Oklahoma turns to Hollywood for new Christmas movie

"Hope's Hollywood Christmas" Brings Tinsel Town Magic to Oklahoma. 

Oklahoma’s run as a premiere destination for Hollywood films is still going strong with the release of “Hope’s Hollywood Christmas” which debuted on streamers over Thanksgiving weekend, helmed by a University of Oklahoma alumni and starring a Tulsa-native as the lead.

Audiences have seen the reservations of Oklahoma in Disney’s “Reservation Dogs”, the 1920’s Osage in Apple and Paramount’s “Killers of the Flower Moon”, the monstrous storms of Warner Bro.’s “Twisters”, and the white-knuckle suspense of a monster in Tulsa in Paramount’s “Tulsa King” but now they’ll be seeing Oklahoma as something else entirely: 

Los Angeles.

In Hollywood, a struggling single mom, Hope (Lisa Fenimore, “The Book of Jobs”) takes a temp job with aging movie star Billie Mac (Claire Montgomery, “NCIS: Origins”) and teams up with the star's chauffeur Kenneth (Charlie Wood, “I Wish It Were You”)  to stop a scheming lawyer and agent from stealing her fortune, finding love and holiday magic along the way.

Filming took place in and around the Oklahoma City area during one of the hottest summers on record this past year with director Clayton Guiltner and star Lisa Fenimore talking to the Journal-Tribune about how they pulled off a heartwarming Christmas film in the dead of summer.  

Director Clayton Guiltner grew up in Oklahoma City, where his passion for storytelling began in high school drama class. He later returned to Oklahoma to pursue an MFA in Directing at the University of Oklahoma before moving on to successful careers in New York and Los Angeles. “Oklahoma instilled in me the values of hard work, determination, and kindness,” Guiltner shared. “Those roots are central to everything I do.”  

These values inspired Guiltner to write “Hope's Hollywood Christmas”, a story about a single mother, Hope, who takes a caregiving job with an aging movie star, Billie Mac. “The movie is about finding family and love in unexpected places,” he said.  

Filming a Christmas movie in the heat of an Oklahoma summer posed challenges, but the crew embraced the unique setting. "Oklahoma offers an incredible range of backdrops," Guiltner explained. From Spanish Revival-style homes standing in for Beverly Hills mansions to lush summer greenery, the state transformed into a convincing stand-in for California.  

Lead actress Lisa Fenimore, who lives in Oklahoma, praised the state’s hospitality. “Filming here was amazing—neighbors would gather to watch, and local businesses went out of their way to help,” she said. “It really brought the community together.”  

Fenimore found a personal connection to her character, Hope, a struggling musician returning home to rebuild her life. “I see a lot of myself in Hope,” Fenimore revealed. “Her journey of resilience and finding unexpected blessings is something I relate to deeply.”  

The film also features touching holiday traditions, from baking Christmas cookies to acts of generosity inspired by Guiltner’s memories of volunteering at a homeless shelter. “These scenes capture the warmth and togetherness of the season,” Guiltner noted.  

Guiltner and Fenimore both emphasized the enduring appeal of holiday films. “Christmas movies resonate because they remind us of love, hope, and togetherness,” Guiltner said. Drawing inspiration from classics like “Miracle on 34th Street”, the director infused “Hope's Hollywood Christmas” with a nostalgic yet fresh feel, enhanced by a warm visual style.  

For Fenimore, the movie’s central message—never giving up—hits close to home. “Hope’s perseverance mirrors my own experiences,” she said. “It’s a story that will leave audiences with all the warm fuzzies.”  

As Oklahoma continues to attract filmmakers, “Hope's Hollywood Christmas” is a shining example of the state’s talent and versatility. With its heartfelt story and holiday charm, the movie promises to become a seasonal favorite for families everywhere.

Hope’s Hollywood Christmas is now streaming on Amazon Prime and other platforms.