A Holiday Spectacular
90 minute ad for the Rockettes
In a rarity for Hallmark, this is a full period piece set in the 1950s with shades of The Notebook.
Margaret is a girl from a rich family who loves The Rockettes so much she auditions and gets picked for the troupe. But there is no way in hell her rich WASP parents would allow it, so she sneaks off to NYC under the auspices of doing wedding planning/shopping for like, 8 weeks (because she’s also engaged - an unnecessary plot point if you ask me, but I digress). Seems logical.
While in NY she meets grocer/photographer/Navy man, John, and romance ensues.
But really, the value in this movie comes from the dance sequences featuring some real members of the troupe, which totally makes me want to go see The Rockettes in person one of these days.
Not so much a “Christmas movie,” but the dancing and presence of legit movie legend Ann-Margaret made it a worthwhile watch.
SCORE: 5/10
Tell me more!
In 1958, Maggie is an heiress from Philadelphia who puts her high-society wedding plans on hold in order to sneak up to New York City and make her secret dream come true: dancing live on stage in the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall. Stars Ginna Claire Mason, Derek Klena, Eve Plumb, and Ann-Margret, and features the Radio City Rockettes.
