Snowed-Inn Christmas
| Snowed-Inn Christmas | |
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 Official poster | |
| Screenplay by | Carley Smale |
| Story by |
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| Directed by | Gary Yates |
| Starring |
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| Music by | Shawn Pierce |
| Country of origin | Canada |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Executive producer |
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| Producer |
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| Running time | 86 minutes |
| Production companies |
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| Original release | |
| Network | Lifetime |
| Release |
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Snowed-Inn Christmas is a 2017 American-Canadian made-for-television romantic comedy film directed by Gary Yates, from a screenplay by Carley Smale. Starring Bethany Joy Lenz and Andrew Walker, it premiered on 16 December 2017, on Lifetime.[1]
Plot
Two writers for a New York magazine, Jenna Hudson and Kevin Jenner, are given the task of writing an article on a resort in Aspen, Colorado, with the author of the piece that attracts the most clicks being given a promotion. Polar opposites, they make awkward travel companions. A snow storm forces their flight to be diverted to the small town of Santa Claus, Indiana. With no way to get to Aspen and no place to stay, they are taken up by Chris and Carol Winter, a local couple who enjoy portraying Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus during the holidays. The pair run a small bed and breakfast, the Winter Inn. Very old and quaint, the inn may not be around the following spring. The Winters say they have no deed to prove the inn's historical nature. Initially frustrated by being stuck in Indiana, Jenna and Kevin set upon the idea of writing about where they are staying, and though opposites by nature, they discover they are both good hearted individuals worth a second look.
Cast
- Bethany Joy Lenz as Jenna Hudson
- Andrew Walker as Kevin Jenner
- John B. Lowe as Christopher Winters/Santa
- Belinda Montgomery as Carol Winters/Mrs. Claus
- Tasha Smith as Simone Jenkins
- Stephanie Moroz as Meagan Jenner
- Aaron Radwanski as Eric Craig
- Jefferson Brown as Andrew
Production
The film was produced by Juliette Hagopian, with Howard Braunstein acting as executive producer.[2] Filming was completed in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.[3] Writer Caley Smale wrote the scripts for both Snowed-Inn Christmas and Christmas Pen Pals in 2015. Each ended up being accepted by Lifetime television and were turned into Christmas movies.[4] Principal photography for Snowed-Inn Christmas began in September 2017.[1] Smale was on set during production to help write extra dialogue for the characters.[1]
Andrew Walker has completed a number of Christmas themed romantic comedies for Hallmark.[5] He was under the impression Snowed-Inn Christmas was another Hallmark project. It was not until he was on site speaking with director Gary Yates that he realized this was actually a Lifetime project.[6] The story line and set gave Joy Lenz the feeling of acting in "something that might have come from the Doris Day era." She was delighted with the prospect of doing an old-fashioned romantic comedy.[7] Lenz asked the network to allow her and co-star Andrew Walker to sing the opening song for the movie, using the Lane and Freed song How About You? to reflect the 1950s feel of the story. Lifetime agreed, and the two created a song and dance video, which Lifetime released on YouTube five days before the premiere.[6]
Release and reception
The movie premiered on 16 December 2017, on Lifetime.[1] The film was well received by its target audience, and has been ranked among Lifetimes's best holiday movies.[8][9] Jenna Guillaume of Junkee notes Smale's treatment avoided being "heavy-handed, instead functioning more as a vehicle to explore ~the spirit of Christmas~ and the romance of whimsy."[10] The film was favored by its casting. Screenwriter Carley Smale noted "Andrew Walker and Joy Lenz had amazing chemistry and added such a depth to their characters. It definitely exceeded my expectations."[11] Her appreciation was echoed by Guillaume, who commented "the two of them have excellent chemistry, with a natural flow to their banter that is all-too-rare in these movies."[10]
References
- ^ a b c d Head, Bruce (26 November 2017). "Peterborough screenwriter Carley Smale's new movie 'Snowed-Inn Christmas' premieres in December". KawarthaNOW.com. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
- ^ "Snowed-Inn Christmas". Lifetime. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
- ^ "'Snowed-Inn Christmas': See Where It Was Filmed & Meet the Cast". IMDb. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
- ^ Few, Alexandra (30 November 2020). "Student, Carley Smale, Writes Netflix Original: Midnight at the Magnolia". Centennial College. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
- ^ Rissi, JC (8 January 2018). "'Snowed Inn Christmas' – A Really Cute Lifetime Romance". Retrieved 27 October 2021.
- ^ a b Gelman, Vlada (16 December 2017). "Hallmark's Andrew Walker Finds the Christmas Spirit on — Gasp! — Lifetime". TV Line. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
- ^ Bobbin, Jay (8 December 2017). "Bethany Joy Lenz has a 'Snowed-Inn Christmas' on Lifetime". ONTVtoday. Retrieved 27 October 2021.
- ^ Daley, Katerina (1 December 2019). "The 10 Best Lifetime Christmas Movies, Ranked". ScreenRant. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
- ^ Moylan, Brian (21 December 2018). "Lifetime's Most Popular Holiday Movies, Ranked". thrillest. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
- ^ a b Guillaume, Jenna (24 December 2020). "Why 'Snowed Inn Christmas' Is The Best Holiday Romance Of All Time". Junkee. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
- ^ Hill, Ruth (13 December 2018). "Interview With Screenwriter Carley Smale, "Christmas Pen Pals"". Media From the Heart. Retrieved 24 November 2021.