I enjoyed this holiday storyline. It’s more than just a Christmas story, but also Danica McKellar brings joy and fun to her role and it makes the “Crown For the Christmas” much more captivating and delightful. I recommend this film!
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TITLE: Crown For Christmas
FILM YEAR: 2015
DURATION: 89 Minutes
BLU-RAY DISC INFORMATION: 1080p High Definition
COMPANY:Hallmark Channel
RATED: TV-PG
Directed by Alex Zamm
Story by Janeen Damian, Michael Damian
Teleplay by Neal H. Dobrofsky, Tippi Dobrofsky
Executive Producer: Eric Jarboe, Brad Krevoy, Amanda Phillips, Jimmy Townsend
Produced by Amy Krell
Line Producer: Cristian Bostanescu
Associate Producer: Vince Balzano, Christopher Landry
Music by Chris Hajian
Cinematography by Viorel Sergovici
Edited by Charles Norris, Heath Ryan
Casting by Laura Grosu, Carolyn McLeod
Set Decoration by Iulia Petrescu
Costume Design by Luminita Lungu
Starring:
Danica McKellar as Allie
Rupert Penry-Jones as Max
Ellie Botterill as Theodora
Pavel Douglas as Fergus
Colin McFarlane as Chancellor Riggs
Amy Marston as Miss Wick
Alexandra Evans as Celia
Emma Burdon-Sutton as Mrs. Claiborne
Rose Neville as Lisa
Rollo Skinner as Aaron
After getting fired from her job as a maid at a ritzy New York City hotel, Allie reluctantly accepts a temp gig as the governess to a young girl who is part of a powerful family in Europe that lives in an actual castle. After arriving, Allie learns the girl is named Princess Theodora and her father is Maximillian, the King of Winshire. The King informs Allie that the Princess has a tendency to terrorize authority figures, a predilection that has grown worse since her mother’s death. Yet governess and Princess wind up hitting it off while at the same time a spark forms between Allie and Max. However, Countess Celia is expecting to wed the King. Will Max take a stand for his feelings for Allie and make it truly a merry Christmas for all (or at least, most)?
And we have reached day 22 of my Holiday Film Marathon, and this time I am taking a look at the 2015 Hallmark holiday telefilm “Crown for Christmas”.
The film is directed by Alex Zamm and features a story by Janeen Damian and Michael Damian, and a teleplay by Neal H. Dobrofsky and Tippi Dobrofsky.
The telefilm stars Danica McKellar (“The Wonder Years”, “Young Justice”), Rupert Penry-Jones (“Spooks”, “Match Point”, “Persuasion”), Ellie Botterill (“The Athena”), Pavel Douglas (“GoldenEye”, “The Princess Switch”, “Lovejoy”), Colin McFarlane (“Batman Begins”, “The Dark Knight”, “The Commuter”), Amy Marston (“The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus”, “Doc Martin”), Alexandra Evans (“Silent Witness”, “Redistributors”), Emma Burdon-Sutton and more.
The film begins with an introduction to the Evans family of New York, eldest sister Allie (portrayed by Danica McKellar) has been taking care of her siblings Lisa (portrayed by Rose Neville) and Aaron (portrayed by Rollo Skinner).
Allie is a talented painter, Lisa is a budding actress and Aaron is a student. Both Allie and Lisa work for a hotel and unfortunately, they aren’t earning enough and are behind on the bills. But Allie has a positive attitude.
Meanwhile, currently at the hotel, King Maximillian III of the sovereign nation of Wilshire and his assistant Fergus are currently in New York before the head back to London. Fergus gives the King the bad news that another governess (a private tutor for a child) has quit. Unfortunately, with short timing due to the upcoming holiday gala, Fergus explains they will need to hire someone local from New York to work in Wilshire.
As Allie and Lisa are working at the hotel, Lisa has an audition and Allie tells her younger sister to pursue it and she’ll cover her shift. But unfortunately, because Allie is behind on time, their boss fires both Allie and also tells her that she is also firing Lisa. Observing from a distance is Fergus.
Fergus goes to the home of Allie and offers her a job to work in Wilshire for the holidays to be a governess for the King’s daughter. Knowing that they can use the money, Allie takes the job and heads to Wilshire.
Allie finds out once she arrives in Wilshire, she finds out that she will be responsible for Princess Theodora (portrayed by Ellie Botterill) and that she will be employed by the Royal family which shocks Allie.
When she arrives the head of housekeeping Miss Wick (portrayed by Amy Marston) and head cook Mrs. Claiborne (portrayed by Emma Burdon-Sutton).
Meanwhile, King Maximillian III arrives and his adviser Chancellor Riggs (portrayed by Colin McFarlane) wants the king to be more like his father, something that Max is really not but he tries, keeping busy with his royal duties and also following the chancellor’s advice.
As for Allie, trying to get used to her new surroundings, she builds a relationship with Princess Theodora and the staff, and brings a warmth to the castle which Maximillian is starting to notice. And at the same time, there appears to be an attraction between Allie and the King.
Unfortunately, this causes concern for Chancellor Riggs and the woman, Celia (portrayed by Celia), who is desperately wanting to marry Max and become the Queen.
First, I want to say how awesome it is to see Danica McKellar in more film roles. While Danica has been in numerous holiday films, she has been busy as a voice actress for numerous, major animated TV series (from “Young Justice”, “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” and more) and video games but of course, many know Danica for her passion for mathematics and has written books for adolescent readers.
Many of us watched Danica as a child actress in “The Wonder Years”, so it’s really cool to see her in numerous holiday films.
This latest film features Danica playing the roll of Allie, who takes a job in the sovereign nation, Wilshire and becomes a governess for the king’s daughter. Alie’s positiveness and bright personality brings Christmas joy and light to the castle and everyone starts to notice. But of course, a few are starting to notice the King becoming distracted (and attracted) to Allie and concerned that two are growing closer, which may be a problem for royalty.
In a way, this 2015 film is rather interesting as it is was created before Prince Harry married American actress Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and before the 2021 marriage of Princess Mako of Akishino, who gave up her title and left the imperial family to marry a commoner.
While royalty marrying commoners is nothing new, in 1396, John of Gaunt, the Duke of Lancaster, married his children’s governess. In 1465, King Edward IV married commoner, an American of mixed-race Elizabeth Woodville.
And like it is now, as it was back then, for royal councils and those who believe that blood should remain of royalty, the concept of royalty marrying commoners has been a hot topic.
So, it’s rather fascinating to watch this storyline of a King falling for his governess, a New Yorker and temp worker for the holidays, Allie. And of course, while Allie is well-liked by staff, for those who want the King to follow the rules of royalty, are concerned of Allie’s presence. And what way would those concerned, would go so far to remove Allie from the picture?
So, I enjoyed this holiday storyline. It’s more than just a Christmas story, but also Danica McKellar brings joy and fun to her role and it makes the “Crown For the Christmas” much more captivating and delightful. I recommend this film!
PURCHASE THIS FILM ON AMAZON PRIME
