Ready to beat the Summer heat? Hallmark has announced their new Fall Into Love movies with this press release below...
Hallmark Channel offers viewers four all-new original movie premieres in September as the network begins its Fall into Love programming event. Viewers can treat themselves to stories that will transport them to the Smoky Mountains, fall in love on the gridiron as football season kicks off, enjoy a heartfelt story of two people with their individual struggles that come together in the most unlikely of places, and be immersed in the wonders of Italy.
Meanwhile, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries brings fans three exciting new originals. First is the inspiring story about a woman who learns to adapt to a new way of life following an accident, followed by two thrilling mysteries – one features a spectral sleuth, and the other offers fans a murder mystery like they’ve never seen before.
PREMIERING IN SEPTEMBER
‘LOVE IN THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS: A NATIONAL PARK ROMANCE’
Saturday, September 2 (8 p.m. ET/PT)
Starring: Arielle Kebbel, Zach Roerig
Former sweethearts (Kebbel, Roerig) reunite at an archeological dig in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. As they work together competing for the same research grant, they discover they might still have feelings for one another.
Movie Reviews:
π Smoky Mountains movie is sweet, but a bit disconnected. ~dstoutholcomb
π Love in the Great Smoky Mountains: A National Park Romance is family friendly about when former sweethearts named Haley & Rob bump into each other & reunite for an archaeological dig at an excavation site for an archeological research team in Great Smoky Mountains National Park & spark fly in between them as they explore at the park & Haley finds pictographs in a cave that may lead to the existence of a mythical Cherokee diamond. 2 archeologists rekindle their romance while they search for a mystical treasure in the Great Smoky Mountains & reconnect over their common love of nature & history. Haley meets Troy. Troy introduces Haley & Rob to Sky from Indian Village. ~Anonymous
π Love in the Great Smoky Mountains review: I've only watched two National parks movies (this one and the Zion one), but are they movies or ads for the National Parks? Because both I've seen are more the second. I felt like I was being lectured in school! The acting was bad, too. It sounded like they were all reading from a script. The archaeology seemed so unrealistic. Not that I know much on the topic, but I find it hard to believe that they would be finding perfect specimens every five minutes! And would they really fill six boxes worth of artifacts in a day? Doubtful. At least it was clean. Should I even waste my time on any more national parks movies? Let me know everyone! ~melnewlife
π Hallmark’s “Love in the Great Smoky Mountains” is family-friendly and features breathtaking scenes of the mountains, waterfalls and trails. Having lived in East Tennessee for 30+ years, I really enjoyed recognizing many of the sites and locations I’ve visited with my family (this film was actually filmed in the GSMNP and Knoxville). Romance is rekindled between two archaeologists working on a dig at an ancient Cherokee village, and also trying to solve a myth about a lost crystal. I also enjoyed the budding relationship between the two Cherokees – one from the Eastern Tribe who lives in Tennessee, and the other a decendent of the relocated tribes in Oklahoma. The film is actually quite educational for those unfamiliar with the history of the Cherokee Nation or the Trail of Tears, which was accurately retold with reverence and respect. I thought Arielle Kebbel was outstanding in the leading role too. ~MPT
π Hallmark movies once upon a time were special but they have been going downhill for years now. Love in the Smoky Mountains reaches a new low though. Consider hiring a writer with a novel idea in his or her head. And definitely hire someone with some experience in the subject matter as an advisor to make things at least a tiny bit realistic. The depictions of archeology in this movie is pitiful. And if you are going to have people hiking in a National Park find someone who has hiked further than from one store to another on Rodeo Drive. An AI could write a better script than this. ~Anonymous
‘WHEN CALLS THE HEART’ – Season 10, Episode 10006 – “The Heart of the Problem”
Sunday, September 3 (9 p.m. ET/PT)
Starring: Erin Krakow, Pascale Hutton, Jack Wagner, Kavan Smith, Chris McNally, Kevin McGarry, Andrea Brooks, Martin Cummins, Loretta Walsh, Amanda Wong, Johannah Newmarch, Viv Leacock, Natasha Burnett, Ben Rosenbaum, Hrothgar Mathews, Jaeda Lily Miller.
Rosemary (Hutton) and Lee’s (Smith) baby has brought up memories of Rosemary’s own mother, and questions about her past. Meanwhile, the kids feel left out of the hot springs with all the tourists.
'FOURTH DOWN AND LOVE’
Saturday, September 9 (8 p.m. ET/PT)
Starring: Pascale Hutton, Ryan Paevey
Sparks are reignited when a single mother (Hutton) and a pro football player (Paevey) coincidentally meet again on her daughter’s flag football field after his career is interrupted by a sports injury.
Movie Review:
ππ FOURTH DOWN AND LOVE - *clean and family friendly, with divorce topic* (I did watch it while working on my computer so hopefully I didn’t miss anything)
I didn’t expect to like this, but I really enjoyed it. The movie does have a “girl power” theme, with the girls playing flag football. I personally don't think it was extreme feminism. Chemistry was great. Personally, I think Ryan Paevey usually comes across as too cold and aloof in movies, but here he was more warm. Pascale was hilarious and fantastic as always. Just love her! The side characters were enjoyable to watch also. It was a solid, funny and heartwarming movie. ~CH Mom
ππ I enjoyed the football movie and WCTH. ~ dstoutholcomb
ππ I just finished watching Fourth Down and Love, and really enjoyed it! It was definitely family-friendly, and the characters were all very real, and often funny. I agree with CH Mom that (Ryan Paevey) seemed warmer in this movie than he sometimes is in other movies; perhaps it's just better chemistry this time around. ~Sharon in MI
ππ Fourth Down and Love - 100% family-friendly ~Anonymous

‘WHEN CALLS THE HEART’ – Season 10, Episode 10007 – “Best Laid Plans”
Sunday, September 10 (9 p.m. ET/PT)
Starring: Erin Krakow, Pascale Hutton, Jack Wagner, Kavan Smith, Chris McNally, Kevin McGarry, Andrea Brooks, Martin Cummins, Loretta Walsh, Amanda Wong, Johannah Newmarch, Viv Leacock, Natasha Burnett, Ben Rosenbaum, Hrothgar Mathews, Jaeda Lily Miller, Hyland Goodrich.
When a former student visits, Elizabeth (Krakow) thinks she may need her help. Meanwhile, Lucas (McNally) orders something for all of Hope Valley to enjoy…if they can get it working.
NOTE: This movie will have a same-sex couple; therefore, I will not be promoting it.
‘NOTES OF AUTUMN’
Saturday, September 16 (8 p.m. ET/PT)
Starring: Ashley Williams, Luke Macfarlane, Marcus Rosner, and Peter Porte
Ellie (Williams) is a fun-loving, classically trained pianist living in the city who gave up on her passion long ago. Now working for a hotel, she always seems to be getting things wrong when musical inspiration strikes. Her best friend Leo (Macfarlane) lives in the rustic outskirts of British Columbia. He's a famous author with writer's block who can't seem to finish another installment in his highly popular book series. Realizing they both need a change of scenery as the chilly days of autumn settle in, they decide to swap places, only to find themselves completely lost in new surroundings. Ellie gets tangled up in helping Sam (Rosner), Leo's neighbor, put together a musical performance for a local fundraiser and comes to terms with why she quit music years ago. Leo strikes up a friendship with Ellie's good friend Matt (Porte) and opens himself up to writing something different that really inspires him. Their newfound friendships turn into something far more meaningful, and as both Ellie and Leo take part in the joys of the autumn season, they also discover their hearts belong somewhere very different than they ever thought possible.

‘WHEN CALLS THE HEART’ – Season 10, Episode 10008 –“What Is and What Never Should Be”
Sunday, September 17 (9 p.m. ET/PT)
Starring: Erin Krakow, Pascale Hutton, Jack Wagner, Kavan Smith, Chris McNally, Kevin McGarry, Andrea Brooks, Martin Cummins, Kayla Wallace, Loretta Walsh, Amanda Wong, Johannah Newmarch, Viv Leacock, Natasha Burnett, Ben Rosenbaum, Hrothgar Mathews, Jaeda Lily Miller, Hyland Goodrich.
Elizabeth (Krakow) encourages Gowen (Cummins) to seek forgiveness from Rosaleen (Mamie Laverock, “Spotlight on Christmas”) to heal old wounds. Meanwhile, Montague (Benjamin Wilkinson, “Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies”) continues to raise suspicion.
‘RETREAT TO YOU’
Saturday, September 23 (8 p.m. ET/PT)
Starring: Emilie Ullerup, Peter Mooney, Meghan Heffern, Donald Heng
Abby (Ullerup) and Sean (Mooney) were best friends in high school until they had a falling out at their graduation party. Years later, when Abby’s friend Rachel (Heffern) brings her to a wilderness retreat, she is shocked to run into Sean. This chance reconnection only results in the old friends butting heads even more. However, when the pair becomes separated from the group on a hiking trip, they must work together to find their way back to the campsite. As the walls come down, they'll face the reality of why their friendship and their lives fell apart and come to learn that maybe the way forward is together.
‘A VERY VENICE ROMANCE’
Saturday, September 30 (8 p.m. ET/PT)
Starring: Stephanie Leonidas, Raniero Monaco Di Lapio
Amy (Leonidas) is a New York City executive working for Blossom, a wellness company that has been trying to launch deliverable meal prep kits. She needs to find a chef to help guide the venture and tries to woo Marcello Barone (Di Lapio), an Italian chef. When Amy contacts him, he turns her down -- Marcello got burned in the past by the New York restaurant scene and is now enjoying running a cooking school in Venice. To try and persuade him, Amy enrolls in his cooking school, which is located in a stunning Venetian palazzo. While there, Marcello introduces Amy to the slow-paced pleasures of Italy and shows her how the kits can be healthy by using fresh ingredients. But when the cooking course is over, and Amy fails to lure Marcello back to New York, will she go back or stay in Venice?

‘WHEN CALLS THE HEART’ – Season 10, Episode 1009 – “Deep Water”
Sunday, September 24 (9 p.m. ET/PT)
Starring: Erin Krakow, Pascale Hutton, Jack Wagner, Kavan Smith, Chris McNally, Kevin McGarry, Andrea Brooks, Martin Cummins, Kayla Wallace, Loretta Walsh, Amanda Wong, Johannah Newmarch, Viv Leacock, Natasha Burnett, Ben Rosenbaum, Hrothgar Mathews, Jaeda Lily Miller, Hyland Goodrich.
Everyone helps Rosemary (Hutton) as the Governor visits early. Meanwhile, Nathan (McGarry) is called away to help with land trouble only to find himself in unexpected danger and with surprising intel.
PREMIERING IN SEPTEMBER
‘GUIDING EMILY’
Friday, September 8 (9 p.m. ET/PT)
Starring: Sarah Drew, Antonio Cupo, Eric McCormack
Emily’s (Drew) life veers off course when she becomes permanently blind after an unfortunate rock-climbing accident and struggles to cope with her new reality. Meanwhile, a potential guide dog named Garth (voiced by McCormack) is also struggling with his rigorous training. With the help of Emily’s friend Matthew (Cupo) and Garth’s trainer Katie (Sharon Taylor, “Nancy Drew”), both make headway in their important transitions. Through a series of missed encounters, both overcome their obstacles, and Garth ends up being paired with Emily. With Garth by her side, Emily takes on her biggest challenge yet, opening her heart.
*Based on the book, Guiding Emily: A Tale of Love, Loss, and Courage, by Author, Barbara Hinske (writer of The Christmas Club)
Movie Reviews:
ππ Guiding Emily is one the best movies Hallmark has produced in a while. Should have been a Hallmark Hall of Fame! Superb acting all around and the dogs were great too! And it's family friendly. ~Joyce in Carolina
ππ I agree with Joyce from Carolina about Guiding Emily. It is truly a wonderful movie one that gives you the full Hallmark feeling. I was concerned about the dog having a voice but Garth did an excellent job they did it just perfectly. The acting was wonderful I love the relationships in the movie where the friends were helping her along not giving her pity and letting her just sit there. They said you're stronger than that we support you, we're with you. They were her true friends. My words cannot truly Express how happy I am with this movie. It was wonderfully made wonderfully acted and it is such a heartwarming story. Great job Hallmark I have to give you lots of props for it! ~Anonymous
ππ Hallmark’s “Guiding Emily” is a compelling, family-friendly, and engaging story of the love shared with a woman, Emily, who loses her eye-sight during a freak accident while rock-climbing. Despite her tragic blindness, she opens her heart to the love of her mother, friends, and coworkers, all helping her to restore some semblance of normalcy in her young life. Especially touching is the mutual love between Emily and her future service dog, Garth – whose thoughts are shared with the viewers as he endures his training as a seeing-eye dog. For me, the icing on the cake is the romantic relationship that develops between Emily and her longtime friend and admirer from her rock-climbing gym. This film is classic Hallmark that lives up to their motto, “Where Love Happens”. ~MPT
ππ This movie was such a delight!! I loved how emotional it was. Honestly, I couldn’t stop thinking about this movie even the next day after I watched it. I’m thinking of reading the book too. Sarah Drew’s acting was remarkable. It was such a heartbreaking scene when she found out she was blind permanently, and I was bawling my eyes out for her. The chemistry was great, although I did wish for more screen time between the 2 leads. Half of the movie Emily was still engaged to Connor. Her friendship-turned-romance with Matthew was so sweet. Although what happened to her was soul crushing, it also makes my heart happy to see how she was surrounded by really kind friends, coworkers, neighbor, who showered her with support and love. This was a truly terrific writing, directing, and acting all around. Of course Garth was super cute too. The only thing I wish is that this could’ve been a longer movie because I didn’t want it to end! Amazing job, Hallmark! ~CH Mom
ππ Guiding Emily is family friendly about Emily loses her eyesight due to rock climbing accident without a helmet & elbow & knee caps when she becomes blind when a guide dog named Garth since he was a puppy is struggling to his rigorous training. Emily gets help from her friend named Matthew & Garth’s dog trainer Katie are both make headway in their important transitions. Emily ends up paired with the guide dog named Garth by her side.Garth the guide dog was a puppy he recognized Emily & he wants to be with Emily. Emily’s colleague named Drew brings her desk, laptop, voiceover phone, etc…, at Emily’s place. Emily uses a cane & a guide dog named Garth is hardly known Emily when he was a puppy. Mark named lab retriever Garth. He works at Visionary Guide Dogs Foundation. Emily is with Matthew & Garth the Guide Dog ~Anonymous
ππ Guiding Emily review;
I really enjoyed watching this movie! It was heartwarming and sweet. Great cast. Family friendly. Truly enjoyable and she did a terrific job acting being blind, frustrated and kind at the same time. I was surprised this wasn't a Hall of Fame.
The only thing that really bothered me was the couple living together. We know that they were not married. Sadly, I am seeing more and more of this on Hallmark.
Overall great film! I would be glad to see it again! ~Abigail
ππ On the brighter side, I just watched Sara Drew’s new movie and I have to say it was one of the best movies Hallmark has had in years, the acting, the story, just had me emotional the whole time, excellent movie! ~Susan Ann
ππ I loved Guiding Emily so much! Sarah Drew's acting was amazing in this movie - she moved me to tears several times. My twelve-year-old daughter watched it with me, and her favorite part was the dog's narration, which made her giggle. Also, my sister just happens to be a teacher for the blind, and she is helping me teach a class on braille and blindness to our homeschool co-op. A lot of this movie was very accurate, so much so, that my daughter and I kept going, "Aunt Tracy taught us about that!" Sure, it is unrealistic that she got her dog so easily, but even the movie acknowledged that. Whoever wrote this script needs a raise and needs to write more for Hallmark! One of their best! Oh, and I really liked the part where they addressed the problem of people slapping a vest on their dog and calling it an "emotional support dog" when it isn't trained. This is causing major problems for people who really have true support dogs. My sister gets very passionate about this issue! ~melnewlife
‘COME FLY WITH ME’
Friday, September 15 (9 p.m. ET/PT)
Starring: Heather Hemmens and Niall Matter
After landing a spot on the Thunderbirds team, an Air Force pilot must find a way to balance flying, family, and her budding romance with a widowed father.
‘HAUNTED HARMONY MYSTERIES: MURDER IN G MAJOR’
Friday, September 22 (9 p.m. ET/PT)
Starring: Tamera Mowry-Housley, Risteard Cooper, Marco Grazzini, Adam Fergus
Former orchestra conductor Gethsemane Brown (Mowry-Housley) has moved to the Irish countryside to teach music at St. Brendan’s boarding school. After deciphering a cryptic musical message, she meets renowned composer Eamon McCarthy (Cooper), who is rumored to be behind the death of his longtime love. Complicating things further, Eamon’s a ghost! Eamon enlists Gethsemane’s help to find the real person responsible so that he can finally move on and reunite with his true love in the afterlife. With the ghost of Eamon tagging along, Gethsemane investigates, but faces resistance from the charming Inspector O’Reilly (Fergus), who takes a liking to her but considers the case closed. Juggling her sleuthing with the job she was hired to do, Gethsemane meanwhile struggles to turn the motley crew of students at St. Brendan’s into a choir that can compete at Regionals, though a handsome math teacher Griff (Grazzini) is able to help her gain some ground. But when her sleuthing brings her close to solving the case for Eamon, it looks like Gethsemane has only a ghost of a chance of making it out alive.
‘MYSTERY ISLAND’
Friday, September 29 (9 p.m. ET/PT)
Starring: Elizabeth Henstridge, Charlie Weber
London Police psychiatrist Dr. Emilia Priestly (Henstridge) needs to take a relaxing break from her stressful job, so her wealthy friend, Baroness Jane Alcott (Kezia Burrows, “Crash”), invites her to Mystery Island, an immersive murder-mystery-themed resort hosting a special retreat for the original investors. As the mystery game begins, tragedy strikes: John Murtaugh (Robert Getman) the resort’s reclusive founder, is murdered. The visitors are confined to the island as local detective Jason Trent (Weber) investigates the case. Once Emilia proves her innocence, she makes use of her special skills to help Jason find the murderer. The lines between game and reality are blurred as they unravel the web of romance, revenge, and betrayal behind the resort, its guests, and its elusive founder.
How 'bout you? Please share your thoughts in comments below.