Hallmark gifts a glowing star of holiday cheer to movie fans with Northpole, one of the network’s 12 New Movies of Christmas, part of its larger, annual Countdown To Christmas. The film boasts visual effects which are the best Hallmark has ever produced and is cuddle-worthy family viewing.
The wondrous village of Northpole, where Santa and his elves live and work, is running low on the holiday cheer that is used to fuel the city and make toys. Santa and Mrs. Claus (played by real-life spouses Richard Wagner and Jill St. John) are understandably concerned; this drop in spirit, represented by a dimming in the northern lights, threatens not only their way of life, but also the entire fate of Christmas. A plucky young elf named Clementine (Bailee Madison) has big plans for how to raise worldwide spirit and save her home. And when she discovers a lonely child named Kevin (Max Charles), who shares her determination and holiday cheer, they vow to restore power to Northpole and save Christmas, together.
Tiffani Thiessen plays Kevin’s journalist mother Chelsea, and she is a big believer in preserving the magic of the holiday season. “It’s important to always try and keep a child’s innocence around as long as possible. They grow up way too fast,” she says. “Believing means you’re tapping into your inner child as well. And that only bonds the family unit even more.”
While filming Northpole, a pivotal scene was shot during an unexpected blizzard; the great snowfall onscreen was courtesy of nature — not Hollywood — reveals Thiessen. “It was negative 25 degrees outside and we could not even see each other,” she recalls with a laugh. “It is a scene I will never forget, and [I] love that I got to experience that with such a fun and professional cast.”
That cast includes Josh Hopkins as Kevin’s charming teacher, who encourages his young pupil to take big chances in life, and American Idol’s Season 12 winner Candice Glover lends her amazing singing voice to several holiday classics. Her voice is simply astounding and should be featured on every family’s holiday playlist. The film’s young stars, Max Charles and Bailee Madison are simply terrific and Madison is especially mesmerizing. The talented young actress will next be seen in the Hallmark Channel Original Series, The Good Witch. And Thiessen continues to look as lovely and youthful as she did on Saved by the Bell.
Northpole is the first project in a multi-year, multi-film partnership between Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Cards. The franchise will create robust multimedia properties including a fun, interactive site, called Share the Happiness, which promotes the message of Northpole — the more happiness is shared, the more the spirit of Christmas is saved.
And, since this is a cross venture between Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Cards, the North Pole Communicator, Treeluminator, Find Me, Santa! Snowflake and other Hallmark Holiday products receive supporting roles. Hallmark sent me the snowflake, and I freely admit that it will be traveling with my family this holiday season. It’s a clever idea, and my boys will be relieved that Santa will be able to find them while The Freeze Family escapes the cold this Christmas. (The irony is not lost on me.)
Like mine, Thiessen’s household is a flurry of activities during the holiday season. “Decorations go up, Santa letters are written and mom is in the kitchen cooking and baking,” she reveals. “The holidays are special because it’s a time for family.” And to help get your family in a holiday mood, Northpole is rife with cheery ideas for finding your own holiday happiness. So bake some cookies, decorate a tree, remember a treasured memory or throw a snowball or two — the elves up north are counting on you!
Northpole > Hallmark Channel > Saturday, Nov. 15 8pm ET/ 7pm CT
