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HALLMARK HALL OF FAME: ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL (TV)

Summary

One in this series of dramatic specials presented by Hallmark. This film is based on the autobiographical novels "If Only They Could Talk" and "It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet" by James Herriot and tells the story of his days as a young veterinarian in Yorkshire. The story opens in 1937 as Herriot travels from London to Dr. Siegfried Farnon's office in search of an assistant position. The somewhat eccentric Farnon takes him to visit an injured horse and allows him to handle the treatment himself, and Herriot is pleased when Siegfried then gives him the job. Later, Herriot struggles to help a horse in labor, and though the farmer is doubtful about the young doctor's skills, the foal is born alive and healthy. Upon learning that Herriot turned down a patient's request, Siegfried informs him that he "must attend" whenever asked. He then sends Herriot to meet his ne'er-do-well brother Tristan, who is also studying to be a veterinarian, though without much enthusiasm. Upon learning that he has failed a class, Siegfried furiously scolds him for his laziness and tells him that he is "sacked," but Tristan casually assures Herriot that nothing will come of the argument.

Herriot encounters the pretty and unmarried Helen Alderson when he treats one of her cows, and she shows him around the countryside. On market day, the townspeople sell their wares and Siegfried and Herriot are summoned to perform a post-mortem on a sheep, though the scatterbrained causes confusion when he arrives at the wrong home. Later, Tristan panics that he has lost the receipt book from the market, and Siegfried declares that they need a competent secretary. The no-nonsense Miss Harbottle soon comes to work for them and makes "drastic changes" to the disorganized office. Later, Herriot examines an elderly dog and gently tells the owner that it must be put to sleep, and the saddened man seems grateful for his kindness. With Tristan's encouragement, Herriot asks Helen for a date, though the evening is hampered by a rainstorm. Over dinner, things turn awkward when Herriot reacts with offense when she asks if he is happy in his new life. Tristan urges Herriot to move on from her and invites him to a Christmas dance with two young nurses, though the evening does not go well.

Siegfried and Harbottle continue their squabbles over his negligible bookkeeping, and Herriot is called to treat a prized racehorse with colic, though he quickly realizes that the animal is dying painfully from a twisted bowel. The farmer objects angrily to Herriot's firm decision to put the horse down, but Siegfried later performs a post-mortem that proves Herriot correct and the farmer apologizes. Helen visits again and assists Herriot in mending her dog's dislocated hip, and she accepts when he asks her to the pictures, though their second date is a fiasco as well when they accidentally attend the wrong film. Nevertheless, their relationship deepens over time and Siegfried eventually urges him to consider marriage. Herriot visits Helen's father, who seems to doubt that Herriot has settled permanently in Yorkshire, and ends up blurting out that he wishes to marry her. Mr. Alderson speaks fondly about his own late wife, noting that Helen is a lot like her mother, and gives Herriot his blessing.

Herriot is then annoyed when Siegfried complains that he will be too busy enjoying his honeymoon to perform some necessary tuberculosis tests on local animals, pointing out that he was the one who encouraged him to propose in the first place. Herriot decides to return to work straight after the wedding, however, and he is thrilled to discover upon arriving at the office with his new bride that Siegfried has made him an official business partner. Includes commercials and promos.

Details

  • NETWORK: NBC
  • DATE: February 4, 1975 8:30 PM
  • RUNNING TIME: 1:27:59
  • COLOR/B&W: Color
  • CATALOG ID: B:31590
  • GENRE: Drama
  • SUBJECT HEADING: Drama; Veterinary medicine; England
  • SERIES RUN: NBC - TV, 1975
  • COMMERCIALS:
    • TV - Commercials - Hallmark products
    • TV - Promos - "The Small Miracle"

CREDITS

  • Duane Bogie … Producer
  • David Susskind … Producer
  • Cecil F. Ford … Associate Producer
  • Claude Whatham … Director
  • Hugh Whitemore … Writer
  • James Herriot … Based on the book by
  • Wilfred Josephs … Music by
  • Simon Ward … Cast, James Herriot
  • Anthony Hopkins … Cast, Siegfried
  • Lisa Harrow … Cast, Helen Alderson
  • Brian Stirner … Cast, Tristan Farnon
  • Christine Buckley … Cast, Mrs. Hall
  • Harold Goodwin … Cast, Dinsdale's Uncle
  • Doreen Mantle … Cast, Mrs. Staton
  • Brenda Bruce … Cast, Miss Harbottle
  • Burt Palmer … Cast, Mr. Dean
  • John Collin … Cast, Mr. Alderson
  • T.P. McKenna … Cast, Soames