The House Without a Christmas Tree

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The House Without a Christmas Tree is a 1972 TV movie that centers on the relationship between Addie Mills, a bright and energetic only child, and her melancholy father, James Mills. James never recovered from the death of his wife (Addie's mother), and is bitterly against ever having a Christmas tree in the house. Lisa Lucas plays Addie, and Jason Robards stars as James. Mildred Natwick is cast as Addie's paternal grandmother.

The film takes place in fictional Clear River, Nebraska in 1946. A critical subplot to the movie is the timing of the death of Addie's mother: she died shortly after Addie's birth. This is something that the viewer can see builds resentment in James. His refusal to allow a Christmas tree in the house does not go unchallenged, as Addie has asked him in the past. Finally, Addie wins a school contest using a guessing technique learned from her father and is awarded a Christmas tree which she brings home. This is not well received by James and the engaging story proceeds from there.

In one scene, Dad is lamenting about why the baby could not have died, instead of the baby's mother. Originally shown on CBS in 1972, this movie was actually a very low budget film produced on videotape. It was, however, released on DVD in October 2007, a relatively rare honor for for an old TV movie originally made on videotape.

Sequels were produced, including Thanksgiving Treasure and Addie and the King of Hearts, which never garnered the accolades of the original.