Recess Christmas - Miracle on Third Street Reviews

When Principal Prickly's car gets stuck in a snowdrift, he and passengers Miss Finster and Miss Grotke reminisce about the good and bad aspects of their students, segueing nicely into episodes from the animated television series. These include Detweiler's stint as principal for a day, the gang's rivalry with the Ashleys during the Thanksgiving can drive, and the elderly Miss Finster's surprising luau weekend with Spinelli. The final story centers on Mikey's faltering efforts to prove Santa's existence to his friends. James Earl Jones voices the wise old-timer who may change everyone's mind, and Robert Goulet provides Mikey's singing voice during his solo of "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas." The kids wrap things up with an unsentimental version of "Jingle Bells, Christmas Smells." Parents who want their children to believe in Santa might want to avoid this holiday offering, as the pro-Santa resolution may be too subtle for the young ones. (Ages 5 and older) --Kimberly Heinrichs