The Christmas Shoes Movie

The Christmas Shoes December 1, 2002 (CBS)

The Christmas Shoes Website

This is a website on the movie The Christmas Shoes. This is one of my favorite movies. It will make you cry.

Summary:

He didn't know he needed a miracle, until one happened.

Robert Layton (Rob Lowe), a successful attorney, is on the brink of losing his marriage. Nathan Andrews (Max Morrow), an eight-year-old boy, is about to lose his young working-class mother (Kimberly Williams), to illness. When Robert crosses paths with Nathan on Christmas Eve, Robert's life is changed forever. Something as simple as a pair of shoes was going to make all the difference in the young boy's life. And by helping Nathan, Robert realizes the true importance of family, faith and love.

THE STORY BEHIND THE MOVIE

In 1999, the Christmas Shoes story began circulating on the internet. The touching story about a little boy whose mother was dying at Christmas, and his quest to find the perfect pair of shoes for her to wear in heaven, came to the attention of Eddie Carswell of NewSong. Eddie began writing a song inspired by the story.

NewSong, a Christian musical group, sent its record "The Christmas Shoes" to a top DJ in St. Louis in November 2000. When he played it, the station literally shut down: the switchboard was inundated with calls and the computers crashed from the barrage of emails. With virtually no promotion, the record had 3500 spins around the country in just one week, and shot to #1 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary Charts in a record-setting three weeks.

The news media caught on to the phenomenon, and so did St. Martin's Press. It commissioned Donna VanLiere to write a novel based on the song. The book was released in October 2001 with a 300,000 first printing. St. Martin's released eight additional printings, but could not keep up with the demand. The book was entirely sold out two weeks before Christmas in 2001.

In the meanwhile, Jive Records (the label for Britney Spears, *Nsync and The Backstreet Boys) signed NewSong with the intention of bringing the group into the mainstream. The same has been done for Faith Hill, Amy Grant and Creed, all of whom started out as Christian musicians. "The Christmas Shoes" was re-released on a new album by NewSong last holiday season.

And now the hit song and bestselling book have inspired this CBS event movie.

ROB LOWE as Robert Layton

Golden Globe and Emmy-nominated Rob Lowe is probably best known for his role on the television series "The West Wing." Lowe made his feature film debut in "The Outsiders" and went on to star in "Class," "The Hotel New Hampshire," "Oxford Blues," "Youngblood," "St. Elmo's Fire," "About Last Night" and "Square Dance," for which he received his second Golden Globe nomination. He then starred in "Masquerade," "Bad Influence," "Wayne's World" and "Tommy Boy." Lowe also appeared in "Mulholland Falls," "Contact" and "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me."

ROBERT LAYTON (Rob Lowe)

Robert Layton is a workaholic attorney trapped in his climb up the corporate ladder. Enticed by the material things his efforts provide, Robert yearns for more and more: a bigger house, a newer Mercedes and his rightful stripes as law firm partner. But Robert doesn't realize that his most precious possessions are his wife and daughter until he crosses paths with a little boy on Christmas Eve and an everyday miracle changes him forever.

KIMBERLY WILLIAMS as Maggie Andrews

Kimberly Williams currently stars in the television series "According to Jim." Williams, best known for her roles in "Father of the Bride" and "Father of the Bride Part II," won critical praise for her role as Isabel Lukens on the series "Relativity." Williams is also an accomplished stage actor, appearing in the Los Angeles run and Off Broadway performances of "The Vagina Monologues" as well as the Tony Award-winning Best Drama "The Last Night of Ballyhoo."

MAGGIE ANDREWS (Kimberly Williams)

Maggie Andrews' life revolves around her young son Nathan and loving husband Jack. Her joy is leading the choir at Nathan's school and taking care of her family. Music is an integral part of her life. When a serious virus attacks her heart after a bout with the flu, Maggie learns that her only hope of survival is a transplant. As she grows weaker, she reminisces about a special pair of shoes she wore whenever she and Jack would go dancing. Nathan overhears this story and sets out on a quest to find his mother the perfect Christmas gift: a pair of Christmas shoes for what might be her last Christmas.

MARIA DEL MAR as Kate Layton

Maria del Mar is a 2001 Gemini-nominated actress for her role as Victoria Castillo on the Canadian television drama series "Blue Murder." She has also guest starred in the television series "Outer Limits." Del Mar starred in the movie "Price of Glory" and had a recurring role on the television series "Relativity." Additionally, del Mar was featured on the series "Mercy Point."

KATE LAYTON (Maria del Mar)

Kate Layton is happy with her role as a homemaker, taking care of her 11-year-old daughter, Lily. When she's asked to fill in for the ailing children's choir director, she's hesitant at first, but agrees to step in, knowing there's no one else available to handle the volunteer position. This doesn't sit well with her husband Robert, who's arranged a job interview for Kate to supplement his income so they can afford a "better" house in an upscale neighborhood. As Robert forces the issue of her going back to work, Kate begins to question her husband's values, wondering if material possessions are more important to Robert than his wife and daughter.

DORIAN HAREWOOD as Dalton Gregory

Three-time NAACP Image Award winner Dorian Harewood ("The Jesse Owens Story" 1985, "I'll Fly Away" 1993 and "Crumbs from the Table of Joy" 1996) is widely known for his work on television, in the movies, on Broadway and as a musician. Harewood most recently starred on the drama "Seventh Heaven," but has appeared in a number of television series, including "The Trials of Rosie O'Neill" and "Trauma Center." Additionally, Harewood portrayed Simon Haley in "Roots: The Next Generation." Harewood's feature film credits include "Full Metal Jacket," Sudden Death" and "Against All Odds." Harewood's stage credits include the Tony Award-winning musicals "Kiss of The Spider Woman," "Jesus Christ Superstar" and "Crumbs From The Table of Joy," for which he won his third NAACP Image Award. He has also starred in the Broadway dramas "Streamers," "Don't Call Back," "The Mighty Gents" and "Miss Moffat."

DALTON GREGORY (Dorian Harewood)

Dalton Gregory is a beloved teacher at the local elementary school. While he loves his students, life as a widower has been lonely and he longs to retire to Florida. When his teacher's aide Maggie become ill, he steps in and offers to help look after her son, Nathan, who is also one of his students. Nathan and Dalton bond outside the classroom, and Dalton helps the boy deal with his mother's situation. Dalton knows about Nathan's desire to give his mother a special Christmas gift, and when he sees the boy collecting cans to raise money for the gift, he collects some cans himself and strategically places them in an alley for the little boy to find.

MAX MORROW as Nathan Andrews

Max Morrow plays Benjy on the television series "Monk" and stars in the Canadian series "Jewel." Morrow was nominated in 2001 and 2002 by "The Young Artist Awards" for his roles in "Santa Who?" and "Sister Mary Explains it All."

NATHAN ANDREWS (Max Morrow)

Nathan Andrews is a typical 10 year-old: playful, mischievous and full of life. But his carefree world comes crumbling down when he finds out his mother is seriously ill and this will probably be her last Christmas. Determined to find her the perfect Christmas gift, and knowing how his mother loves to dance, he sets out on a quest to find her a pair of beautiful dancing shoes. In doing so, Nathan changes the lives of everyone he comes into contact with.

AMBER MARSHALL as Lily Layton

Amber Marshall has a recurring role on the television series "Monk." Marshall has been involved with the Canadian series "The Original Kids Theatre Company" for four years, during which time she has participated in productions of "The Wizard of Oz," "The Ragged Child" and "The Velveteen Rabbit," among others. She is currently studying at Lester B. Pearson School for the Arts in London, Ontario, Canada.

LILY LAYTON (Amber Marshall)

Lily Layton is a beautiful little girl who yearns for her father's attention. While he promises to be there for her school programs and family get-togethers, he seldom keeps his promise and when he does, he usually shows up late. However, loving him the way she does, Lily overlooks his faults and forgives him. Even more troubling to Lily is that her mother, Kate, may be going back to work. She's afraid if this happens, no one will be there to care for her. But when the school choir director becomes ill and Kate steps in, Lily and Kate wind up becoming closer than ever.

HUGH THOMPSON as Jack Andrews

Television audiences are likely most familiar with this Nova Scotia native from his role as Everett in "Blessed Stranger," a highly acclaimed cable television movie in which Thompson stars opposite Kate Nelligan. Thompson also co-starred in the cable feature for HBO "A Glimpse of Hell" with James Caan, as well as CBC's "Society's Child," where he played a support lead, with Jessica Steen in the starring role.

JACK ANDREWS (Hugh Thompson)

Jack Andrews is a hard-working mechanic whose business has seen better days. A simple man, Jack wants little more than his family's health and happiness. But Jack is hit hard when he learns his beloved wife is in need of a heart transplant. Beneath his gruff exterior, Jack is coming undone, trying to keep up a brave façade for his wife and son.

The Christmas Shoes


                                             It was almost Christmas time, there I stood in another line
                                             Tryin' to buy that last gift or two, not really in the Christmas mood
                                             Standing right in front of me was a little boy waiting anxiously
                                             Pacing 'round like little boys do
                                             And in his hands he held a pair of shoes
                                              
                                             His clothes were worn and old, he was dirty from head to toe
                                             And when it came his time to pay
                                             I couldn't believe what I heard him say
                                              
                                             Chorus:
                                             Sir, I want to buy these shoes for my Mama, please
                                             It's Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size
                                             Could you hurry, sir, Daddy says there's not much time
                                             You see she's been sick for quite a while
                                             And I know these shoes would make her smile
                                             And I want her to look beautiful if Mama meets Jesus tonight
                                              
                                             He counted pennies for what seemed like years
                                             Then the cashier said, "Son, there's not enough here"
                                             He searched his pockets frantically
                                             Then he turned and he looked at me
                                             He said Mama made Christmas good at our house
                                             Though most years she just did without
                                             Tell me Sir, what am I going to do,
                                             Somehow I've got to buy her these Christmas shoes
                                              
                                             So I laid the money down, I just had to help him out 
                                             I'll never forget the look on his face when he said
                                             Mama's gonna look so great
                                              
                                             Sir, I want to buy these shoes for my Mama, please
                                             It's Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size
                                             Could you hurry, sir, Daddy says there's not much time
                                             You see she's been sick for quite a while
                                             And I know these shoes would make her smile
                                             And I want her to look beautiful if Mama meets Jesus tonight
                                              
                                             Bridge:
                                             I knew I'd caught a glimpse of heaven's love
                                             As he thanked me and ran out
                                             I knew that God had sent that little boy
                                             To remind me just what Christmas is all about
                                              
                                             Repeat Chorus

The Christmas Blessing December Sunday December 18, 2005 (CBS)

The Christmas Blessing Website

Nathan Andrews of "The Christmas Shoes" (Neil Patrick Harris) has grown up and is now a medical resident. When the young doctor loses a patient, he begins to rethink his career and moves back home with his father. Just as Nathan is settling in, his world begins to crumble when the lives of the woman he loves and an innocent young boy are in crisis. Nathan finds himself questioning God, fate and the fragility of life, all the while hoping for a Christmas miracle.

Rob Lowe makes a special appearance in the movie, reprising his role from "The Christmas Shoes." Also, NewSong performs their new holiday single "The Christmas Blessing" and country singer Blake Shelton performs his new song "Nobody But Me."

(Megan Sullivan)
Rebecca Gayheart's feature film credits include "Nothing to Lose," "Urban Legend," "Jawbreaker," "Scream 2," "Somebody is Waiting," "Shadow Hours," "Harvard Man" and "Pipe Dream." On television, Rebecca starred in "Beverly Hills 90210" and has guest starred on "Nip/Tuck," "Dead Like Me," "The Division," "Inside Schwartz" and "What I Like About You." Gayheart is currently starring as Shelby in the Broadway production of "Steel Magnolias."

(Nathan Andrews)
Neil Patrick Harris currently stars as Barney in the CBS comedy HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER and has been a television staple since his Golden Globe-nominated role as "Doogie Howser, M.D." He recently starred in the London musical production of Jonathan Larson's "Tick, Tick…Boom," and previously starred in Broadway's Tony Award-winning musical "Assassins," "Cabaret" and "Proof." His additional theater credits include the Los Angeles production of "Rent" and "Romeo & Juliet" at San Diego's Old Globe Theater. His feature film credits include "Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle," "Undercover Brother," "Starship Troopers," "The Next Big Thing" and "Clara's Heart," for which he received a Golden Globe nomination. His additional television credits include the series "Stark Raving Mad," the CBS mini-series "Joan of Arc," "Will & Grace," "Boomtown," and CBS' "Numb3ers."

(Charlie Bennett)
Angus T. Jones, who recently turned twelve, began his career at age 4 doing television commercials. He landed his first lead role at age six in the feature film "See Spot Run." His other feature film credits include "Bringing Down the House," "The Rookie" and "George of the Jungle II." Jones's television credits include appearances in the series "ER" and the movies "Audrey's Rain" and "Dinner with Friends." He currently stars in the hit CBS comedy TWO AND A HALF MEN.