BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Last Christmas, the Hallmark Channel gifted a holiday movie about Christmas City, filmed in Canada.
That didn't sit right with actor and local resident Santa, er, Danny Roebuck.
Roebuck's new movie, "Saint Nick of Bethlehem," filmed entirely in Bethlehem, is coming to town.
The cast and crew will attend a premiere at the Roxy Theatre in Northampton on Nov. 17.
Tickets are sold out for the red-carpet screening, but fans can see the flick at the theater (2004 Main St.,) on its official release date, Friday, Nov. 22 through Friday, Nov. 29.
It will also be shown at ArtsQuest's Franco Banco Alehouse Theater (101 Founders Way, Bethlehem) on Friday, Nov. 29 and Shanksweiler's Drive In (4540 Shankweiler Rd, Orefield) Dec. 5 - 8.
Roebuck wrote and co-directed the film, which was made by Hard Faith Productions in associations with A Channel of Peace, a Bethlehem-based organization that Roebuck founded to produce and support films and other multi-media projects centered around faith and family.
He plays the lead character of Nick McNulty, who is shattered after losing his son, but finds joy again after dressing up as Santa Claus.
It also stars Cathy Moriarty ("Soapdish," "Kindergarten Cop"), Duane Whitaker, Marsha Dietlin Bennett and Bradford Haynes.
Also appearing in the film are local actors Jenny Poratta, Kathy Patterson, Keith Willis and Joey Oltman, a student at Moravian Academy.
Familiar settings
Unlike in Hallmark's "Miracle in Bethlehem PA," locals should recognize the festive scenery around town in "St. Nick of Bethlehem."
Spotted in the trailer is a jolly Roebuck dancing inside Saint Luke's Children's Hospital and the cast riding in a car, seemingly for a Christmas Parade, near the Historic Hotel Bethlehem.
Filming locations also included the Kiffle Kitchen Bakery in Bath, the Star of Bethlehem, Christkindlmarkt at SteelStacks and Charlie McNulty Auto Sales.
Shooting began last November and concluded in May.
Roebuck announced he was filming the movie in the Christmas City as a lighthearted response to Hallmark's version, which aired on the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries channel last December.
His movies "Lucky Louie," "Getting Grace" and "Hail Mary" also were filmed around the Lehigh Valley.
Robuck also is known for his roles in TV series "9-1-1" “Lost,” and “Matlock,” and in films such as "The Fugitive" and Rob Zombie's "The Munsters.”
