A Movie Christmas with Hallmark

By Donald James Parker  

Two years ago I had a very lonely Christmas.  On Christmas day I was entirely alone for the whole day.  Needless to say, my Christmas spirit was at low tide.  I spent twelve hours that day watching television.  I never changed the channel that Christmas holiday, but my heart was changed.  If I knew who to contact at Hallmark, I'd love to thank them for helping me avoid morphing into Ebenezer Scrooge that year.  Their menu of funny, romantic, and inspirational movies took the place of my Christmas dinner (and celebrating with family).  In this column I'd like to spotlight a few of the flicks that made my day.

A Season for Miracles
December might have you shivering with the cold, but watching this movie will warm you up–at least the cockles of your heart (whatever a cockle is).   A young woman takes off with her young niece and younger nephew in order to keep the family from being split up when their mother goes to jail on drug charges.  Her car breaks down, standing them in a strange town.  They have little money and no place to stay.  The rescuing Aunt is mistaken for someone else and given the run of a huge house.  Her plan is to stay only until the car gets fixed.  Her plans had not included getting romantically attached to a handsome police officer, who develops a wonderful relationship with the adorable niece and nephew. I'll not spoil the story by telling you more, but I highly recommend this work.  By the way, Patti Duke plays an angel. Carla Cugino and David Conrad play the romantic leads.   

A Boyfriend for Christmas
The heroine, Holly Grant, is promised by Santa Claus that he will send her a boyfriend for Christmas–when she is twelve years old.  Several years later, when he and Christmas no longer seem real to her, Santa keeps his promise by sending a young attorney to her house wrapped in a bow.  She thinks a friend had sent him as a joke.  She goes along with the gag and enjoys her time.  When time for the family Christmas dinner comes, she takes him with her and pretends he really is her boyfriend.  The whole family falls in love with him, except the sister-in-law who is trying to get Holly hooked up with her ex beau, an arrogant snob who happens to be Holly's brother's boss.  The competition for Holly's heart gets serious.  Santa has to intervene to remind her that when two hearts are true and ready, love will happen.  Martin Mull is the headliner here.  The romantic leads are Patrick Muldoon and Kelli Williams.  Santa Claus, played by Charles Durning, is a key part of the cast.  If you're a romance lover, you'll enjoy this movie.

A Carol Christmas

Carol, played by Tori Spelling, is a 21st century version of Ebenezer Scrooge.  She is a television star who has no regard for the little people around her who make her show successful.  She gets a visit from the spirits of Christmas played by Captain Kirk, I mean William Shatner and Gary Coleman (what you talking about) of Different Strokes fame.  This certainly is not an original plot, but having the story take place in modern times makes it more relevant to people today.  Tori is certainly the most attractive Scrooge ever.  

These are just some of the wonderful movies that played during the holiday season.   I'm sure Hallmark will be airing these and most of the rest, as well as adding some new ones next Christmas.  Don't wait till Christmas day.  I think they started showing their Christmas movies on December 1.  Hallmark is the place to go the rest of the year as well for good, family entertainment.  Movies such as Love Comes Softly and the sequels to it are on much of the time.  No, I don't own stock in Hallmark.  I can safely say that at least 75% of all shows I watch are on Hallmark.  If you've never watched this channel, you're missing out on some wonderful movies.  I'm not sure what they're doing for Valentines, but no doubt they'll have some classic love stories on the 14th and maybe before.

About the author:  Donald James Parker is a novelist and computer programmer who resides in Puyallup, Washington.  Check out his website at www.donaldjamesparker.com?tcp.

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