A Santa Barbara Star Helps Santa Claus

Soap Opera Weekly, 1991

(Thanks to Anne in Australia!)

    Santa Barbara's A Martinez (Cruz) helps Santa Claus in the upcoming NBC-TV movie In the Nick of Time.  This heartwarming drama begins with old Saint Nick (Lloyd Bridges) learning that because of an accounting error at the North Pole, his 300-year tenure is up.  To make matters worse, he's informed that he only has a few days to find his replacement -- otherwise Santa Claus will no longer possess the magic to bring holiday joy, and the lights of Christmas will be extinguished forever all around the world.

    Santa's search takes him to the streets of New York in hopes of discovering the new Nick.  Ultimately, Santa discovers the man he believes would be the perfect candidate to inherit the reins of his sleigh -- a cynical reporter named Ben Trager (L.A. Law's Michael Tucker), who has lost his drive and gusto for life since the death of his wife.  Santa realized he has his work cut out for him when he tries to convince Ben that he (Ben) embodies the spirit of Christmas -- before time runs out.  Fortunately, Santa gets a lot of help in that department from Martinez' character, Charlie Misch. 

    "Charlie's a cabdriver and a single parent who's raising his daughter alone," says Martinez.  "He's been both a mother and a father to the girl."  (Jessica DiCiccio portrays 10-year-old Aimee.) 

    Although Martinez was thrilled with the opportunity to tackle In the Nick of Time, he admits there was one drawback to the project:  "This was the first time the whole family (his wife Leslie, son Cody and daughter Devon) wasn't able to come on location with me," says Martinez.  "Since Cody's in kindergarten now, we just couldn't take him out of school.  So Leslie and Devon had to stay at home with him.  Being away form them all was a little disconcerting.  We've never been apart that long before."

    In the Nick of Time also features Allison La Placa as Susan Rowell, as corporate ice queen to whom Charlie finds himself very attracted.  The movie is scheduled to air during this holiday season.

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