HALLMARK HALL OF FAME: THE SMALL MIRACLE (TV)
Summary
One in this series of dramas presented by Hallmark. In this production, a small boy from Assisi, Italy, makes a pilgrimage to Rome in order to save his sick pet. Through the stories and teachings of the kind-hearted Father Damico, young Pepino has developed a strong love of and faith in St. Francis, the Italian friar known for his love of animals, whose tomb is in Assisi. When Pepino disregards rules and brings a friend's sick mouse into the saint's crypt to ask for a blessing, Father Superior is furious. He reprimands Pepino and later tells Father Damico that he must not teach the boy to believe that prayers are answered in so straightforward a fashion, lest the boy's faith be easily shaken. The mouse gets well, however, though shortly thereafter Pepino's own beloved donkey becomes very ill. Distraught, he begs Father Superior to let him bring his ass to Saint Francis' tomb, so that she may be healed, but the father tells him it is out of the question -- especially since a wall would have to be removed in order for the donkey to get in. Determined to help the animal, the boy decides to go to Rome in order to ask the Pope for permission to let the donkey in the crypt. Father Superior orders Damico to accompany the boy and convince him, along the way, to return. The journey takes some unexpected turns, however, as Pepino's perseverence and faith guide the way. Includes commercials and promos. (This is a re-edited sixty-minute version of a ninety-minute production which originally ran on April 4, 1973.)
("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: March 19, 1975 8:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:57:58
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:31595
- GENRE: Drama
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama
- SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1951-1978
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - Hallmark Easter cards
- TV - Commercials - Hallmark Easter decorations, party goods
- TV - Commercials - Hallmark miniatures
- TV - Promos - "Hallmark Hall of Fame: The Rivalry"
- TV - Promos - "Hallmark Hall of Fame: Truman at Potsdam"
- TV - Promos - "Hallmark Hall of Fame: Valley Forge"
CREDITS
- Alan Landsburg … Executive Producer
- Duane C. Bogie … Producer
- Strock, Herbert L … Producer
- Herb Hirschman … Associate Producer
- Jeannot Szwarc … Director
- John Patrick … Writer
- Arthur Dales … Writer
- Paul Gallico … Writer, Based on the story by
- Aminadav Aloni … Music by
- Lee Vines … Announcer
- De Sica, Vittorio … Cast, Father Damico
- Raf Vallone … Cast, Father Superior
- Della Cava, Marco … Cast, Pepino, Introducing
- Guidarino Guidi … Cast, the Salesman
- Jan Larsson … Cast, Guard #1
- Paolo Malco … Cast, Guard #2