Poor acting: Ruthie the youngest daughter and Miss Mayfield the teacher were the worst actors. I knew this could not be a family from the Depression Era when the first scene shows food being fed to the dog, and actors leaving plates with food on the table. Also, the children were whiny and rude in school. One character who was dubbed as a "good boy" trespassed, not once, but twice. Overall, not the great, inspirational film many say it is. To correct their judgment, they need to watch The Waltons Homecoming.

Although done on a low budget with a mostly unknown cast Christmas On A Dollar set in the Depression years has a Walton kind of appeal to it. It also has a bit of O Henry's Gift Of The Magi in the story.The plot concerns the Kamp family in rural America of the Thirties. There's Brian Krause and his six children trying to cope with both hard times and the recent loss of Mom. Oldest daughter Danielle Chuchran is playing the role Mom for the others. A situation that can be cruel. I know from my own family my grandmother lost her mother at a much younger and she got to raise her two younger brothers, one of whom died as a child. It scarred her for life and she was one mean and bitter woman by the time I came on the scene.But mostly this concerns Jacob Buster one of the younger kids who has polio and of course with no health insurance and that's what's really crippling the family finances as well. Anti-Vaxxers ought to take a real good look at this film and what that can do. I also remember from my childhood the lineup at my school for the polio vaccine in the 50s.Buster has a lot of day dreams about being a cowboy hero fueled by a horse that neighbor Nancy Stafford owns. But riding is difficult when you are in a leg brace. This film was done under Christian auspices and believers will go away hearts aglow with this family's faith and the love and support they have for each other. I looked at this film and see how could these things happen in a modern age. Ironically this film is set during the 30s a most reforming age.Now we Americans are in the hands of people who want no safety net either economic or medically for people just like the Kamps. That fact truly makes me weep.Watch Christmas On A Dollar and see how it effects you.

This movie will probably never get two thumbs up or great reviews from critics. It has no big name stars, no eye dazzling special effects, no twisted, convoluted plot and no violence or nudity, What it does have is a story of a family that works together under bad circumstances to have a Christmas of love and caring for each other. Yes the plot is a little predictable and much can be guessed ahead of time but don't let that stop you from enjoying this unsung gem. If you want to sit the family down for a couple of hours of popcorn and hot chocolate with everyone from 4 to 94 having a good time without being insulted by foul language or risqué scenes then by all means watch Christmas For A Dollar. it will be worth the time you take and will boost your holiday spirit!

This may not be a high budget movie with lots of top named actors but it is good story and fine actors. Great story and well played. Our family thoroughly enjoyed this show. Good, family based, clean cut, meaningful, touching. Actors all did a fine job. If you're wanting a good movie to watch with your family this is it. Takes you back to the simpler time of life. There is no sex, car crashes, violence, computer generated anything or foul language! Just a good clean, enjoyable film. You will feel good about sharing this with everybody in your family, kids, grand-kids, grandparents! In our opinion you will not be disappointed. The world needs less trashy movies and more like this one!