The Christmas That Almost Wasn't is a 1966 film that stars Rossano Brazzi

Rossano Brazzi

-Biography:Brazzi was born in Bologna to Adelmo and Maria Brazzi. He attended San Marco University in Florence, Italy, where he was raised from the age of four...

 and Paul Tripp

Paul Tripp

Paul Tripp was a musician, author and television and film actor born in New York City. He was a partner of fellow composer George Kleinsinger. Tripp was the creator of 1945's "Tubby the Tuba", a children's song that has become his best-known work. Early in his career, he was the host of CBS' Mr....

. The movie had traditional December airings on Home Box Office (HBO) during the 1970s and early 1980s. The title in Italian is known as 'Natale che quasi non fu'.

Plot

Phineas T. Prune is an old miser who holds the deed to the North Pole. It seems that Santa Claus is behind in paying his rent. Prune plans to have Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves evicted and keep the Christmas toys. Santa asks Sam Whipple for help. Can Whipple and the children around the world help Santa and prevent Christmas from being cancelled?

Main cast

• Rossano Brazzi
  Rossano Brazzi
  -Biography:Brazzi was born in Bologna to Adelmo and Maria Brazzi. He attended San Marco University in Florence, Italy, where he was raised from the age of four...
  
   as Phineas T. Prune
• Paul Tripp
  Paul Tripp
  Paul Tripp was a musician, author and television and film actor born in New York City. He was a partner of fellow composer George Kleinsinger. Tripp was the creator of 1945's "Tubby the Tuba", a children's song that has become his best-known work. Early in his career, he was the host of CBS' Mr....
  
   as Sam Whipple
• Lydia Brazzi as Mrs. Santa
• Alberto Rabagliati
  Alberto Rabagliati
  Alberto Rabagliati was an Italian singer.- Early career:Rabagliati was born in Milan.In 1927 he moved to Hollywood as the winner of a Rudolph Valentino look-alike contest...
  
   as Santa Claus
• Mischa Auer
  Mischa Auer
  Mischa Auer was a Russian-born American actor.-Early life:Auer was born Mikhail Semyonovich Unskovsky in St. Petersburg, Russia...
  
   as Jonathan, the elf foreman
• Sonny Fox
  Sonny Fox
  Irwin "Sonny" Fox is an American television host, executive and broadcasting consultant, who was the fourth full-time host of the children's television program, Wonderama.-Biography:...
  
   as Mr. Prim
• John Karlsen as Blossom

Production

The film was directed by and stars Rossano Brazzi

Rossano Brazzi

-Biography:Brazzi was born in Bologna to Adelmo and Maria Brazzi. He attended San Marco University in Florence, Italy, where he was raised from the age of four...

. The actual story, based on his book, was written by Paul Tripp

Paul Tripp

Paul Tripp was a musician, author and television and film actor born in New York City. He was a partner of fellow composer George Kleinsinger. Tripp was the creator of 1945's "Tubby the Tuba", a children's song that has become his best-known work. Early in his career, he was the host of CBS' Mr....

, who also stars in the film. The musical score was written by Bruno Nicolai

Bruno Nicolai

Bruno Nicolai was an Italian film music composer, orchestra director and musical editor most active in the 1960s through the 1980s...

 which includes the title song sung by Glenn Yarbrough

Glenn Yarbrough

Glenn Yarbrough is an American folk singer. He was the lead singer with The Limeliters between 1959 and 1963, and had a prolific solo career, recording on various labels.-Biography:...

. In the USA, the film is rated G and has a running time of 89 minutes.

DVD details

• Release date: October 7, 2003
• Full Screen
• Region: 1
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Audio tracks: English
• Subtitles: None
• Running time: 93 minutes

External links

• "The Website That Almost Wasn't" Fansite