Love on the Christmas Train

Small-town Glacier Mountain's Christmas tourism economy is floundering as the main attraction, the Christmas Train to Santa’s Workshop, is barely operational. Mayor Jillian Jakobs tries to keep things afloat but is constantly interrupted by well-intentioned, matchmaking from nosey, town folk. They feel it is their duty since she was jilted at the altar by a rich guy. Collaterally, she refuses to sing anymore due to the embarrassment of her wedding that wasn’t. In NYC, movie star Scott Fraser is remounting his Christmas Extravaganza revue for a cross-country, bus and truck tour as he took a bath on Broadway and needs to recoup money in a hurry. His crusty acting troupe is less than enthused. They stop for dinner in Glacier Mountain and after breaking several displays in Jillian’s “Rudolph’s Attic” store, Scott takes her to dinner. She fortunately does not recognize him as her distain for rich men would end any potential relationship. Seeing Jillian’s fledgling romantic interest, best friend Lindy jumps into action enlisting the entire town to cover up Scott’s real identity and make the evening as over-the-top romantic as possible. After the date, Scott and company board the bus but are turned back by a blizzard. He asks Jillian’s help to find a hotel and she coerces the only shuttered inn to re-open despite having no supplies, heat, or food. The town comes to the rescue, bringing cots, toiletries, and even bad entertainment for the gracious, professional actors. Jillian concocts a fundraiser idea, thinking they can throw together a show in 2 days and perform for these strangers. Covertly, Lindy confesses to the actors that she knows who they are and requests they continue to pretend they are stage hands in order to let love grow. The actors contort their bodies and create backstories for their new characters of "stage crew" in a comedic display of method acting. Enthused Jillian auditions the entire town for her show coming up with enough talent to do the Broadway musical CAT. Scott warns the troupe not to help with her show as he can’t risk having his name attached to an amateur production. He will help with construction, conscripting the inept actors to assist resulting in the entire stage imploding just before showtime. The actors revolt as they want to help the kind town by putting on their Christmas Extravaganza . Scott threatens a lawsuit if they do, but calms them by allowing one last community potluck if they promise to board the bus immediately afterwards. At the potluck, Jillian delivers the bad news that the train has stopped completely confirming the demise of the town. The actors take their leave, the town folk blame Jillian for their bankruptcy, then let it slip that the actors could have saved them. Jillian is humiliated at their ruse and packs to leave for the city. Scott confesses his ploy to her as well as his love. He offers to present his Broadway show if she’ll stay and rally the town. She agrees, but only for the town’s sake. On the eve of the sold out performance, Scott leads Jillian to the sparkling backstage, and sings the song he first heard her sing in her shop. She joins in softly. The curtain opens to the entire town applauding their mayor. Scott tells her he put his movie advance down on the train repairs . Would she lead the town in song? She finds her voice, re-taking her leadership as Scott tells her of his idea to save the town and employ his actors full time. Eight months later, a town sign indicates it is Christmas year round in Glacier Mountain and the town is full of tourists wanting to see the celebrities put on their Christmas Extravaganza onboard the Train to Santa’s Workshop. Scott proposes to Jillian with a Christmas light display and the happy couple kiss on the train caboose’s porch as it pulls out with a sign reading “Just Engaged.”