The Trial Before Christmas is now a Hallmark Movie
Watch the Trailer:
A former actress trying to break into directing tests her skills with a Christmas Eve courtroom production in which the true authorship of the famous poem "A Visit from St. Nick" is debated. Starring Torrey DeVitto and Zane Holtz.
Troy Story Gets Hallmark Movie Treatment
“Twas the Night Before Christmas” premieres Dec. 17 on Hallmark Channel
- TV Movie Inspired by Duncan Crary & Jack Casey’s “The Trial Before Christmas”
TROY, N.Y. — The Hallmark Channel will premiere a two-hour film Saturday, Dec. 17 at 8 p.m. based on a Christmas-themed mock trial originally staged in Troy's historic courthouse.
“'Twas the Night Before Christmas” stars Torrey DeVitto, best known for her six-season run on NBC's “Chicago Med," and Zane Holtz, a recurring cast member in the CBS’ crime thriller “NCIS.”
The movie is set in Troy, N.Y., and is both based on and inspired by “The Trial Before Christmas,” created by Troy authors Duncan Crary and Jack Casey. Filming took place in Ottawa this fall.
Movie Synopsis
Madison (DeVitto) is an actress looking to broaden her career and hopes that directing an annual Christmas play in Troy, N.Y. will give her a perfect chance to prove her skills.
Part play, part mock trial, the show features two lawyers arguing whether “A Visit from Saint Nick” was authored by Clement Clarke Moore or Henry Livingston Jr. and has the audience decide as jury.
Madison casts an old costar, Connor (Holtz), who is struggling to balance time for acting and his young daughter, Josie. Despite feeling a spark with Connor, Madison has a rule to never date an actor.
The production features two over zealous cosplayers, depicting Moore and Livingston, who are remarkably convincing when they can be found. Lena, Madison’s leading lady, proves less convincing since she's only "acted" as a hand model and is the producer's girlfriend.
Madison worries her first directing effort will flop, but hopes that determination and support from the town -- and from Connor -- can make it work.
Writing Credits
“’Twas the Night Before Christmas” was directed by Gary Yates. The script is by C. Jay Cox (“Sweet Home Alabama,” “Latter Days”) and Gary Yates, based upon the play entitled “The Trial Before Christmas,” written by Duncan Crary and Jack Casey.
Advance Praise - "Strangely Brilliant"
In her Nov. 25, 2022 holiday movie guide, NPR’s pop culture correspondent Linda Holmes praised “’Twas the Night Before Christmas,” noting “Even the very traditional Hallmark sometimes hits upon a concept that is strangely brilliant.”
"Strangely Brilliant"
When & Where Can You Watch ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas?
The premiere of ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas is on Saturday, Dec. 17, at 8 p.m., on Hallmark Channel.
Encore showings include:
- Sunday, Dec. 18, at 6 p.m.
- Tuesday, Dec. 20, at 10 p.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 24, at 2 p.m.
- Thursday, Dec. 29, at 12 a.m.
- Sunday, Jan. 1, at 6 a.m..
For those without cable, Hallmark Channel movies are on live TV streaming apps including Peacock, Hulu and YouTubeTV.
With an upgrade to Peacock Premium or Premium Plus, you can watch the Hallmark Channel. New Hallmark original series and film releases can be watched live on the channel as they air on the East Coast and will be available the next day to stream on-demand. New original film releases will only be available to stream on-demand for 72 hours.