''A Holiday Romance'' (released in the UK under the title ''A Song for the season'') is a 1999 American

made-for-television A television film, alternatively known as a television movie, made-for-TV film/movie, telefilm, telemovie or TV film/movie, is a film with a running time similar to a feature film that is produced and originally distributed by or to a Terrestr ...

Christmas Christmas is an annual festival commemorating Nativity of Jesus, the birth of Jesus Christ, observed primarily on December 25 as a Religion, religious and Culture, cultural celebration among billions of people Observance of Christmas by coun ...

romantic drama film Romance films involve romantic love stories recorded in visual media for broadcast in theatres or on television that focus on passion (emotion), passion, emotion, and the affectionate romantic involvement of the main characters. Typically their ...

directed by

Bobby Roth Robert Jay Roth (born 1950) is an American television and film director, screenwriter and producer. Life and career Born and raised in Los Angeles, Roth began his tertiary education at the University of California, Berkeley studying philoso ...

and starring

Naomi Judd Naomi Judd (born Diana Ellen Judd; January 11, 1946 – April 30, 2022) was an American country music singer and actress. In 1980, she and her daughter Wynonna (born Christina Claire) formed the duo known as The Judds, which became a successful ...

Andy Griffith Andy Samuel Griffith (June 1, 1926 – July 3, 2012) was an American actor, comedian, television producer, singer, and writer whose career spanned seven decades in music and television. Known for his Southern drawl, his characters with a folksy ...

, and

Gerald McRaney Gerald Lee McRaney (born August 19, 1947) is an American television and film actor. McRaney is best known as one of the stars of the television shows ''Simon & Simon'', '' Major Dad'', ''Promised Land'' and '' House of Cards''. He most recently s ...

. This film has been released on DVD.

Plot

At the beginning of the holiday season, a school administrator, Cal Peterson (

), is sent to a financially troubled school to find a way to keep it from closing. After reviewing expenses, he decides that the best way to save money is to cancel the music program in which his niece Fern (

Alison Pill Alison Pill (born November 27, 1985) is a Canadian actress. A former child actress, Pill began her career at age 12, appearing in numerous projects before transitioning to adult roles with a breakthrough role in the television series '' The Bo ...

) is enrolled and let go its teacher, Lily Waite (

). News of his decision leaks out prematurely, causing resentment among the students. After realizing how much the program has benefited his shy niece, he regrets his decision, but can think of no better alternative. In a subplot, with Peterson's help, a long-time lady friend secretly arranges a reunion of his father Jake Peterson's WWII squadron, as a Christmas present. He is so happy that he decides to propose. The film ends with a concert by the music department's students, where Peterson hears his niece perform and then announces that the townspeople have donated enough money to keep the program going.

Cast

as Lily Waite *

as Jake Peterson *

as Cal Peterson *

as Fern *

Jayne Eastwood Jayne Eastwood (born December 17, 1946), also credited as Jane Easton or Jane Eastwood, is a Canadian actress and comedian. She is best known for her film roles as Anna-Marie Biddlecoff in '' Finders Keepers'' (1984), Judy the Waitress in '' The ...

as Margie *

Taborah Johnson Taborah Johnson, also known as Tabby Johnson, is a Canadian singer and actress. She is the sister of actor Clark Johnson and rock and jazz singer Molly Johnson. She began her career in the Toronto production of ''Hair'' as a teenager. She was su ...

as Anne Hutchinson *

Jackie Richardson Jackie Richardson (born January 4, 1947) is a Canadian singer and actress. Richardson is known for her screen roles in '' Turning to Stone'', '' The Gospel According to the Blues'', ''The Doodlebops'', and '' Sins of the Father''. She is also kn ...

as Bea Buskins *Brian Heighton as Todd * Jack Duffy as Irwin *Sumela Kay as Clarissa *Adam Dolson as Del *Nathan Carter as Hal *

Martha Gibson Martha Gibson is a Canadian actress. She is best known for appearing alongside her husband Louis Del Grande in the television series '' Seeing Things'', for which she earned a Gemini Award for Best Actress in a Comedy Series at the 1st Gemini Aw ...

as Donna *

Andrea Lewis Andrea Desiree Lewis (born August 15, 1985) is a Canadians, Canadian actress and singer, known for her role as Hazel Aden in the long-running TV series ''Degrassi: The Next Generation''. Early life One of two children, Lewis is the daughter of ...

as Autumn *

Aron Tager Aron Tager (June 30, 1934 – February 28, 2019) was an American actor, poet, artist and sculptor, he is best known for voicing Cranky Kong in the animated television series, ''Donkey Kong Country'' and for portraying Dr. Vink on the children's ...

as Joseph *Ken Wickes as Pete * The Essentials with Paula MacNeill as singers at gas station *Students from Port Credit Secondary School as the orchestra

Production

''A Holiday Romance'' was filmed in Toronto by Jaffe/Braunstein Productions and directed by

. The script was written by Darrah Cloud. The executive producers were Michael Jaffe, Howard Braunstein and Darrah Cloud."Review: ‘A Holiday Romance’"
''Variety'', Ramin Zahed December 7, 1999

References

External links

IMDB - A Holiday Romance
1999 television films 1999 films 1999 romantic drama films American romantic drama films American Christmas television films CBS films Films directed by Bobby Roth Films scored by Christopher Franke American drama television films 1990s American films {{1990s-US-drama-film-stub

Plot

Cast

Production

See also

References

External links