Good Luck Charlie, It's Christmas!

Last updated

Good Luck Charlie, It's Christmas!
GoodLuckCharlieItsChristmas.jpg
Promotional poster
Genre Comedy/Family/Teen
Based on Good Luck Charlie
by Phil Baker and Drew Vaupen
Written by Geoff Rodkey
Directed by Arlene Sanford
Starring
Theme music composerDavid Lawrence
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
ProducersMatias Alvarez
Dan Staley
Sheri Singer
Phil Baker
Drew Vaupen
CinematographyKenneth Zunder
EditorAnita Brandt-Burgoyne
Running time85 minutes
Production companies It's a Laugh Productions (uncredited)
Salty Pictures
Original release
Network Disney Channel
ReleaseDecember 2, 2011 (2011-12-02)

Good Luck Charlie, It's Christmas! (also known as Good Luck Charlie: The Road Trip Movie in the United Kingdom and Ireland) is a 2011 American Christmas road comedy television film directed by Arlene Sanford and written by Geoff Rodkey, based on the Disney Channel Original Series Good Luck Charlie by Phil Baker and Drew Vaupen. [1] The Disney Channel Original Movie stars Bridgit Mendler, Leigh-Allyn Baker, Bradley Steven Perry, Mia Talerico, Eric Allan Kramer, and Jason Dolley as the Duncan family. It follows the Duncan family as they prepare for their Christmas trip to Amy Duncan's parents' house in Palm Springs, California. Things goes awry however when Teddy and Amy find themselves separated from their family after Teddy gives up her seat in exchange for a free plane ticket. With only a few days left until Christmas, the duo will have to face numerous obstacles as they embark on a hitchhiking journey across Utah and Nevada to get to California so they can reunite with their family in time for the holidays.

Contents

The plot point of the film where Amy Duncan is revealed to be pregnant would be carried to the third season, where she would give birth in the episode "Special Delivery", marking the introduction of the fifth Duncan family member, Toby Duncan. The film was produced by It's a Laugh Productions (uncredited) and Salty Pictures and distributed by Disney-ABC Domestic Television. On December 2, 2011, the film premiered on Disney Channel, receiving a total of 6.9 million viewers upon its original airing. [2]

Plot

The Duncan family prepares to visit Amy's parents in Palm Springs for Christmas. Teddy asks Amy for permission to travel with her best friend Ivy to Florida for spring break, but she refuses to let Teddy travel alone. At the airport, Bob tells Teddy that if she can purchase her own plane ticket, she can go to Florida.

On the plane, a flight attendant announces that the flight has been overbooked and asks anyone to relinquish their seat in exchange for a free ticket. Seeing this as an opportunity to go to Florida, Teddy volunteers. Amy also departs the plane to follow her. Amy and Teddy learn from a check-in desk woman that the next flight to Palm Springs is in three days, which is after Christmas. A frustrated Amy gets into a violent confrontation with the woman and is escorted out by security, along with Teddy. Teddy suggests that they take the bus to Palm Springs.

When the rest of the family arrives in Palm Springs, Bob faces constant criticism from Amy's disapproving mother Petunia, Charlie breaks several items in the house, PJ gets a severe sunburn after accidentally using suntan oil instead of sunblock, and Gabe teaches Amy's father Hank how to play his favorite video game Galaxy of Death, only for Hank to develop an addiction to it. While on the bus, Amy suffers from motion sickness and hogs the bathroom, resulting in her and Teddy getting kicked off the bus.

Stranded and desperate, Teddy and Amy rent a worn-out Yugo, which they end up destroying. While the car is taken to a scrapyard, Teddy suggests they hitchhike, much to Amy's chagrin. They meet an elderly couple and hitch a ride in their minivan, whereupon the woman remarks that Amy is exhibiting pregnancy symptoms.

When they arrive in Las Vegas, Amy explains to a shocked Teddy that she and Bob planned on announcing her pregnancy to the whole family on Christmas. They then discover that their luggage has been stolen. After getting a call from Amy, Bob drives to Las Vegas along with PJ and Gabe to retrieve them. Teddy and Amy get into another argument, culminating in Amy angrily accusing Teddy of ruining Christmas. Teddy disowns Amy as her mother and tearfully storms off. In order to earn money to afford dinner, the two do a street performance involving Christmas carols mixed with staged fights.

Over dinner, Amy explains that she didn't want Teddy to go to Florida because she fears Teddy is growing up too fast. Teddy apologizes for disembarking the plane, but Amy assures her Christmas isn't ruined. They later encounter Jordan, the girl who had stolen their luggage. Jordan tearfully explains that she has become stranded after running away from home to go to a cross-country music festival that her mother forbade her from attending. Sympathizing with Jordan, Amy calls Jordan's mother and helps them reconcile, and Teddy gives Jordan her plane ticket to help her get back home for Christmas. Amy finally acknowledges that Teddy is responsible.

While driving through a desert, PJ, Gabe, and Bob are mistakenly kidnapped by a team of paintball participants. Understanding the situation, Gabe explains that Chuck Jablowsky, the creator of Galaxy of Death, holds a paintball tournament every Christmas Eve. After freeing themselves, Gabe convinces PJ and Bob to participate in the tournament. Using his knowledge of the game, Gabe wins the match and even meets Jablowsky himself. Jablowsky offers the trio a free helicopter ride to find Teddy and Amy, whom they locate at a diner.

Hank and Petunia arrive with Charlie by car, having gone looking for the boys after they didn't return. With the entire family finally reunited, Petunia reveals that she found a star-shaped tree topper, which Amy lost earlier in the film, stuck between Charlie's car seat mechanism. Amy admits that this was the best Christmas she has ever had before announcing that she is having another baby, much to the excitement of her parents and the Duncans.

On the way home, the flight is once again overbooked and a free ticket is offered to whoever gives up their seat, which Teddy quickly accepts once more. Amy tells Bob to go after Teddy. He obediently does so, jokingly promising Amy that they will be back by New Year's Day. Amy smiles and says that she knows they won't.

Cast

Production

The film was executive-produced by Sheri Singer along with three executive producers of the series, Dan Staley, Phil Baker and Drew Vaupen. The script was written by Geoff Rodkey and directed by Arlene Sanford. The film was shot in Salt Lake City and St. George, Utah from March 2011 to September 2011. [3] The Gateway complex in Salt Lake City was used to film scenes that were set on the Las Vegas Strip. Other filming locations included the Pirate Island pizza restaurant in Orem, which stood in as a Las Vegas buffet; and the Salt Palace convention center, which was transformed to look like the Denver Airport. Filming also took place at Skull Valley. [4] [5] [6]

Music

"I'm Gonna Run to You", performed by Bridgit Mendler, who also performed the Good Luck Charlie opening theme song, was released as promotional single on November 18, 2011. [7] It was written by Bridget Mendler and Jamie Houston and produced by Houston. [8] "Jingle Bells", "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" and "Deck the Halls" were also performed during the movie.

Release

Broadcast

The film aired worldwide on Disney Channel. [2] It premiered on December 2, 2011, in Canada, [9] on December 16, 2011, in Australia, New Zealand, [2] Ireland, and the United Kingdom. [10] It aired in Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines on December 24, 2011. [11]

Home media

The movie was released on iTunes on December 6, 2011. [2] An exclusive edition of the movie was released on DVD only through Walmart on October 23, 2012. [12]

Reception

Critical response

Emily Ashby of Common Sense Media gave the film 4 out of 5 rating, writing: "Good Luck Charlie fans have reason to celebrate this holiday special, which hones in on the most appealing aspects of the popular sitcom and glams them up for the festivities. Amy's frazzled nerves, Bob's fumbling efforts to hold things together, and the kids' determination to chart their own courses are the catalyst for the movie's plentiful funny moments… and that's not even counting the impish toddler who throws their lives into turmoil at every turn. In other words, there's no shortage of laughs in this merry movie that will appeal to parents almost as much as it does their kids.

Happily, there's also a heartier side to the story, one that reflects what parents (if not their offspring) hold dear through the holidays. This is a kid-targeted movie that spends two anticipatory hours building up to Christmas but makes no references to gifts, stockings, or even Santa. Instead, the focus is on the family, and rather than fighting crowds for the must-have toys of the year, these family members are racing the clock just to spend time with their loved ones. Feel-good messages nestled within the movie's shiny packaging -- plus a few Christmas surprises -- make this one to add to your family's watch list. If nothing else, it's a great way to shed the stress of the season by getting some laughs at a different family's dysfunction." [13]

Ratings

It was watched by 6.9 million viewers, the premiere also delivered 3.3 million kids 6–11, 2.4 million teens and 1.4 million adults 18–49. The movie became no. 1 live-action cable movie of 2011 in total viewers and the no. 1 live-action scripted telecast across all TV in kids 6–11. [14] In Australia it was watched by 111,000 viewers [15] and in the United Kingdom there were 562,000 viewers. [16]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leigh-Allyn Baker</span> American actress (born 1972)

Leigh-Allyn Baker is an American actress. She had recurring roles on Charmed and as Ellen on Will & Grace, and a starring role as mother Amy Duncan on the Disney Channel sitcom Good Luck Charlie. She also provided the voice of Abby on the computer-animated Nickelodeon series Back at the Barnyard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jason Dolley</span> American actor, musician and Twitch streamer

Jason Scott Dolley is an American actor and musician, known for his roles in Disney Channel shows and movies. These include Newton "Newt" Livingston III on Cory in the House, Virgil Fox in Minutemen, Connor Kennedy in Read It and Weep, Pete Ivey in Hatching Pete, and PJ Duncan on Good Luck Charlie.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bridgit Mendler</span> American actress, singer and business executive (born 1992)

Bridgit Claire Mendler is an American actress, singer-songwriter, and business executive. She first became known as a child actress, with her early credits including the films Alice Upside Down (2007), The Clique (2008) and Labor Pains (2009). She signed with Disney Channel in 2009 and played Juliet van Heusen on Wizards of Waverly Place (2009–2012), Olivia White in the Disney Channel film Lemonade Mouth (2011), and Teddy Duncan on the Disney series Good Luck Charlie (2010–2014). She went on to portray Candace in the NBC sitcom Undateable (2015–2016), Ashley Willerman in the ABC/CMT musical television series Nashville (2017), and Emmy Quinn in the Netflix comedy series Merry Happy Whatever (2019).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shane Harper</span> American actor and singer-songwriter

Shane Steven Harper is an American actor and singer. He is known for playing Spencer on Good Luck Charlie, Josh Wheaton in God's Not Dead, and Victor Flynn on Power Book IV: Force.

<i>Good Luck Charlie</i> American sitcom

Good Luck Charlie is an American sitcom that aired on Disney Channel from April 4, 2010, to February 16, 2014. The series' creators, Phil Baker and Drew Vaupen, wanted to create a program that would appeal to entire families, not just children. It focuses on the Duncan family of Denver as they adjust to the births of their fourth and fifth children, Charlotte "Charlie" and Toby. In each episode, Teddy Duncan adds to a video diary that contains advice for Charlie about their family and life as a teenager. Teddy tries to show Charlie what she might go through when she is older for future reference. Each video diary ends with Teddy saying the eponymous phrase, "Good luck, Charlie".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bradley Steven Perry</span> American actor

Bradley Steven Perry is an American actor. He played the role of Gabe Duncan on the Disney Channel family sitcom Good Luck Charlie, and the role of Roger Ellison in Disney's High School Musical spin-off film Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure. Following this, Perry co-starred on the Disney XD comedies Mighty Med and its spinoff Lab Rats: Elite Force, where he played the role of Kaz. He is also known for his roles in the Disney XD Original Movie Pants on Fire (2014) and Hubie Halloween (2020).

<i>Lemonade Mouth</i> (film) 2011 television film directed by Patricia Riggen

Lemonade Mouth is a 2011 American teen musical drama television film, based on the 2007 novel of the same name by Mark Peter Hughes. The film was directed by Patricia Riggen and written by April Blair, and stars Bridgit Mendler, Adam Hicks, Naomi Scott, Hayley Kiyoko and Blake Michael. The film tells the story of five high school students who meet in detention and form a band to stand up for their beliefs and to overcome their individual and collective struggles.

Samantha Boscarino is an American actress from Ventura County, California. She is known for the film The Clique, for her role as Molly Garfunkel on the Nickelodeon series How to Rock, Skyler in ‘’Good Luck Charlie’’ (2010-2014), and for her lead role as Ellie Davis in the 2016 television film The Cheerleader Murders.

<i>Best of Luck Nikki</i> Indian sitcom

Best of Luck Nikki is an Indian sitcom that originally aired on Disney Channel India from April 3, 2011, to April 16, 2016. The series is an adaptation of the American series Good Luck Charlie, with a similar plot.

<i>Jessie</i> (2011 TV series) American teen sitcom (2011–2015)

Jessie is an American comedy television series created by Pamela Eells O'Connell that aired on Disney Channel from September 30, 2011 to October 16, 2015. The series stars Debby Ryan, Peyton List, Cameron Boyce, Karan Brar, Skai Jackson, and Kevin Chamberlin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bridgit Mendler discography</span>

The discography of Bridgit Mendler, an American singer-songwriter, consists of one studio album, one extended play, one soundtrack album, four singles, six promotional singles, twelve music videos and other album appearances. Her first soundtrack, Lemonade Mouth, has peaked at number 4 on the Billboard 200. Her first single, "Somebody" debuted and peaked at number 89 in the US Billboard Hot 100 and sold 6,000 copies in the first week in the United States according to Nielsen SoundScan. Her second single, "Determinate" peaked at number 51 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and charting in two more countries. She was featured in the song, "Breakthrough" and debuted and peaked at number 88 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Determinate (song)</span> 2011 single by Bridgit Mendler featuring Adam Hicks

"Determinate" is a song performed by American recording artist Bridgit Mendler. The song, featuring American rapper Adam Hicks, was written by Niclas Molinder, Joacim Persson, Johan Alkenäs, Charlie Mason, Ebony Burks and Hicks. Hayley Kiyoko and Naomi Scott perform occasional adlibs in the background of the song. It was produced by Twin for Lemonade Mouth in 2011, the soundtrack to the Disney Channel television movie of the same name. It was released as the album's second single on April 15, 2011, through Walt Disney Records.

Get The Look is a Disney Channel UK and Ireland original 5-minute series. It is hosted by stylist Electra Formosa, and the show gives tips on fashion, style and clothing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'm Gonna Run to You</span> 2011 promotional single by Bridgit Mendler

"I'm Gonna Run to You" is a song by American recording artist Bridgit Mendler. It was written by Mendler and Jamie Houston and produced by Houston. The song was featured in Disney Channel's 2011 film Good Luck Charlie: It's Christmas!, but wasn't available on any album. It was released as a promotional single on November 18, 2011. The song debuted at number 13 on the Billboard Holiday Songs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Summer Tour (Bridgit Mendler)</span> 2013–14 concert tour by Bridgit Mendler

The Summer Tour is the second concert tour by the American singer Bridgit Mendler. In 2013 the tour visited North America to support her debut album Hello My Name Is..., where it started in Burlington, Iowa and ended in Arlington, Texas. The setlist included all the songs from Hello My Name Is..., except "The Fall Song" and "Love Will Tell Us Where to Go". She also covered two songs in her performances: "Starry Eyed", by British singer Ellie Goulding, and "Animal", by American band Neon Trees.

"My Song for You" is a song by American recording artists Demi Lovato and Joe Jonas. It was composed by Kari Kimmel and Scott Krippayne. The song was not included on an album. On November 28, 2010, Lovato and Jonas performed the song on TV series Sonny with a Chance in the episode "A So Random! Holiday Special".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atlantis (Bridgit Mendler song)</span> 2016 single by Bridgit Mendler featuring Kaiydo

"Atlantis" is a song by American recording artist Bridgit Mendler. Written by Mendler, Spencer Bastian, Mischa Chillak and Kaiydo, with Bastian and Chillak serving as producers, it was released as the lead single from the extended play, Nemesis (2016), through Black Box Media Agency on August 26, 2016. The song is widely considered to be written due to Mendler's split from former boyfriend Shane Harper.

References

  1. ↑ "Disney Channel Orders Third Season of Hit Comedy Series "Good Luck Charlie"". Disney Channel Medianet. August 29, 2011. Archived from the original on February 6, 2012. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Kline, Ashley (October 24, 2011). ""Good Luck Charlie, It's Christmas!," A Disney Channel Original Movie Premieres Friday, December 2". The Walt Disney Company. Archived from the original (DOC) on June 16, 2012. Retrieved October 25, 2011.
  3. ↑ "Disney Channel to make Holiday themed 'Good Luck Charlie' movie in Utah". Filmtelevisionauditions.com. September 18, 2011. Archived from the original on September 21, 2011. Retrieved September 18, 2011.
  4. ↑ Brown, Brooke (April 21, 2011). "Disney's 'Good Luck Charlie' cast gets movie treatment in Utah". Deseret News. Retrieved February 16, 2020.
  5. ↑ Pierce, Scott (December 1, 2011). "Utah stars in Disney Channel movie "Good Luck Charlie, It's Christmas!"". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved February 16, 2020.
  6. ↑ Guzman, Jennifer (November 12, 2019). "Got Disney+? Keep an eye out for these movies filmed in Utah". KSL. Retrieved February 16, 2020.
  7. ↑ "I'm Gonna Run to You - Single by Bridgit Mendler (GB)". iTunes. January 2011. Retrieved September 27, 2012.
  8. ↑ "Good Luck Charlie, It's Christmas! (2011) Trilha sonora". Ringos Track. August 7, 2012. Retrieved August 26, 2012.
  9. ↑ "The Holidays Begin on Family with Good Luck Charlie, It's Christmas! on December 2". Astral media. Archived from the original on May 28, 2012. Retrieved November 23, 2011.
  10. ↑ "Good Luck Charlie: The Road Trip Movie on Disney HD at 6:00pm December 16th, 2011". Digiguide.tv. Archived from the original on January 11, 2016. Retrieved November 22, 2011.
  11. ↑ "Turn It Up!". Disney Channel Asia. Archived from the original on April 30, 2012. Retrieved November 22, 2011.
  12. ↑ "Good Luck Charlie: It's Christmas (Exclusive) (Widescreen): TV Shows". Walmart.com. October 23, 2012. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  13. ↑ "Good Luck Charlie, It's Christmas! Movie Review | Common Sense Media". www.commonsensemedia.org. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
  14. ↑ "'Good Luck Charlie: It's Christmas' Averages 6.9 Million Viewers; Premiere of 'Austin & Ally' Draws 5.7 Million" (Press release). Disney Channel. December 3, 2011. Archived from the original on February 22, 2016. Retrieved August 13, 2016– via TV By The Numbers.
  15. ↑ "TV Ratings:Friday 16 December 2011". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
  16. ↑ "Weekly Top 10". barb.co.uk. Archived from the original on July 18, 2014.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.