User Reviews

This is classic 80s television...and it's a classic holiday entry for this series. Landon likes episodes to focus on the resiliency of the human spirit, and he likes stories in particular that involve children. This episode, about a Santa on trial, has all that. It was written by Dan Gordon and borrows heavily from Fox's MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET. But instead of being a blatant ripoff, it is a tender, respectful homage. There are a few differences. First, the gender of the child who believes that the man really is Santa has been changed from a girl to a boy. There is also a bitter custody battle being waged between the attorneys, who are recently divorced. Throughout these proceedings, there are some scenes that address domestic problems and family unity from a rather 1980s point of view. Still, it's a very enjoyable episode. And while it's highly sentimental, it gives the viewer a lot to ponder.