Jessica, the daughter of an impoverished apple farmer, still believes in Santa Claus. So when she comes across a reindeer with an injured leg, it makes perfect sense to her to assume that it is Prancer, who had fallen from a Christmas display in town. She hides the reindeer in her barn and feeds it cookies, until she can return it to Santa. Her father finds the reindeer and decides to sell it to the butcher, not for venison chops, but as an advertising display.
Acting
Rebecca Harrell Tickell carries this entire film at age nine.
Practical Effects
That reindeer is REAL and gives more committed performance than most actors.
Direction
Hancock treats small-town Indiana like his own personal Bedford Falls.
Director
John D. Hancock
Rebecca Harrell Tickell
Jessica Riggs
Sam Elliott
John Riggs
Rutanya Alda
Aunt Sarah
Cloris Leachman
Mrs. McFarland
Ariana Richards
Carol Wetherby
Abe Vigoda
Orel Benton
Michael Constantine
Mr. Stewart / Santa
Mark Rolston
Herb Drier
Johnny Galecki
Billy Quinn
Walter Charles
Minister
Victor Truro
Mr. Young
Loren Janes
Mr. Soot
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The reindeer was named Boo and was so temperamental they kept a backup reindeer on set. Hollywood, baby.
This flopped in theaters but became a VHS staple, essentially inventing the 'cult Christmas movie' pipeline before streaming existed.
CA
US
