BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Just in the Nick of time, a homegrown Christmas film has made its debut on Amazon Prime.
“Saint Nick of Bethlehem,” filmed in the Christmas City and featuring recognizable scenes in Downtown Bethlehem, Nazareth, Bath and Northampton, is available to renton the streaming service starting at $2.99.
The independent faith-based film can also be bought on Amazon Prime for $9.99.
Hollywood actor and Bethlehem native Danny Roebuck, who co-wrote and co-directed “Saint Nick,” announced the news on the film’s Facebook accounton Nov. 26.
“What a great tradition you can create,” Roebuck said in the clip as he walked the outside grounds of Christkindlmarkt(scenes from ArtsQuest’s German-inspired holiday market appear in the film).
Locals also still can watch “St. Nick” on the big screen on today, Tuesday, Dec. 2, through Thursday, Dec. 4, at Frank Banko Alehouse Cinema, 101 Founders Way.
Tickets start at $6.
Main Street in Christmas City
Micaela Hood
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LehighValleyNews.com
“Saint Nick of Bethlehem” star Danny Roebuck talks to Ben Williams and his older sister, Samara Williams at Frank Banko Alehouse on Sunday, Dec. 1.
In the feel-good 90-minute flick, Roebuck stars as Nick McNulty, a former math teacher and grief-stricken father.
His teenage son, Scotty, was killed by a drunken driver, and McNulty’s wife leaves him as a result.
“Saint Nick” is co-directed by Spencer Folmar with Hard Faith Productions and Roebuck’s A Channel of Peace production company.
Filming began in November 2023 and wrapped up in spring 2024.
Along with Historic Main Street in Christmas City, the movie — Roebuck’s fourth filmed in the Lehigh Valley — features other notable spots such as Kiffle Kitchen Bakery in Bath and Alliance Fire Company in Northampton.
Witty banter, finding love again
Roebuck announced he was making “Saint Nick” as a cheeky response to Hallmark Channel’s “Miracle in Bethlehem, PA,” which aired in 2023 on the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries channel and was filmed in Winnipeg, Canada.
“Saint Nick” also stars Cathy Moriarty (“Raging Bull,” “Soapdish,” “Kindergarten Cop”) as Roebuck’s mom, Betty, and local actors Jennifer Porrata and Joey Oltman.
While there are comedic moments (Roebuck and Moriatry’s mother-son banter is fun to watch), the film also explores themes of grief, hope and the unexpected joy of finding love later in life.
Roebuck’s character, now in his 60s, reconnects with his high school sweetheart, Mary (Marsha Dietlein Bennett).
Their paths cross at St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital, where young patients mistake him for Santa Claus — a mix-up made easy by his snowy beard, gentle demeanor and hearty laugh.
Roebuck drew inspiration for “Saint Nick” from Allen Smith, a Bethlehem local who coped with the loss of his son by wearing a Santa suit and spreading cheer throughout Christmas City.
For information about the film, visit the film’s website.