The new york times, for example, deemed prancer a mediocre film, noting that the existential questions it raises about santaand godmight disturb small children. Get the latest on upcoming christmas movies, tv schedule updates, and new releases on dvd. And what really redeems the movie, taking it out of the category of kiddie pictures and giving it a heart and gumption, is the performance by a young actress named rebecca harrell, as jessica. Prancer 1989 cast and crew refusing to give up her belief in santa claus, a child, jessica riggs rebecca harrell, discovers a hurt reindeer in the woods, which she believes to be prancer. Over the years, it has become a christmas favorite for many as it relates the story of a young girl who believes the injured reindeer she finds is prancer, one of santas reindeer. What makes it even more precious is that it was filmed near my home, in. It is set in three oaks, michigan, where town exteriors were filmed. Three oaks thirty years ago, hollywood came to three oaks to make a christmas movie about believing in things unseen.
In another shot, the beard is right up under his nose. Join sign up keep track of your favorite shows and movies, across all your devices. Most reindeer are stubborn as a mule, and thus poor actors, but boo proved a. Robbie the reindeer trilogy paul whitehouse uk brad garrett us 1999, 2002, 2007 prancer is shown to be the strongest member of team and is robbies best male friend. A 20 sep 1989 var news item reported that prancer was screened in twentyfive cities to raise money for the makeawishfoundation. Prancer is a 1989 family film starring sam elliott,cloris leachman andrebecca harrell and was directed by john d.
In this movie, prancer is shown to have a wife, mrs. Today i try to find the filming location at starved rock used for the ending of the christmas classic prancer. Prancer is a 1989 family film starring sam elliott, cloris leachman and rebecca harrell and was directed by john d. In 1989, our church, as well as the village of three oaks, served as the backdrop for several scenes in the family holiday film prancer.
Determined to return the creature to the north pole and his rightful destiny, the child overcomes the cynicism of his family to teach them and us a lesson about the true spirit of christmas. Below is the story of that film, along with several pictures, many taken by our church members during the filming of this event. The movie prancer remains the only major motion picture that has ever been filmed here. Prancer is a 1989 christmasthemed family film directed by john d. Directed by 1 writing credits 1 cast 29 produced by 4 music by 1 cinematography by 1. Prancer stands up to the test of time, and is a wonderful, heartbreaking family film that i. It would easily get an a if not for one small issue at the very end. It has an original plot and deeper holiday themes than simply finding love or childish antics. The real name of the main reindeer who played prancer was boo. Hancock eightyearold jessica riggs rebecca harrell believes in santa claus and flying reindeer even though her father john sam elliott and older brother steve john duda seem to believe shes too old to do so, and even her best friend carol ariana richards has long since given up believing. However, due to a regime change, cineplex odeon dropped its distribution rights, and it eventually ended up at orion. Hancock, who has since shot four feature films in northern indiana and southwest michigan, says the movie that started it all was the 1989 christmas classic prancer, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this weekend with an 11 a. Though boo was the shyest animal in the herd, the owners took her to the casting call for the 1989 movie, prancer.
The producer of the movie prancer, john hancock, also produced the hit movies bang the drum slowly and lets scare jessica to death. Prancer is about a girl in snowy three oaks, michigan, who rescues a reindeer with a bum leg that may be the actual prancer of on dancer, on prancer fame. It is set inthree oaks, michigan, where town exteriors were filmed. Boo got the role of prancer and was sent for filming in laporte, ind. This family film was starred by sam elliot, cloris leachman, and rebecca harrell. It doesnt just tell you santa doesnt exist, but neither does god. The best thing about prancer is that it doesnt insult anyones intelligence. The camera is looking north in the first screen shot. The movie is set in the little town of three oaks, where much of the exterior scenes were shot. Find out when and where you can watch prancer on tv with the full listings schedule at. Countdown to christmas year round with your favorite holiday movies. Filming also occurred in laporte, indiana, and at starved rock state park in utica, illinois. Prancer was filmed in three oaks in the winter of 19881989. The other central theme is for the loving bond that develops between jessie and prancer.
Prancer has realistic ambiance, genuine heart, honest grit, and sam elliott. Prancer rudolph the red nosed reindeer wiki fandom. Greg taylor wrote the screenplay for prancer and is. Additional three oaks locations included driers market and bendix woods. In the holiday movie prancer, a little girl who has just lost her mother. This holidaythemed childrens film offers a unique take on the legend of santa claus and his tiny reindeer. Prancer is a 1989 christmas film, directed by john hancock. A closedcaptioned english soundtrack is rendered in dolby digital stereo, while a french soundtrack has been recorded in dolby digital mono. Secrets of making of prancer shared during documentary. Christmas movie locations that exist in real life reader. Prancer is a 1989 americancanadian childrens fantasy drama film directed by john hancock, written by greg taylor, and starring sam. Prancer is a 1989 americancanadian fantasy drama film directed by john hancock, written by greg taylor, and starring rebecca harrell, sam elliott, cloris.
In this movie, a young boy finds a deer in the forest he is sure is santas beloved prancer. Eightyearold jessica rebecca harrell thinks so when she finds the wounded animal in the sweet 1989 film prancer. Legacy theme of new john hancock film and in his life. When jessica sits on santas lap in the department store, and asks for the real santas help to assist prancer, she pulls down santas beard a bit. The film was followed by a directtovideo sequel, prancer returns, released by usa home entertainment in 2001. Cult christmas classic prancer deserves to be a holiday. In the movie prancer where is the house located answers. It has become my favorite christmas movie, and one of my favorite movies of all time. Celebrate prancer s 30thyear anniversary by visiting the movies filming locations in three oaks, michigan. Interesting note much of the filming was done in the town of utica, il sharing a namesake with the city that founded this very website. The film was originally set to be released by cineplex odeon films, owned by the titular theatre chain, one of the largest in north america. Prancer, conversely, uses snow, reindeer and the time of year to be something tougher. The usual movie depiction of the spirit of christmas involves a warm miracle while somewhere in my memory plays.
Prancer filming sites december 21, 2018 the 1989 movie prancer is what we who are usually in the halloween business call a sincere pumpkin patcha rarity in the world of overly manufactured, overly setdressed christmas movies. In one shot, the beard is definitely below his nose, after it is pulled. Hollywood brings santa and his reindeer to starved rock country. All movie names, logos, and brands are property of their respective owners. The town left its christmas decorations up, and the production borrowed more decorations from laporte. Smaller kids will identify with jessicas fierce resolve to get prancer back into action, and older viewers will appreciate the fact that the movie takes place in an approximation of the real world. John hancocks heartwarming holiday film prancer comes to dvd with a widescreen anamorphic transfer that preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.
Hollywood brings santa and his reindeer to starved rock. Documentary on the filming of prancer debuts at the vickers. In the end, prancer is a simple pleasure as the story of one special childs faith in the spirit of christmas, a faith that changes her family and her community for the better. Prancer who was rudolphs teacher when he was a yearling. After reminiscing about this film with some mates, i decided to order it, since amazon had a great price. Oscarnominated director john hancock weeds, bang the drum slowly, prancer features his hometown laporte, indiana for the fourth time in an untitled film shooting there and also in south bend and southwest michigan june 21 through aug. She is first seen teaching her class about reindeer history and asks who knows how santa picks the flyers for his team, to which zoey says the junior reindeer games. Upon the film s release, movie critic roger ebert praised the movie and harrells performance. She starred alongside veteran actors sam elliott, cloris leachman and abe vigoda in the film.
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