The House Without A Christmas Tree Television Special (1972)
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The House Without A Christmas Tree
The House Without A Christmas Tree was a CBS holiday special film that first aired in 1972.
This Emmy-winning production was inexpensively recorded on videotape (instead of film) in Canada.
Despite this, it was a great success and inspired several sequels. It was shown in prime time for several Christmases in the 1970s.
This show and the sequels are discussed in The Addie Mills Page.
The story in set in rural Nebraska in 1946.
The story is that Addie wants a Christmas tree and her father doesn’t.
Why?
This show is still written about today. An article titled Nebraska author’s childhood inspired Christmas movie that became a ’70s holiday staple published on December 18, 2024 in Nebraska’s Flatwater Free Press states:
The story centers on a young girl who longs for a Christmas tree, a request her widowed father rejects for years following the death of the girl’s mother.
It was broadcast into homes across the country, but few likely realized at the time that the story was based on the upbringing of a young girl from Valley. Gail Rock herself.
The article continues:
“I told them how I always wanted a Christmas tree at our house when I was a kid, and how one Christmas I finally got one,” she said. “Alan immediately said, ‘That’s a Christmas special!’”
What Happened To The Cast?
Jason Robards‘ career reached great heights in the 1970s and 1980s. He had already won a Tony Award and went on to win an Emmy Award. He also won two consecutive Supporting Actor Academy Awards for All The President’s Men (playing Ben Bradlee). and Julia (playing Dashiell Hammett).
He also did this classic Public Service Announcement:
Mildred Dunnock had a wonderful career and was much admired for her work.
Lisa Lucas went on to do supporting roles in classic films like The Turning Point, and An Unmarried Woman.
She was also a reporter for the New York Daily News.
Alexa Kenin had an active career in films until her sudden death in 1985. She had just finished Pretty in Pink when she mysteriously died at age 23.
Further Reading
J.T. – An Unforgettable Christmas Special (1969)
Christmas at the Walther House at the Presby Iris Gardens (2024) | Montclair, New Jersey
Christmas at the Force Homestead Museum In 2024 | Livingston, New Jersey
The Homecoming: A Christmas Story (1971)
The 1970s Yule Log Brings Back Happy Christmas Memories!
Christmas at Canfield-Morgan Farm & Museum (2023) | Cedar Grove, New Jersey
Christmas at The Farm at Green Village
Christmas at Kip’s Castle 2023
Christmas at Kingsland Manor | Nutley, New Jersey
Christmas at Zenas Crane Homestead | West Caldwell, New Jersey
The Sopranos’ Opening Credits and Super Bowl Commercial 2022 | Television, Music
Late Night Local TV And Fabulous Saturday Night Discomania in the 1970s | Television
New York Television Celebrates New York and New Jersey During the 1970s and 1980s | Television
The Historic Red Mill Museum Village 2024 | Clinton, New Jersey
Holsten’s Ice Cream Parlor (famous from The Sopranos) | Bloomfield, New Jersey
Littell-Lord Farmstead (2023) | Berkeley Heights, New Jersey
Delicious Orchards 2023 | Colts Neck, New Jersey
First Presbyterian Church of Oxford at Hazen and the Spooky Graveyard 2023 | Belvidere, New Jersey
The Historic Cooper Gristmill | Chester Township, New Jersey
The Little Red Schoolhouse (2015) | Florham Park, New Jersey
Clara Barton Schoolhouse (2016) | Bordentown, New Jersey
Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital Is About To Be Torn Down 2015 | Morris Plains, New Jersey
and check out the posts on my book blog:
The Lost Ravioli Recipes of Hoboken: A Search for Food and Family by Laura Schenone | Book Review
The Cat Who Came For Christmas by Cleveland Amory (2018) | Book Review
Diary of a Mad Housewife by Sue Kaufman | Book Review
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath | Book Review
Cassandra at the Wedding by Dorothy Baker | Book Review
Chocolates For Breakfast by Pamela Moore (1956) | Book Review
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
Borders Books 1971-2011 Farewell
Thanks for visiting New Jersey Memories!
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Christmas at Zenas Crane Homestead 2022 | West Caldwell, New Jersey
The 1970s Yule Log Brings Back Happy Christmas Memories!
