Christmas Eve in Venice Beach, California. A serial strangler is on the loose. A crisis hotline, staffed by three inept counselors, faces eviction. Each of the three is lovelorn. They and their non-profit program need a miracle. Their paths cross those of Gracie and Felix, penniless lovers who are fighting with each other and are about to become parents; Chris, an unhappy man in drag; Louie, their loopy song-writing neighbor; a man walking his dogs; a veterinarian; and, their landlord. A Christmas tree, an elevator, a fruit cake, and a pistol also figure in this night before Christmas. Are any miracles in the offing?

The landlord's name is Tannenbaum (German for "Christmas tree"). After he is shot, his body is disguised as a Christmas tree.

Catherine O'Shaughnessy:
I'm not like you, Philip. I'm not one of those people that's only good on the phone. In person you just blame everybody. You made a mistake at the office, you gave out the address! Did I blame you? No! I blamed the Santa Anas! I don't even know what the Santa Anas are!


Philip:
They're the dry winds that blow in from the...


Catherine O'Shaughnessy:
Oh, shut up!

Written by Irving Berlin
Performed by The Drifters
Courtesy of Atlantic Recording Corp.
By Arrangement with Warner Special Products