Let’s Talk Hallmark: The Magic of Hallmark’s Christmas Movies Continues

It’s still October when I wrote this post. Hallmark Channel network starts airing Christmas movies in October. This makes me, and many other fans, start reminiscing about all the Christmas memories and moments with family and friends. It gives us an early “Christmas spirit”. We feel the anticipation: Christmas is coming.

This year, 2019, Hallmark is celebrating 10 years of “Countdown to Christmas”, and as every year, the movies start airing in mid-October through November and December. As I always do, I want to remind everyone that I’m just a fan. I have no rights or access to any production or merchandise. None. But if you are interested, you may visit the website www.hallmarkchannel.com. I check the Hallmark Channel page every day! (I am a #HallmarkNerd!). Image of the coffee mug below is available at https://www.hallmark.com/gifts/kitchen/mugs-and-teacups/lets-watch-hallmark-christmas-movies-mug-15.5-oz.-1HKC1074.html.

Before I tell you about the next group of movies, let me give you a bit more of history. I wrote a previous post about how Hallmark started sponsoring that we love so much. Check here https://fullofcoffee.blog/2019/10/13/lets-talk-hallmark-the-beginning-of-hallmark-christmas-movies/.

The Hall Brothers were visionaries who saw the potential of their brand. They started their business selling greeting cards. Then, in 1951 they started sponsoring movies and special programs for television that eventually became “Hallmark Hall of Fame” specials.

While they were marketing their brand through TV programs, during the 1960s they developed and built the Crown Center in what became the Hallmark headquarters in Missouri. During the 1990s, since the brand was already associated with quality programming, the Hallmark company created the Crown Media Holdings to create, produce, and promote their own movies.

In 2001, the Hallmark Channel was launched by Crown Media Holdings, as a cable television network. They were able to successfully attract viewers that already recognized the name from watching previous Hallmark Hall of Fame specials. The movie specials were still being shown in CBS and ABC networks until 2011, when the series were cancelled and Crown Media then moved them to the Hallmark Channel. (For a full list of Hallmark Hall of Fame movies, check here https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/hallmark-hall-of-fame/movies).

The next group of movies I include in this post, aired from year 2000 to year 2004. Some of them still aired on CBS, as part of the Hallmark Hall of Fame. Some of them premiered on the Hallmark Channel. Many of these movies I haven’t seen, but knowing they are Hallmark productions, I’m curious and interested in watching.

Let’s take a look:

Special Delivery (La entrega especial) (2000) – Premiered on ABC network as part of their Christmas programming. A baby gets misplaced by a worker (Andy Dick) at an adoption agency during the Christmas holiday. I haven’t seen this one. (Information retrieved from IMDb -International Movie Database- movie guide)

The Christmas Secret/Flight of the Reindeer (2000) – Premiered on CBS, based on the book Flight of the Reindeer by Richard Sullivan A scientist (Richard Thomas) sets out to prove that reindeer can fly and discovers the true meaning of faith, family and Christmas. Beau Bridges plays Santa. I haven’t seen this one either. (Information retrieved from IMDb -International Movie Database- movie guide)

A Town Without Christmas (2001) – Premiered on CBS with Patricia Heaton, Rick Roberts and Peter Falk. A boy writes a letter to Santa Claus, wishing that he would no longer exist in order to not trouble his divorcing parents. Locals set out to find the missing child. I haven’t seen this one. (Information retrieved from IMDb -International Movie Database- movie guide)

The Sons of Mistletoe (2001) – Premiered on CBS with Roma Downey, Doris Roberts and George Newbern. A foster home for boys is in danger of being closed when its benefactor dies. I haven’t seen this one. (Information retrieved from IMDb -International Movie Database- movie guide)

Santa Jr (2002) – This movie did premiered on Hallmark Channel! Then it was shown on ABC. Starred Lauren Holly, Judd Nelson and Nick Stabile. Father Christmas’s son tries to follow in his father’s footsteps, but gets arrested while delivering presents. I haven’t seen this one. (Information retrieved from IMDb -International Movie Database- movie guide)

Snow Queen (2002) – Premiered on Hallmark Channel with Bridget Fonda and Jeremy Guilbaut! A young woman must journey through the seasons to rescue her boyfriend who has been kidnapped by the evil Snow Queen. This is based on the book “The Snow Queen” by Hans Christian Andersen. I haven’t seen this one. It’s a Hallmark version of Disney’s Frozen! I need to see this one soon! (Information retrieved from IMDb -International Movie Database- movie guide)

Silent Night (2002) – This movies was produced by Hallmark, in association with other companies, with Linda Hamilton and Matthew Harbour. I couldn’t find information on what TV station it premiered on. Based on a true story, a German mother and her son seeking refuge in a cabin on the war front, are invaded by three American soldiers and then three German soldiers, she successfully convinces the soldiers to put aside their differences for one evening and share a Christmas dinner. I haven’t seen this one. (Information retrieved from IMDb -International Movie Database- movie guide)

A Christmas Visitor (2002)- Premiered on Hallmark Channel, with Meredith Baxter, William Devane and Dean McDermott. A family that haven’t celebrated Christmas since they lost their son to the Persian Gulf War. Now a stranger has joined them, he might be the miracle the family has been waiting for. I haven’t seen this one. (Information retrieved from IMDb -International Movie Database- movie guide)

A Carol Christmas (2003) – Premiered on Hallmark Channel, with Tori Spelling, William Shatner, Dinah Manoff and Gary Coleman. This is another adaptation of the Charles Dickens’ story A Christmas Carol. A conceited talk show host is determined to destroy the festive fun in the studio. She is visited by ghosts of Christmas, making her a warm, caring person, that vows to make amends. I haven’t seen this one. (Information retrieved from IMDb -International Movie Database- movie guide)

Fallen Angel (2003) – Premiered on CBS as part of the “Hallmark Hall of Fame” specials, with Gary Sinise, Joely Richardson and Gordon Pinsent. The movie is based on the novel of the same name by Don Snyder, who also wrote the screenplay. A lawyer comes back to his hometown when his father died, to take care of and settle his father’s estate. He also tends a house his father cared for when a social worker whose parents owned it before their divorce, decides to show the house to her adopted blind daughter. This one I’ve seen, and I loved it. (Information retrieved from IMDb -International Movie Database- movie guide)

Finding John Christmas (2003) – Premiered on CBS, with Valerie Bertinelli, William Russ and Peter Falk. This is a sequel to A Town Without Christmas. The Christmas angel returns when a divorced nurse becomes depressed as her ER is about to close. She spotted a newspaper picture of her brother, who left town 25 years ago, and she approached the photographer. The editor then posts a reward for whoever finds the man whom the public dubs ‘John Christmas’. This one I haven’t seen. (Information retrieved from IMDb -International Movie Database- movie guide)

A Boyfriend for Christmas (2004) – Premiered on Hallmark Channel, with Kelli Williams, Patrick Muldoon, and Charles Durning as Santa. When young, a girl asked Santa for a boyfriend. Now a lawyer, Santa brings her together with a guy that is meant to be her boyfriend. This one is still shown on Hallmark Channel. I have seen it, and I loved it. It’s one of my top Christmas favorites. (Information retrieved from Hallmark Channel).

Angel in the Family (2004) – Premiered on Hallmark Channel, with Meredith Baxter, Ronny Cox, Natasha Gregson Wagner and Tracey Needham. An ailing widowed father and his two estranged daughters experience a miracle when their late matriarch returns to spend Christmas with them. I haven’t seen this one. (Information retrieved from IMDb -International Movie Database- movie guide)

Eve’s Christmas (2004) – Movie starring Elisa Donovan, Cheryl Land and Sebastian Spence. A wealthy and successful career woman gets a second chance in life when a magical wish transports her back in time eight years to when she walked away from her fiance to move to New York. I couldn’t find on what TV station it premiered on. I haven’t seen this one. (Information retrieved from IMDb -International Movie Database- movie guide)

Single Santa Seeks Mrs. Claus (2004) – Premiered on Hallmark Channel, with Steven Gutenberg, Crystal Bernard and Dominic Scott Kay. Nick’s plan to let fate bring his wife to him must be altered, because he must replace his father as Santa Claus. Ernst, the right-hand man to several generations of Santas, generates a list of potential mates. Meanwhile young boy Jake writes to Santa that he wants a new dad for Christmas. I haven’t seen this one. (Information retrieved from IMDb -International Movie Database- movie guide)

When Angels Come to Town (2004) – Premiered on CBS, with Tammy Blanchard, Katey Sagal and Peter Falk. This is a second sequel to A Town Without Christmas. Angel Max is sent to help out a family during the Christmas season. He tries to help a different family, and his supervisor steps in to assist him in helping his assigned family. I haven’t seen this one. (Information retrieved from IMDb -International Movie Database- movie guide)

Some of these movies are still shown as part of the programming of the Hallmark Channel, and its sisters stations Hallmark Movies and Mysteries, and Hallmark Drama. Some of them have been moved to the Hallmark Movies Now streaming online service.

These are only some of the movies. I’ve only seen a few of them. There are still more movies, I’ll tell you more on another post. Over the years, Hallmark has increased the number of movies offered by year, and gained many fans that usually watch and look forward to the “Countdown to Christmas” movies presentation.

Yes, I’ll be writing some more. I have plenty more to add, more to write about, and more movies to watch and love. I love writing, I love Christmas, and I love Hallmark movies. It’s time for my tacita de café. Salud!

Para versión en español, vea https://fullofcoffee.blog/2019/10/20/hablemos-hallmark:-la-magia-de-las-peliculas-navidenas-de-hallmark-continua/