"Hallmark Hall of Fame" (1951) TV series 1951-????

User Rating:

8.5/10   

Directors:

David Greene
Robert E. Collins

Writers:

Agnes Nixon (writer) (1952-1953)
George Schaefer (writer) (episode)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 20 | unknown

Release Date:

24 December 1951 (USA)

Plot:

Probably the longest-running anthology series on television, the "Hallmark Hall of Fame" has been presenting television dramatizations of famous plays and books, as well as original programs especially written for the series, since 1951.

Plot Keywords:

Company Sponsor Name In Title | Anthology

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 18 wins & 25 nominations

Cast

Sarah Churchill	...	Aimee De Rivery / ... (17 episodes, 1952-1955)
Maurice Evans	...	Narrator / ... (16 episodes, 1953-1967)
Mildred Trares	...	Alexandra / ... (11 episodes, 1956-1966)
Norman Barrs	...	English Officer / ... (10 episodes, 1953-1968)
Julie Harris	...	Anastasia / ... (9 episodes, 1956-1967)
Robinson Stone	...	"Baptista" / ... (8 episodes, 1956-1967)
Lee Vines	...	Announcer (7 episodes, 1952-1968)
Alexander Campbell	...	Covin / ... (7 episodes, 1952-1955)

Also Known As:

Hallmark Television Playhouse

Runtime:

USA:150 min (one episode) | USA:30 min (1951-1952) | USA:45 min (one episode) | USA:100 min (some episodes) | USA:85 min (some episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Black and White | Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (1951-1980) | Stereo (1980-)

Company:

Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions

Trivia:

The show won every major award in broadcasting, becoming the "gold-standard" of American Television.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Touch of Satan (#10.8)" (1998)

great show

This was such a great series in the 50s and 60s and then again in the mid 80s to mid 90s. In particular several actresses really thrived in this series. One in more recent years was Glenn Close in the Sarah Plain and Tall movies, the first two of which were just great. Her current series Damages is excellent, but i prefer Sarah Plain and Tall. Also Greer Garson got to play the Bette Davis role in the Little Foxes and show her less Mrs. Miniver side. She was great. Also she was excellent in Captain Brassbound's Conversion, a great role by a great actress. Both can be seen at the museum of TV and radio in NY. But the one with the longest run in this series was Julie Harris. I have not seen her performance in the Good Fairy, but her performances in The Lark (as Joan of Arc), Pygmalion, Anastasia, Johnny Belinda, Nora in A Doll's House (a performance referred to in Betty Friedan's The Feminine Mystique) , The Holy Terror (as Florence Nightingale), Victoria Regina as Queen Victoria, and most especially her beautiful work in Little Moon of Alban, are all wonderful performances. No TV actress ever has been able to have an 11 year history of such different, yet all great, roles and performances. We won't see the likes of these again.