HALLMARK HALL OF FAME: THE CHRISTMAS TREE (TV)
Summary
One in this series of dramas presented by Hallmark. This program contains seasonal sketches and songs, using a Christmas tree as a unifying theme. First, "The Miracle of the Orphanage" depicts the story of a shy orphaned boy who finds true friends in an orphanage. Next, "Before the Store Closes" tells the story of a husband and wife who are reminded of the true meaning of Christmas when their poverty-stricken babysitter brings them homemade Christmas presents. "Promenade on a Christmas Day" shows two skating tramps trying their best to enjoy the Christmas season. "Light One Candle" depicts the story of a wealthy Egyptian who talks to his brother about the birth of the Messiah. And "The Nativity" features various pieces of religious artwork as Maurice Evans intones passages from the Bible. Also, in between sketches, skaters costumed as Christmas ornaments perform tricks on the ice. (This is a black-and-white copy of a color telecast.)
("Hallmark Hall of Fame" aired on NBC from 1952 to 1978; network affiliation varies after 1978.)
(Beginning with the live telecast of the opera "Amahl and the Night Visitors" on December 24, 1951, Hallmark has sponsored a series of dramatic specials which since 1952 have been titled "Hallmark Hall of Fame." From 1952 to 1955 Hallmark also presented "Hallmark Hall of Fame," a weekly half-hour dramatic anthology series hosted by Sarah Churchill. The first program, "Dr. Serocold," was televised in January 1952 under the title "Hallmark Television Theatre." This series also ran under the title "Hallmark Summer Theatre" in July and August 1952.)
Details
- NETWORK: NBC
- DATE: December 14, 1958 7:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:59:03
- COLOR/B&W: B&W copy of a color telecast.
- CATALOG ID: T81:0937
- GENRE: Specials
- SUBJECT HEADING: Bible stories; Christmas; Music, popular (songs, etc.)
- SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1951-1978
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Mildred Freed Alberg … Producer
- Robert Hartung … Associate Producer
- Kirk Browning … Director
- Helen Deutsch … Writer
- John Morris … Music by
- Jonathan Lucas … Choreographer
- For "The Miracle of the Orphange":
- Luise Putcamp … Writer, Based on a story by
- Jessica Tandy … Cast, Mrs. Martin
- Claudia Crawford … Cast, Claudia
- Seth Edwards … Cast, Willy
- Bernadette Peters … Cast, the Girl
- Richard Earl Thomas … Cast, Joey
- Margaret Hamilton … Cast, Miss Finch
- For "Before the Store Closes":
- Tom Poston … Cast, Mr. Hamilton
- MacRae, Ellen (See also: Burstyn, Ellen) … Cast, Mrs. Hamilton
- Hiram Sherman … Cast, Albert
- Dianne Ramey … Cast, Babbie
- Toni Campbell … Cast, Julia
- For "Promenade on a Christmas Day":
- Cyril Ritchard … Cast
- Carol Channing … Cast
- For "Light One Candle":
- Ralph Bellamy … Cast, Theron
- William Shatner … Cast, Philo
- For "The Nativity":
- Maurice Evans … Narrator
- Skating Ornaments:
- Nick Powers … Cast, the Snowman
- Nancy Lee Parker … Cast, the Doll
- Mimi and Moe … Cast