Star Wars Christmas Holiday Edition R2-D2 and C-3PO Action Figures (2002)

COMMEMORATIVE STAR WARS CHRISTMAS-THEMED ACTION FIGURES BY HASBRO

 
The 2002 Holiday Edition C-3PO and R2-D2 set was a limited edition sold only through Wal-Mart stores and was the first in a series of Holiday Edition commemorative figures produced by Hasbro.

This collectible item was inspired by the 1980s Lucasfilm holiday greeting card art by Ralph McQuarrie, the concept artist responsible for much of the look of the original Star Wars trilogy.

The set comes with a display base and includes a full-sized holiday greeting card, if you care to open up the package though I expect many collectors will prefer not to open the packaging.  This action figure set would make a great and unexpected gift idea for any Star Wars fan, new or old. You can find it on Amazon by clicking here and on eBay by clicking here. Because this is a retired item, it might definitely be worth doing a price comparison!

See you
at the movies!
Brenda

Quick Links:

More Ralph McQuarrie items on eBay.

Author's Note: This page was originally written in 2008 on another site.

The Star Wars Holiday Special (1978)

Happy Life Day, The 1978 Star Wars Holiday Special

The Star Wars Holiday Special was a two-hour show set in a galaxy far, far away which aired on November 17, 1978. In this television program, Chewbacca and Hans Solo visit Chewbacca's home world and celebrate Life Day. They are pursued by agents of the Galactic Empire searching for rebels on the planet.

In variety show format, this special features visits from many of the Star Wars characters, an introduction to three of Chewbacca's family members and numerous celebrity guests including Jefferson Starship, Diahann Carroll, Art Carney, Harvey Korman, and Bea Arthur.

It is said that George Lucas was never pleased with the production and so the show has never been officially released in any format. Despite that fact, it has managed to become a cult phenomenon. A film that people have heard about it and want to see out of curiosity.

The original film is said to be held in the Lucasfilm archives and the show is available to us today only because someone who watched it in 1978 took the time to record it on Betamax or VHS. Therefore, the only copies available today are bootleg versions that have been duplicated over and over again, which translates into horrible quality rendering and of course, because they are copies, they are illegal to sell on eBay, Amazon or anywhere. My check today on those websites does not turn up a single copy.

Here's the story of the Star Wars Holiday Special from an ABC newscast. Because it is only available illegally, ABC is only able to share a small piece of the film.

Did that small clip help you decide that you never need to see the show? Or did it cement your desire to see it?

See you
at the movies!
Brenda

More Rare Films:

Orson Welles' Ghost Story (1951)
The Cheaters (1945)
The Great American Cowboy (1973)

Author's Note: This page was originally written in 2008 on another site.

Four Hallmark Christmas Movies (2009-2010)

Have you seen these Hallmark Christmas movies from 2010 and 2009?

The Night Before The Night Before Christmas (2010)

The Night Before, The Night Before Christmas is the story of one family trying to save Santa and the delivery of presents on Christmas Eve. December 23rd arrives and they find that they do not have a Christmas tree, any presents or any Christmas spirit. They have simply been too busy with their lives and their busy schedules, even during the holiday season. Of course this will change when Santa crashes on the roof of their home on Christmas Eve. Santa's sleigh is broken down and his gift bag missing and he is suffering from amnesia. One of the children who still believes in Christmas magic is determined to save Christmas by getting his family into the holiday spirit. They have to work as a team in order to help Santa get back to work and, at the same time, they save their own family.

The Night Before, the Night Before Christmas was filmed in Toronto, Canada, and aired on Saturday, November 20th, 2010.

Read my full review here or click here to buy it on Amazon.

Call Me Mrs. Miracle (2010)

Those who loved Debbie Macomber's Mrs. Miracle will no doubt love the 2010 Christmas movie, Debbie Macomber's Mrs. Miracle 2. The movie is called Call Me Mrs. Miracle and is set at Christmastime in New York City. An opinionated saleswoman in a department store decides that it could use a bit of magic at holiday time and works to create a hot toy for her boss. She also takes control of things at the store and helps a romance between the assistant of a fashion designer and her nephew, working hard to ensure a great Christmas happens for everyone.

Mrs. Miracle (2009)

The original movie, Mrs. Miracle, aired on the Hallmark Channel on December 5, 2009 and is said to be Hallmark's highest rated film of 2009. It features a single dad who cannot locate a housekeeper for his twin sons. A magical housekeeper arrives and helps him move forward from his wife's death and find new love. He needed a miracle and Mrs. Merkle, referred to as Mrs. Miracle by the children, was the one who provided one.

This movie is available now from Amazon and was released November 16, 2010.

Read more about the two Mrs. Miracle movies here or click here to buy it on Amazon.

November Christmas (2010)

Aired on November 28, 2010.

In the new Hallmark Hall of Fame production, November Christmas, the Rhode Island family of a little girl who has cancer works to celebrate Christmas in the summer so that their daughter might enjoy it. Aided by an older couple and eventually the entire town, they manage to do so, creating both a Halloween and a Christmas that are special.The cast includes John Corbett, Sam Elliott, Karen Allen, Sarah Paulson and Emily Alyn Lind and the film was filmed in Wolfville, Canada. Read my full review here or click here to buy it on Amazon.


Do you love Hallmark Christmas movies?

See you
at the movies!
Brenda

Quick Link:

Check out all of Hallmark's Christmas movies on Amazon.

Author's Note: This page was originally written elsewhere in 2010.

Hallmark Christmas Movies (2012)

Love Hallmark Movies? On this page, rediscover the twelve Christmas-themed Hallmark movies that were released in 2012 and find out where you can buy them. 

(Find the Hallmark Holiday Collection DVD here on Amazon)

HALLMARK CHRISTMAS MOVIES 2012 LIST

Christmas with Holly

Christmas Song

Hitched for the Holidays

Come Dance With Me

Help for the Holidays

Baby's First Christmas

The Wishing Tree

It's Christmas, Carol!

Naughty or Nice

CHRISTMAS SONG

Christmas Song originally aired on November 3, 2012. It starred Natasha Henstridge and Gabriel Hogan star in a story about two schools that have been merged into one. The rivalry of the former two schools dies hard, especially for the choir groups and the music teachers from the two schools who are forced to compete for the single teaching position with the competition taking the form of a Christmas song competition.

A BRIDE FOR CHRISTMAS

A Bride for Christmas originally aired on December 1, 2012. It shares the story of a young woman who cancels her third engagement as she stands at the altar and is determined not to have another serious relationship until she meets the right man. She meets a young man who unknown to her is trying to win a bet that he can convince a woman to marry him by this Christmas.

BABY'S FIRST CHRISTMAS

Baby's First Christmas originally aired on December 15, 2012. It features two lawyers - one male and one female - who are so different that they simply cannot get along. Finally, one of them moves on to another location but the pair still finds themselves thrown together when their sister and brother fall in love and have a baby. However, the baby's parents are in a difficult situation and the lawyers are forced to step in and help out.

Christmas Song, A Bride for Christmas and Baby's First Christmas are available on DVD as part of a four-movie set, as shown above. Movie collections like this are almost always more economical to buy than single DVD releases plus, in this case, you get four great Hallmark movies to watch. 

CHRISTMAS WITH HOLLY

Originally appearing on December 9, 2012, Christmas with Holly is a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie presentation, which means that it aired on ABC instead of the Hallmark Channel. That is particularly important for those many Hallmark movie fans who do not have access to the Hallmark Channel. You can watch the official movie trailer and learn more about Christmas with Holly by clicking right here or you can buy the DVD from Amazon by clicking here.

MATCHMAKER SANTA

Matchmaker Santa originally aired on November 17, 2012, and stars Lacey Chabert, Florence Henderson, John Ratzenberger, Adam Mayfield and Donovan Scott. It tells the story of a woman in love with a workaholic named Justin who winds up stranded with his assistant, Dean, in a small romantic town at Christmas time. Matchmaker Santa is not available on DVD.

HITCHED FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Hitched for the Holidays originally aired on November 25, 2012, and tells the story of two young people who look for a temporary partner in an effort to please their families during the holidays. They do find each other but things become complicated when the Catholic and Jewish families get involved. It stars Joey Lawrence, Emily Hampshire and Marilu Henner.

Buy Hitched for the Holidays on DVD from Amazon.

THE CHRISTMAS HEART

The Christmas Heart originally aired on December 2, 2012. It sees traditions change on Arthur Avenue when a teenager from the neighborhood is hospitalized because he needs a heart transplant. A heart is located but must make it to the teenager on Christmas Eve through a snowstorm. The neighborhood puts out luminaires to honor the young man and his family and those very lights help save Matt's life. The Christmas Heart is not available on DVD.

COME DANCE WITH ME  

Originally airing on December 8, 2012, Come Dance With Me shares the story of a financial executive trying to make a good impression on the head of the firm because he wants a promotion. However, at the same time, he is dating the daughter of the man he is trying to impress and the young lady's mother doesn't approve of the match. In an effort to create the perfect proposal, the young man signs up for dance lessons but once he starts dance lessons he discovers feelings for the dance instructor.

Click here to buy Come Dance with Me from Amazon.

HELP FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Help For The Holidays premièred December 9, 2012, and tells the story of one of Santa's female elves who wonders if life offers more than just making toys for Santa. When Santa receives a special wish from a youngster in L.A., he sends Christine to visit the family. The family, it turns out, needs an intervention because mom and dad are too busy working and the children often left alone. Christine takes on the roll of nanny, hoping to help bring the family back together. Help for the Holidays is not available on DVD.

IT'S CHRISTMAS, CAROL!

It's Christmas, Carol originally aired on November 18, 2012. It  captured my interest immediately because it is a twist on the traditional story, A Christmas Carol. In this version of this movie, a successful and ruthless book publisher is visited by the ghost of a previous boss who visits the past, present and future  revealing how her ways have been bad. Of course, she will wake up ready to repair her nasty past. It's Christmas, Carol stars Carrie Fisher, Emmanuelle Vaugier and Carson Kressley.

NAUGHTY OR NICE

Naughty or Nice originally aired on November 24, 2012. It tells the story of Krissy Kringle who doesn't feel like dealing with the Santa mail she receives because she lives on Candy Cane Lane. However, she receives a parcel that she can't ignore that contains Santa's Naughty or Nice book. Naughty or Nice stars Hilarie Burton, Matt Dallas, Meredith Baster and Michael Gross.

THE WISHING TREE

The Wishing Tree premiered on November 10, 2012.  It stars Jason Gedrick, Emmalyn Estrada, Richard Harmon and Amital Marmorstein, The Wishing Tree shares the story of a professor who struggles to put the past behind him. He winds up helping a troubled teen turn her life around through a Christmas tree that is decorated with handwritten wishes and of course, the tree helps us all believe that wishes really do come true.

It's Christmas Carol, Naughty or Nice and The Wishing Tree are available on DVD as part of a four-movie set, as shown above. You can find it on Amazon by clicking right here.

IN CLOSING

Well that's it. The Hallmark Christmas movie list from 2012. Which ones did you see? Which ones did you miss? Which one is the most intriguing to you? Be sure to take a moment to say hello in the comments box shown below.

See you at the movies!
Brenda

Quick Links

Check out all of the Hallmark Christmas-themed movies on Amazon.

Hallmark Christmas Movies (2013)

Love Hallmark Movies? On this page, rediscover the Christmas-themed Hallmark movies that were released in 2013.

The Hallmark Channel is the place to go for family-friendly holiday programming and lots of it. In 2013, the Hallmark Movie Channel delivered thirteen new Hallmark Christmas movies and a host of other holiday films, both old and new with the best time slots reserved for the brand new Hallmark movies.

The movies included Pete's Christmas, Merry Mix-Up, Let it Snow, Window Wonderland, Fir Crazy, Christmas Share, Christmas Star, The Christmas Ornament, Snow Bride, The Santa Switch, The Thanksgiving House, The Christmas Spirit and finally, Christmas in Conway, which appeared on ABC and not the Hallmark Channel, a decided bonus for those who do not receive the Hallmark Channel.

On this page, read a brief summary of each of the 2013 Hallmark Christmas movies and find out which ones are available on DVD.

A List of New Hallmark Christmas Movies (2013)

• A Very Merry Mix-Up
• The Christmas Spirit
• Window Wonderland
• Let it Snow
• The Santa Switch
• Pete's Christmas
• Christmas Share
• Snow Bride
• The Thanksgiving House
• Fir Crazy
• The Christmas Ornament
• Christmas Star
• Christmas in Conway

A Very Merry Mix-Up

What happens when an antique shop owner sets off to meet her fiancée's family? Of course, there's a mix up. Starring Alicia Witt, Mark Wiebe, Scott Gibson, Susan Hogan, Richard Fitzpatrick and Lawrence Dane. This movie is available on DVD from Amazon by clicking here.

The Christmas Spirit

This story is like that seen of It's A Wonderful Life set in modern times. In this film, the main character tries to save a small New England town from a real estate development. Starring Nicollette Sheridan of Desperate Housewives fame. It does not appear to be available on DVD.

Window Wonderland

What happens when New York City department store employees try to win a job dressing windows? That's the premise of this movie, which stars Naomi Judd, Chyler Leigh, Paul Campbell and Cameron Mathison. It is not available on DVD.

Let It Snow

Can a wonderful lodge in Maine become a trendy hot spot? Let It snow stars Candace Cameron Bure, Alan Thicke and Jesse Hutch. Let It Snow can be found on Amazon here.

The Santa Switch

What happens when a dad who needs help gifting his family with a great holiday is handed Santa's reigns? Starring Sean Astin, Ethan Erickson, Anne Dudek, Annie Thurman and Griffin Cleveland. This movie does not appear to be available on DVD.

Pete's Christmas

What happens when a middle child is allowed to repeat things over and over again until he is able to gift his family with the holiday he thinks that they deserve? Starring Bruce Dern, Bailee Madison and Zachary Gordon. Find Pete's Christmas on Amazon by clicking here.

Christmas Share

What happens when when a couple that includes a musician from a small town and an advertising executive, switch houses at Christmas? Starring Tricia Helfer, J.T. Hodges, Mark Lutz and Cristina Rosato. This movie does not appear to be available on DVD.

Snow Bride

Find out what happens when a tabloid reporter discovers the political family she's been hounding is not what she thought they were. Starring Patricia Richardson, Katrina Law and Jordan Belfi. Snow Bride is available on Amazon by clicking here.

The Thanksgiving House 

What happens when a lawyer from Boston inherits a house that sits on the site of the first Thanksgiving celebration? Starring Lindsay Wagner, Emily Rose, Justin Bruening, Adam Kaufman and Bruce Boxleitner. Unfortunately, this movie does not appear to be available on DVD.

Fir Crazy

What happens when a holiday humbug winds up selling Christmas trees on the family Christmas tree lot? Starring Sarah Lancaster, Eric Johnson and Colin Mochrie. This movie does not appear to be available on DVD.

The Christmas Ornament

How does a widow get through her first Christmas without her spouse? Starring: Kellie Martin and Cameron Mathison. Find the Christmas Ornament on Amazon here.

Christmas Star 

What happens when a widow meets up with his sweetheart from high school who is a huge pop star? Starring Shannon Elizabeth, Steve Byers, Julia Lalonde and Kyle Breitkopf. This movie does not appear to be available on DVD.

Christmas in Conway

Christmas in Conway stars Andy Garcia, Mandy Moore and Mary-Louise Parker.

Hallmark calls Christmas in Conway a testament to love, filled with scenes of hilarity. Imagine if your neighbours wanted to set up a real Ferris wheel in their backyard. How would you greet that news? With joy or disapproval? What if you knew the reason the Ferris wheel was being put there was to allow a seriously ill woman a romantic memory? That is the story behind Christmas in Conway.

For those who do not receive the Hallmark Channel, it is good to know that Hallmark reserves the Hallmark Hall of Fame movies for other channels. In this case, Christmas in Conway aired on December 1, 2013, on ABC. I know that news was greeted with a cheer by fans who miss all of the holiday programming that is not available to them on the Hallmark Channel. You can find Christmas in Conway on Amazon here.

Well that's it. The Hallmark Christmas movie list from 2013.  Which ones did you see? Which ones did you miss? Which one is the most intriguing to you? Be sure to take a moment to say hello in the comments box shown below.

See you
at the movies!
Brenda

Quick Links:

Hallmark Christmas-themed movies on Amazon.
Hallmark movies on Pinterest.

Author's Note: This page was originally created on another site in 2010.