Alfred Carlton Gilbert invented the Erector Set and is trying to get it onto the toy shelves of the country. A.C. is startled to be summoned to the White House, where top officials ask him to convert the toy factory into a weapons manufacturing company for the duration of the war. "No" is really not an option, for fear of being labeled unpatriotic so the switch is made. Later, government officials ask A.C. to be their spokesman for a campaign to avoid "toy giving" for the coming holidays and buy war bonds instead. With a young son himself, who looks forward to Christmas like any other child, what will A.C. do this time?
Acting
Jason Alexander finally not George Costanza—dads everywhere weep.
Production
Surprisingly lush for a TV movie; someone's uncle cared deeply.
Writing
Actual historical stakes make the cheese feel earned.
Director
Sturla Gunnarsson
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The real A.C. Gilbert was an Olympic gold medalist in pole vaulting before he became a toy mogul. Overachiever much?
This aired on CBS in 2002 when post-9/11 patriotism was suffocating; its 'question blind loyalty' message hit weirdly hard.
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