AllMovie

As warm as winter's fire and sentimental as the sixth glass of wassail, this heart-tugging made-for-television holiday drama tells the Depression-era story of a gruff Minnesota grandfather and his wife who must take in their teenage grandson for Christmas. A city kid, the youth finds it difficult to adjust to the quiet of farm living. It is also difficult to deal with his grandfather who treats him cruelly. Unable to stand it, the youth runs away, forcing the grandfather to deal with the reason for his unending anger and to admit that he feels guilty for the death of his son. The teleplay is based on a novel by Glendon Swarthout, The Melodeon.