasn’t Christmas Cast & Characters
Charles Durning leads the cast as Santa, with Beverly Rowland as Mrs. Claus and Bruce Vilanch as Philpot. Directed by Burt Brinckerhoff; 6 actors are credited in all.
- Director Burt Brinckerhoff
-
Charles Durning as Santa - Beverly Rowland as Mrs. Claus
- Bruce Vilanch as Philpot
- Wayne Osmond as Jeff Baxter
Also Starring in It Nearly Wasn’t Christmas
· 2 more- Annette Marin Laura Baxter
- Risa Schiffman Jennifer Baxter
More from Burt Brinckerhoff
More films directed by Burt Brinckerhoff: ALF’s Special Christmas, Born to Be Sold, Brave New World and The Cracker Factory.
Cars in It Nearly Wasn’t Christmas
7 cars on screen, including the BMW R 69 S and the 1984 Lincoln Town Car Stretched Limousine.
-
BMW R 69 S Important role -
1984 Lincoln Town Car Stretched Limousine Important role -
1973 MCI MC-8 Minor role -
1988 TMC 102 A3 Minor role
It Nearly Wasn’t Christmas Also Known As
3 alternative titles, including “Quando Papai Noel Salvou o Natal” and “La Mission Secrète du Père Noël”.
- Also known as
-
- Quando Papai Noel Salvou o Natal
- La Mission Secrète du Père Noël
- Jeanny und der Weihnachtsmann
Seen It Nearly Wasn’t Christmas?
Movies Like It Nearly Wasn’t Christmas
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Christmas That Almost Wasn’t, The Christmas That Almost Wasn’t and ’Twas the Night.
-
The Christmas That Almost Wasn’t 1966 -
The Christmas That Almost Wasn’t 1983 -
’Twas the Night 2001 -
The Christmas Star 1986 -
Must Be Santa 1999 -
Almost Christmas 2016 -
Finding Santa 2017 -
A Christmas Dream 1984 -
Christmas Under the Stars 2019 -
The Man in the Santa Claus Suit 1979 -
Mr. Christmas 2005 -
Last Chance for Christmas 2015
It Nearly Wasn’t Christmas FAQ: Cast & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of It Nearly Wasn’t Christmas, each answered in a sentence.
How long is It Nearly Wasn’t Christmas?
It Nearly Wasn’t Christmas runs 1 hour 40 minutes (100 minutes).
When was It Nearly Wasn’t Christmas released?
It Nearly Wasn’t Christmas was released on December 1, 1989.
Who directed It Nearly Wasn’t Christmas?
It Nearly Wasn’t Christmas was directed by Burt Brinckerhoff.
More films by Burt Brinckerhoff Who is in the cast of It Nearly Wasn’t Christmas?
It Nearly Wasn’t Christmas stars Charles Durning as Santa, Beverly Rowland as Mrs. Claus and Bruce Vilanch as Philpot, among 6 credited actors.
Does It Nearly Wasn’t Christmas have a post-credit scene?
No. It Nearly Wasn’t Christmas has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
