Once, there was a witch who lived on the edge of a small village. The villagers were afraid of her, as she was known to be skilled in dark magic. She always kept to herself, rarely leaving her secluded cottage. The townspeople whispered tales of her casting spells and brewing potions late into the night. They believed she was capable of causing harm and bringing misfortune upon them. One day, a young boy named Thomas stumbled upon the witch's cottage while playing in the woods.
One day, a young boy named Thomas stumbled upon the witch's cottage while playing in the woods. Curiosity got the better of him, and he cautiously approached the cottage. To his surprise, the door creaked open, inviting him inside.
Marlo Thomas and Alison Sweeney Talk About Playing Mother And Daughter In Hallmark’s "A Magical Christmas Village"
Rebecca Angel Baer is the Senior Digital Editor, with a strong focus on News. So, if Southerners are talking about it, Rebecca is covering it. Rebecca has been with Southern Living since 2017 and enjoys the wide range of topics from shining a light on local heroes to providing ways to help our neighbors after disasters like tornadoes and hurricanes strike the South.
Published on November 5, 2022Marlo Thomas is an entertainment legend and as the daughter of Danny Thomas, founder of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, she’s an honorary Southerner. “Memphis is a big city in our lives. We love it. You know my parents are buried there. They were born in Chicago and Detroit and we live in Los Angeles but when they died, that’s the city they chose to be in eternally. So that says a lot about what we feel about Memphis,” she recently told Southern Living. So we were thrilled to see that this season she has paired up with veteran Hallmark star, Alison Sweeney for A Magical Christmas Village.
©2022 Hallmark Media/ Kailey Schwerman
The pair play Summer, a no nonsense, busy, single mom and her mother, Vivian who they both described to be the complete opposite. Sweeney told us about how she and writer Melissa Salmons “Loved the idea of tackling this issue of moms and daughters being so different. Being completely different people and they love each other, but putting them together in one house is a struggle. Especially at the holidays. So we really wanted to embrace that idea.”
Thomas said of the dynamic between this pair, “she’s [Sweeney’s character] kind of uptight, practical, list making single mom and in comes this flamboyant [grandmother]. I so related to that because my mom was like that. A very conservative mom, let’s get it done, don’t drown in the water, don’t get hit by a car. That kind of mom. But my grandmother was just a nutcase. She was fabulous. She played the drums in a biergarten when she was 70 years old. She was just a wild woman. And I take after her.”
Summer is a busy single mom, juggling work as an architect and raising her daughter Chloe. Her mother Vivian suddenly needs to move in with her daughter and granddaughter, and this sends Summer’s very organized life into chaos. Vivian, ever the magical Fairy Godmother type grandmother, sets up the family heirloom miniature Christmas village. She shares this tradition with Chloe and tells her that the magical village grants Christmas wishes. As Chloe begins to engage with the village, real life events appear to mimic the scenes she creates. Summer meets handsome newcomer to town, Ryan, and slowly trust and love begin to blossom.
Sweeney said of this love story, “she [Summer] is so set in her ways that she doesn’t leave room for falling in love or meeting someone new. She really doesn’t think about it. So as an audience you believe that the magic of this Christmas village is what she would need to push herself in that direction. Because otherwise she’s fine with the way things are and she would never have taken a chance.”
Both Thomas and Sweeney agree that the story they tell about creating a multi-generational home isn’t “sugar-coated” but rather they hope to paint an optimistic picture of what is possible. “For me the idea for a Christmas movie of bringing these women together and seeing the struggle, you know, it is not sugar coating it. It is telling the story of it’s frustrating, and it’s hard. And we’re gonna disagree. And because we love each other, we’re gonna work it out. That’s the journey and I think people really relate to that,” Sweeney said.
A Magical Christmas Village airs on Hallmark Channel beginning November 4 and will be one you will want to watch all season long.
Meanwhile, FuboTV is one of the better alternatives to regular cable.
As he stepped in, he found himself in a room filled with spell books, potion cauldrons, and strange artifacts. As Thomas explored further, his eyes fell upon a peculiar sight - a sword adorned with symbols and engravings. The sword had an eerie aura surrounding it, and he felt drawn towards it. Without thinking, he reached out to touch it. Suddenly, a flash of light consumed him, and he found himself transported to a realm he had never seen before. In this realm, Thomas discovered that he had transformed into a young knight. He was on a mission to save the enchanted land from an evil sorcerer who had caused despair and destruction. Armed with the enchanted sword, he set off on his journey, encountering mythical creatures and dangerous obstacles along the way. Despite his fears, Thomas remained brave and determined. He used the sword's power to defeat enemies and break through barriers. Throughout his quest, he learned valuable lessons about courage, compassion, and the importance of standing up against injustice. Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months. Thomas eventually defeated the evil sorcerer, restoring peace and harmony to the enchanted land. The sword, which had guided him through his perilous journey, was now dull and lifeless. It had fulfilled its purpose and had left a lasting impact on Thomas. In gratitude, the enchanted land bid farewell to Thomas, transporting him back to the witch's cottage. As he stepped out of the cottage, he noticed the witch waiting for him. She smiled, her eyes filled with kindness. It was then that Thomas realized the witch had orchestrated his entire journey. She explained that she had seen his potential for bravery and wanted to provide him with an opportunity to change his village's perception of witches. By using her magic and the sword, she had given him a chance to prove that not all witches were evil. Thomas thanked the witch for her guidance and vowed to spread the truth about her kind-hearted nature. With newfound confidence, Thomas returned to his village, sharing his extraordinary tale with the townspeople. As he spoke, their fear and prejudices began to dissolve, replaced by understanding and appreciation for the witch's mysterious ways. The village transformed into a place of acceptance, where witches were regarded as equals rather than creatures of darkness. The witch, hidden behind the shadows, watched as her plan succeeded. She had used her magic and the sword to change the perceptions of the people. From that day on, the witch continued to live in her cottage, helping those in need and using her powers for good. The tale of the witch on the sword in the enchanting realm became a legend passed down through generations as a reminder of the power of friendship, understanding, and overcoming fear..
Reviews for "The Witch on Sword in the Throne: Embracing the Shadows"
1. John - 2 stars - I found "Witch on Sword in the Attic" to be extremely disappointing. The plot was convoluted and confusing, with many unnecessary subplots that detracted from the main storyline. The characters were shallow and lacked depth, making it difficult for me to connect with them or care about their fates. Additionally, the writing style was clunky and filled with unnecessary descriptions that slowed down the pacing of the story. Overall, I found this book to be a struggle to get through and would not recommend it to others.
2. Sarah - 1 star - "Witch on Sword in the Attic" was a complete waste of time for me. The premise seemed intriguing at first, but the execution was incredibly poor. The writing was filled with grammatical errors and typos, which made it difficult to understand and enjoy. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, lacking any depth or authenticity. Moreover, the characters were one-dimensional and unrelatable, making it impossible for me to care about their journey. I was highly disappointed by this book and would advise others to avoid it.
3. Michael - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Witch on Sword in the Attic" but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The pacing was inconsistent, with long stretches of boredom followed by rushed and confusing action sequences. The world-building was also lackluster, leaving me with many unanswered questions about the rules and mechanics of the magical elements in the story. The lack of character development made it difficult for me to invest in their struggles and triumphs. Overall, this book had potential, but it failed to deliver a captivating and coherent narrative.
4. Emily - 2 stars - "Witch on Sword in the Attic" had an interesting concept, but the execution was severely lacking. The plot was predictable, with no surprises or twists that could have added excitement to the story. The writing style was dry and monotonous, making it difficult to maintain interest throughout. Additionally, the characters were forgettable and lacked any depth or complexity. I was hoping for a thrilling and engaging read, but unfortunately, this book failed to deliver.