bkoganbing Although done on a low budget with a mostly unknown cast Christmas On A Dollar set in the Depression years has a Walton kind of appeal to it. It also has a bit of O Henry's Gift Of The Magi in the story.The plot concerns the Kamp family in rural America of the Thirties. There's Brian Krause and his six children trying to cope with both hard times and the recent loss of Mom. Oldest daughter Danielle Chuchran is playing the role Mom for the others. A situation that can be cruel. I know from my own family my grandmother lost her mother at a much younger and she got to raise her two younger brothers, one of whom died as a child. It scarred her for life and she was one mean and bitter woman by the time I came on the scene.But mostly this concerns Jacob Buster one of the younger kids who has polio and of course with no health insurance and that's what's really crippling the family finances as well. Anti-Vaxxers ought to take a real good look at this film and what that can do. I also remember from my childhood the lineup at my school for the polio vaccine in the 50s.Buster has a lot of day dreams about being a cowboy hero fueled by a horse that neighbor Nancy Stafford owns. But riding is difficult when you are in a leg brace. This film was done under Christian auspices and believers will go away hearts aglow with this family's faith and the love and support they have for each other. I looked at this film and see how could these things happen in a modern age. Ironically this film is set during the 30s a most reforming age.Now we Americans are in the hands of people who want no safety net either economic or medically for people just like the Kamps. That fact truly makes me weep.Watch Christmas On A Dollar and see how it effects you.

slimrolle53 The acting wasn't that great and the homes as everyone else keeps mentioning are well kept for poor people during the depression. The home that the Kamps lived in was very nice and large for a poor family with 5 kids. However, the story line was the true meaning of Christmas. I am one that doesn't look for perfection in movies. I look at the meaning. I am very sappy.My son is a literary agent and every since he went to Film School, I have learned more about what goes into rating films than I ever wanted to know. He would have not liked the poor quality or the acting of the film. I liked the film because of the substance. I look at all the Christmas movies on Hallmark and UP every year (over and over) and all the others I can catch on other channels and I like them because I am a sappy person. I gave it an 8 because of it's substance. Had the quality been better it would have rated a 10. That is just my sappy take on it.

sharilyn-mckinley-harvey This may not be a high budget movie with lots of top named actors but it is good story and fine actors. Great story and well played. Our family thoroughly enjoyed this show. Good, family based, clean cut, meaningful, touching. Actors all did a fine job. If you're wanting a good movie to watch with your family this is it. Takes you back to the simpler time of life. There is no sex, car crashes, violence, computer generated anything or foul language! Just a good clean, enjoyable film. You will feel good about sharing this with everybody in your family, kids, grand-kids, grandparents! In our opinion you will not be disappointed. The world needs less trashy movies and more like this one!

J. H. While the idea for a Christmas movie was good, I actually blame low budgets, bad casting, (which is usually tied to low budgets) and awful directing. There were several scenes not lasting more than 30 to 45 seconds or less then just abruptly ending. Very strange. The actress playing the school teacher, Heather Beers was terrible. She cannot act and sincerely needs to learn the craft or move on to something else. The young boy stole the show along with the little girl that played his sister Ruthie. Even with a low budget, this film could have been so much better with better directing. Some lines were delivered too late, making a conversation between two actors awkward. That's a bad director.