Hope Valley is one of the safest towns in television history. Yes, there was the tragedy at the mines. However, that event took place prior to the events on the show. Even when Jack Thornton died, his death happened off-screen, away from Hope Valley. In the town itself, none of the characters are ever in danger. While there have been fires, bandits, and suspicious characters, these conflicts have been resolved with little to no damage or trauma. More often than not, the show chronicles Hope Valley’s residents simply going about their day. Hallmark’s little Canadian town has become a place where families have chosen to raise their children. The safety of Hope Valley seems to play a contributing factor. With the arrival of Rosemary and Lee’s child, a gift is in store: the gift of a safe and peaceful upbringing. Now, let’s start this re-cap of When Calls the Heart!
Just a reminder: If you did not see this episode of When Calls the Heart, there will be spoilers within this re-cap.
When Calls the Heartseason ten poster created by Crown Media Family Networks and Hallmark Channel
Season: 10
Episode: 4
Name: Great Expectations
Major story:
Lee and Rosemary’s baby is a week overdue. Even though the Coulters are worried, Faith reassures them of a complication-free pregnancy. While walking through Hope Valley, Rosemary finally goes into labor. The Coulters’ friends rally around them to help them get home as quickly and safely as possible. At the Coulters’ house, Rosemary is in active labor. But the experience is causing the mother-to-be to feel stressed, making her blood pressure rise. Fearing for Rosemary and the baby, Elizabeth gets Lee, who is staying at her house until the baby’s arrival. Many hours later, Lee and Rosemary welcome a baby girl. When Elizabeth meets the baby, she learns she is not only the girl’s Godmother, the girl’s middle name is ‘Elizabeth’. The Coulters’ have not chosen a first name for their daughter yet.
A mysterious young man has come to Hope Valley. Whenever Bill or Nathan is present, the young man tries to stay out of their way. But in doing so, he trips on the steps of the mercantile. As Faith notices the young man’s hand is injured, Scout starts barking at him. This causes Nathan to become suspicious of the young man. At the infirmary, Faith discovers she ran out of gauze to dress the young man’s injury. So, she fetches more gauze, leaving the young man alone in the infirmary. Instead of staying put, the young man tries to run away. He is stopped by Nathan, who discovers the young man has stolen two cans of lard from the mercantile. After the young man is arrested and placed in jail, Nathan and Faith learn the young man is the bandit they encountered in this season’s second episode. They also learn his family has a farm that recently experienced a bad crop. Though Nathan is still suspicious of the young man, he makes the young man apologize to Florence and Ned. The Yosts make the young man work in the mercantile in order to pay for the cans he stole.
Henry is trying to make sense of everything that has recently happened to him. He even confesses to Joseph how he feels tired. Joseph is able to read between the lines and sense how troubled Henry is. During a conversation with Bill, Joseph confesses how guilty Henry still seems, telling Bill how Henry probably still thinks about all the lives the mines took. In an effort to help Henry, Joseph and Bill come up with a lie; that the judge changed his mind about dropping the charges. They tell Henry the judge is requiring him to do community service. Henry says he can tell they are lying, but agrees to Bill and Joseph’s plan.
Madeleine is planning to tour Hope Valley. She recruits Mike to show her around town. On the tour, they drive through a field with a lake. Madeleine immediately adores this piece of land and would like to buy it. Mike tries to burst her bubble by confessing how the land is owned by the town, meaning it’s not for sale. Unshaken by this news, Madeleine goes to Bill and asks him about the land. Bill tells Madeleine the same thing Mike told her. But she is still determined to persuade Bill.
I’m torn about this episode; on the one hand, I recognize the show’s creative team is trying to keep the “Hearties” invested in the story. Hence the reason why Rosemary and Lee’s daughter’s first name was not revealed in this episode. But on the other hand, there are parts of the story that could have been given. While touring Hope Valley, Madeleine could have revealed a little bit of her backstory. This is the tenth season’s fourth episode and the viewers still know barely any information about her. Besides the birth of Lee and Rosemary’s daughter, this was a borderline “filler” episode.
In this episode, I was not expecting Jack Thornton to be brought up as many times as he was, especially by his son. It does make me wonder if When Calls the Heart’s creative team might try to bring Jack back, with his absence excused by memory loss or him being in a coma. Jack’s return would be a very surprising plot twist, as well as a memorable way to end season ten. But since we’re not halfway through the season yet, only time will tell.
I am so curious about the young bandit! His arrival brings up so many questions, such as
What is his name?
Why does Scout become attached to the bandit once he’s in jail?
Is he telling the truth about his backstory?
Does he work with a group of bandits or does he work by himself?
I haven’t asked this many questions about a character since Tom Thornton showed up back in season two. I’m glad the young bandit is staying in town for a while, so “Hearties” can learn more about him!
“Will Rosemary and Lee’s child be a boy or girl”? “How much longer do we have to wait for Elizabeth and Lucas’ wedding”? Did they really have swim goggles in the 1920s”? These are questions some Hearties might be asking themselves while watching this episode of When Calls the Heart. During the third episode of the tenth season, I even found myself asking questions about the story, such as why Henry is so reluctant to accept redemption. Asking questions is a necessary component to good story-telling. It can help resolve conflicts, like how Hope Valley will acquire financial stability. Questions can build anticipation to upcoming events, from the arrival of Lee and Rosemary’s baby to Elizabeth getting re-married. The direction a story goes can also be determined by asking questions. If a viewer can ask questions, that shows they are invested in the story. And if a show’s creative team can continue asking questions, their story has material to keep moving forward.
Just a reminder: If you did not see this episode of When Calls the Heart, there will be spoilers within this re-cap.
When Calls the Heartseason ten poster created by Crown Media Family Networks and Hallmark Channel
Season: 10
Episode: 3
Name: Oh, Baby
Major stories:
Rosemary is excited and nervous for her upcoming baby shower. She’s looking forward to how much fun she and her guests will have, but worries about the party planning process. Little does Rosemary know, Elizabeth is planning a surprise baby shower for her friend. Recruiting other women from Hope Valley, like Mei, Florence, and Fiona, they work together to create a baby shower fit for Rosemary. On the day of the shower, Elizabeth distracts Rosemary by taking Rosemary to the barber shop for a spa day. Coming closer to the time of the event, Elizabeth lies by telling Rosemary her guests will be playing a game called “Don’t Say Baby”. Unhappy with this news, Rosemary rushes to the café in order to voice her concerns. When she gets there, Rosemary is surprised and pleased with the baby shower’s reveal. All of the guests are supportive of Rosemary’s journey into motherhood. Minnie even introduces a tradition of lighting a candle to mark the baby’s arrival. After the shower, Lee surprises Rosemary with a basinet and matching rocking chair.
For a class assignment, Ally, Toby, and Cooper have teamed up to learn more about the creation of the hot springs. Since the assignment requires an expert on the chosen subject, the children have recruited Bill for their project. As the group is about to embark on their way to the springs, Bill brings Jamie St. John along. Jamie and his mother, Madeleine, are guests of Hope Valley, with the springs being the reason for their arrival. While studying the hot springs, Jamie speculates a crack in the earth could be the reason for the hot springs’ creation. After their trip to the springs, Cooper, Ally, and Toby discover Jamie’s speculation was correct. They also learn the hot springs were born due to Henry’s destruction of the mines. When Ally tells Henry the good news, he’s pleased, but not excited by this revelation.
Jerome is still in town for Henry’s pre-trial. In an attempt to help Henry, Lucas shares with Jerome how there was a safety report written about the mines. This safety report could be used as evidence in the pre-trial. But Jerome claims that report was retracted before its author passed away. Finding a trick up his sleeve, Lucas reveals he has a signed testimony from the safety report’s author, given to Lucas by the author’s widow. Lucas tells Jerome if he doesn’t drop the charges against Henry, he will hand over the testimony to the judge. After Jerome agrees with this plan, Mike discovers the testimony doesn’t exist. When Henry learns of the charges being dropped, he feels Lucas shouldn’t have gotten involved. Henry also seems hesitant to ask for help.
Faith still feels she does not need Nathan to protect her while she makes her medical rounds. With the bandits still at large, Nathan believes it’s necessary to protect Faith. One day, during Faith’s medical rounds, Nathan tags along, bringing Scout on the trip. While on their way, Scout runs after what Nathan thinks is a bandit. However, it turns out Scout was chasing a squirrel. With the bandits still on the loose and patients to take care of, Faith, Nathan, and Scout continue on their journey.
While clearing out a room for their baby’s nursery, Lee discovers a chest. After Lee asks about the chest, Rosemary says something along the lines of “it’s in the past”. In the previous episode, Rosemary shares how her mother left her family when she was younger. Perhaps the chest is connected to Rosemary’s mom? Maybe Rosemary’s mom will visit her daughter in Hope Valley in an effort to receive forgiveness?
In this episode of When Calls the Heart, Nathan claims the bandits are still at large. However, in the previous episode, there was a headline in a newspaper claiming the aforementioned bandits were “busted in Jamison”. Now, I’m confused; were the bandits captured or not? I really hope this part of the story is clarified in an upcoming episode.
There have been a few occasions on When Calls the Heart where Lucas has talked about his childhood. From what I remember, he mentioned traveling the world and spending time with his mom. With the arrival of Jamie and Madeleine, I am reminded of Lucas’ recollection of his past, as Jamie’s statements in this episode sounded so similar to what Lucas has said. Because of their similar upbringings, I hope Jamie sees Lucas as a role model and someone to aspire to be someday.
What are your thoughts on this episode of When Calls the Heart? How do you feel about the St. Johns coming to Hope Valley? Let me know in the comment section!
While visiting Elizabeth in Hope Valley, Julie tells Aunt Agatha how the town is “a magical place”. Meanwhile, as she’s talking to Bill about the medical benefits of the newly found hot springs, Faith cautions claiming the springs contain “magical powers”. Until seeing this episode of When Calls the Heart, I didn’t realize just how magical Hope Valley was. Yes, I’ve been watching the show since the very beginning. However, this particular chapter of this season showcased how the idea of “magic” can come in different forms. In the case of When Calls the Heart, “magic” means finding a solution to complicated, drawn-out problems, receiving second chances, and carving out new paths. It can be found in the little things that might be taken for granted. Every smile and every greeting includes a hint of “magic”. This “magic” is what keeps Hope Valley surviving and thriving. Now, let’s start this re-cap of When Calls the Heart!
Just a reminder: If you did not see this episode of When Calls the Heart, there will be spoilers within this re-cap.
When Calls the Heartseason ten poster created by Crown Media Family Networks and Hallmark Channel
Season: 10
Episode: 2
Name: Hope Springs
Major stories:
Aunt Agatha and Julie pay Elizabeth, Jack Jr., and Lucas a visit in Hope Valley. During this visit, Julie and Aunt Agatha provide their input on Elizabeth and Luca’s upcoming wedding, promoting wedding dress sketches fit for a princess. As Elizabeth looks flustered over these ideas, Rosemary saves the day by sharing Elizabeth’s vision of a rustic, other worldly ceremony. The wedding plans are not the only way Elizabeth’s family tries to intervene. Julie confesses to Elizabeth how their father hopes Lucas will take a job in Hamilton, in order for Lucas, Jack Jr., and Elizabeth to move to the city. Aunt Agatha even brings up this idea while she and Lucas play poker at the saloon. Elizabeth is upset over this discovery, as she’s concerned Lucas might be persuaded by her family’s offer. But when she tries talking to Lucas about this idea, they are interrupted by a saloon related matter. While discussing the farewell luncheon for Aunt Agatha and Julie with Rosemary, Elizabeth comes up with the idea of hosting a community wide picnic near the hot springs. At the picnic, Aunt Agatha and Julie learn about the community dinners the town frequently hosts. This is one way Aunt Agatha realizes the Thatcher family’s efforts are fruitless. Lucas also reveals to both Elizabeth and Aunt Agatha how he’d love to visit Hamilton in the near future, but has no plans to move there.
Despite placing a “no swimming” sign near the hot springs, Bill makes frequent swimming trips there. Yet, he’s keeping his trips a secret. Mei, Faith, and Fiona discover Bill’s secret during their picnic to the springs. Faith is quick to note how the springs seem to be helping Bill’s medical ailments. After their picnic, Faith and Mei do some research about the medical benefits hot springs have to offer. Fiona suggests turning the hot springs into a tourist destination, recognizing how the hot springs could help other people. But when he overhears this suggestion, Bill is hesitant about the idea. At the farewell luncheon picnic for Aunt Agatha and Julie, Rosemary and Lee discover Fiona’s idea for the hot springs. They feel it’s a great idea, as the tourists could bring in more income. Plus, Cooper comes up with an official name for the springs; Hope Springs.
Lee has an upcoming meeting with a potential client; Laurence Barnaby. He is a big project in mind, so Lee is hoping Laurence accepts his lumbermill for the job. On the day of the meeting, Lee confesses to Rosemary how he’s unsure how the meeting will go, as he discovered how much the competition was offering Laurence. Unknown to Lee, Rosemary decides to eavesdrop on this meeting, taking Elizabeth with her. During the meeting, Laurence shares with Lee how he’s paying for his project with his own money. After turning down Lee’s lumbermill, Rosemary crashes the meeting, remembering Laurence from a convention several years ago. Her friendly encounter seems to have done the trick, as Laurence ends up giving Lee and his lumbermill a two-year contract. Toward the end of the episode, Rosemary tells Elizabeth about her concerns relating to motherhood. Rosemary’s mother left the family when she was a little girl. However, Rosemary claims her father was an excellent parent. Despite these aforementioned concerns, Elizabeth reassures Rosemary she’ll make a great mother.
Nathan visits the pharmacy for a refill on his painkiller prescription. He explains to Mei how he received the prescription from a doctor in Benson Hills. Mei thinks it is odd how Nathan didn’t get a prescription from Faith in Hope Valley, also thinking he is intentionally avoiding Faith. Meanwhile, Faith is making medical rounds to Jamison and Rock City, as those towns don’t have a doctor. Mike is concerned for Faith’s safety, as there has been bandits on the loose. During her trip, Faith is stopped by one of these bandits. However, she doesn’t seem afraid, as she tries to persuade the bandit to turn himself in. Nathan confronts both Faith and the bandit, as he’s making safety rounds in Hope Valley’s surrounding area. But just as everything seems to be under control, Faith starts her wagon, causing the bandit to fall off and run away. Nathan catches Faith as she’s about to fall out of her wagon. After returning to Hope Valley, things seem awkward between Faith and Nathan. Nathan wants to talk about everything that’s happened between them so far. Faith, however, thinks there’s not much to talk about. At the farewell luncheon picnic, Mike mentions the aforementioned bandits, emphasizing how Faith shouldn’t travel alone. Ned and Florence agree with Mike’s sentiment, but they believe Faith should travel with Nathan.
Bill informs Henry how his pre-trial hearing is the next day. The purpose of the hearing is to determine if Henry’s charges are legitimate. Henry feels the whole situation is out of his hands, accepting whatever fate he receives. At a meeting for the pre-trial hearing, Bill is frustrated because Henry is late. He later finds Henry mucking out the stalls at Hope Valley’s stables. When confronted about his tardiness, Henry confesses he isn’t enthusiastic about reliving some of the worst moments of his life. The next day, at the pre-trial hearing, Jerome shows up with his lawyer. When the judge asks Henry how he’ll plead, Henry declares “guilty”. Shocked by his answer, Bill explains to the judge how Henry isn’t in the right headspace. So, the judge gives Henry a week to make up his mind. At the saloon, Lucas begs Jerome to have mercy on Henry. But Jerome digs his heels into Hope Valley’s dirt, believing Henry deserves to be behind bars.
Toward the end of this episode, Bill is seen reading a newspaper at the saloon. One of the headlines on the front page read “Bandits Busted in Jamison”. I was disappointed this conflict was not only resolved, but also resolved in such an unceremonious way. That conflict could have served as an over-arching story for this season. But since season ten just started, I’m guessing the show’s creative team has a different idea for an over-arching story.
In this episode, it was revealed that Julie is currently attending art school in London. But her father wants her to become a lawyer, as he claims she has “a mind for strategy”. With that said, why didn’t Julie consider becoming a lawyer for the art world? If the movie, Woman in Gold, has taught me anything, it’s that artists, museum directors, and collectors need lawyers to help them navigate art related legalities. Were Julie to choose this career path, she would be making herself and her father happy.
I know it’s only the beginning of season ten. However, I really hope Henry’s “redemption arc” is coming to an end. He has been on a quest for redemption since either season three or four. At this point, Henry should be moving forward with his life and finding peace with himself. In season eight, when he reconnected with his son, Christopher, I thought Henry had taken a step in a better direction. But in season nine, his story was, primarily, a repeat of past seasons. Henry has come such a long way since When Calls the Heart began. I just wish his story was a better reflection of that.
After over a year of waiting, When Calls the Heart is back! With that, comes the return of my Sunset Over Hope Valley re-cap posts! For my article titles and introductions, I’m always inspired by things said by the characters, an episode’s theme, or an observation I’ve made while watching the show. In the case of the season ten premiere, I was inspired by Lee reminding Joseph how “the good Lord will provide”. This season starts with Hope Valley lacking money. Yet, none of the characters seem that concerned with their current circumstance. Maybe it’s because of Lee’s quote that helps Hope Valley’s residents get through their situation in stride. If that’s the case, it would explain how Hope Valley has been able to endure so much over the course of this show. Now, let’s start season ten’s Sunset Over Hope Valley re-caps!
Just a reminder: If you did not see the season premiere of When Calls the Heart, there will be spoilers within this re-cap.
When Calls the Heartseason ten poster created by Crown Media Family Networks and Hallmark Channel
Season: 10
Episode: 1
Name: Carpe Diem
Major stories:
Due to the destruction of the coal mine and the foundry going out of business, Hope Valley is strapped for cash. In response, a community swap has been organized, providing supplies to residents in need. This inspires Elizabeth to donate her maternity clothes to Rosemary, after learning Rosemary’s clothes order never arrived. Though gracious to accept Elizabeth’s offer, Rosemary isn’t thrilled by the styles of the maternity dresses. So, she makes the dresses her own, such as dying a “dusty pink” dress purple. Meanwhile, Lucas receives an excess order of beets. To put these beets to good use, he comes up with a surprise. Because the surprise is big, Lucas recruits other residents, such as Minnie. Throughout the episode, Lucas doesn’t reveal much information about his plan. But toward the end of the episode, he invites everyone to a community wide dinner. The surprise is a success; an evening of good food, laughter, and joy shared by friends and family.
With the foundry going under, Lee hires many of the men who were laid off. A potential new client could allow Lee to hire more employees. One of the men who lost their job was Richard, Robert’s father. He considers selling the family’s farm and moving out of Hope Valley, in an effort to seek employment. Richard was offered a job by Lee, but turned it down, as he doesn’t want to receive “hand-outs”. Later in the episode, Lee asks Richard again if he’d like to work at the saw mill. Again, Richard politely refuses the offer. At the community wide dinner, hosted by Lucas, Joseph reminds the guests how everyone should be humble. This message resonates with Richard. During the event, Richard apologizes to Lee for his stubbornness. He also accepts Lee’s job offer.
One day, Cooper and his friend, Todd, show up to class in wet clothes. Elizabeth doesn’t think much of this occurrence. The next school day, more students, including Ally, arrive in wet clothes. Now, Elizabeth becomes suspicious. After class, Ally asks Elizabeth if she could proofread her poem. Elizabeth promises to read the poem if Ally confesses why her clothes are wet. Ally shares she, as well as other students, found a watering hole. Curious by this discovery, Elizabeth recruits Bill to inspect this new location. When they arrive, they learn the “watering hole” is a hot spring. While Elizabeth is open-minded about Hope Valley having its own hot spring, Bill is more reluctant about it. However, Bill falls in the hot spring at the end of episode, due to Elizabeth’s insistence to “seize the day”.
Nathan receives a dog from the Canadian Mounted Police. Because the dog, Scout, failed his Mountie training, he had nowhere else to go. Nathan reluctantly accepts Scout, but plans on finding someone to adopt him. The dog seems to have a mind of his own, staying put in the jail whenever Nathan calls his name. But when Ally and Elizabeth pay Nathan a visit, Scout comes to them. Both Elizabeth and Ally adore Scout, even reminding Elizabeth of Jack’s dog, Rip. Despite the newfound adoration, Nathan is still not impressed with the dog.
Bill was able to arrange a trial for Henry, which is in two weeks. Henry is happy about this news. Meanwhile, Bill is still dealing with his medical issues from season nine. When he comes back from Union City, Faith finds out Bill didn’t show up to his doctor’s appointment. She confronts Bill about this, but Bill tells Faith how none of the doctors know what’s wrong with him. He even shares this frustration with Elizabeth, claiming there’s something wrong with his lungs. On the night of the community wide dinner, Bill and Henry discuss the meaning of “carpe diem”. Henry encourages Bill to take Elizabeth’s advice to “seize the day”, as he claims Elizabeth is “a smart lady”.
In all my years of watching and re-capping When Calls the Heart, I’d say season ten’s premiere is one of the show’s strongest! While there was an abundance of stories in this episode, it never felt like there was too much going on. Plus, the episode was funnier than I expected. “Carpe Diem” definitely did a good job laying the foundation for the rest of the season!
In the past, I’ve stated how I didn’t like Elizabeth’s self-centered personality. On my wish-list of the top ten things I wanted to see in season nine, one of my requests was an attitude change for Elizabeth. The previous season showed Elizabeth becoming less self-centered. But in season ten’s premiere, Elizabeth was more selfless than she’s been in a while! This is not the only pleasant surprise I discovered in this episode. Henry appeared happier than he was last season! These are changes I can definitely get used it!
During the community wide dinner, Lucas mentions how times like this one should be a time to give thanks. His statement made me think about Thanksgiving. For Americans, Thanksgiving takes place in November, while Canadians celebrate the holiday in October. But shouldn’t we celebrate thanks every day of the year? I know the significance of the Thanksgiving holiday. However, I never would have gained this new perspective if it wasn’t for Lucas.
Last season, it seemed like When Calls the Heart’s creative team was considering adding another love triangle to the show. In season ten’s premiere, however, that speculation was denied. Nathan admitted he worked things out with Mei, with Mei claiming she and Nathan are just friends. Meanwhile, Faith is still thinking about Carson. Based on this episode, I’m wondering if Fiona and Nathan will end up becoming a couple?
Last June, I published a list of the top ten movies I’d love to review someday. Since publishing that list, I have written about some of the films I talked about! Now that it is “Christmas in July”, it seemed like the perfect time to write about the top ten Christmas movies I’d love to review in the future! The films on my list were distributed through various studios and movie companies, varying in accessibility. But this time, I’ll be listing the movies based on the year they were released. While there are plenty of Hallmark productions I either have never seen or haven’t seen in years, I tried not to include too many Hallmark titles on this list. That’s because I could create a top ten list entirely comprised of Hallmark films. So, while Santa is checking which films are worthy of his nice list, let’s look at the top ten Christmas movies I’d love to review!
There are few very Christmas movies I’ve been recommended by my readers. 1942’s Holiday Inn is one of those films. I will admit I have heard of this movie over the years, but never checked it out. Now that I think of it, I’ve reviewed only a handful of Christmas movie musicals. Holiday Inn would definitely make up for that. Plus, it would give me an excuse to seek out more of Fred Astaire’s projects from his filmography. There is a part of the story that takes place during Thanksgiving, from what I’ve heard. So, I might review Holiday Inn around Thanksgiving!
9. Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas (1977)
I brought up Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas in a past Word on the Street story. But while creating this list, I realized how I still haven’t seen this movie. I have written about some animated films on my blog. However, few of those films were animated through puppetry. This would make the 1977 film a more unique picture to write about. Back in January, I saw and reviewed The Great Muppet Caper, a film I genuinely enjoyed. Since Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas is a Jim Henson production, it makes me wonder if I’ll like this movie as much as The Great Muppet Caper?
8. Bush Christmas (1983) and Miracle Down Under(1987)
I stumbled upon Miracle Down Under (also known as Bushfire Moon or The Christmas Visitor) while searching for movies to review. When looking for more information on the 1987 film, I discovered the 1983 movie, Bush Christmas. Thinking about the Christmas productions I’ve seen, I tend to think of these stories taking place somewhere in the United States. If a Christmas film is set outside the United States, the location is typically Canada or Europe. Australia is a country rarely included in the Christmas movie landscape. Therefore, Miracle Down Under and Bush Christmas offers a yuletide perspective that is unique from other Christmas titles! This shared connection makes these movies perfect choices for a double feature!
7. Mrs. Santa Claus (1996)
As I was writing this list, I remembered how I’ve seen few of Angela Lansbury’s live-action projects from her filmography. Yes, I’ve seen my fair share of Murder, She Wrote episodes. But I’m talking about Angela’s live-action films. I have come across the poster for Mrs. Santa Claus on multiple occasions. Yet, I have never seen this movie. Because of this, I didn’t know that a) the 1996 film is a musical and b) it is a historical fiction story. When I talked about Holiday Inn, I mentioned reviewing only a handful of Christmas movie musicals on my blog. Not only would Mrs. Santa Claus make up for that, but it would also give me an opportunity to talk about a movie that seems underrated in the world of Christmas cinema.
6. Little Men (1998)
For years, I knew there was a continuation to Louisa May Alcott’s classic story, Little Women. I also knew this continuation was given a film adaptation. But the aforementioned continuation, Little Men, is one I haven’t seen or read. With that said, I was unaware the 1998 movie was a Christmas production. While creating my list, I noticed how a lot of the movies were made-for-TV or straight-to-video/streaming presentations. As Little Men was theatrically released, I thought it would add some variety to my list. Maybe I’ll write a double feature review for Little Men and Little Women. Question is, which version of Louisa’s story would pair well with the 1998 movie?
Three Days is similar to the 1999 film, If You Believe; these are Christmas movies that don’t rely on the tropes and cliches found in typical Christmas projects. In the 2001 story, a workaholic man is taking his life and wife for granted. After his wife dies, the man is given a second chance to re-live the previous three days of his life, in order to save his wife and turn his life around. I haven’t seen this movie in years, but I do remember liking it. As of the publication of this list, though, the only place Three Days is available is through the streaming service, Disney+. I hope Freeform (formerly known as ABC Family) airs this film again during their annual ‘25 Days of Christmas’ line-up. That way, I could talk about a film that is, in my opinion, one of the most underrated in Christmas movie history.
4. The Night Before The Night Before Christmas (2010)
The Night Before The Night Before Christmas is one of the first movies I was ever recommended by one of my readers. Since then, I have been trying to find the perfect opportunity to review the film. But as far as I know, the 2010 presentation isn’t airing on any of Hallmark’s networks during their ‘Christmas in July’ line-ups. So, I hope the film airs sometime during the Christmas season. I have found DVD copies of The Night Before The Night Before Christmas. Therefore, if Hallmark doesn’t air the movie again, I still have a chance to write about this production.
3. An Old Fashioned Christmas (2010)
I included this movie in my list of the top ten movies I’d love to review. In that list, I mentioned how I have come across a few DVD copies of An Old Fashioned Christmas. But these DVDs were included in Christmas movie box sets, which tend to be expensive. While this statement is still true, the movie has been uploaded on Youtube, as of mid-July, 2023. Now I might be able to review the film sooner than I expected! Similar to The Night Before The Night Before Christmas, An Old Fashioned Christmas isn’t airing during Hallmark’s ‘Christmas in July’ line-ups. So, I hope the 2010 movie makes an appearance during this year’s Christmas season.
2. Christmas with Tucker (2013)
Christmas with Tucker is a prequel to the 2009 Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, A Dog Named Christmas. I have seen the latter film, which I remember liking. However, it’s been several years since I’ve seen the Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation. Since I also haven’t seen Christmas with Tucker, I don’t know how the 2013 movie and the 2009 movie connect with each other. I might review these films in a future double feature in order to solve that mystery.
1. An American Girl Story: Maryellen 1955 – Extraordinary Christmas (2016)
Years ago, I wrote an editorial about how Jiggy Nye was not an effective villain in Felicity: An American Girl Adventure. Since publishing that editorial, I have not reviewed any of American Girl’s films. I did see some of their films, but An American Girl Story: Maryellen 1955 – Extraordinary Christmas was not one of them. When this film was released, it was only available on Amazon Prime. But American Girl’s Amazon Prime exclusive movies, including An American Girl Story: Maryellen 1955 – Extraordinary Christmas, were recently removed from the streaming service for reasons unknown. For the time being, this film is considered “lost media”. But I hope it either is re-released on DVD or available on another streaming service.
For this year’s edition of the Broadway Bound Blogathon, I wanted to write about a Hallmark film based on a pre-existing Broadway play. My original plan was to read a play and then watch its adaptation, creating an editorial on how these works are similar or different. But, to my surprise, the films I wanted to talk about were based on plays that premiered off-Broadway. During my search for another option, I learned the Charles Dickens story, A Tale of Two Cities, was adapted into a Broadway musical in 2008. For this review, I’ve decided to write about the 1980 Hallmark Hall of Fame version of the aforementioned story. Though I haven’t read A Tale of Two Cities, I have enjoyed seeing the adaptations of Charles Dickens’ literary work. In fact, I liked 1968’s Oliver! so much, I ended up reading Oliver Twist after seeing the movie! So, where does this Hallmark Hall of Fame production stand among other stories by Charles Dickens? Turn the page on this review to find out!
Hallmark Hall of Fame’s A Tale of Two Cities poster created by Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions, Marble Arch Productions, Norman Rosemont Productions, and Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS)
Things I liked about the film:
The acting: One of the strongest scenes in A Tale of Two Cities is when Lucie (portrayed by Alice Krige) reunites with her father, Dr. Alexander Manette (portrayed by Peter Cushing), for the first time in over ten years. After mistaking Lucie as the jailer’s daughter, Alexander goes to his bed, in an attempt to avoid Lucie. As Lucie slowly approaches her father, Alexander’s voice is shaky and he is flinching, unsure of what to make of this visitor. But as soon as he discovers Lucie’s hair matches a lock of hair he kept for many years, Alexander realizes Lucie is, indeed, his daughter. Alexander’s expression changes from fear to shock, as he is in awe about seeing Lucie again. He even gives his daughter a hug. Meanwhile, Lucie is overcome with emotion, tears falling down her face and her voice quivering. Both Alice and Peter were able to effectively sell this on-screen relationship as believable and genuine. The emotions expressed felt realistic as well, which allowed this scene to be so strong!
In A Tale of Two Cities, Chris Sarandon portrays both Sydney Carton and Charles Darnay. Out of these two characters, my favorite was Sydney Carton! Throughout the story, Sydney carried himself with a laid-back confidence that made his personality appealing. Yet, more often than not, he displayed a sad look on his face. Even his eyes looked sad, giving the audience an idea of what he wasn’t saying. This made Sydney brooding and mysterious, making me want to know more about him and curious to see where his story would go. The likability of Sydney Carton can be attributed to Chris’ strong acting talents!
Attention to detail: What can make or break a historical drama is a creative team’s attention to detail. This element in the film-making process can make that story’s world feel immersive, transporting the audience to a specific period in time. The Hallmark Hall of Fame adaptation of A Tale of Two Cities takes place in the late 1700s. Jarvis Lorry’s office provides a great example of this film’s attention to detail when it comes to historical accuracy. On a nearby table, there is a large book, boasting a weathered brown cover. Rolled up paper documents and more brown covered books are scattered in the office’s foreground. In the background, Jarvis can be seen working at a desk similar to that of Ebenezer Scrooge. Though the room invites natural light through a dome shaped window, a small candle chandelier and a multi-candle candle stick provide the office with additional light.
The pacing: The Hallmark Hall of Fame adaptation of A Tale of Two Cities is two hours and thirty-six minutes. This is longer than a typical Hallmark production, which is about an hour and thirty to forty minutes. But A Tale of Two Cities never felt like a long movie to me. That’s because I was so invested in what the characters were doing, as well as the story itself. Though this is a character driven film, there was a satisfying amount of suspense, intrigue, even action. Where these elements were placed in the story made the movie feel evenly paced. The way scenes were filmed, written, and edited also contributed to the overall pace, never making parts of the story feel drawn out or wrapped up too quickly. I was so engaged watching A Tale of Two Cities, the run-time was the last thing on my mind!
Inconsistent inclusion of the French Revolution: An overarching conflict in A Tale of Two Cities is the rise of the French Revolution. In the first half of the movie, this conflict seemed like an afterthought, as the primary focus was placed on events happening in England, such as Charles’ court hearing. When a certain situation causes Charles to return to France, the French Revolution played a larger role in the film’s second half. The movie’s creative team built up to the event itself, visually presenting the harsh reality of the French public versus the upper-crust of French society. However, I wish this conflict had a more consistent presence within the story.
Lack of French accents: Because the French Revolution plays a role in A Tale of Two Cities, some of the story’s key characters are French. But the 1980 Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation is one of those films where every character speaks in a British accent, despite the cultural differences. After a while, I became used to the similarity in accents. I don’t blame the actors, as all I can expect from any actor or actress is for them to try their best with the material given. In my opinion, though, I fault the movie’s casting director for not encouraging the use of French accents.
Unexplained parts of the story: On a few occasions, there were parts of A Tale of Two Cities that confused me, due to their lack of explanations. One perfect example involves Monsieur Ernest Defarge’s wife, Therese. While a man is being guillotined, Therese tells her friend she has recorded the Evrémonde family in her stitching. After this scene takes place, Therese’s statement is never clarified. In fact, that particular stitching isn’t brought up again. Parts of the story like this one should have included explanations within the dialogue.
Most of Charles Dickens’ adaptations I’ve reviewed on 18 Cinema Lane have garnered favorable results. Both Oliver! and Nicholas Nickelby left such a good impression on me, they respectively found a place in my year-end best movies lists! Now that I have seen A Tale of Two Cities, I can honestly say that tradition will continue! The 1980 Hallmark Hall of Fame production tells an immersive story, taking the audience on a journey through time. What also adds to the experience is the strength of the characters, as the acting and the screenwriting worked well together. From the featured props to the costume design, the creative team’s attention to detail was on full display in this film, showing the care and effort that went into this project. Looking back on A Tale of Two Cities, I can see how the story could be adapted into a Broadway musical. As a matter of fact, I think a musical movie adaptation of A Tale of Two Cities would be very interesting to watch!
Overall score: 8.9 out of 10
Have you seen any adaptations of A Tale of Two Cities? Which story Charles Dickens’ is your favorite? Let me know in the comment section below!
Here at 18 Cinema Lane, I try to review movies that have been recommended to me by my readers. Typically, I watch movies and write about them in the hopes they are good. But in the case of this review, I’m approaching this film a little differently. In the comment section of my article, ‘The Top 10 Worst Hallmark Movies of All Time’, one of my readers, Not a fan of Carrot Cake, shared their worst Hallmark movie they’ve watched. That film is the latest Hallmark Movies & Mysteries title, Carrot Cake Murder: A Hannah Swensen Mystery. Their thoughts on the movie intrigued me. It made me wonder if it was worse than Francesca Quinn, P. I., the worst Hallmark movie I’ve ever seen. So, without further delay, let’s solve this mystery by reviewing Carrot Cake Murder: A Hannah Swensen Mystery!
The camaraderie between the cast members: In a movie series, a group of actors will become familiar with one another’s talents and personalities. This familiarity creates a consistency that can be seen in the characters’ interactions. That consistency allows these interactions to come across as believable in the eyes of the audience. As Carrot Cake Murder: A Hannah Swensen Mystery is the seventh film in its series, the camaraderie between the cast members remained continuous not only throughout this story, but also throughout the series! When Hannah, portrayed by Alison Sweeney, and Norman, portrayed by Gabriel Hogan, interacted with each other, their friendship felt genuine. As Hannah’s mom, portrayed by Barbara Niven, discussed her concerns about her daughter’s safety, that discussion between mother and daughter was presented realistically. These interactions were not only the result of the camaraderie between the cast members, but also the cast members displaying an understanding for their characters and their stories!
The inside jokes: Hallmark has a history of incorporating humor into their mystery series. Typically, this humor can be heard within the dialogue between characters or shown through hilarious situations. In Carrot Cake Murder: A Hannah Swensen Mystery, Hallmark related inside jokes were woven into the script. Frustrated by Hannah’s involvement in the murder mystery case, Mike’s boss tells Mike Hannah is acting like a podcaster. This statement is a reference to Alison’s other mystery series, Chronicle Mysteries. Over lunch, Hannah’s mother, Delores, brings up how Hannah and Mike’s upcoming wedding is never discussed. That conversation references how Hannah and Mike have been engaged since Murder She Baked: Just Desserts, a movie that was released in 2017. These inside jokes provide “Easter eggs” for fans of the Murder She Baked/Hannah Swensen series, as well as fans of Hallmark’s mystery films!
Use of clues: Some mystery stories utilize clues in order for the mystery to be solved. This is the case for several of Hallmark’s titles, including Carrot Cake Murder: A Hannah Swensen Mystery. The movie’s mystery begins in 1995. Therefore, one of the clues is a pager, which was used to determine who the victim called before they passed away. Another clue was a set of keys. But these keys helped set up a timeline for the mystery’s events. The incorporation of the clues in Carrot Cake Murder: A Hannah Swensen Mystery combined the past and present in a nice way. It also showcased a variety of objects that could be used to solve a case!
The underutilization of Mike: Since the series’ inception, Mike has always played an integral role in the story of Murder She Baked/Hannah Swensen. Because he is a professional detective, he provides a unique perspective to a movie’s case, especially compared to Hannah’s perspective. But in Carrot Cake Murder: A Hannah Swensen Mystery, Mike wasn’t given much to do. Instead, Hannah solves the mystery single-handedly, relying on Mike less than in previous films. The “opposites attract” dynamic between Hannah and Mike was missing, which took away some of the series’ charm. It also does Cameron Mathison and his character a huge disservice.
Lack of “coziness”: The Murder She Baked/Hannah Swensen series has garnered a reputation for being a “cozy” mystery. Despite the stories containing murder mysteries, the stories themselves don’t feel too dark in tone. Instead, humor and pleasant character interactions break up the serious nature of the murder mystery. In Carrot Cake Murder: A Hannah Swensen Mystery, however, that “cozy” feeling was absent. While I did like the inside jokes woven into the script, the overall tone of the movie was serious. The lack of light-hearted subplots didn’t help either. In context with the series as a whole, this film causes a tonal shift that feels jarring.
Mike and Hannah’s relationship: For this part of my review, I will include spoilers for Carrot Cake Murder: A Hannah Swensen Mystery. If you have not seen this movie yet and are interested in watching it, please skip ahead to the part of my review titled “My overall impression”.
The majority of Hallmark’s mystery series contain a romantic relationship between the male and female protagonist. More often than not, these relationships grow as its series progresses. In the Murder She Baked/Hannah Swensen series, viewers have witnessed Hannah and Mike go from being neighborhood friends to a romantic couple. As I mentioned in this review, they became engaged in Murder She Baked: Just Desserts. But in Carrot Cake Murder: A Hannah Swensen Mystery, Mike and Hannah’s relationship was not prioritized as in previous movies. They didn’t spend much time together in this story. In fact, Hannah spent more time with Norman than with Mike. This creative choice caused Alison and Cameron’s on-screen chemistry to feel weaker compared to other films.
Like I said earlier in this review, Delores mentions how Hannah and Mike’s wedding hasn’t been discussed. I also mentioned how Mike and Hannah got engaged in a movie that was released over five years ago. During that time, fans of the series have been waiting for Hannah and Mike to finally walk down the aisle and say “I do”. But in the last twenty minutes of Carrot Cake Murder: A Hannah Swensen Mystery, Hannah ends her and Mike’s engagement. Why, you ask? Because she was upset Mike didn’t tell her he was filling his boss in on developments she and Mike found in relation to the story’s mystery. Hannah seems so justified in her choice, she, through a monologue, compares her ended relationship with baking bread, saying something along the lines of the ingredients needing to be respected. Personally, I feel Hannah’s decision to end her and Mike’s relationship was unnecessarily spontaneous. Looking back on this movie, it makes me wonder if Hannah and Mike breaking up was Hallmark’s excuse to discontinue this series?
I chose to review Carrot Cake Murder: A Hannah Swensen Mystery in an attempt to see if it was worse than Francesca Quinn, P. I. Like I said in the introduction, I also reviewed this movie in response to one of my readers. Now that I’ve seen the film, I can honestly say, in my opinion, it is nowhere near as bad as Francesca Quinn, P. I. However, it is one of the most disappointing movies I’ve seen this year, so far. In a recent article from The Wrap, Alison Sweeney confirmed another chapter in the Murder She Baked/Hannah Swensen series. Without spoiling Carrot Cake Murder: A Hannah Swensen Mystery, all I can say is I have no idea how this is possible. Other than solving a mystery, this movie put the series in a standstill. The film’s creative team didn’t provide a reason for the fans to get excited for the next story. From Mike being underutilized to the lack of “coziness” in the latest chapter, I’m wondering if this series will be another mystery series that will unceremoniously end? I said in my editorial about Francesca Quinn, P. I. how Hallmark’s priorities no longer lie with the mystery genre. Reflecting on that film and Carrot Cake Murder: A Hannah Swensen Mystery, it seems like I may be proven right.
Overall score: 5 out of 10
Have you seen Carrot Cake Murder: A Hannah Swensen Mystery? What do you think is in store for the Murder She Baked/Hannah Swensen series? Let me know in the comment section!
Whenever I’ve been nominated for The Pick My Movie Tag, the theme has revolved around Hallmark movies. First, I wrote a list of the top five Hallmark films based on a true story. Then, I published an editorial why Francesca Quinn, PI is the worst Hallmark movie I’ve ever seen. Now, after being nominated for The Pick My Movie Tag for a third time, I’m creating another Hallmark related list! Tagged by Rebecca from Taking Up Room, I was given the option to either write about my first Hallmark film or a favorite Hallmark film from the 90s. While reflecting on all the Hallmark movies released during the 1990s, I realized I had seen enough presentations from the Hallmark Hall of Fame collection to curate a top ten list. So, with a gracious thank you to Rebecca, I will share my list of the top ten best Hallmark Hall of Fame films from the 1990s! Before I start this list, I’d like to remind my readers that this article is not only based on my opinion, it is also based on the Hallmark Hall of Fame projects I’ve seen. Each movie will be listed based on when they were released on television. Since this list was written for a tag, I need to include the official tag rules, which are featured below:
The Tag’s Rules
Nominate one or more people to review the film or films of your choice. Or you can request they review something from a certain year, genre, or star. Everyone can review the same thing, or you can request each person cover something different. As long as it’s something they haven’t written about yet, you’re good.
Nominees are allowed to request a different pick for whatever reason no more than five times. Stuff happens. We all know it.
Nominees must thank the person who nominated them and provide a link their blog.
Nominees may nominate others to keep the tag going. Picking the person who nominated them is allowed, or they can nominate someone else. Maybe both.
All participants need to include these rules in their post, whether they’re nominees or picking nominees.
All participants should use the “Pick My Movie” banner or something similar in their posts.
Have fun!
The Pick My Movie Tag banner created by Rebecca from Taking Up Room
1. Caroline?
Released April 29th, 1990
Two months ago, I reviewed Caroline? for a Blog Follower Dedication Review. When I chose to write about this film, it was an opportunity to share another VHS exclusive Hallmark Hall of Fame title with my readers. But after I saw Caroline?, it quickly became one of my favorite movies from the Hallmark Hall of Fame collection! The combination of strong acting performances and a mysterious plot made the story intriguing to watch! The inclusion of messages and themes such as learning from the past and respecting the wishes of others gave the story more depth. Even the creative team’s attention to detail was reflective in the set design, showcasing the differentiation of time within the story. If I were introducing someone to the Hallmark Hall of Fame collection, I would tell them about Caroline?!
2. Sarah, Plain and Tall
Released February 3rd, 1991
Hallmark Hall of Fame has a history of adapting pre-existing, literary source material. Based on the works I have read, these films are typically respectful toward the source material or better than the source material.From what I remember, Sarah, Plain and Tall belongs in the first category. Like Caroline?, the creative team’s attention to detail could be seen in the set and costume design. The cast as a whole was strong as well. The success of Sarah, Plain and Tall not only led to the start of the only trilogy in Hallmark Hall of Fame history, it also led to the adaptation of other stories from the Western genre within the 1990s. This is one of those titles from the collection that earned a “classic” status!
3. An American Story/After the Glory
Released November 29th, 1992
My review of An American Story/After the Glory is one of my popular movie reviews, garnering over a thousand views and counting! Looking back on my thoughts on this movie, I have an idea why it’s so popular. As I said in that review, An American Story/After the Glory kind of feels ahead of its time. That is due to the inclusion of veteran’s mental health within the story. The way veteran’s mental health, as well as the transition period from soldier to civilian, was written was done with reverence and realism. The script also emphasizes how each veteran is their own unique individual. Out of Hallmark’s miliary related projects, An American Story/After the Glory is one of their better ones!
4. Redwood Curtain
Released April 23rd, 1995
When talking about Sarah, Plain and Tall, I said Hallmark Hall of Fame’s adaptations are typically respectful toward the source material or better than the source material. In the case of RedwoodCurtain, the 1995 film falls in the latter category. Hallmark Hall of Fame adapted this story from a pre-existing play. RedwoodCurtain’s transition to the screen allowed the world surrounding the characters to expand, exclusively providing the Riordan landscape to the movie. Other changes in the script include a different personality for Gerri, the story’s protagonist. In the film, Gerri is a more empathetic and understanding character, which gives the audience a reason to want to root for her. Music plays a bigger role in Gerri’s life as well, showing her dedication toward her dreams.
5. The Boys Next Door
Released February 4th, 1996
Besides adapting pre-existing, literary source material, Hallmark Hall of Fame has a history of adapting pre-existing plays. 1996’s TheBoys Next Door is one of those plays that made the transition to the screen. Similar to RedwoodCurtain, the world surrounding the characters expands beyond the limits of the stage. This emphasizes the idea the men in the group home (Barry, Lucien, Norman, and Arnold) are trying to find their place in the world. What also works in TheBoys Next Door’s favor is the strength of its cast. Through a blend of facial expressions, vocal inflections, and body language, each character is distinct from one another. These characters are also well written, which made them cherished individuals in the story!
Hallmark Hall of Fame’s Caroline? poster created by Hallmark Hall of Fame productions, CBS, and Republic Pictures Home Video
6. Whatthe Deaf Man Heard
Released November 23rd, 1997
It has been a while since I’ve seen Whatthe Deaf Man Heard. From what I remember, I was impressed with the 1997 presentation! This is another film with a strong cast. The interactions between the characters felt believable, making the performances interesting to watch. Whatthe Deaf Man Heard successfully presents the idea of appearances being deceiving, this idea given in a wholesome way. I would love to revisit this movie in the future!
7. EllenFoster
Released December 14th, 1997
EllenFoster is another Hallmark Hall of Fame production I haven’t seen in several years. However, this is a movie I highly regard! Like a lot of Hallmark Hall of Fame titles on this list, the cast in EllenFoster was very talented. But Jena Malone, the actress who portrayed the titular character, stole the show, as she provided a versatile performance! Because this story discusses the subjects of child abuse and neglect, the nature of the film is going to be sadder. Therefore, those who are interested in watching the movie should approach it with the right mind-set. While I won’t spoil the story, I will say the story’s resolution feels earned.
8. TheLove Letter
Released February 1st, 1998
Fantasy/Magical Realism is rarely incorporated into Hallmark’s films, let alone their Hallmark Hall of Fame projects. This makes 1998’s TheLove Letter stand out among the collection! The idea of time manipulation adds creativity to the movie’s identity. Historical accuracy within the story embellishes the aforementioned identity of the film. Campbell Scott and Jennifer Jason Leigh succeeded in carrying this movie, as they sold the illusion their characters were attracted to each other. With the consistent focus in the character of Scott and Elizabeth’s graceful maturity beautifully paired with her “romantic dreamer” persona, it was fascinating to watch these two characters communicate with one another!
9. Grace& Glorie
Released December 13th, 1998
As I said in the past, I am not a fan of the Hallmark movie cliché where a woman from a big city moves to a small town. Grace& Glorie contains this cliché, but doesn’t emphasize its presence in the story. Instead, the film focuses on the friendship between the titular characters. The quality of Diane Lane and Gena Rowlands’ performances made their characters’ friendship feel realistic. This made their interactions interesting to watch. Grace& Glorie contains a simpler plot that ends up working in the story’s favor. All these factors come together to create a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie that is an underrated gem!
10. Sarah, Plain and Tall: Winter’s End
Released November 21st, 1999
Between Sarah, Plain and Tall: Winter’s End and Skylark, I always thought the third movie in this trilogy was the more memorable sequel, even though I think this trilogy is one of the strongest ever made. Similar to Sarah, Plain and Tall, the 1999 film revolves around conflicts within the family, such as the arrival of Jacob’s father. However, there were moments of humor and joy that prevented the story from being too serious. The scene where Cassie says grace serves as a perfect example. It was nice to see the Witting family together again, as, from what I remember, the family was split up in Skylark. It almost feels like coming home after a long trip!
Now, the moment you’ve been waiting for, the announcing of the nominees! As I share which bloggers will receive The Pick My Movie Tag, they will be asked to write about a movie from the 1990s they don’t like. So, these five nominees are:
Screenshot of The Love Letter‘s poster taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.
As I seek out Hallmark’s “older” content (“older” as in older than ten years old), I find myself gravitating toward Hallmark Hall of Fame’s VHS exclusive titles. For those who are not familiar with the history of Hallmark Hall of Fame, there are several movies from this collection that were only released on VHS. Caroline? from 1990 is one of those films. All I knew about this particular title was how the story revolved around a woman claiming to be a long-lost family member. Since I haven’t reviewed a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie in several months, I thought reviewing Caroline? for my latest Blog Follower Dedication Review would be perfect! Over my five years of movie blogging, I’ve noticed how my Hallmark related content has become some of my most popular content. In fact, one of my Hallmark Hall of Fame reviews, After the Glory, has garnered over a thousand views and counting! But will I like Caroline? as much as I liked 1992’s After the Glory? Keep reading my review in order to find out!
Hallmark Hall of Fame’s Caroline? poster created by Hallmark Hall of Fame productions, CBS, and Republic Pictures Home Video
Things I liked about the film:
The acting: When portraying a titular character, that movie’s actor or actress needs to use their talents to not only carry the production, but also shine on their own. While I’m not familiar with Stephanie Zimbalist’s filmography, she did succeed in this task! In Caroline?, Stephanie’s portrayal of the titular character was so naturally presented, her interactions with the other characters were fluid. One great example is when Caroline is being questioned about her past whereabouts. In a calm voice, she answers every question given to her. As she sits upright in her chair, Caroline recounts how she survived a plane crash, looking away from Grace and Paul Carmichael as she’s remembering what happened. When Paul confronts Caroline over her selfishness, her face effortlessly turns to sadness. Caroline’s mouth conforms into a frown and her eyes appear to be on the verge of tears.
While watching Caroline?, I was fascinated by the interactions among the characters. This was achieved because of the strength of the cast! But two performances that impressed me the most came from Shawn Phelan and Jenny Jacobs! When a younger character plays a significant role in a story, the likability of that character can depend on an actor or actress’ performance. With Heidi and Winston, their interactions felt so realistic! A perfect example is when Winston is looking through a family photo album. Curious about Caroline’s true identity, Winston sneaks into his father’s office in the middle of the night. Several minutes later, Heidi comes into the office, wanting to look at the photo album as well. Throughout this scene, there is tension between Winston and Heidi. Winston is frustrated by Heidi’s constant questions and comments about the photos. He also does not like the fact he can’t look at the photo album independently. Meanwhile, Heidi is frustrated at the idea of being left out of Winston’s activity. She even looks defeated after Winston doesn’t believe her claims that she can read. With a combination of vocal inflections, facial expressions, and emotions, both Shawn and Jenny were able to present a sibling relationship that felt believable!
The element of mystery: As I mentioned in the introduction, Caroline? is about a woman claiming to be a long-lost family member. Even though I wouldn’t consider this film as a part of the mystery genre, the mystery of Caroline’s identity is spread out throughout the story. This creative decision allowed the audience to witness the interactions between the characters. Through these character interactions, the audience is left guessing if Caroline is who she says she is. All I can about the mystery’s resolution is it ended on a plot twist I didn’t see coming. The combination of these creative decisions presented a movie that was captivating to watch!
The messages and themes: Hallmark films, especially Hallmark Hall of Fame productions, are known for featuring strong messages and themes that most people can support. Caroline? is no different, as this story contains a collection of great themes and messages! While in the Carmichael family’s attic, Winston and Caroline are talking about the past. During their interaction, Winston tells Caroline, “My history teacher tells me that the secret to the future is often found in the past”. This quote resonated with me, as I, more often than not, talk about films from the past on 18 Cinema Lane! Later in the movie, Winston is frustrated with Heidi because she won’t receive academic assistance from Caroline. When Winston comes to Caroline with his frustrations, Caroline tells him, “I can’t force her to. I can’t help her unless she wants me to”. That quote alone highlights the importance of respecting one’s wishes. At the same time, Winston’s desire to see his sister academically succeed shows how necessary it is to support those you care about.
The differentiation of time: The story of Caroline? features two time periods: the “present” (1990, when the film was released) and the past (late 1940s to early 1950s). Because of choices in styling and presentation, these time periods appeared distinct from one another. In one scene, Mr. and Mrs. Carmichael (Winston and Heidi’s parents) are debating the legitimacy of Caroline’s claims. This scene takes place in their bedroom, which contains two separate beds. That specific choice in the movie’s set design is a strong reflection of the ‘40s to ‘50s, as it was more common for married couples to have separate sleeping arrangements. It also boasts the historical accuracy between these aforementioned time periods.
Questions left unanswered: Any story containing a mystery will raise some questions within the script. Usually, these questions are answered as the film progresses. But in Caroline?, there were some questions I wish were addressed. While shopping at a bookstore, Winston purchases a book of poems for Caroline. Yet, at Caroline’s party, he gives the book to Heidi. Speaking of Heidi, she is called “Heidi” by her mother, despite her name being Hilary. These are two examples of questions that weren’t explained.
The story of a character claiming to be a long-lost family member is nothing new. The ‘90s, the decade when Caroline? was released, saw the premiere of 1997’s Anastasia, which revolves around this same type of story. But Hallmark Hall of Fame’s presentation makes several creative decisions that allow their story to travel down different avenues. It goes beyond simply figuring out if the protagonist is the claimed long-lost family member, as the film discusses reaching one’s full potential and helping those that need help. As I mentioned in my review, I was fascinated by the interactions among the characters because of the strength of the cast. That combined with the intriguing nature of the story is what kept me invested in the film! Caroline? is a movie I was Hallmark had re-released on DVD. In fact, I wish more people knew about this movie. With that, I’d like to thank all of my followers, as you are the reason why this review exists!
Overall score: 9 out of 10
Have you seen or heard of Caroline? Which Hallmark Hall of Fame movie would you like to see reviewed on 18 Cinema Lane? Please tell me in the comment section below!
Once upon a time, in 2018, I declared the Hallmark Hall of Fame title, Back When We Were Grownups, as the worst Hallmark movie I had ever seen. Since publishing that list, I honestly didn’t think any movie would dethrone the 2004 film. That all changed when I saw Francesca Quinn, PI. At the end of 2022, when I released my list of the worst movies I watched, the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries film was placed at number one. While I explained why the film earned the top spot on my list, I didn’t discuss why Francesca Quinn, PI is now the worst Hallmark movie I’ve ever seen. As a Christmas present, J-Dub, from Dubsism, nominated me for The Pick My Movie Tag. My mission was to write about a movie I couldn’t stand. This gave me the perfect opportunity to explain why I don’t like Francesca Quinn, PI. Since this editorial is solely based on my opinion, I need to make it clear that everything I say is not meant to be mean-spirited or disrespectful. Examples from the movie will be used to support my intended points. I’d also like to thank J-Dub for the nomination! Because of this tag, I’m now publishing my first editorial of 2023! This editorial is written for a tag, so all tag rules will be posted below.
The Tag’s Rules
Nominate one or more people to review the film or films of your choice. Or you can request they review something from a certain year, genre, or star. Everyone can review the same thing, or you can request each person cover something different. As long as it’s something they haven’t written about yet, you’re good.
Nominees are allowed to request a different pick for whatever reason no more than five times. Stuff happens. We all know it.
Nominees must thank the person who nominated them and provide a link their blog.
Nominees may nominate others to keep the tag going. Picking the person who nominated them is allowed, or they can nominate someone else. Maybe both.
All participants need to include these rules in their post, whether they’re nominees or picking nominees.
All participants should use the “Pick My Movie” banner or something similar in their posts.
Have fun!
The Pick My Movie Tag banner created by Rebecca from Taking Up Room
Exposition Dumping
Exposition is an important storytelling component in any story, whether it’s a stand-alone tale or a chapter in an established franchise. This component provides the audience with necessary information about the characters, setting, and overarching conflict. The best way for the audience to absorb this information is, in my opinion, to spread it out throughout the story. That’s not what happened in Francesca Quinn, PI. Within the first six minutes of the movie, the following characters are introduced:
Francesca (the protagonist)
Jim (Francesca’s dad)
Bill (Jim’s friend)
Wynton (Francesca’s childhood friend and detective partner)
Megan (Francesca’s ex-stepmom)
Carl (Francesca’s high school sweetheart and fiancé)
In just one scene, Francesca, Jim, Bill, and Wynton are rapidly introduced to the audience. Within those same first six minutes, Francesca, through a voice over, discusses the six murders Megan committed over the span of four years. Because the audience is receiving so much information in such a short amount of time, they aren’t given the opportunity to truly get to know the characters. They also aren’t given enough time to decide for themselves if they want to care about a particular character. The first movie in a potential series is intended to serve as a first impression for the audience, an indication of what they could expect from the story. With Francesca Quinn, PI’s creative team choosing to dump exposition onto their audience’s plates, that will cause viewers to feel overwhelmed.
Vintage detective desk photo created by Olivier Bourgeois at freeimages.com. Photo by <a href=”/photographer/ornicar69-54520″>Olivier Bourgeois</a> from <a href=”https://freeimages.com/”>FreeImages</a> Image found at freeimages.com.
Francesca Herself
Since coming to fruition in 2001, Hallmark Channel has created several mystery series that would eventually lead to the rebranding of Hallmark’s second network. In these series, the audience follows a central protagonist who comes across as likable. This likability has worked in some series’ favor, expanding a story beyond three films. In the case of Francesca Quinn, PI, there are some factors working against the protagonist. Throughout the movie, Francesca speaks with a monotone voice, using very little emotional inflection. Most of the time, her face carries a blank, serious expression. With the material given, Mallory Jansen tries her best to give her character a wider range of emotion, smiling every once in a while. However, this attempt isn’t enough to make a good first impression on the audience.
Francesca’s limited expressions lead me to my next point; her weaker personality. When beginning a series, a protagonist’s personality could determine that story’s longevity. If the protagonist is presented as friendly, approachable, and even relatable, that could attract more viewers to follow the protagonist’s adventures. Showing a protagonist in various environments is a good way to showcase their personality. In the Aurora Teagarden series, the audience witnesses Aurora in both a professional and nonprofessional setting. Whether she’s trying to get along with her co-worker, Lillian, or interacting with the members of the Real Murders Club, viewers receive a more well-rounded glimpse into Aurora’s personality. Because Francesca’s story primarily revolves around her profession, the audience doesn’t get a strong idea of what her personality is really like. The fact Francesca does not have friends or hobbies outside of her occupation prevents her personality from shining. Another element Francesca’s personality is missing is charisma.
The most well-known detectives in pop culture have a “quirk”, something that sets them apart from other fictional detectives. A great example is Columbo, who is recognized for saying “and one more thing”. With Francesca Quinn, there are no “quirks” that help her stand out among Hallmark’s other detectives. As I previously mentioned, she doesn’t have any interests outside of her profession. She does not have a catchphrase that viewers could easily remember and quote. This missing ingredient is another reason why Francesca is not a likable and memorable protagonist.
In Hallmark’s various mystery series, there is a mix of professional and amateur detectives. This provides mystery fans with diverse perspectives, showing how different characters approach a mystery. For protagonists who are professional detectives, their critical thinking and problem-solving skills should give the impression they know what they’re doing. Yet, in Francesca Quinn, PI, Francesca makes several mistakes an amateur detective would likely make. When visiting a potential suspect, Francesca spots the security guard who happens to work at the prison Megan resides in. She, as well as Ella (the lead detective of the Minneapolis police department), chase after the security guard. As the chase continues, the security guard throws a set of fish at Francesca, in an effort to slow her down. Her disgust distracts her from the pursuit, with the security guard getting away. After the security guard trips and falls to the ground, Francesca pulls her gun on him. When Ella tries to calm Francesca down, Francesca tells her, “He threw a fish at me”, justifying her reason for pulling her weapon on the security guard.
The scene I described is just one example of Francesca’s poor decision-making skills. Yet Francesca Quinn, PI’s creative team wants the audience to believe Francesca is a professional investigator with years of experience. The story also establishes how Francesca has her own private investigation firm. Detectives in mystery stories are human, capable of making mistakes and experiencing obstacles. But Francesca crosses the line between human error and appearing incompetent at her job. Toward the beginning of her investigation to figure out who killed Carl, Wynton and Beatrice (a detective who works alongside Wynton) pays Francesca a visit. As Beatrice shares the alibis of the case’s prime suspects, Francesca believes a hit man murdered her fiancé. She is so convinced in her belief, she becomes defensive and argumentative with Beatrice and Wynton. Instead of looking at every possible avenue for a resolution to the mystery, Francesca chooses to be close-minded in her approach to figuring out “whodunit”.
Mystery stories will typically provide explanations when it comes to specific parts of the story. Whether it’s medical terminology or pieces of historical information, these explanations can help the audience better understand the story they are consuming. But Francesca Quinn, PI includes so many explanations, the protagonist ends up explaining things that don’t need to be explained. In the first minute of the movie, Francesca explains what a “murder board” is, saying “a murder board, we call it. Lots of pieces of evidence that hopefully bring you to a conclusion”. This explanation is presented as a voice over, with a “murder board” shown on screen. Speaking for myself, I’ve seen enough mystery programs, especially from Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, to know what the aforementioned board is and how it is used.
While voice overs were a way to provide unnecessary explanations, Francesca Quinn, PI’s creative team used other methods to keep this flaw consistent. When Francesca and Wynton visit Megan in prison, Wynton tells Megan the police “do things by the book”. The inclusion of this pun acknowledged Megan’s English teaching career and her request to receive books in prison. Shortly after Wynton made this pun, Francesca explains to Megan, as well as the audience, that not only is “by the book” a pun, she also explains the meaning behind the pun. In my list of the top ten worst movies I saw in 2022, I said Francesca Quinn, PI gave me the impression the film’s creative team didn’t want me to solve the mystery alongside the protagonist. I also said one of the worst things a film-maker can do is disrespect their audience’s intelligence. With all the unnecessary explanations the creative team gave, the opportunity for the viewers to interact with the story was unavailable.
Francesca Quinn, PI poster created by Cartel Pictures, Mystery Island Pictures, Rogers Media, and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries
As of the publication of this editorial, there are no announced plans to grow Francesca Quinn, PI into a series. If I’m being honest, though, I hope that doesn’t happen. This is because I truly believe there are mystery stories that are better than this one. A decade ago, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries housed several mystery series that achieved viewership success. Hallmark’s second network would never have boasted the name, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, had it not been for the popularity of these mystery films. Now, in the 2020s, it seems like Hallmark’s priorities no longer lie with the mystery genre. In early March, 2023, only three of Hallmark Movies & Mysteries’ movies are mystery titles. Out of the ten newer mystery titles to premiere this decade so far, just two of them have received at least one sequel: Martha’s Vineyard Mysteries and Curious Caterer. Looking back on Francesca Quinn, PI, Hallmark’s lack of care and respect for the mystery genre shined brighter than a typical neon sign.
The Nominees
Flapper Dame from The Flapper Dame
Ari from The Classic Movie Muse
Maddy from Classic Film and TV Corner
Ruth from Silver Screenings
Hamlette from Hamlette’s Soliloquy
As I mentioned in the introduction, I wrote this editorial for The Pick My Movie Tag. Because I wrote about the worst Hallmark movie I’d ever seen, I will give my nominees the mission to write about a Hallmark movie featured in my worst movies of the year lists. To make it easier for the nominees, I will list those titles below:
18 Cinema Lane 