While it may not be each of their best holiday telefilm that they have starred in, their reunion for this 2017 holiday film “A Very Merry Toy Store” is still worth watching.
Click here to watch “A Very Merry Toy Store” on Amazon
TITLE: A Very Merry Christmas Store
FILM YEAR: 2017
DURATION: 90 Minutes
COMPANY: Lifetime Television
Directed by Paula Hart
Written by David Breckman
Executive Producer: Leslie Gilliams, Melissa Joan Hart, Paula Hart
Line Producer: Erica Joseph Hunter
Producer: Andrew Gernhard, Mario Lopez
Music by Felix Bird
Cinematography by Mark Parry
Edited by Rob Pallatina
Production Design by Robert W. Savina
Costume Design by Tammy Gibbens
Starring:
Melissa Joan Hart as Connie Forester
Mario Lopez as Will DiNova
Beth Broderick as Pam Forrester
Brian Dennehey as Joe Haggarty
Dan Amboyer as Randy Forrester
Tara Strong as Francine
Billy Gardell as Roy Barnes
Cameron Meyer as Miss Hallifax
Mario Cantone as Mayor Stevens
Audrey Grace Marshall as Eleanor
Gina Hirazumi as Aviana
So, we talked about how Candace Cameron Bure is the “Holiday Queen” when it comes to holiday telefilms. And was the face of Christmas films for Hallmark.
But does Lifetime have its own “Holiday Queen”? While there are several actresses that have had consecutive holiday films, actress/producer/filmmaker Melissa Joan Hart and mother, producer/filmmaker Paula Hart have done a lot in bringing Christmas films to Lifetime.
While Melissa Joan Hart is well-known for her lead role in “Sabrina the Teenage Witch”, “Melissa & Joey” and “Clarissa Explains it All” and many people growing up watching her on television, many have watched her as an adult in holiday films for both Lifetime and even did a single holiday film for Hallmark.
But since 2016, Melissa Joan Hart and mother Paula, have had their hands in producing and directing holiday films at Lifetime via Hartbreak Films.
But a film I will be discussing today is the 2017 holiday film “A Very Merry Toy Store” which stars Melissa Joan Hart and Mario Lopez. Both have worked together numerous times, but their first holiday film together was back in 2006 with “Holiday in Handcuffs”.
As people grew up watching Melissa Joan Hart on television, many grew up watching Mario Lopez on “Saved by the Bell”. So, these two talents were watched by millions and are big part of the lives of many people.
So, it was interesting to see these two reunite for this film and Melissa and Mario would reunite a few years later, as Melissa would direct (and appear) Mario’s 2020 holiday film “Feliz NaviDAD”.
But this film features Melissa Joan Hart as Connie Forrester, the owner of a toy store. While Mario Lopez stars as Will DiNova, the owner of DiNova toy store which is close by. These two are rival toy stores and it stems as far back when Connie’s father and Will’s father were once partners of a toy store and later become rival toy store owners, which the children have carried on.
These two are also widowed and are single and have been trying to move on since their partners have passed.
But with the holidays quickly approaching and everyone’s clamoring for this hot doll that everyone wants, they are facing major competition courtesy of Roy Barnes (portrayed by Billy Gardell). And Roy likes to play dirty.
And now these two rivals will need to join forces against their new rival.
For the most part, the film is among the higher budget Lifetime holiday films starring many people (a lot of background actors), but for the most part, it’s always fun to see these two together.
But I feel that with nostalgia of two child actors who have managed to continue working in decades later, these two will always garner support by viewers (as long as they don’t mess it up).
They have work history and when the work together, their is holiday magic. Just wished they worked more together because their last collaboration in the 2002 “Feliz NaviDAD” was one of the best Lifetime holiday films that I’ve watched.
While it may not be each of their best holiday telefilm that they have starred in, their reunion for this 2017 holiday film “A Very Merry Toy Store” is still worth watching.
