PRODUCTIONS FOR MAJOR NETWORKS AND MORE
MIDWIVES
April 2, 2001, Lifetime – Sissy Spacek, Alison Pill, Peter Coyote, and Piper Laurie starred in this courtroom drama based on the best-seller by Chris Bohjalian that follows the heart-wrenching story of Sibyl, a well-respected midwife. On a stormy night, during a routine delivery, something goes wrong, and the birth mother dies. Sybil performs an emergency cesarean section and saves the baby, but then information comes to light that the mother may have been alive when Sibyl operated, and her life is turned upside down as she is charged with manslaughter and stands trial. Written by Wesley Bishop and directed by Glenn Jordan.
O PIONEERS!
February 2, 1992, CBS – Jessica Lange, David Strathairn, Anne Heche, and Heather Graham starred in this tale of life on the Nebraska prairie that was based on Willa Cather’s classic story. Glenn Jordan directed from a script by Robert Lenski. “O Pioneers” became the third highest-rated movie of the season.
THE PIANO LESSON
February 5, 1995, CBS – Charles Dutton and Alfre Woodard starred as a brother and sister with conflicting goals to preserve and continue the family legacy in this adaptation of August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play. Directed by Lloyd Richards, the hallmark Hall of Fame presentation was honored with the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award and the Christopher Award. The production received nine Emmy nominations in addition to recognition from both the NAACP and the Producers Guild of America.
ON GOLDEN POND
Sunday, April 29, 9:00 PM ET, Broadcast LIVE, CBS – Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer starred in this live television presentation of ON GOLDEN POND, a dramatic love story about a married couple who return to their summer home and reevaluate their dreams, relationships, and mortality throughout their stay. The State Farm Showcase special live presentation originated from Stage 46 at CBS Television City in Los Angeles, where it was performed in front of an audience. Ernest Thompson, who wrote the play and won an Oscar for his film adaptation of it, directed, and Craig Anderson, who produced and directed the Broadway and off-Broadway productions, executive produced.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS
CHRISTMAS TOWN
December 1, 2019, Hallmark - Lauren Gabriel leaves everything behind in Boston to embark on a new chapter in her life and career. But an unforeseen detour to the charming town of Grandon Falls has her discover a past that she and her father had shared years before. As Lauren makes friends and new relationships, she realizes that this is the real home she has been looking for all her life. Starring Candace Cameron Bure and Tim Rozon. Directed by David Weaver
JUST THE WAY YOU ARE
May 9, 2015, Hallmark – Jennie Wright and her husband Ian are in the middle of a rough patch in their marriage. The mounting pressure soon leads to a situation where they are living in the same house but are no longer sleeping in the same bed. Ironically, Jennie is a relationship consultant for the dating website “Perfect Harmony,” and she decides it’s time for her to practice what she preaches. So she gives Ian the list of “rules” that she makes her clients follow. There are a few ups and downs as Ian tries to remind Jennie why she fell in love with him in the first place. After being at odds with one another, they find themselves working together again to help each other achieve all their goals and dreams.
THE CHRISTMAS NOTE
November 29, 2015, Hallmark – The new original film based on a bestselling novel by Donna VanLiere. Having just moved back to her hometown without her serviceman husband but with her young son, Gretchen Daniels (Sigler) finds her life in disarray as Christmas approaches. But she discovers a new purpose when she helps deliver a message to her neighbor, Melissa (Gibson), which makes her an ally in the quest to find the neighbor’s sibling she never knew she had. The women become bonded not only to the search but by the understanding that being there for each other means they are no longer alone. This friendship becomes the greatest Christmas gift of their lives.
THE CHRISTMAS SECRET
December 2014, Hallmark – Bethan Joy Lenz and John Reardon lead in this touching holiday drama based on the best-selling book. Christine is a single mom who loses her job when she comes to the scene of a car accident and gives a stranger named Judy CPR, saving her life. At the hospital, Judy asks her son Jason to find the woman who rescued her. Through a series of misunderstandings, Jason meets Christine but never learns her true identity until he helps her ward off Christine’s enraged ex-husband at the kids' daycare. When Christine’s heroic acts are discovered, the community gives her a surprise she will never forget.
RECIPE FOR LOVE
October 11, 2014, Hallmark – Starring Danielle Panabaker and Shawn Roberts. Lauren is a tenacious young cook working in a corporate test kitchen for La Carte Magazine, when she’s assigned to ghostwrite a cookbook for bad-boy celebrity chef Dexter Durant. Laura pushes Dexter to reveal his cooking secrets, and in the process, discovers he’s been hiding a softer side. Dexter is adamant that his image is the root of his success; however, when his TV show ratings start to tank, Laura enables him to embrace his softer, more passionate side. Dexter revamps himself as he falls for Laura, and together, they host a live cooking event with hopes of saving Dexter’s career and their relationship. Directed by Ron Oliver and written by Jud Parkin and Wesley Bishop.
LET IT SNOW
November 30, 2013, Hallmark - A self-defined Grinch, Stephanie begins her stay at Snow Valley Lodge, immune to Christmas sentiment. But as the lodge's festive traditions provide the Christmas Stephanie never had growing up with her distant father, Stephanie finds herself enjoying every minute. To complicate her professional duties even further, the combative feelings she felt toward Brady turn into romantic ones. With Stephanie's newfound Christmas spirit and unexpected holiday romance, she begins to question Falcon's overhaul. As her Christmas Eve deadline approaches, she's faced with a decision: should she transform the lodge into a new winter hot spot or embrace tradition and let it snow?
SECRETS OF EDEN
February 4, 2012, Lifetime – Based on Chris Bohjalian’s New York Times best-selling novel and starring John Stamos and Anna Gunn. Secrets of Eden unveils the shocking secrets and facades of happiness that reside within a small, close-knit town after a gruesome tragedy occurs. Stephen Drew, an adored small-town minister in Haverhill, Vermont, and the brutal and sadistic murder-suicide of Alice and George Hayward, the town’s most beloved parishioners. While the community never imagined such a destiny for the Haywards, dark secrets begin to surface. When evidence of an affair between Alice and Reverend Drew surfaces, Detective Catherine Benicasa suspects the likable minister as the prime suspect. Now Katie, the Haywards’ orphaned 17-year-old daughter, may be the only key to uncovering the disturbing secrets of what happened behind closed doors on that fateful night. Directed by Tawnia McKiernan from a teleplay by Anne Meredith.
TRUTH BE TOLD
April 16, 2011, FOX – Starring Candace Cameron Bure, David James Elliott, and Ronny Cox. According to Colorado’s leading marriage counselor Annie Morgan, honesty and love are the keys to successful long-term relationships. Ironically, Annie has never been married and doesn’t always follow her own advice. When an opportunity arises to discuss hosting a relationship talk show with media mogul Alexander Bishop, Annie jumps at the chance. She receives an invitation for her and her spouse to join Bishop at his New Mexico ranch. Fearful that being single will ruin her big chance, Annie conspires with Mark Crane to pose as a married couple with his teenage kids for the weekend. Eventually, the toll of lying gets to Annie and Mark, and they admit the truth to Bishop. Thinking they’ve lost a chance to better their careers, Annie and Mark go their separate ways, but a loving bond has been formed. With the help of Mark’s kids and Bishop’s desire to hire Annie, the two reunite and begin their life together as a family.
AMANDA KNOX: MURDER ON TRIAL IN ITALY
February 21, 2011, Lifetime – Based on the real-life events of Amanda Knox, this film stars Hayden Panettiere and Marcia Gay Harden. The film follows the events leading up to the murder of Meredith Kercher. Amanda Knox is an American studying abroad in Perugia, Italy. She quickly meets Raffaele, and the two start a college romance. One morning, Raffaele and Amanda call the police because they are afraid someone might have broken into the house. When the police arrive, they discover the body of Meredith, Amanda's roommate. After an investigation, lead prosecutor Guiliano Mignini believes that Amanda, Raffaele, and another man, Rudy Guede, are responsible for the murder. He concludes that the three were high on drugs and participating in some sort of sex game that resulted in killing Meredith. Amanda, Raffaele, and Rudy are all convicted of the murder. Amanda is sentenced to 26 years in jail. After the film’s release, Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito won their appeal and were freed. Rudy Guede is still in prison.
A WALK IN MY SHOES
December 10, 2010, NBC – Nancy Travis and Phillip Winchester lead this emotional family drama. Trish Fahey is a stressed high school teacher struggling to get her students to focus. Star athlete Justin Kremer is especially behind. Trish has him suspended from the basketball team until his grades improve. When Trish’s car breaks down, she is met by a mysterious woman, Molly. Trish wakes to find that she is now living the life of Cindy Kremer, Justin’s single mom. Justin, his younger brother Mikey, and Jake, the ex-marine living next door, help Trish learn that academic and family troubles often run deeper than first impressions. She realizes that the Kremer family is struggling from the loss of their marine husband/father; Jake proves to be the father figure that Justin and Mikey need to move past the loss of their dad. Directed by John Kent Harrison from a teleplay by Wesley Bishop.
THE CHRISTMAS HOPE
December 13, 2009, Lifetime – Starring Madeleine Stowe and James Remar. The Christmas Hope is our third adaptation from Donna VanLiere’s New York Times best-selling Christmas Hope Series. When lives intertwine during Christmas, hope is the one unifying gift. After suffering a personal tragedy, Patty Addison, a social worker, throws herself into finding homes for children in need. With her marriage to Mark, an airline pilot, on the rocks, Patty feels it’s the wrong time to foster 9-year-old Emily, who has just lost her single mother in a terrible car accident. However, sweet Emily quickly wins over Patty and Mark. As the Addisons start to reconnect with each other, it’s revealed that their teenage son, Sean, was recently killed in an accident. Mark tracks down a friend of Sean’s, and it is slowly revealed that he holds the key to Emily’s special Christmas gift. In a twist of fate, all is almost lost when Emily runs away, but Patty and Mark come together to find her in a true measure of healing and love. Directed by Norma Baily and written by Wesley Bishop.
MOONLIGHT & MISTLETOE
November 29, 2008, The Hallmark Channel – Candace Cameron Bure and Tom Arnold star in this charming family film. Holly Crosby is a successful businesswoman living in the big city, but that doesn’t leave her with time for a social life, family, or a long-forgotten holiday tradition. Her Father, Nick Crosby, runs a small Christmas-themed amusement park, Santaville, in rural Vermont. When Nick is injured in a sleighing accident, Holly reluctantly returns to the place she grew up and finds it near bankruptcy. With the help of an employee, Peter, she comes up with a plan to save Santaville from dishonorable creditors. Through her actions to save Santaville, Holly rediscovers her love of Christmas and finds the love she didn’t realize she was missing. Directed by Karen Arthur and written by Joany Kane and Duane Poole.
FOR THE LOVE OF A CHILD
January 9, 2006, Lifetime Television – Peri Gilpin and Teri Polo starred in this moving, triumphant drama inspired by the true story of two former actresses, Sara O’Meara and Yvonne Fedderson, and their odyssey to found Childhelp USA, now a nationwide nonprofit organization that has saved and nurtured millions of abused and neglected children. The film also follows the heart-wrenching ordeals of two young children who find refuge at a Childhelp USA center but struggle to recover from the brutality of their home lives. The airing of this film, directed by Doug Barr and written by Duane Poole, resulted in tens of thousands of calls to the Childhelp USA national hotline (1-800-4-A CHILD).
THE CHRISTMAS BLESSING
December 18, 2005, CBS – The made-for-television movie stars Neil Patrick Harris, Rob Lowe, Angus T. Jones, and Rebecca Gayheart and continues the story begun in “The Christmas Shoes” of Nathan Andrews, who is now grown and a medical resident. After losing a patient, he begins to ponder his future and moves back to his hometown, where he falls in love with a teacher and befriends one of her students, who, like Nathan, also lost his mother at a young age. Produced by Craig Anderson Productions in association with Beth Grossbard Productions. Karen Arthur directed the film from a screenplay by Wesley Bishop, with a special musical performance by Blake Shelton.
MELTDOWN
June 6, 2004, FX Network – The terrorist takeover of a California-based nuclear plant forms the premise of this documentary-style film — with seemingly real behind-the-scenes shots interspersed with on-the-spot news reports. Bruce Greenwood stars as the FBI agent in charge — a complicated man with Middle East expertise who becomes suspicious that the takeover is more than a simple plan to kill Americans. Leslie Hope co-stars as a policewoman who accidentally ends up inside the building and becomes Shea’s concealed informant, with Arnold Vosloo as the lead terrorist with an unexpected agenda. Craig Anderson and Beth Grossbard co-executive produced for Craig Anderson Productions in association with Fox TV Studios, while Jeremiah S. Chechik directed from a script by Larry Barber and Paul Barber.
WILDER DAYS
October 19, 2003, TNT – Starring Peter Falk, Tim Daly, and Josh Hutcherson and produced for TNT network’s “Johnson & Johnson Spotlight Presentations,” this heartwarming dramatic comedy follows a nursing home resident as he decides to escape from his stifling surroundings. Determined to prove to his grandson that the outrageous yarns he spins are true, he takes the boy on an exciting road trip. Along the way, he attempts to repair the damaged relationship with his own son. Directed by David Mickey Evan.
THE CHRISTMAS SHOES
December 1, 2002, CBS – Based on the #1 hit record and best-selling book, the beloved television movie THE CHRISTMAS SHOES starred Rob Lowe and Kimberly Williams. In this heartwarming holiday drama, a workaholic attorney crosses paths with a young boy on Christmas Eve and rediscovers the true meaning of love, life, and the holiday season. Maria Del Mar, Dorian Harewood, Amber Marshall, and Max Morrow also starred in this Craig Anderson/Beth Grossbard co-production. The film became the highest-rated TV movie of 2002, attracting 17 million viewers.
PASSION AND PREJUDICE
April 17, 2001, USA Networks – Frances Fisher starred as a prim and proper college professor who hires a day-release prisoner to help with the gardening. They begin a passionate affair that leads to charges of attempted murder after he is released and she is discovered naked with the badly wounded man lying at her side. Inspired by actual events, this Craig Anderson/Beth Grossbard co-production scripted by Kathleen Orillion was directed by Karen Arthur.
THE BALLAD OF LUCY WHIPPLE
February 18, 2001, CBS – Set in 1850s California, Jena Malone starred as title character Lucy Whipple, and Glenn Close as her mother, Arvella Whipple, who defies 19th-century sexual stereotyping to try her luck as a gold prospector. Stuck in the ill-named California mining village of Lucky Diggins, Lucy is convinced that her maw is a bit “tetched” in the head. It takes a chance encounter in the nearby woods to show Lucy that perhaps Arvella is not as foolish as she seems and that California is not the muddy hellhole that it appears to be at first glance. Adapted from the Karen Cushman novel “Golden Dreams: The Ballad of Lucy Whipple” by Christopher Lofton and directed by Jeremy Kagan.
RANGE OF MOTION
December 4, 2000, Lifetime – When Lainey Berman’s (Rebecca De Mornay) husband falls, acquiring a serious head injury, he winds up in a coma, turning their family upside down. While she struggles to keep the family together, she faces more and more obstacles. But as the holiday season approaches, she hopes that the intensity of her faith and love will bring about a miracle. Based on the best-seller by Elizabeth Berg, script by Grace McKeaney, directed by Donald Wrye, a Craig Anderson/Beth Grossbard co-production.
SONGS IN ORDINARY TIME
October 22, 2000, CBS – Based on an “Oprah Book Club” selection by novelist Mary McGarry Morris, “Songs in Ordinary Time” is set in Vermont in the 1960s. Sissy Spacek stars as Mary Fermoyle, a divorced mother of three children whose life is forever changed by the arrival of an enigmatic stranger named Omar Duvall (Beau Bridges), to whom the Fermoyle family extends their hospitality. Drawing closer to the personable but secretive Omar — who is also extremely popular with all the kids in the neighborhood — Mary is forced to confront the possibility that her erstwhile sweetheart may be an escaped criminal. Script by Malcolm MacRury, directed by Rod Holcomb.
SALLY HEMINGS: AN AMERICAN SCANDAL
February 13-16, 2000, CBS – The controversial true story of what would become a 40-year romance between President Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemmings, his slave with whom he had six children. This CBS miniseries starred Sam Neill, Carmen Ejogo, Diahann Carroll, Mare Winningham, Mario Van Peebles, and Kelly Rutherford and was written by Tina Andrews and directed by Charles Haid.
THE STAIRCASE
Easter Sunday, April 12, 1998, CBS – Barbara Hershey, William Petersen, and Diane Ladd starred in the uplifting story of a mysterious stranger who answers the prayers of a dying nun by building a unique circular staircase. In so doing, he restores a woman’s faith and teaches all he meets important lessons of faith, tolerance, and understanding. Based on the legend of the “miraculous staircase” of the Sisters of Loretto Chapel in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Built in 1876 with no nails or center support, of wood of unclassified origin, the staircase still stands 120 years later as an architectural and engineering wonder, its builder remaining a mystery to this day. Christopher Lofton’s original script was honored as a finalist for the Humanitas Prize. Karen Arthur directed the Craig Anderson Production in association with TeleVest and Bonneville Worldwide Entertainment. The Staircase won the night and ranked #12 for the week.
TRUE WOMEN
May 18 and 20, 1997, CBS – Dana Delany, Annabeth Gish, Angelina Jolie, Rachael Leigh Cook, and Charles Dutton all starred in an epic saga chronicling the settling of the American frontier through the eyes of three courageous women. Based on Janice Woods Windle’s best-selling historical novel recounting the lives of the women in her own family, this sweeping saga of love, war, and the American spirit spanned five decades from the Texas Revolution, through Indian uprisings and the Civil War, to the early stages of the women’s suffrage movement. Tina Majorino, Powers Boothe, Michael York, and Charles Dutton also starred in the four-hour miniseries directed by Karen Arthur from a script by Christopher Lofton. A Craig Anderson Production in association with Hallmark Entertainment.
ANGEL ON PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE
1996, Family Channel – Robert Urich starred in this holiday drama set in the Depression era as a father falsely accused of a crime and separated from his family. The heartwarming story follows the adventures of his three children, who set out on a journey to the nation’s capital to seek the help of “the most powerful man on earth” — the President of the United States. Robert Ellis Miller directed from a script written by Rider McDowell and Michael de Guzman. Tom Rowe and Lisa Towers produced for Craig Anderson Productions in association with Pacific Motion Pictures and Hallmark Entertainment.
A STEP TOWARD TOMORROW
November 10, 1996, CBS – Judith Light starred as a single mother determined to get specialized medical treatment for her paralyzed son in a sensitive and uplifting story celebrating the strength of the human spirit. Christopher Reeve and Alfre Woodard also appeared in the motion picture for television directed by Deborahy Reinisch. Written by Tom Nursall and Harris Goldberg, “A Step Toward Tomorrow” was a Craig Anderson Production in association with Hallmark Entertainment. The critically acclaimed telefilm ranked number 11 for the week.
DEAD BY SUNSET
November 19-20, 1995, NBC Miniseries – Based on Ann Rule’s best-selling crime novel, Ken Olin, Lindsay Frost, and Annette O’Toole starred in a chilling psychological drama of the web of deception and terror woven by a charming yet sociopathic chameleon. Karen Arthur directed from a teleplay by Wesley Bishop. Produced in association with TriStar Television, Inc., “Dead By Sunset” became one of the highest-rated miniseries of the season among all broadcast networks.
RETURN OF THE NATIVE
December 4, 1994, CBS/Hallmark Hall of Fame – Catherine Zeta-Jones, Clive Owen, and Joan Plowright led an all-British cast in this adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s timeless novel of mystery and romance in 19th century England. Executive-produced by Craig Anderson and Richard Welsh for the Hallmark Hall of Fame, the film was directed by Jack Gold from a script by Robert Lenski.
SPOILS OF WAR
April 9, 1994, ABC – Kate Nelligan, John Heard, and Tobey Maguire starred in this adaptation of Michael Weller’s 1988 play chronicling an isolated 15-year-old boy’s attempt to orchestrate the reunion of his mother who has raised him and the fashion photographer father whom he has just met. Executive produced by Craig Anderson and directed by David Green.
BABY BROKERS
February 21, 1994, NBC – Cybill Shepherd starred as a single woman who, in attempting to adopt a baby, becomes a victim of a baby-brokering fraud. Mimi Leder directed from a script by Susan Nanus.
THERE WAS A LITTLE BOY
May 16, 1993, CBS – Cybill Shepherd and John Heard starred as expectant parents whose joy is overshadowed by their long-buried feelings of loss over the kidnapping of their first child 15 years earlier. Scott Bairstow plays a delinquent teenager that enters their lives, who they eventually discover to be their lost son. Mimi Leder directed from a script by Wesley Bishop.
THE SECRET
April 19, 1992, CBS – Kirk Douglas starred in this original story by Cynthia Cherback about a dyslexic grandfather who only admits his condition when he discovers his grandson suffers from the same affliction. Co-starring Bruce Boxleitner, this Kraft/General Foods presentation was directed by Karen Arthur.
BUMP IN THE NIGHT
January 6, 1991, CBS – Meredith Baxter and Christopher Reeve starred in the story of a former investigative reporter who must overcome her dependency on alcohol and use her skills to locate her kidnapped son. Karen Arthur directed from a script by Christopher Lofton. The movie ranked among the Top 20 for the season.
November 20, 2016, Hallmark - As her new romance blossoms, a single mother is dismayed when her boyfriend, a military sergeant, is deployed right before Christmas. Determined to not let it ruin her holidays for her or her children they decide to give back to the struggling military families on his base and, as their efforts go viral, they are rewarded in ways they never imagined. Written by Nina Weinman, Ron Oliver and Donald Martin and Directed by David Weaver.