Table Of Content
Billy Wilde (spelled "Wilde" in the television credits but "Wild" in the books) is a schoolmate of Addie's who, she remarks in one story, had been around forever. They've always been in the same grade, played together when they were young, and have maintained a friendly rivalry as they grew older. He and Addie clearly like each other, although Addie professes to "despise" him and only likes his cowboy boots. Oddly, he's more likely to admit he likes her and indeed gives her a heart locket in the school Christmas gift exchange, which embarrasses her a great deal.
Heritage Museum of Orange County
I am really looking forward to checking this one out in person in the future. This adorable home stands out on the Pacific Coast Highway in Santa Monica. The rumor is that this house was owned by Ruth Handler, the creator of Barbie. You can park in one of the beach parking lots and walk down to the home or park by one of the neighbors.
The Triple Dog Dare: Click on the book cover for more info:
The first of four specials about the Mills, a family living in Nebraska during the '40s. The story of Addie Mills, a precocious tomboy; her stern, widowed father, James; and her compassionate grandmother. The story depicts Addie's attempts to convince her seemingly cold and unsentimental father that their house needs a Christmas tree for the holidays. The family lives in the Apple family home, a grist mill, with George's father. Franny Michel played the third child and younger daughter, Patricia, who loved books and school just like Addie Mills; she also had an affinity for horses and gets her own, Bronco, in a midseason episode. Unfortunately, Franny left acting after her father's job took him away from Hollywood.
LIST: Places to recycle your Christmas tree in St. Louis - KSDK.com
LIST: Places to recycle your Christmas tree in St. Louis.
Posted: Tue, 26 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Boddy House at Descanso Gardens
Disconcertingly, instead of recasting the Billy character, the entirely new character of Danny Billings was created. Smart, spunky Addie Mills was introduced to television audiences in the Yuletide season of 1972 in the drama The House Without a Christmas Tree. Three subsequent movies followed (although the final "movie" is only an hour long). In fictional Clear River, Nebraska in 1946, 10-year-old Addie Mills is a lonely child who wears large horn-rimmed glasses, living in a plain, ordinary house with her widowed father James and her loving paternal grandmother.
Is The House Without a Christmas Tree available to buy on DVD?
Uncle Will and his family are mentioned several times in the different stories, but this is the only time we actually see them. We never learn his last name; he may be Addie's mother's brother since James and Grandma are friendly with the family but don't appear to be particularly close and also because he and his wife volunteered to take in Addie after her mother died. Also, Cousin Henry asks Addie why she doesn't ask "your grandmother" to put up the food for her. So Will (or Nora) must be from Helen's side of the family since Grandma is not Henry's grandmother as well. Addie's father is James Mills, a taciturn, thrifty Midwesterner.
The House Without a Christmas Tree was published by Alfred A. Knopf in a hardback edition and subsequently in a paperback Bantam Skylark edition. A condensation of the story appeared in McCall's in 1974. Addie's lively narration makes the book as enthralling as the television story, and adds many delightful details to the story. We learn more about Grandma's eccentricies, which are only touched on in the television story when Addie fights with Jimmy Walsh after he calls Grandma "a character." In the book Grandma wears wildly patched clothing and moccassins. She loves to copy Bible verses onto pieces of paper and leaves them around the house as reminders; she also cuts interesting clippings out of the newspaper and keeps them. We also see more of Carla Mae's home, a happy collection of loving parents, young children, and a "fat Scottie named Minnie," and can understand why Addie loves visiting there.
(1972 TV Movie)
The House Without a Christmas Tree was an impressive debut for Lisa Lucas. She wonderfully portrays a child whose spirit is unquenched by her father's grief. While we feel pain for Addie in having to cope with his brusqueness, we also cannot totally condemn James for it.
The children in Addie's class are even shown beginning the school day by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag without the 1956 "under God" addition, as it would have been then. The only thing that looks a bit "off" are Lisa Lucas' modern-style glasses, which are assumed to be her own, or else they would have used something styled more to the time. They so appropriately frame her face, however, that it is difficult to imagine Addie without those particular glasses. Self-guided walking tours of the exterior of Heritage Square Museum homes are currently available.
Storyline
When they visit her house to get her autograph, Addie, who's told the girls that Constance and her dad are old high school friends, not only impulsively asks her to judge their style show, but invites her to dinner. Constance accepts both invitations, but appears ill at ease at dinner and keeps asking for wine. When she finally shows up at the style show, she appears to be drunk. A little disturbed, but undeterred, Addie talks Constance into giving the girls acting lessons; the first turns out fabulously but on the second visit it is very apparent Constance is intoxicated. Disillusioned, Addie wants to abandon Constance, but Grandma insists one cannot abandon friends because they have come upon hard times.
In the television story, the girls accompanying Addie and Carla Mae to look for Miss Thompson's gift are June and Amy. One of the distinctive touches to House Without a Christmas Tree and all the subsequent Addie Mills' stories was the fade to collage before a commercial break and a collage that dissolved into the opening scene after the break. These evocative collages were done by contemporary artist Norman Sunshine. Sunshine was later honored with an Emmy Award for his collage work in the Addie Mills specials. Miss Peggy Thompson is Addie's schoolteacher for both fifth and sixth grades. She's very attractive, strict but fair, and a good teacher, and the children adore her.
All movie times listed are Eastern time unless otherwise noted. Countdown to Christmas year round with your favorite holiday movies. Get the latest on upcoming Christmas movies, TV schedule updates, and new releases on DVD. Diane Ladd is probably best known for her role of Flo in the film Alice Doesn't Live Here Any More. Actor Richard Hatch is most well-known for his starring role in the 1970s science-fiction series Battlestar Galactica and his involvement in the new "reboot" series by the same name. Interestingly enough, young actress Patti Cohoon, who has a small part as Addie's classmate Sally, played opposite Franny Michel (Cora Sue) for one year on the series Apple's Way; Patti was Cathy Apple, older sister to Franny's Patricia.
Addie's mother died from pneumonia a few months after she was born, and her embittered father wonders why his beloved wife had to die rather than their sickly baby. Her first name is taken from her father's middle name, but his only interaction with Addie seems to be in frequent corrections of her. There has never been a Christmas tree in the Mills home since his wife's death, although Addie constantly challenges this omission. This house is most likely recognized from being used in the movie The Big Lebowski. It was built from 1961 to 1963 It was built as a cave-like dwelling that embraces nature.
I have visited the house for free on two different occasions. You can visit it for free on the Museums of the Arroyo Day or during the City of Pasadena’s ArtNight. This was one of the first homes I ever toured in LA and fell in love with learning about the history of the unique homes in the area. You can read more about my visits to the Gamble House here. This home and park have such a wonderful variety of activities for visitors.
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