The Dog Who Saved Christmas

Last updated
The Dog Who Saved Christmas
Dogwhosavedchristmas.jpg
GenreComedy
Screenplay byMichael Ciminera &
Richard Gnolfo
Story byJeffrey Schenck
Michael Ciminera
Richard Gnolfo
Directed byMichael Feifer
Starring Mario Lopez
Dean Cain
Elisa Donovan
Sierra McCormick
Adrienne Barbeau
Gary Valentine
Joey Diaz
Music byAndres Boulton
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
ProducersMichael Feifer
Jeffrey Schenck
CinematographyHank Baumert Jr.
EditorsBryan Roberts
Matt Steinauer
Running time88 minutes
Production companyBarnholtz Entertainment
Original release
Network ABC Family
ReleaseNovember 29, 2009 (2009-11-29)

The Dog Who Saved Christmas is a 2009 American made-for-television Christmas comedy film starring Dean Cain, Gary Valentine and the voice of Mario Lopez. It was written by childhood friends Michael Ciminera and Richard Gnolfo. It premiered on ABC Family on November 29, 2009, during their Countdown to 25 Days of Christmas programming block. [1] It was ranked as the number one cable program during its timeslot, and the number one cable film in the winter of the 2009 with 4.0 million viewers.

Contents

Plot

Zeus, a Labrador Retriever and a former police dog, has lost his bark after his barking ended up blowing off a five-year investigation and his partner can't shoot straight again and ends up at the pound. He is adopted by George Bannister as both an early Christmas present and as a good guard dog for the house, but the mom is hesitant and didn't want a dog. The dog is left home alone on Christmas Eve when the family head off to visit Grandma's house. A pair of burglars, Ted Stein and Stewey McMann break into the family home, and it is up to Zeus to save Christmas for his new family by setting up booby traps to stop them. Zeus soon gets caught by the burglars and they muzzle him and continue to rob the house. Zeus escapes while Ted and Stewey continue to rob the house. Zeus gets chased through the house by Ted and Stewey until Stewey accidentally pepper sprayed himself. Ted then takes out a tranquilizer gun and tries to shoot Zeus but gets Stewey instead knocking him out. Ted tries to escape the house (with Stewey who's still knocked out) but Zeus finishes them off for good by dropping a chandelier on them, knocking the two robbers out. The police come and arrest Ted and Stewey and Zeus finally barks. The family come back and see Ted and Stewey getting arrested and spend a Merry Christmas together. [1] [2]

Cast

It also features members of the production team in various supporting roles. Writers Richard Gnolfo and Michael Ciminera are credited as Policeman 1 & 2, while the director/producer Michael Feifer is credited as Police Officer 2.

Reception

The Dog Who Saved Christmas was broadcast on Sunday, November 29, 2009, and was cable's number one program during its time period of 8:00pm10:00pm with 4.0 million viewers. It was also ranked number one in scripted telecasts on cable during that Sunday, and became the season's number one cable film. It had a 14% increase in viewers from the same timeslot in the previous year. [3]

Critics compared it to another Christmas dog themed TV movie of 2009, A Dog Named Christmas and cited influences from Home Alone and Look Who's Talking . [4] A Dog Named Christmas was broadcast on the same night as The Dog Who Saved Christmas with the original timings overlapping by an hour. [5] Critics rated A Dog Named Christmas as the superior film over The Dog Who Saved Christmas, but praised the performances of Adrienne Barbeau and Mindy Sterling. [6]

The Dog Who Saved Christmas won several "Yulies" from the Popwatch column on Entertainment Weekly's website. The categories it won included "MVP: Most Valuable Pooch" and "Best Use of Dean Cain". [7]

It was given the "Family Approved" seal by The Dove Foundation. [8] Commonsense Media graded it as appropriate for ages 6 and up. [9]

Sequels

A sequel, The Dog Who Saved Christmas Vacation , aired on ABC Family in 2010.

A second sequel, The Dog Who Saved Halloween, was released directly to DVD in September 2011. [10]

A third sequel, The Dog Who Saved the Holidays, was released directly to DVD on December 4, 2012.

A fourth sequel, The Dog Who Saved Easter, was released directly to DVD on April 8, 2014. It stars Dean Cain, Elisa Donovan, Beverley Mitchell, Mario Lopez, Patrick Muldoon, Matthew Lawrence and Catherine Hicks.

A fifth sequel, The Dog Who Saved Summer, was released directly to DVD on June 2, 2015. It stars Dean Cain, Gary Valentine, Elisa Donovan, Patrick Muldoon, Mario Lopez, Martin Kove, James Hong and William Zabka.

Characters

CharacterFilm
ChristmasChristmas VacationHalloweenHolidaysEasterSummer
Ted Stein Dean Cain
George Bannister Gary Valentine Gary Valentine
Zeus Mario Lopez Joey Lawrence Mario Lopez
Belinda Bannister Elisa Donovan
Ben BannisterCharlie StewartBrennan BaileyWyatt GriswoldMichael LeoneCole Jensen
Kara Bannister Sierra McCormick Kayley StallingsCaitlin CarmichaelCaitlyn Leone Francesca Capaldi
Stewey McMann Joey "Coco" Diaz
Annie Mindy Sterling
Mildrid Adrienne Barbeau
Bella Paris Hilton
Randy Casper Van Dien
ZackMichael William Arnold
London JamesCarlson Young
SotherbyDavid O'Donnell
Dottie Catherine Oxenberg
Medusa Mayim Bialik
Cornelias "Eli" Cole Lance Henriksen
Max Curtis Armstrong
Kent Louis Mandylor
Monique Kristen Miller
MarilynChristina DeRosaChristina DeRosa
Eve Peyton List Kimberly A. Ray
Ned Michael Gross
Aunt Barbara Shelley Long
Tony Rowe Jack Scalia
Alice Beverly Mitchell
Fred Stein Patrick Muldoon
Cressida Catherine Hicks
Gabrielle Nicole Eggert
Will Matthew Lawrence
MinnieMadelyn Deutch
Karen Tiffany Thornton
Mr. Lee James Hong
Vernon Martin Kove
MarshaMackenzie Marsh
Apollo William Zabka

Crew

Film titleDirected byExecutive ProducersScreenplay byMusic composed byEdited byCinematography by
The Dog Who Saved ChristmasMichael FeiferJeffrey Schenck, Zelma Kiwi, and Barry BarnholtzMichael Ciminera and Richard GnolfoAndres BoultonBryan Roberts, Matt SteinauerHank Baumert
The Dog Who Saved Christmas Vacation Michael Ciminera, Richard Gnolfo, and Peter SullivanAndres Boulton and Chad Rehmann Sean Olson Jeffrey D. Smith
The Dog Who Saved HalloweenPeter SullivanChad RehmannGeorge Reasner
The Dog Who Saved the HolidaysMichael FeiferMichael Ciminera and Richard GnolfoAndres Boulton and Chad RehmannEly MenninRoberto Schein
The Dog Who Saved Easter Sean Olson Michael Ciminera, Richard Gnolfo, Sean Robert Olson, and Peter SullivanJason Brandt Sean Olson Joseph M. Setele
The Dog Who Saved SummerMichael Ciminera, Richard Gnolfo, and Peter Sullivan

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>Saved by the Bell</i> American television sitcom (1989–1993)

Saved by the Bell is an American television teen sitcom created by Sam Bobrick for NBC. The series premiered, in prime time, on August 20, 1989, a Sunday night. Targeted at kids and teens, Saved by the Bell was broadcast in the United States on Saturday mornings, later as the flagship series in NBC's TNBC lineup. A spin-off of the Disney Channel series Good Morning, Miss Bliss, the show follows a group of high school friends and their principal at the fictional Bayside High School in Los Angeles. Primarily focusing on lighthearted comedic situations, it occasionally touches on serious social issues, such as drug use, driving under the influence, homelessness, remarriage, death, women's rights, and environmental issues. The series starred Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Dustin Diamond, Lark Voorhies, Dennis Haskins, Tiffani-Amber Thiessen, Elizabeth Berkley, and Mario Lopez. The series ran for four seasons, airing its final episode, again in primetime, on May 22, 1993, a Saturday night.

<i>Beethoven</i> (film) 1992 American film

Beethoven is a 1992 American family comedy film, directed by Brian Levant and written by John Hughes and Amy Holden Jones. The film's story centers on a St. Bernard dog named after a German composer who finds a home with a suburban family. The film received mixed reviews from critics but was a surprise hit at the box office, earning $147.2 million worldwide. The film spawned a franchise, including a short-lived animated TV series. A direct sequel, Beethoven's 2nd, was released the following year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mario Lopez</span> American actor and host

Mario Lopez is an American actor and television host. He has appeared on several television series, in films, and on Broadway. He is known for his portrayal of A.C. Slater on Saved by the Bell, Saved by the Bell: The College Years, and the 2020 sequel series. He has appeared in numerous projects since, including the third season of Dancing with the Stars and as host for the syndicated entertainment news magazine shows Extra and Access Hollywood. He has also hosted America's Best Dance Crew for MTV. In 2012, he co-hosted the second season of the American version of The X Factor with Khloé Kardashian, and was the sole host for the third and final season.

<i>Resident Evil: Apocalypse</i> 2004 film by Alexander Witt

Resident Evil: Apocalypse is a 2004 action horror film directed by Alexander Witt and written by Paul W. S. Anderson. A direct sequel to Resident Evil (2002), it is the second installment in the Resident Evil film series, which is loosely based on the video game series of the same name. The film marks Witt's feature directorial debut; Anderson, the director of the first film, turned down the job due to other commitments, though stayed on as one of its producers. Milla Jovovich reprises her role as Alice, and is joined by Sienna Guillory as Jill Valentine and Oded Fehr as Carlos Olivera.

<i>A Christmas Story</i> 1983 film by Bob Clark

A Christmas Story is a 1983 Christmas comedy film directed by Bob Clark and based on Jean Shepherd's semi-fictional anecdotes in his 1966 book In God We Trust: All Others Pay Cash, with some elements from his 1971 book Wanda Hickey's Night of Golden Memories and Other Disasters. It stars Melinda Dillon, Darren McGavin, and Peter Billingsley, and follows a young boy and his family's misadventures during Christmas time in the 1940s. It is the third installment in the Parker Family Saga.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elisa Donovan</span> American actress

Lisa Adaline Donovan, known professionally as Elisa Donovan, is an American actress. She played the role of Amber Mariens in the 1995 teen comedy film Clueless, and reprised her role in the TV series of the same name (1996-1999). Donovan went on to play the role of Morgan Cavanaugh in the sitcom Sabrina the Teenage Witch (2000–2003).

<i>Cow Belles</i> 2006 American film

Cow Belles is a 2006 romantic teen comedy Disney Channel Original film that stars American pop recording artists Alyson Michalka and Amanda Michalka, better known as sister duo Aly & AJ. It premiered on March 24, 2006, on the Disney Channel and was watched by over 5.8 million viewers.

<i>My Name Is Bruce</i> 2007 American film directed by Bruce Campbell

My Name Is Bruce is a 2007 American comedy horror film directed, co-produced by, and starring B-movie cult actor Bruce Campbell. The film was written by Mark Verheiden. It had a theatrical release in October 2008, followed by DVD and Blu-ray releases on February 10, 2009.

<i>Beverly Hills Chihuahua</i> 2008 American family comedy film

Beverly Hills Chihuahua is a 2008 American comedy film produced by Walt Disney Pictures, the first in the Beverly Hills Chihuahua series. It is directed by Raja Gosnell and was released on October 3, 2008. The films stars Piper Perabo, Jamie Lee Curtis and Manolo Cardona as the human leads, and Drew Barrymore, George Lopez and Andy García in voice-over roles. The plot centers on a female Chihuahua named Chloe, who gets dognapped in Mexico and has to escape from an evil Doberman, El Diablo, with help from a lonely German Shepherd, Delgado and a hyperactive male Chihuahua, Papi, who has a desperate crush on her. A sequel, Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2, was released direct-to-DVD on February 1, 2011, and Beverly Hills Chihuahua 3: Viva la Fiesta! was released on September 18, 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">25 Days of Christmas</span> An annual seasonal television event by Freeform

Freeform's 25 Days of Christmas is an American annual seasonal event of Christmas programming broadcast during the month of December by the U.S. cable network Freeform. The event was first held in 1996, and has been an annual fixture of the channel through its various incarnations, including The Family Channel, Fox Family, ABC Family, and Freeform. The brand covers airings of classic holiday specials as well as new Christmas-themed television movies each year; generally few of the network's original series air during the time period, outside of Christmas-themed episodes. In 2006, the lineup has also included airings of general, family films that Freeform holds rights to, which included the Harry Potter films until January 2017, and other Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures films. In 2007, the block was extended to November with a Countdown to 25 Days of Christmas block. 25 Days of Christmas programming often attracts major surges in viewership for Freeform, with higher-profile film airings often attracting 3–4 million viewers or more.

<i>Santa Baby</i> (film) 2006 American TV series or program

Santa Baby is an ABC Family Original Movie. It premiered on December 10, 2006, on ABC Family as part of their annual 25 Days of Christmas event. The film stars Jenny McCarthy, Ivan Sergei, and George Wendt and was filmed in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It was directed by Ron Underwood.

<i>Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief</i> 2010 film by Chris Columbus

Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief is a 2010 fantasy film directed by Chris Columbus and written by Craig Titley, based on the 2005 novel The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. The film is the first installment in the Percy Jackson film series. It stars Logan Lerman as Percy Jackson alongside an ensemble cast that includes Brandon T. Jackson, Alexandra Daddario, Sean Bean, Pierce Brosnan, Steve Coogan, Rosario Dawson, Catherine Keener, Kevin McKidd, Joe Pantoliano, and Uma Thurman.

Santa Baby 2: Christmas Maybe is a 2009 made-for-television Christmas comedy film and a sequel to Santa Baby. It premiered on ABC Family on December 13, 2009, during the channel's 25 Days of Christmas programming block. Jenny McCarthy, Lynne Griffin, Jessica Parker Kennedy, Richard Side, and Gabe Khouth all reprise their roles from the original film.

<i>A Fairly Odd Movie: Grow Up, Timmy Turner!</i> 2011 television film directed by Savage Steve Holland

A Fairly Odd Movie: Grow Up, Timmy Turner! is a 2011 live-action/animated comedy television film based on the animated series The Fairly OddParents. It first aired on Nickelodeon in the United States on July 9, 2011, to celebrate the series's tenth anniversary. Unlike the previous animated films of the series, this film is live-action with CGI animation. The television film was viewed by 5.8 million viewers during its original airing.

The Dog Who Saved Christmas Vacation is a 2010 American made-for-television Christmas comedy film and a sequel to the ABC Family 2009 movie The Dog Who Saved Christmas. The movie stars Paris Hilton in her first voice role, as the poodle Bella, and Mario Lopez again voices Zeus. It premiered on ABC Family on November 28, 2010 during the Countdown to 25 Days of Christmas programming block and was written by Michael Ciminera and Richard Gnolfo.

<i>A Golden Christmas</i> American TV series or program

A Golden Christmas is a 2009 Christmas romance movie starring Andrea Roth and Nicholas Brendon. The television movie premiered on December 13, 2009 as Ion Television's first original television movie. Plot: "A woman visits her parents for Christmas. Hearing that they've "sold" the house, she wants to buy it. At 9 she had a BFF in the woods nearby named Han Solo. She and the buyer are single, divorced and have a child each. Is he her Han?"

<i>The Unauthorized Saved by the Bell Story</i> American TV series or program

The Unauthorized Saved by the Bell Story is a 2014 American television film that aired on Lifetime on September 1, 2014. It was directed by Jason Lapeyre, produced by Harvey Kahn and written by Ron McGee. The teleplay for the film was based on the 2009 Dustin Diamond book, Behind the Bell.

<i>Father Christmas</i> (film series) Film series

The Father Christmas film series is an American/Canadian trilogy, starring Erin Krakow and Niall Matter, based on the novels of Robin Jones Gunn. The films were originally broadcast in the USA on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, as part of the channels' "Miracles of Christmas" seasonal programming.

<i>Life-Size 2</i> 2018 film directed by Steven Tsuchida

Life-Size 2, also known as Life-Size 2: A Christmas Eve, is a 2018 American fantasy-comedy television film directed by Steven Tsuchida and starring Tyra Banks and Francia Raisa. It is the sequel to Life-Size starring Banks and Lindsay Lohan, which originally premiered in 2000 on ABC as part of The Wonderful World of Disney.

References

  1. 1 2 Eve, Sarah. "The Dog Who Saved Christmas TV Movie Review". Totally Her. Archived from the original on 2009-11-30. Retrieved 2009-12-14.
  2. Gerlach, Linette (2009-11-10). "The Dog Who Saved Christmas". Blisstree.com. Retrieved 2009-12-14.
  3. Seidman, Robert (2009-12-02). "World Television Debut of The Dog Who Saved Christmas is the Season's No. 1 Cable Movie in Total Viewers". TV By The Numbers. Archived from the original on 2009-12-04. Retrieved 2009-12-14.
  4. Wiser, Paige (2009-11-29). "The dog days of Christmas". The Chicago Sun-Times . Retrieved 2009-12-14.
  5. "BARK the herald angels sing". Deseret News . 2009-11-26. Retrieved 2009-12-14.
  6. Heinrich, Jim (2009-11-25). "TV: 'A Dog Named Christmas' better of two Xmas-canine shows Sunday". Scripps News. Archived from the original on 2010-01-14. Retrieved 2009-12-14.
  7. Snierson, Dan (2009-11-29). "The 2nd Annual Yulies: An absurd celebration of the holiday TV-movie genre". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved 2009-12-14.
  8. Rolfe, Donna. "The Dog Who Saved Christmas". The Dove Foundation . Retrieved 2009-12-14.
  9. "The Dog Who Saved Christmas". Commonsense Media. Retrieved 2009-12-14.
  10. The Dog Who Saved Halloween at IMDb OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg