Summary

Tape one of two. One in this series of dramatic specials presented by Hallmark. In this program, the unmarried daughter of a Texas rancher gives her unwanted child up for adoption and moves away from home, only to have her father adopt and raise the child without her knowledge. Texas rancher John Morgan's daughter Natalie gets pregnant while in college. Natalie has the baby, but gives it up for adoption, leaving town afterwards and severing ties with her unsupportive father. Unbeknownst to Natalie, John decides to adopt the child himself, and calls him L.J., short for "Little John." Twelve years later, Natalie has a successful career, having just been appointed a family court judge in Los Angeles. John and L.J. are a close family, and though he's just a boy, L.J. is a big help on his grandfather's ranch. When L.J.'s Aunt Etta arrives from Los Angeles for a visit, she brings a news clipping about Natalie. Etta encourages John to contact his estranged daughter, but John is opposed to the idea until his heart condition makes him realize that he's not going to live forever. John decides L.J. should have the opportunity to know his mother. The two of them drive to Los Angeles, where they stay with Aunt Etta and her husband Lou. On the night they arrive, John has an attack and ends up in the hospital. L.J. thinks bringing Natalie to see her father might help his recovery, so he goes to the courthouse to find her. Meanwhile, Natalie's traumatic past continues to haunt her personal life as reflected most notably in her inability to commit to Steven, a judge who expresses gentle interest in pursuing a relationship. After L.J. finds Natalie at the courthouse, he keeps his identity secret, yet manages to convince her to come to the hospital. When she sees her father at the hospital -- and realizes who L.J. is -- she walks out without a word. Includes commercials and promos. This program is closed-captioned. Continues with T:71192.

("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, has aired under the title "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.)