A city-bred grandson moves to his grandparents' farm during the Great Depression and grows up enough under their tough care to help his grandfather deliver a surprise gift on Christmas Eve to their community church with the help of a phantom stranger.
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
 Jason RobardsDaniel Larson | Daniel Larson |
 Eva Marie SaintEmma Larson | Emma Larson |
| GGeorge ParryRusty McCloud | Rusty McCloud |
 Joanne WoodwardMildred McCloud | Mildred McCloud |
 Bryan EnglundDanny Larson | Danny Larson |
 Mary-Beth ManningLouise Hockmeyer | Louise Hockmeyer |
| NNora MartinLollie Hockmeyer | Lollie Hockmeyer |
| SSally ChamberlinLil Hockmeyer | Lil Hockmeyer |
| AArvid CarlsonRalph Youngquist | Ralph Youngquist |
| MMildred CarlsonBeulah Youngquist | Beulah Youngquist |
 Allen HamiltonOskar Hockmeyer | Oskar Hockmeyer |
| GGuy PaulTall Fellow | Tall Fellow |
| AAlexander A. MayerRussell McCloud (grown) | Russell McCloud (grown) |
| PPamela DanserLollie Hockmeyer (grown) | Lollie Hockmeyer (grown) |
| LLowell AndersonPreacher | Preacher |