Today the phrase "Hallmark movie" is somewhat derogatory, bringing to mind poorly made romance movies that are generally made according to a formula. Regardless, at one time Hallmark was known for making quality television movies. For decades, they produced the anthology series Hallmark Hall of Fame, which was well known for the calibre of its presentations. Indeed, Hallmark Hall of Fame won around 80 Emmy Awards through the years.
As might be expected, over the years Hallmark would producer several Christmas movies for Hallmark Hall of Fame and the Hallmark Channel in its early days, nearly all of which are superior to what the Hallmark Channel airs now. Here are five Hallmark Christmas movies from the past worth watching.
Amahl and the Night Visitors: Amahl and the Night Visitors was the very first Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation. In fact, it aired on this date, December 24, in 1951. It was an opera originally commissioned by NBC and was the very first opera ever commissioned for television. NBC found a sponsor in Hallmark Cards, and it aired under the heading of Hallmark Television Playhouse, which would be changed to Hallmark Hall of Fame soon enough. Amahl and the Night Visitors aired live upon its debut and it is not available on video. Fortunately, Amahl and the Night Visitors would be restaged several times, becoming one of the earliest annual Christmas traditions. The 1955 and 1978 versions are available on DVD.
The Littlest Angel: The Little Angel was a musical based on the children's book by Charles Tazewell. It debuted on Hallmark Hall of Fame on December 6, 1969, and was repeated in 1970 and 1971. It featured an all-star cast, including Johnny Whittaker as the Angel of the title, Fred Gwynne, Cab Calloway, John McGiver, Tony Randall, George Rose, E.G. Marshall, and Connie Stevens. It is enjoyable as the sort of children's musicals that were once popular on American television, such as Peter Pan and Cinderella. It is available on DVD and also on streaming services such as Tubi, Plex, and The Roku Channel.
A Season for Miracles: A Season for Miracles debuted as a Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation on December 12, 1999. It starred Carla Gugino as Emilie Thompson, who has to flee with her niece and nephew when their drug addict mother overdoses and child services want to put them in foster homes. They wind up in the fictional town of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Besides Carla Gugino, the cast featured Kathy Baker, Laura Dern, Lynn Redgrave, and Patty Duke as the mysterious angel who helps things along. A Season for Miracles proved to be popular and is available on both streaming and DVD.
Silver Bells: Silver Bells is another Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation and debuted on November 27, 2005. It starred Tate Donovan and Anne Heche, Tate Donovan plays a Christmas tree farmer who goes to New York City each year to sell his trees. One Christmas season his son (Michael Mitchell) runs away in New York City to pursue his dream of being a photographer. The film benefits from some sold performances and a good script.
The Christmas Card: This is the one movie on this list that was not a Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation. Instead, it was a Hallmark Channel original, although it is as good as anything that has aired on Hallmark Hall of Fame. It debuted on December 2, 2006. It was made in cooperation with Operation Dear Abby, which encouraged people to send Christmas cards to troops serving over seas. The movie centres on U.S. Army Sergeant Cody Cullen (John Newton), who is serving in Afghanistan. After having received a Christmas card from one of his fellow soldier's hometowns, he visits the town with a message for the late soldier's fiance and in doing so meets the woman who sent him the card. The cast included Ed Asner and Lois Nettleton. The movie proved very successful and was the Hallmark Channel’s highest-ever-rated program at the time it aired. Ed Asner was nominated for the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Movie.
Sadly, it was not long after The Christmas Card aired that the quality of Hallmark movies went downhill. Eventually, even Hallmark Hall of Fame would even be affected. While Hallmark movies may not be particularly respected today, there was a time when they produced the very best television has to offer.
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