Booky & the Secret Santa (2007 TV Movie) User Reviews

Great FIlm

[Christmas-Reviewer · 8/10 · 27 January 2017]

BEWARE OF BOGUS REVIEWS. SOME REVIEWERS HAVE ONLY REVIEWED ONE FILM. THAT TELLS ME THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE PRODUCTION. I HAVE REVIEWED OVER 200 Christmas MOVIES. I HAVE NO AGENDA. I AM FARE ABOUT THESE FILMS.

Now with that out of the way I want say this was a great film to discover. In this film Booky (Rachel Marcus) tries to bring her family the best Christmas possible, despite hard times during the Great Depression of the 1930s when her dad (Stuart Hughes) loses his job. She gets help from her mum (Megan Follows) and a department store owner (Kenneth Welsh).

What this film is about us that "Acts of Kindness are the greatest gifts you can give". Also the faith of a child is all you need at time to get you through the hard times.

The story is very believable and each character is believable as well their own motivations. This film does everything right.

If you have children at home then watch it with them. If you don't have kids watch it anyway. You will enjoy it.

Glad this was repeated on Christmas Day, 2008!

[miso5000 · 8/10 · 25 December 2008]

What a sweet period piece this is. Perfect for Christmas and thoroughly feel-good all around, even though it is chockablock with impossible events. It is almost a fairy tale, but that doesn't matter, it's the feeling we get from it that counts. I hope that people everywhere could see this, not just Canadians, but certainly this film would be of particular interest to people in Toronto.

The character Booky is the sweetest child imaginable, what great casting. Set design seems authentic, for as much as I know about the 1930s. This movie is at least as much about the late, lamented T. Eaton Co. as it is about a girl trying to save her family from poverty, unemployment, and the prospect of no Christmas! I think that Canadians may have a few poignant memories of Eaton's thanks to this movie.

Looky for Booky, its a terrific family holiday flick!

[inkblot11 · 8/10 · 10 October 2012]

Beatrice, er Booky Thomas, (Rachel Marcus) lives in Toronto, Canada during the Great Depression. Her mother (Megan Follows) resorts to cleverness, like trying out a new sewing machine from the local department store, Eatons, for a month. She gets all of her clothes making done, then returns the apparatus, telling the store she didn't like it. It's the time for such strategies, particularly in a large family like the Thomas'. Mr. Thomas actually works for Eatons, as a harness maker for the delivery horses. But, alas, automobiles and trucks are becoming the vogue. Soon enough, he loses his job. Now the family is in meager circumstances, although Dad picks up jobs here and there. It looks like the approaching Christmas will not be very merry, especially for the kids. Booky herself is hired by an aunt to hand out sample roasted nuts at a store. It is there that she meets Mr. Eaton himself and develops a friendship with the older gentleman. Its a good thing, for Booky's friendship with her richer pal Laura is put to the test when Laura's mother doesn't want her child associating with poor folks like Beatrice. Yet, Booky does Laura's mother a great kindness and the little girl courts another job for her father, too. What an example Booky sets for us all! There are many film fans, myself as well, who loves stories from the Depression. It seems that, in spite of obvious hardships, folks were kinder, gentler and more resourceful. In short, an inspiration to everyone. Marcus is a natural as Booky and Follows has long been a favorite among family flick fans. The rest of the cast is also wonderful. Then, too, the Toronto setting is lovely and care has been extended, admirably, to make the costumes, homes, and happenstances historically fitting. A fine story and secure direction completes the road to a marvelous holiday movie. So, Looky for Booky, and its no secret, you and your family will be smiling.

Booky & The Secret Santa full of memories for Torontonians

[grewarj1 · 10/10 · 11 December 2007]

This was a very special program for me as my mother was Booky's age during the time period in which the story is set. I saw my mother and her family in Booky's. She was born and raised in Toronto during the depression years and her family was not well off. I was actually brought to tears. Eaton's was very important to Toronto then and for many years to come. It was a sad day for Torontonians when Sears took over Eatons. Nevertheless, this production is very meaningful for families who've had generation after generation living in Toronto. I can remember attending the Eaton's Christmas Parties when I was a child. Not at the family's home, but in an auditorium in the Eaton Store. All the children got a gift and some candies. These are lovely memories for my Mother and her children. Thank you CBC

Canadian and Christmas nostalgia at its best

[rangeriderrango · 30 September 2015]

This movie is a true joy to watch as much for the story as it is for the memories of Christmases past. Growing up in Montreal I remember fondly how our family looked forward to receiving the Eaton's Christmas catalogue and dreaming of making our Christmas list for Santa. Simpson's also produced a Christmas catalogue later to be called Simpson/Sears and then simply Sears. This movie and A Christmas Story are truly classic nostalgia. They bring back such wonderful childhood memories when life was simpler and the joy of Christmas filled the air. It is more than just sentimental but a part of our history. Enjoy them both!

What a great Christmas movie to watch with young children....

[hockeyvoodoo · 9/10 · 17 December 2007]

This was one of the best Christmas movies made recently. I really enjoyed watching this movie with my family. It is SO hard to find quality films that are not offensive (really) in any way, but this "Booky" hits the mark. Megan Follows is one of my favorite Canadian actresses, and she does her usual fine job, so no surprises there. My thanks to CBC-Windsor, Ontario, for airing this excellent movie, and I hope that they will consider rerunning it for Christmas or the New Year. When a movie like this can capture the attention of two young teenage boys, someone must be doing something right! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2008 to everyone!!!

Nice Film

[seanlake · 9/10 · 27 January 2018]

It is the depression. Times are hard. People are barely making it. It is now Christmas Time and things look bleak. However Booky is a sweet child that most people adore. She has a such faith in things the Scrooge would not need Marley and 3 ghost to make him enjoy Christmas. All Scrooge would need is Booky.

This Christmas Booky is trying to bring her family the best Christmas possible. But it looks like she is going to need a miracle when her family falls on hard times when her dad loses his job. Watch as Booky teams up with friends, family and a very secret Santa to save Christmas.

Seek this out!

This heartwarming and nostalgic piece of Toronto's history brings back so many wonderful memories

[Ed-Shullivan · 10/10 · 7 November 2020]

Ahhh the Eaton's Santa Claus parade and the magic of the old man winter Santa Claus was all brought back to life in my old memory bank having been born and raised in Toronto. Kenneth Welsh plays Mr. Eaton aka/the secret Santa leading his wooden sleigh of reindeers down Queen Street and "Ho Ho Ho'ing" the children of Toronto.

This is such a marvelous piece of the City of Toronto' nostalgia and it certainly does remind me of my own childhood Christmases' with my four siblings and loving parents. We didn't have much as far as financial wealth, nor did we own a big house, but our parents taught us what was important in life. This is the story of little Booky's childhood Christmas season and how she innocently wiggled her sweet little heart and generous thoughtfulness into the heart of Mr. Eaton.

I will admit it, I am a grown old man and yes I did cry. This little Canadian based film will never become as well known as the 1947 Miracle on 34th Street, but in the hearts of old Torontonians like myself and my family it does represent the true spirit of giving during the Christmas season and this darling little girl Booky/ Beatrice Thomson played by Rachel Marcus is overwhelming to the heart and a real scene stealer.

Merry Christmas everyone and remember it is better to give than to receive.

I give this little CBC Christmas themed film a perfect 10 out of 10 IMDB rating.