Family Classics: Addie and the King of Hearts / The Easter Promise

I didn't know about this movie but it happens to be a sequel to one of my favorite Christmas Movies," A House without a Christmas Tree" with the same 3 original actors. This movie was a Mother's Day gift this year and it was perfect. It is not a flashy movie but a movie about down to earth people going through their journey on the road of life. Thank you TJ for ordering this movie for Julie.

I am giving this set a mixed review because however much I love the character of Addie Mills, the third and fourth specials are not as good as the first two. Please do not let that stop you from buying them, because anything about Addie is better than no Addie at all!In THE EASTER PROMISE, twelve year old Addie Mills is thrilled to learn that Constance Payne, a famous stage actress, is returning to Clear River to sell her late mother's house and is eager to meet her because of the glamour associated with her being on stage. She and her friends take the woman flowers to welcome her home. But Constance Payne has problems that the girls don't understand and Addie will have the friendship tested by the end of the story. I do love the sleepover scene with Addie and her friends (and the subsequent scenes when they are decorating the Easter eggs and teasing Terry, and the humorous parts of the Style Show), and also the scene on the worksite where Addie brings her dad the cake and lemonade and they talk about Constance's father.One of the bigger disappointments is the setting itself. In the first two specials CBS also allowed the story to be filmed "on location," if not in Nebraska, at least on the prairies, the Canadian prairies, and in a little town in Ontario, Uxbridge, that looked a lot like Nebraska must have looked back then. You didn't have the LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE effect with "Minnesota" looking like the southern California hills and it lent much to the verisimilitude of the story. The exteriors for THE EASTER PROMISE are filmed on a stage set and it shows very, very badly on videotape, especially a scene where Addie arrives when James and Grandma are working in the vegetable garden and also in the scenes where Constance's house is visited. The situation which has been so carefully crafted previously is jolted by the glaring sets and for me, at least, the illusion was ruined. One scene has Addie visiting James on the job and he is using his crane near a wooden bridge that has been used in so many television shows that it sticks out like that proverbial sore thumb in the background.They couldn't even be bothered to try to duplicate the "Clear River" scenes of the first two stories and it diverges wildly from Addie's original opening narration to HOUSE WITHOUT A CHRISTMAS TREE where she declares that Clear River is so small there are no buildings over three stories tall and the town has no traffic light because none is needed. The closing scene clearly shows a downtown that is a lot larger (and taller) than Addie described.Every time I watch ADDIE AND THE KING OF HEARTS I am disappointed that the series of stories ended on such a low note. Everything in the story is by-the-numbers: Addie's jealousy, her crush, James' involvement with a woman totally unlike his first wife, the handsome teacher who encourages Addie but turns out to be engaged to be married. No one seems to have his/her heart in the performance, especially Jason Robards, who was so magnificent as the grieving man of the first story. This touches on a lot of emotional issues with Addie reacting to her dad paying attention to another woman after thirteen years and her very real and eventually hurtful crush on her substitute teacher, but none of the emotions seem real. Diane Ladd's performance is the most lively, but slightly overdone. I wish they had used the story the way the book arranged it--except for including Irene's story of her past from the television version, which was superior to the book version, and also the corsage scene from the television version--and recast the roles of Cora Sue and Billy Wild (especially since Addie seemed at a loss without a best friend to bounce her emotions off). And the sets look cheap; if you notice, the door to the living room is always half-closed because they never rebuilt the actual room, and even the school cloakroom lacks the richness of the one in the first story. Not the best send-off for an otherwise excellent set of films.

I am a huge fan of the Addie & family teledramas. Having conquered Christmas and Thanksgiving Day in her first two dramas, Addie returns with the focus on St. Valentine's Day and Easter. These two inspiring and charming movies feature Addie Mills (Lisa Lucas)dealing with her first crush and James, her father (Jason Robards) dating Addie and the King of Hearts. She receives guidance from her quirky but wise Grandma (Mildred Natwick) and Irene (Diane Ladd), her dad's girlfriend. The results are sticky at times but there is a decent 'happy' ending. In the second teledrama, The Easter Promise, Addie befriends a famous actress (Jean Simmons) who is battling depression, a failed career and alcoholism. In her homespun and heartfelt way, Addie reaches out to her and encourages her to forgive herself and enjoy the simple life. This was one of the first primetime dramas to tackle alcoholism and depression. It does it in a respectable and loving manner. Both of these films have Dove Family-Approval and convey the value of love, compassion, kindness and hope, I approve of them highly.

If you e seen “A House without a Christmas Tree” you know it is a treasure. These follow up movies are almost as good Good quality transfer to bootOne spoiler alertThe Easter film has little or nothing to do with Easter. It does have a wonderful performance by Jean Simmons.

These two films are the lesser of the series but far from disappointing. I am sure I must have seen them sometime in the 70's but they left not the same lingering impression as The House Without A Christmas Tree. The character of Addie is truly likeable and it would have been nice to have seen her growing up and confront the world beyond her small town. The films can all be very "old fashioned" at times but that is certainly to it's strength as they are little glimpses back to a time that were deceptively simple. As Addie grows she faces more adult emotions and situations which are still just as valid today as they were then. The stories are not so simple and designed to provide "warm fuzzies" for the viewer. All the main actors are exceptional....most especially Lisa Lucas. I'm sure I had a deep crush on her in my youth. Addie and the King of Hearts was a bit puzzling at times when Addie developes a crush on the substitute teacher with intent to see it become something more. Her father (played with gruff and sadness by Jason Robards) and her grandmother (played with a quiet strength by Mildred Natwick) seem to think little of a relationship between a 14-year-old girl and a man in his early twenties.....but who hasn't had a crush on a teacher or two in their lifetimes. The Easter Promise is probably the weakest of the series as Addie befriends an actress who has resturned to her hometown to settle some family business. It has moments but it never really comes together as a drama. I have no regrets adding these films to my own collection and may improve on repeat viewings. Addie's strength and courage as she faces all the challenges of growing up is very sweet and very encouraging. She is a wonderfully positive role model for anyone regardless if they are female or male. There are good lessons to be imparted that are presented without the sugary coating and the schmaltz.

My wife loved this particular "genre" of movies when she was younger (The House Without A Christmas Tree, etc.), and I got this for her to add to her collection...it arrived earlier than expected, excellent condition and she is very happy, happy wife, happy husband!!!

Very enjoyable. Love the stories.

Just like I remembered it- very nice movies