I’m always excited when someone I know and admire gets one of their books picked up for a movie or TV show, so I was thrilled to see that Lisa Kleypas has a Christmas story on ABC. I contacted her to find out how this all came about.
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BV: Lisa, I just saw on Facebook that your Christmas book, Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor, will be a Hallmark movie called Christmas with Holly. How did this come about?
LK: Barbara, I can’t tell you how exciting this has been! When I wrote the story a couple of years ago, I had a special feeling about it—my husband Greg actually said, “You know, this seems like it would be a great Hallmark movie.” I’m not precisely certain how the deal was actually made, only that my agent “put out feelers” and by some incredible stroke of luck it seemed that the story and the timing all worked for Hallmark.
BV: What’s the story about?
LK: It’s about a six year old girl, Holly, who hasn’t spoken since the death of her mother . . . her single uncle Mark has been named as her guardian, and he doesn’t know the first thing about raising a little girl. His two brothers reluctantly pitch in to help take care of her, and over the course of the holiday season, the broken family heals . . . and Mark falls in love with a local toy shop owner.
BV: Could this be made into a series?
LK: If Hallmark wanted to, I would be thrilled!
BV: Did you get to be part of the process (meet the actors, visit the set)?
LK: Unfortunately I couldn’t travel to Nova Scotia while it was being filmed this past summer—I live in Washington State, and I was too busy with family and work to take the time off. But I knew that Hallmark would do a great job with it–they have incredibly high production values, and they hired a great cast, and best of all Allan Arkush (executive producer of Heroes and Crossing Jordan) directed. So much talent.
BV: Were you happy with the outcome? Sometimes the screenplay doesn’t always match up with the books.
LK: I am absolutely thrilled with it! There are some changes of course, to emphasize the themes of family healing and overcoming fear, but as the author Michael Hague has observed, there wouldn’t be much point in making a movie if it were exactly the same as the book. It’s sort of like hearing a new singer interpret a song you’ve enjoyed in the past . . . you enjoy the way someone else can make it their own. I loved the way P’nenah Goldstein, the teleplay writer, kept the humor of the story and even added some cute quirks.
The feeling of the novel and the basic story are definitely in the movie, and it includes some of my favorite scenes as well. (The exploding Thanksgiving turkey scene was fabulous, and the lighted Christmas boat parade was breathtaking) The three brothers are all sexy, and Eloise Mumford, who plays Maggie, is radiant . . . I think you’ll love her in this part as much as I did! The very best part for me, however, is when Maggie is showing the fairy house in the toy store to Holly . . . it looks so much the way I imagined it and it even has the teacup bathtub!
BV: What’s been the feedback from your readers?
LK: They’ve been terrific, as usual . . . very positive and encouraging. And the concerns that have been expressed about not wanting the movie to stray too far from the book have warmed my heart because they seem like affirmations of the storytelling choices I made. I love my readers!
BV: When will it be on television?
LK: December 9 on ABC, and on the Hallmark Channel at various times the week after.
BV: I’m a big fan of your historicals. Any chance they’ll be picked up for a movie? I’d be all in.
LK: Oh, thank you so much Barbara—I would love to see the Wallflowers or the Hathaways in film—wouldn’t it be fun to watch Beatrix with all her pets, or Evie’s elopement to Gretna Green with St. Vincent?
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Did you watch? What other Christmas books would you like to see made into movies?
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Bottom Line: If you missed it, look for encore showings on the Hallmark Channel December 16, 20, 22 and 23rd.
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I have been so excited to see this movie, and some co-workers of mine from DISH have been telling me to read the book. I was so happy that my DISH Hopper automatically records the primetime shows on the four major networks using the PrimeTime Anytime feature. I completely forgot that Christmas with Holly aired last night, and when I got home I was so excited to see that it was on my DVR. This is a great feature to have with all the Christmas specials on. I was so excited that they decided to air this story as a movie. This was a great interview, and gave some good insight in what the author thought about the movie.
This is so exciting! Hubby and I have been watching the Hallmark movies and I’ve seen the ads for this one. I can’t wait to see it. I know it will be good. Congratulations, Lisa!
I watched it last night and enjoyed it very much. My 11 year old son even made me record it when he went to bed so he could watch the ending later. Love the little girl and the heroine. Good job!
Great interview, Barbara. Congratulations on the movie, Lisa. I do enjoy the Hallmark movies. Best wishes on this.
I admit that I watched the Packer game instead last night. Sorry, but it’s the law in Wisconsin. I do plan to watch this later this month on the Hallmark Channel. Can’t wait!
I enjoyed it. most of what I watched Glad I DVRed it too, as at end I went to bed, feeling sleepy from the medication I took. But only missed last half hour.
We watched Christmas with Holly last night. It was absolutely heart-warming. One of the best “Hallmarks” out there!
Loved the movie, but really want the fairy house in the toy shop. Any idea where to buy this? We have fairy houses all over our yard, but this is amazing!
I’ve been searching too for where to get the dollhouse in this movie. If ANYONE has any ideas, please let us know!!!
I loved the movie, and I read the book. No movie could possibly put all the emotion that a good writer (like Lisa) puts into a character, but they did a good job of capturing the family love and concern for Holly.
I loved the movie and I too want to buy the fairy house from the movie? Where can i buy one?
Great interview, Barbara. There is something beautiful about being able to “see” a book! Congratulations Lisa on having your book made into a movie. I missed it, but I will make sure to see it!
Great story, Barbara. I missed it on the 9th (No, not the Packer game. ) but will check it out later this month. Congratulations Lisa. I’m a big fan.
Lily
I saw the movie the night it aired on Hallmark, but missed the beginning. I recognized the story and when they said Friday Harbor, I was sure this was one of the Friday Harbor books, but couldn’t tell it was one actually from the end credits. I will watch again tonight. Love these books.
I would like to know what happened to her mom,where was her dad?little confusing.
Carol, as I recall from the book, the mother died in a car accident, and she never told the brothers the identity of the father.
Oh! I got a chance to see it the weekend it premiered and I actually quite liked it.
It’s not the same as the book but the central themes of family and starting over where there.
And it was really sweet.