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JASON ALEXANDER, ED ASNER AND KELLY ROWAN
STAR IN "THE MAN WHO SAVED CHRISTMAS," A NEW HOLIDAY MOVIE TO BE BROADCAST SUNDAY, DEC. 15 ON THE CBS TELEVISION NETWORK
Based on the True Story of Innovative Inventor and Toymaker A.C. Gilbert
THE MAN WHO SAVED CHRISTMAS, a new holiday television movie starring Jason Alexander ("Seinfeld"), Ed Asner ("The Mary Tyler Moore Show") and Kelly Rowan ("A Girl Thing"), will be broadcast as the "CBS Sunday Movie," Sunday, Dec. 15 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. This heartwarming drama, based on the life of innovative inventor and toymaker A.C. Gilbert, tells the true story of how one man helps a country at war rediscover the joy of the holiday season.
As a young man, A.C. Gilbert (Alexander), struggles to support his wife, Mary (Kelly Rowan), and young son, Al Jr. (Jake Brockman), while pursuing his true passion -- creating toys. When his newest invention, the Erector Set, is a big success, A.C.'s career as a toymaker finally takes off. With help from Mary and his younger brother, Frank (Ari Cohen), the business quickly grows from a small operation based in the family's garage to a full-scale factory. At the same time, the United States seems destined to go to war.
When World War I breaks out, A.C. is asked by the government to convert his toy factory into a munitions plant. With his brother, Frank, fighting the war overseas and his father, Charles Gilbert (Asner), pressuring him to take the government contract, he finally agrees.
A.C. is asked by the U.S. Secretary of Defense to spearhead a movement urging Americans to buy war bonds instead of toys and finds himself a reluctant spokesperson for a campaign to cancel Christmas. With some help from his son and a little holiday magic, A.C rediscovers his holiday spirit and sets out to convince the U.S. Congress that what America really needs is a little Christmas joy.
Jason Alexander is probably best known for his role of George Costanza on "Seinfeld." For his performance, Alexander earned five Screen Actors Guild nominations (winning in 1995), four Emmy nominations and four Golden Globe nominations. Alexander also starred in the television movies "Bye, Bye Birdie" and "Cinderella," and provided the voice for the animated feature film "Duckman." On stage, Jason won a Tony Award for his performance in the hit Broadway musical "Jerome Robbins' Broadway." Other feature film credits include "Love! Valour! Compassion" and "Pretty Woman."
Ed Asner is best known as Lou Grant on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and in the drama series "Lou Grant." Asner's other credits include the television miniseries "Roots" and "Rich Man, Poor Man" and in recent years, the television series "The Trials of Rosie O'Neill" and "Hearts Afire," both on CBS, "The Bronx Zoo" and "Thunder Alley," as well as the reunion specials "Roots: Celebrating 25 Years," and "The Mary Tyler Moore Reunion," on the Network.
Kelly Rowan's television credits include a recurring role on the series "Lonesome Dove: The Outlaw Years," as well as the television movies "A Girl Thing," "The Truth About Jane," "Adrift," "Exclusive," "Black Fox: Good Men and Bad," and "A Match Made in Heaven," on CBS. Rowan's first major movie role was as Peter Pan's mother in the Stephen Speilberg film "Hook." Other movie credits include "Scorn," "Greenmail," "Three To Tango," "Assassins" and "Proximity."
THE MAN WHO SAVED CHRISTMAS was produced by Alliance Atlantis in association with Orly Adelson Productions. Executive producers are Peter Sussman and Ed Gernon ("Joan of Arc," "Life With Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows") and Orly Adelson ("On Hostile Ground," "The Triangle"). Sturla Gunnarson ("100 Days In The Jungle") directed the film from a screenplay written by Debra Frank and Steve L. Hayes ("Santa, Who?").
STARRING:
Jason Alexander (A.C. Gilbert)
Kelly Rowan (Mary Gilbert)
Edward Asner (Charles Gilbert)
ALSO STARRING:
Ari Cohen (Frank Gilbert)
C. David Johnson (Sam Ryder)
Jayne Eastwood (Evelyn Gilbert)
Daniel Kash (Hiram Harris)
Jake Brockman (Al Gilbert Jr.)
Kenneth Welsh (Newton Baker)
FEATURING:
David Talbot (Ben)
Jonathan Higgins (Franklin Roosevelt)
Brad Borbridge (National Defense Guard)
Bill Lake (Secretary Daniels)
Francois Klanfer (Secretary Macadoo)
Craig Gardner (Admiral)
Melissa Bourne (Woman in Toy Store)
Scott Morgan (Boy in Toy Store)
Nancy McAlear (Woman Employee #1)
Kathryn Haggis (Woman Employee #2)
Sheldon Davis (Man Employee #1)
James Kirchner (Man Employee #2)
Jake Simons (Messenger)
Andrew Dow (Thomas Ryder)
Mathew Peart (Older Boy)
Alex Hood (Second Boy)
Riley Jones (Al Jr. Stunt Dbl.)
Alison Reid (Stunt Coordinator)
Maya Gunnarsson (Girl Panhandler)
Pauline Luff (Caroler)
Steve Ambrose (Caroler)
Sheldon Smith (Caroler)
Sarah Pacheco (Caroler)
Naomi Emmerson (Caroler)
