Kathy Najmy and Scottie Thompson in "Deck the Halls"; photo courtesy of TNT

“Deck the Halls” (TNT) 

It is time for another movie on TNT in the “TNT Mystery Movie Night” series. This time out the book used as a basis for the film is DECK THE HALLS by the mother/daughter writing team of Mary Higgins Clark and Carol Higgins Clark. This film adaptation of the book features Scottie Thompson as Private Investigator Regan Reilly and Kathy Najimy as amateur sleuth Alvira Meehan. These two women work well together solving crimes.

In “Deck the Halls” the crime they investigate is the kidnapping of Regan’s father Luke Reilly (David Selby) and his driver Rosita (Lucianna Carro). They have been abducted by a man in a Santa Claus suit. A ransom is demanded from Nora Reilly (Jane Alexander), Regan’s mother and a prominent author.

Alvira gets drawn into the case accidentally. She is at the dentist office with her husband Willie (Larry Miller) when she meets Regan, who is there looking for her father who has an appointment. When Regan learns her father has been abducted Alvira and Willie drive her to the police station and then home. By this time Alvira’s detective instincts are going off big time and she throws herself into the case, with the Reillys’ permission of course.

Najimy is the star of the show. She makes Alvira an enjoyable busybody who is good at some detective work but is not a miracle worker. She and Thompson work well together to make Regan and Alvira a team. The supporting cast is full of great actors such as Selby, Alexander and Miller. They bring the cast of characters to life which is the intent of this “Mystery Movie Night” series.

This movie is a little more light-hearted than any others that have been presented in this series, and therefore a bit more fun for the viewers. There is a terrible crime for sure in the kidnapping, but the execution and follow through of the detective work is presented with a bit of humor thrown into the mix.

For an evening of serious crime fighting but with a lighter touch, tune in to “Deck the Halls” on the “TNT Mystery Movie Night.” The book by Mary Higgins Clark and Carol Higgins Clark provides a solid framework for a good natured film. The show airs on TNT, Tuesday, December 20 at 9PM.