mike48128 Somewhat like "Mannequin", she comes to life after a lonely child wishes to have a mom just for Christmas, as her own mom passed-on eight years ago. So a department store mannequin comes to life and acts quite wooden-headed at first. She almost burns down the house with an old-fashioned candle-lit Christmas tree. Similar to "Toy Story", the dept. store mannequins all come to life at night, when no one is around. This is a live-action fantasy. Well-produced with many cute touches, as the Santa mannequin is put back together after getting hit by a car. Look for "Scott Farquis" ("A Christmas Story"), who teases the little girl. There are a few pleasant songs by Olivia, but it's really not a musical. A lot of fun, as the "mannequin" chauffeur at the store drives everyone around in his Rolls Royce limousine, and has great fun teasing the cynical store detective who thinks everyone is a shoplifter. It has a predictable "Pinocchio-like" fairy tale ending, which both my (then) young teen-aged daughters loved. Sometimes plays on the Disney Channels at Christmas. Olivia looked great in 1990. Also stars Doris Roberts as "Philomena" the magical "dresser" of the dept. store mannequins. Originally, a Wonderful World of Disney TV movie. Only available thru Disney's Movie Club and Disney Stores. It's Worth it! (Don't buy the "unofficial" version on-line. It's terrible quality.)

Robert W. In a sea of family Christmas films I seem to be on a mission to watch them all each and every Christmas. Usually while doing Christmas baking I will try out a new one so I gave this a go on a total fluke. It didn't blow me away in the least. The production value seems like next to nothing and the performances are hokey but you know what...it has everything you want from a strictly family oriented Christmas film. There is a ton of magic, romance, fantasy and its just simple fun. The biggest problem with this film is that there is absolutely nothing that stands out about it. We've even seen the "mannequin" come to life story before more than once! The cast is stiff (no pun intended) and the story is rushed. But I also doubt that it was made for my demographic. I would guess that little girls and their Mom's could curl up on the couch and truly enjoy this little film. However, outside of that demographic there just simply isn't a lot to cheer for here.Legendary actress and singer Olivia Newton-John is best known for Grease and probably the only thing I've seen her in until this and perhaps it should stay that way. Its appropriate that she is very wooden and wide eyed and very childish because she is supposed to be a mannequin come to life but I sort of think she overplays the role...or underplays it..I'm not sure which. She clearly knows this role is for kids because she just doesn't try too hard. She just doesn't have any charisma in the role and her childlike voice is obnoxious. The entire concept of the movie is that this woman wins over a father and daughter with her brilliant concept of life and love but that doesn't show very well. Juliet Sorci is actually pretty good as the little girl who longs for a mother. Its too bad the script wasn't better written because I think Sorci is far more talented than what the character offers her. I would say the same about Doug Sheehan who plays her father. His character is very stereotypical of this type of film. He lost his wife and is trying to raise a little girl and have a career and he's a good guy but lost with everything. But they don't really let him capture any of that. I can't even say the role is typical because they miss the mark on all of the characters. It just seems like they slapped it together and rolled it out without trying very hard. The amazing Doris Roberts has an unfortunately very small role and she could have been used far more than what she is.I must admit I am very surprised that director George Miller helmed this picture. I mean he's had a long and varied career and he's had some genuinely great family films under his belt like Andre and Never Ending Story 2 (not as good as the first but still a decent family flick.) This just feels rushed and slapped together and it will certainly entertain little ones briefly but it isn't likely to become a Holiday staple anywhere and certainly not worth seeing more than once. I very half hearted attempt at a sweet Christmas movie. 5/10

DocWriter This is a delightful Christmas fantasy that deals lightly with magic and the power of love. Jessica, played with astonishing maturity by 10-year-old Juliet Sorcey, receives a free wish from a wishing well. When Philomena (Doris Roberts) asks what she wants, she says "I want that," pointing to a grouping of mannequins arranged to suggest a mother, daughter, and dog. The mother looks amazingly like Olivia Newton John. When Philomena asks Jessica what she means, she explains that she wants to have a mother to be with her during the Christmas season. And Philomena grants her wish: "One mother for two weeks, starting at midnight tonight and ending at midnight Christmas eve." At midnight, the mannequin she pointed to, now alive and looking exactly like Olivia Newton John, rings the doorbell and is taken in. As she becomes part of the family, we are all aware that the two-week countdown clock is ticking.The theme of a statue coming to life occurs throughout classic literature. The original Pygmalian, as described by Ovid, was a sculptor who fell in love with a statue he had made, brought her to life with a kiss, and married her. So, enjoy this film for what it is -- easy to watch entertainment that is fun for all. Good script and fine acting by a cast that finds exactly the right pitch to tell a modern fairy tale.

john191158 This is true xmas fantasy in the best of disney tradition.Lighthearted,sentimental escapism that can be enjoyed by all the family. Olivia plays amy a store mannequin that comes to life as the xmas wish of a 9 yr old little girl.Storyline is a bit flimsy but that's what fantasy is all about right? Olivia looks good(as always!)and does an adequate job with the script given her.A bit cutesy and sugary in places,but it's a xmas movie after all,something light for all to enjoy,it's not ben hur or schindlers list it's a wholesome xmas fantasy to be enjoyed by young and old alike. I rate this an 8.