'Prancer’ spreads good-hearted holiday cheer

The ‘12 Movies of Christmas Festival’ is in full swing at the Dietrich Theater. Now, you can catch some of your all-time holiday favorites on the big screen.

And, for this week, I had the chance to check out a holiday favorite that I haven’t seen in years — ‘Prancer.’

Refusing to give up her belief in Santa Claus, a young girl, Jessica Riggs, discovers a hurt reindeer in the woods, which she believes to be Prancer.

With the help of a sympathetic veterinarian, Jessica takes care of the wounded creature.

It’s supposed to be a secret, but eventually a store Santa Claus, the girl’s dad and the entire town find out about Prancer, leading to big problems for Jessica and her family.

The 1989 holiday feature is a charming, endearing little film that has a lot of heart. The film delivers quite a few moments that are really emotional and is surely something that is absolutely perfect for the whole family.

The scenes that feature the little girl (played by Rebecca Harrell) nursing the wounded reindeer back to health are very heart-warming and really sweet. You also get to feel for the little girl as she’s trying to hang on to her holiday spirit after losing her mother.

There is some humor scattered throughout that will make you chuckle. When Sam Elliot’s character (the girl’s father) finds out about Prancer and you see the reindeer cause a tiny bit of a mess in the house, it will easily put a smile on your face and laugh.

This charming little film also has some moments that will tug at your heart. In fact, mainly all the little girl/reindeer scenes can be a little emotional — especially towards the end where Prancer lies by her in the show after she fell.

And, I have to talk about the ending. The ending of the film packs a lot of emotion. When the girl asks her father to read part of a passage from the famous newspaper editorial — ‘Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus’ — and tells her even though times are tough he wouldn’t bear to lose her, you will easily tear up a little.

So, during the ‘12 Movies of Christmas Festival,; make sure to not miss this incredibly heart-warming holiday favorite that the whole family will simply enjoy

The cast: Sam Elliot as John Riggs; Cloris Leachman as Mrs. McFarland; Rutanya Alda as Aunt Sarah; Michael Constantine as Mr. Stewart/Store Santa; Rebecca Harrell Tickell as Jessica Riggs; Ariana Richards as Carol Wetherby; John Duda as Steve Riggs; Johnny Galecki as Billy Quinn and Abe Vigoda as Orel Benton.

‘Prancer’ is written by Greg Taylor (Jumanji; Prancer Returns) and directed by John D. Hancock.

‘Prancer’ is rated G and has a running time of 103 minutes.

Let me know on my Wyoming County Press Examiner reviews Facebook page what you thought of this holiday favorite and what is the one holiday favorite that you have to watch every holiday season! And, quick tidbit — did you know there was a direct to DVD sequel released in 2001 called ‘Prancer Returns’?

https://youtu.be/Zm69dRGRLiI