Ben-Nadav Hafri

Oliver North of Iran Contra fame. The film was a big hit in the Beltway. Suffice it to say, this made-for-television Christmas movie had an unusually big reception, but it also didn't really do much to establish Arnold Schwarzenegger as a director. The reviews were mixed.

Oliver North of Iran Contra fame. The film was a big hit in the Beltway. Suffice it to say, this made-for-television Christmas movie had an unusually big reception, but it also didn't really do much to establish Arnold Schwarzenegger as a director. The reviews were mixed.

I realize I've had a lot of fun with this movie. And gun to my head, do I think it's good? No. But do I love it? Obviously, yes. Because it's so totally weird and overcommitted to its bit that it has a kind of joyfulness to it that honestly gets me in the Christmas spirit.

I realize I've had a lot of fun with this movie. And gun to my head, do I think it's good? No. But do I love it? Obviously, yes. Because it's so totally weird and overcommitted to its bit that it has a kind of joyfulness to it that honestly gets me in the Christmas spirit.

And at its core, like the best Christmas films, the story behind the movie is a story of love and friendship between Arnold Schwarzenegger and Stan Brooks. Two men brought together by a love of making movies. After the film, Stan and Arnold stayed in touch. Stan even moved into Arnold Schwarzenegger's office building. Their kids played football together.

And at its core, like the best Christmas films, the story behind the movie is a story of love and friendship between Arnold Schwarzenegger and Stan Brooks. Two men brought together by a love of making movies. After the film, Stan and Arnold stayed in touch. Stan even moved into Arnold Schwarzenegger's office building. Their kids played football together.

And even though they never made another movie together, their collaboration had one more act. Almost ten years to the day from when Christmas in Connecticut began shooting, Arnold Schwarzenegger became the governor of California. At the time, there was a lot of hand-wringing over an issue called runaway production.

And even though they never made another movie together, their collaboration had one more act. Almost ten years to the day from when Christmas in Connecticut began shooting, Arnold Schwarzenegger became the governor of California. At the time, there was a lot of hand-wringing over an issue called runaway production.

Lots of states had started offering tax breaks to lure films into shooting somewhere other than California. It had become a real problem for Hollywood as an industry town. And this was one of the crises Schwarzenegger would have to face in his new role as governor. Now, the way people talked about his becoming governor was the same way they talked about his becoming a director.

Lots of states had started offering tax breaks to lure films into shooting somewhere other than California. It had become a real problem for Hollywood as an industry town. And this was one of the crises Schwarzenegger would have to face in his new role as governor. Now, the way people talked about his becoming governor was the same way they talked about his becoming a director.

So it only makes sense that he wanted Stan Brooks in his administration.

So it only makes sense that he wanted Stan Brooks in his administration.

Stan joined the California Film Commission. And over the next few years, he was a key part of the lobbying efforts to pass the tax credits that would make it easier to film in California.

Stan joined the California Film Commission. And over the next few years, he was a key part of the lobbying efforts to pass the tax credits that would make it easier to film in California.

The first tax credits passed in 2009. They've been renewed ever since. So back to our original question. Why did Arnold Schwarzenegger direct this bizarre one-off Christmas film? I found my answer in a story Stan told me.

The first tax credits passed in 2009. They've been renewed ever since. So back to our original question. Why did Arnold Schwarzenegger direct this bizarre one-off Christmas film? I found my answer in a story Stan told me.

or three a year if i'm in the future business i'm lucky if i make one every other year every three years i go i i'm happy with my life he goes well that's fantastic this story really hit home for me because i get what that's like to just love making something even a kind of improbably dense story about the making of the remake of a christmas movie

or three a year if i'm in the future business i'm lucky if i make one every other year every three years i go i i'm happy with my life he goes well that's fantastic this story really hit home for me because i get what that's like to just love making something even a kind of improbably dense story about the making of the remake of a christmas movie

It's like Stan said, if you love making movies, or anything, it's just a gift to get to make more, even if they're maybe not the best. Especially if it's clear how much fun you had making whatever it is you're making. So, to close, let me just share one quote from the very last page of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. A passage about Scrooge after he's seen the light. Quote,

It's like Stan said, if you love making movies, or anything, it's just a gift to get to make more, even if they're maybe not the best. Especially if it's clear how much fun you had making whatever it is you're making. So, to close, let me just share one quote from the very last page of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. A passage about Scrooge after he's seen the light. Quote,