Hallmark Press Release:
‘THE CHRISTMAS TRAIN,’
A HALLMARK HALL OF FAME
PRESENTATION,
PRESENTATION,
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| Kimberly Williams-Paisley (image: Facebook profile) and Dermot Mulroney (image: Hallmark Crown Media) |
STARRING DERMOT MULRONEY,
KIMBERLY WILLIAMS-PAISLEY,
KIMBERLY WILLIAMS-PAISLEY,
EMMY® WINNER JOAN CUSACK,
AND EMMY® NOMINEE DANNY GLOVER,
AND EMMY® NOMINEE DANNY GLOVER,
BEGINS PRODUCTION FOR PREMIERE
EXCLUSIVELY ON HALLMARK CHANNEL,
NOVEMBER 25
EXCLUSIVELY ON HALLMARK CHANNEL,
NOVEMBER 25
National and Internationally Renowned Bestselling Author
David Baldacci’s Novel Adapted for Television
by Tippi & Neal Dobrofsky
David Baldacci’s Novel Adapted for Television
by Tippi & Neal Dobrofsky
“The Christmas Train” is a Crown Media Productions Original Film
STUDIO CITY, CA – Wednesday, August 23, 2017 – Hallmark Channel announces the highly-anticipated original film, “The Christmas Train,” a Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation, starring Dermot Mulroney (“Shameless,” “My Best Friend’s Wedding,” “Northpole: Open for Christmas”), Kimberly Williams-Paisley (“Darrow & Darrow,” “Father of the Bride”), Emmy® Award-winner and two-time Oscar® nominee Joan Cusack (“Shameless,” “Toy Story 4”), and four-time Emmy® Award nominee Danny Glover (“Lethal Weapon") begins production today and will have its exclusive World Premiere on Hallmark Channel, Saturday, November 25 (8 p.m. ET/PT, 7C).
“The Christmas Train” is a Crown Media Productions original movie and is based on national and international bestselling author David Baldacci’s novel of the same name.
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| The Christmas Train Read the Book- Soon to become a Hallmark Movie! |
In “The Christmas Train,” disillusioned, globetrotting journalist Tom Langdon (Mulroney) must get from Washington, D.C. to Los Angeles in time for Christmas. Forced to take the intercontinental trip by train, and determined to chronicle his adventure, Tom finds himself westbound with a variety of characters. On the train is renowned movie producer Max (Glover), Max’s script doctor and protégé Eleanor (Paisley), and Agnes (Cusack) who occupies the cabin opposite Tom’s and seems to know his business better than he does. While all passengers on the Christmas train appear to be headed for the same destination, Tom has no idea that the rugged locomotives taking him across America will instead detour straight into his heart – into rude awakenings, his wildest hopes and dreams, and toward the opportunity for love Tom thought was lost forever.
“It is said, you don’t take the Christmas train to get somewhere fast -- you take it for the journey,” said Michelle Vicary, Executive Vice President, Programming, Crown Media Family Networks (home of Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, Hallmark Drama, and Hallmark Movies Now).
“TV viewers will embark on the most spectacular, romantic journey filled with characters who have all packed their bags with wisdom, mischief, love and courage, and powered by David Baldacci’s timeless story, ‘The Christmas Train’ is sure to become an instant classic for holiday movie fans,” Vicary concluded.
“The Christmas Train” is a Crown Media Productions original film. Karen Spiegel is Executive Producer. Harvey Kahn is Producer. Ron Oliver is Director. David Baldacci’s The Christmas Train is adapted for television by Tippy & Neal Dobrofsky.
ABOUT CROWN MEDIA FAMILY NETWORKS:
Crown Media Family Networks is the umbrella unit subsidiary of Hallmark Cards, Inc., housing cable’s leading family friendly networks, Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, and Hallmark Drama. Hallmark Channel features an ambitious slate of new, original content, including movies, scripted series, annual specials, and a daily, two-hour lifestyle show. Hallmark Channel is also home to the popular annual holiday franchise “Countdown to Christmas,” featuring a lineup of 24/7 holiday programming. Hallmark Movies & Mysteries is a 24-hour cable network featuring a unique mix of new, original movies and acquired series focused on the lighter side of the suspense and mystery genres. The network also features its own annual holiday programming franchise, “Most Wonderful Movies of Christmas”. Hallmark Drama showcases the rich legacy of the Hallmark Hall of Fame library and with zero duplication, spotlights movies and series from Crown Media’s collection of original dramatic content. Crown Media Family Networks is also home to Hallmark Movies Now, the company’s SVOD service, which offers wholly distinct content from each network and is available on iOS, Android, Roku and Amazon Fire, among other devices. Crown Media Family Networks’ digital publishing extension, Hallmark Publishing, is an eBook division that creates novelizations of previously aired original movie favorites. It also accepts author submissions for original, on-brand manuscripts that can be greenlit as a new movie or series for one of the company’s three linear networks.
*Press Release via Pam Slay and George Zaralidis - CROWN MEDIA FAMILY NETWORKS
-- HALLMARK CHANNEL --
My *Quick* Take:
All Aboard! It sounds like Hallmark will take viewers along for a most intriguing, life-altering, adventurous ride this Christmas season with this all new Hallmark Hall of Fame Presentation - "The Christmas Train".
It's nice to see Dermot Mulroney return to the Hallmark Channel, since starring in the Hallmark Christmas movie "Northpole: Open for Christmas" with Lori Loughlin.
No stranger to Hallmark Hall of Fame movies herself, Kimberly Williams-Paisley has also starred in a previous production that premiered in 2001, "Follow the Stars Home". She will also be starring in an upcoming Hallmark Movies & Mysteries movie (coming soon!) - "Darrow & Darrow"!
Will you join me for this trip? The movie premieres the Saturday after Thanksgiving - during the Hallmark Channel's 5 Straight Nights of Movies, hosted by Candace Cameron Bure. My curiosity is most definitely piqued! I do believe I would like First Class front row seat accommodations (my comfy couch, a cozy blanket, and yummy snacks with my family!) for this all new Hallmark journey! How 'bout you? Should I save you a seat, too?
Please share *your take* in comments below! Blessings, Net
This looks like a good match. After Mitford, anything seems plausibly better.
ReplyDeleteYes, these two do make a nice match! So agree! :)
DeleteAs a fan of trains, I am looking forward to this movie quite a bit. I love the unique setting that the train will provide, and mix it in with the Christmas season lines it up for a wonderful story.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it does sound like an intriguing combination. Trains and Christmas always go wonderful together.
DeleteIn fact, we always have a train around the base of our Christmas tree each year... I just love that nostalgic look and the warm feeling it brings! And, it's fun to watch, too! (Choo!!! Choo!!!)
"All Aboard! It sounds like Hallmark will take viewers along for a most intriguing, life-altering, adventurous ride this Christmas season with this all new Hallmark Hall of Fame Presentation - "The Christmas Train"."
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like one of our Sleigh Rides through Christmas Land that we take every year during July, November, and December.
Get me a ticket Net.
It sure does, Jim!!! I'll get you a ticket and save you a seat right up front - so you won't miss a thing!!! (*grinning ear to ear*) :)
DeleteNet, what I love about you and this blog is that you so often make me feel like a child at heart. The glee inside, I often feel as I visit this magical land of yours is palpable.
DeleteThe world may have beat me up over the years but your little escape land here fills me with the delights of a child on Christmas Eve. I often feel the bubble lights bursting inside of me and filling me with the light of a child's energy and excitement.
Oh, that is wonderful, Jim!!! Thank YOU sooooo much!!!
DeleteYou are certainly key here at "It's a Wonderful Movie" in celebrating all the magic and wonder of the Christmas season!!! I'm so glad you've come along for this incredible journey!!!
Thank you for adding to the joy of Christmas!!!
Blessings to you!!! Net
.....beautiful post, Jim!! I pray the Lord gives you a big "hug" tonight as you lay your head down to sleep and may He bless you beyond all your dreams....
DeleteAwwwww!!! Thanks for the wonderful prayer Linda. Your beautiful public prayer to me achieved the big "hug" for me from our Lord in its viewing. In other words, reading the prayer itself made the big "hug" and blessing actualized. Thank you so much.
DeleteLove this!!! Lord bless you both!!! :)
Delete......happy for you, Jim!!
DeleteThis sounds like a wonderful movie!
ReplyDeleteI sure hope "It's a Wonderful Movie!" Couldn't resist!
DeleteThanks for sharing in the joy, Susan! Really looking forward to seeing this new Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, too! :)
Oh, Net, save me a seat, too!! This movie sounds wonderful with lots of heavy hitters and an intriguing plot going on. I even like the title "The Christmas Train"; trains and Christmas pair so well together!! So far, I own all the HHOF movies released and I know I'll add this one to my collection.
ReplyDeleteConsider your seat saved, Linda! We are going to be stuffed Thanksgiving week with lots of goodies, to be sure, and the first weekend movie certainly won't be just another leftover!
DeleteI, too, love the image of trains and Christmas, a wonderful combination! I think of all the children over the years playing with trains on Christmas morning around the tree! I, too, can't wait to see and add this one to my HHOF collection!!! :)
Sounds like an interesting albeit very good addition to the Hallmark Hall of Fame collection. Plus, I like the cast (Kim and Dermot), so I'm sure the performances will be memorable. Thanks, as always, for sharing. These Christmas flicks are edging SO close. :)
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness... I know! It feels like the train is coming down the tracks at a faster speed than ever before!!! I want it to come and pick us up for the Christmas movie ride, and yet... the anticipation is so sweet, too!
DeleteThank you for commenting, Rissi!!! Like the cast, too!!! Hope you enjoy this one!!! :)
“The Christmas Train” is my most anticipated Hallmark Christmas movie this year and I can honestly say that I’m disappointed with Dermot Mulroney being cast as Tom Langdon. Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t Tom supposed to be forty-one years old? I honestly feel like Hallmark casted Dermot as the lead simply because he starred in “Northpole: Open for Christmas”. I didn’t see “Northpole: Open for Christmas” or any other production that Dermot has appeared in, but I’m willing to watch his performance in “The Christmas Train” with an open mind. I also have not read “The Christmas Train”, but I plan on reading it before the movie’s release.
ReplyDeleteYes, in the book version Tom is 41 years old, and Dermot Mulroney is in his early 50's. But, if you read the story synopsis... it's about a man who is divorced and has no children, his father is gone, and he just recently lost his mother, so he is quite low when he gets on this train for an unforgettable journey. I believe the part could easily be portrayed by a man in his 50's, as well. I thought Dermot was great in "Northpole: Open for Christmas" and I'm sure he'll be just as good in this. Hope you enjoy reading the book!
Deletelove the book ( need to reread), can't wait
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing! Enjoy re-reading the book!
DeleteBy the way, if anyone else is interested in checking it out, then check out the paperback or ebook version through Amazon: http://amzn.to/2iuVMmA
This movie sounds awesome! What a fun "ride" this will be! And Net...loved you sharing about having the train around your Christmas Tree.
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear you are looking forward to this one, too, Joyce! It's always interesting to see which movie is chosen for the Hallmark Hall of Fame production.
DeleteGlad you also liked the extra tidbit about the train around our Christmas tree. We really enjoy it throughout the Christmas season!!! :)
We absolutely loved this movie, The Christmas Train. I would love to know when I can buy a copy of it to show family. Does it take a long time for it to become available to purchase? Great job Hallmark!!!
ReplyDeleteOverall, a nice ride with great twists at the end. Just wish they would get the details right. Taking down hill skis on a trip to LA, because the skiing is so good there. And it's 134 miles from La Junta, CO to Pikes Peak. There is not a good view of Pikes Peak from La Junta (which wasn't the mountain they showed in the shot). Makes it harder to suspend disbelief when they get the details wrong.
ReplyDelete