Gone but not forgotten. Michigan Author Glendon Swarthout, who was most famous for helping ignite spring break for college kids with “Where the Boys Are†and his westerns including â€They Came to Codura†and John Wayne’s “The Shootistâ€, also wrote a hearting-warming Christmas tale that is set on a Michigan farm during the depression. The book,â€Melodeonâ€, was published in 1977 and was later renamed “A Christmas Giftâ€.
Swarthout was not only a talented writer, his musical talents allowed him to sing his way through college with a four-piece band. Michigan State University, where he taught for a number of years, still makes claim that “Where the Boys Are†helped ignite the interest in their fledgling Television Degree Program. One of the characters in the film was nicknamed “TV†for “televisionâ€. And unless you’ve read the book that’s all you need to know since it was after all spring break. What happens in Ft. Lauderdale stays in Ft. Lauderdale. And just forget about that idea of running guns to Cuba. The book and the movie “Where the Boys Are†were released 50 years ago this week. It makes a great movie for a long Christmas holiday.
When Swarthout’s Christmas tale was made into a TV movie in 1978 it was renamed “A Christmas to Remember†and starred Joanne Woodward and Jason Robards. The changes from the book to the movie were radical. Later a condensed version of the book titled a “Journey into Christmas†appeared in the 1992 Good Housekeeping holiday edition.
The touching story follows a family as they give their precious melodeon (a small organ) to a local church so they can have music on Christmas day. The story-line revolves around how the family and a mysterious visitor make this quest happen. For more informaton on Swarthout, his books and his movies click here.
