Mistletoe and menorahs: 5 movies with suburban stars airing for the holidays
Halloween is barely over, yet Hallmark Channel's already a week into its annual Countdown to Christmas movie marathon.
Each year, Hallmark and a handful of other channels release a Santa's sleigh worth of holiday movies - many following well-worn formulas with sure-to-see scenes of falling snow, twinkling lights and attractive couples caught beneath a perfectly placed sprig of mistletoe.
And as an added bonus, several feature local actors who got their start in the suburbs.
Here's a look at five holiday films with suburban stars premiering in the next few weeks:
“Holly & Ivy”
Starring: Marisol Nichols of Naperville
When to see it: 9 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries
What we know: Hallmark's sister channel takes a more dramatic approach to its holiday fare, and this one stars Nichols as a mom facing a serious illness whose neighbor agrees to adopt her daughters and keep them together.
“Operation Christmas Drop”
Starring: Virginia Madsen, a graduate of New Trier High School in Winnetka
When to see it: Begins streaming Friday, Nov. 5, on Netflix
What we know: A political aide (Kat Graham) looking to shutter an Air Force base with an important Christmas tradition falls for a pilot (Alexander Ludwig). Madsen plays a tough congresswoman.
“A Nashville Christmas Carol”
Starring: Former Buffalo Grove resident Jessy Schram
When to see it: 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, on Hallmark
What we know: Charles Dickens' holiday classic goes country with Schram starring as a television producer forced to work on a country music Christmas special with the guy who once broke her heart. And if that's not messy enough, she encounters Christmas spirits bent on revisiting her past.
“People Presents: Once Upon a Main Street”
Starring: Ryan McPartlin, who grew up in Glen Ellyn
When to see it: 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29, on Lifetime
What we know: McPartlin stars with Vanessa Lachey as rivals for a piece of storefront property. To sway the owner, they offer to chair a holiday decorating committee. Cue the competition - and the inevitable chemistry.
“Love, Lights, Hanukkah”
Starring: “Boy Meets World” star and Highland Park native Ben Savage
When to see it: 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20, on Hallmark
What we know: Hallmark dipped into Hanukkah movies last year, with mixed reviews. In this one - released after Hanukkah actually ends - a surprising DNA test sends a restaurant owner (played by Mia Kirshner) in search of her newly discovered Jewish roots. Then, of course, she finds romance.