The Carpenters: A Christmas Portrait (1978 TV Special) User Reviews

This is good!

[douginfo1 · 9/10 · 21 April 2006]

I just bought a copy of this on DVD from eBay (Thank God for eBay!) and this is wonderful. I am a fan of Kristy McNichol and it is delightful to see her and her brother on this show. This is just great. The Carpenters have their moments too and so does Gene Kelly, but its Kristy who really brings this to life.

One of the things I enjoyed most about this was the singing. The clothes are really 70s. There is no other word for what Jimmy McNichol is wearing. Not good or bad, just so 70s. One of the best parts of the show is a number called "The Angel in the Christmas Play" performed by Karen Carpenter, Kristy McNichol and Georgia Engel. It is really wonderful. I reminds me of vaudeville. Very lighthearted and fun. And the "Big Brothers/Kid Sisters" number between Kristy & Jimmy and Karen and Richard is fun as well.

Memories of A Special Voice

[DKosty123 · 7/10 · 24 November 2018]

Bittersweet is the only way I can think of my memories of Karen Carpenter. She had a voice for the ages that I can only wish she had been here to give us more, but this special tells me she gave us so much. My whole generation realized the great voice she was, as in the 1970's songs her and Richard recorded were already being used at my friends weddings. This show promotes a great Christmas song Karen sings which has become as timeless a song during the holidays as any modern song.

This timeless special features Gene Kelly doing a timeless Irsh Chritmas number, Georgia Engel who had become famous on the Mary Tyle Moore show, and Kristy & Jimmy McNichol who seemed bigger at this time than they would become. Still, this recalls a 1978 time when the world was in an energy crisis but jobs were plentiful and Karen was still with us.

Karen looks so thin & fragile here, and to see her introduce her proud parents on this special to Gene Kelly and us is a small and intimate look at Karen and Richard.

I was in love with Karens voice from the first moment I ever heard it. I only wish now after I attended one Carpenter's concert before Karen died, that I could have had a chance to tell her how much I loved that voice, especially if doing so would have kept her with us longer. She was more amazing than she ever realized. Ironically, she gave us so much but took so little time to become a memory for the ages.

Fun to Watch

[Christmas-Reviewer · 7/10 · 9 September 2017]

BEWARE OF FALSE REVIEWS & REVIEWERS. SOME REVIEWERS HAVE ONLY ONE REVIEW TO THEIR NAME. NOW WHEN ITS A POSITIVE REVIEW THAT TELLS ME THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE MOVIE. IF ITS A NEGATIVE REVIEW THEN THEY MIGHT HAVE A GRUDGE AGAINST THE FILM . NOW I HAVE REVIEWED OVER 300 HOLIDAY FILMS. I HAVE NO AGENDA.

This special was made to help push "A Christmas Portrait" which was a Carpenter's Christmas Album. Watching this special is like a trip through time. Some of the comedy bits are bad however it is a joy to hear Karen and Richard sing. They were magic together. If you are a fan of the "The Carpenters" then you will love this. If watch this special I am willing to bet that you will download "Merry Christmas Darling" once this special is over.

It is available on You Tube