A Very Retail Christmas is a 1990 Christmas television movie starring Ed O'Neill. It aired on NBC on December 24, 1990.
Plot[]
O'Neil played Maxwell D. Crandall, the corrupt business owner of Crandall Toys which makes dangerous toys. He tries to undermine Christmas by proving kids are rejecting quality elf-made products in favor of dangerous high-tech toys. His newest invention is a voice controlled robot that can fire a laser beam, with the hidden intention to sell a laser proof vest.
Ed O'Neill as Max Crandall who is setting up his newest invention.
When Santa gets word of Crandall's plan, he leaves the North Pole and visits the factory, warning Crandall that he won't even get coal in his Christmas stocking due to his shocking behavior. Crandall tries to get his robot to attack, but it is unable to do so. Then, the Ghost of Christmas Past stops by to take Crandall on a journey to show him the deeds that he has done that lead him to becoming a corrupt businessman. Crandall tries to ignore the ghost and get the robot to finally attack Santa before realizing that he really is dealing with a ghost. He then tries to plead with the ghost by offering him a job, sports tickets and cash, but eventually vanishes into the air with the ghost to begin their journey.
Trivia[]
- The film also featured Allan Trautman, who played the "Barbiephile" in "Sleepless in Chicago" (and also served as a puppeteer and actor on Unhappily Ever After) as one of the puppeteers and June Foray, who voiced Scary Mary in "God's Shoes", as an additional voice.
- Paul Fusco who wrote and directed the film as well as provided puppeteer and voice work, was known at the time for his work on the NBC sitcom, ALF while Christopher Hewett, who plays the Ghost of Christmas Past, was known for his role as the butler Lynn Belvedere in the ABC sitcom Mr. Belvedere. Both ALF and Mr. Belvedere were mentioned on MWC in the Season 4 episode, "He Ain't Much, But He's Mine".