Remembering Actress Paula Shaw...

We’ve come to know and love actress Paula Shaw as the lively, spunky grandmother in many Hallmark movies over the years, as well as in the series "Cedar Cove." Her warm, spirited presence always lit up the screen, and she will be deeply missed.

Paula passed away on September 10, 2025, at the age of 84, following a lengthy illness.

Here’s a look back at Paula’s list of Hallmark film appearances:

Hitched for the Holidays
Cedar Cove (TV series)
Destination Wedding
Coming Home for Christmas
Picture a Perfect Christmas
Five Star Christmas
It Was Always You
A Mrs. Miracle Christmas
The Wedding Veil Legacy
Wedding of a Lifetime
Hanukkah on Rye
Round and Round

And you may also know Paula Shaw from a number of TV movies and series, since she's been in the entertainment industry since she was a teenager...

The Bob Newhart Show
Starsky & Hutch
Little House on the Prairie
Barney Miller
Cagney & Lacey
21 Jump Street
The X-Files
Off Season (holiday TV movie)
Just Cause
Home for the Holidays (holiday TV movie)
and many, many more listed on her IMDb page!

I adored Paula in so many of her Hallmark roles...

*In "Picture a Perfect Christmas" with Merritt Patterson and Jon Cor, she shines as the injured grandmother who, in her gentle way, becomes a sweet matchmaker.

*In "Five Star Christmas" with Bethany Joy Lenz and Victor Webster, her lively spirit stands out as the family hilariously pretends to be guests at their own inn.

*In "Coming Home for Christmas" with Danica McKellar, Paula takes on a more uptight grandmother role who eventually softens and warms the heart.

*And in "It Was Always You" with Erin Krakow and Tyler Hynes, she once again shines as the grandmother, sharing her own love story while guiding Erin’s character to follow her heart and seek true love.

Please share which show or movie you most enjoyed with Paula Shaw in comments below.

Sending our love and prayers to her dear family and friends.

God's Blessings, 

Net

images: Hallmark Media

🎄 4 MONTHS 'TIL CHRISTMAS! Let's Mark the 25th! 🌟 SEE HERE:

 🎄 Merry *Mark the 25th*! 🎄

Here at "It's a Wonderful Movie" we highlight every 25th day of the month - TOGETHER! - as we Countdown to Christmas! You can also join along! August 25th marks 4 months until December 25th, Christmas day!

For all of you Christmas movie fans who wish to participate, simply pick something Christmassy to watch TODAY - on the 25th!

Will you watch one of the Hallmark Christmas movies airing this week or will you choose something else to honor the 25th? It can be a Christmas movie, cartoon, family sitcom or anything you like. (There's only one stipulation - it must be family friendly.) Then, please share in comments below your Christmas choice for the day!

My pick to *Mark the 25th* is...

Picture a Perfect Christmas

I decided to choose this movie for several reasons. First, I really enjoyed this sweet story, with Sophie and her grandmother, and the next door neighbors, David, and his nephew, Troy. Something about watching it, just makes me feel good inside and brings a smile to my face. The chemistry between Sophie and David is undeniable from the first time they meet. And the young boy, Troy, adds such a joyful spark to the film - from his love of dogs (especially adorable Riggs!), Christmas, and the wonderful way he enjoys spending time with his elderly next door neighbor.

The fact that David has adopted his nephew - is also one of the many reasons I personally chose this Christmas movie. An adoption has just gone through for someone in my family - and we are all over the moon for them and the little girl who will now have a forever family who loves her so much. We have seen the journey of adoption - through waiting, hoping, worrying, praying and wondering..., but today we are rejoicing!

If you don't have this movie on your DVR, you can pre-order it on DVD from Amazon - *here*.

I'm looking forward to re-watching this movie tonight after watching the convention coverage. Please share in comments if you plan to watch something Christmassy today!

Joyous Blessings to You All! Net

"CHRISTMAS AT THE PLAZA" DVD and MORE NEW HALLMARK DVD RELEASES! *SEE HERE:

It's an early Christmas gift
for all of us Christmas Movie fans
during Christmas in July!

See the latest new Hallmark DVD releases for their HOLIDAY COLLECTION below...

Christmas at the Plaza

Starring Elizabeth Henstridge and Ryan Paevey

Storyline via Hallmark: With Christmas approaching in New York City, Jessica, an archival historian enmeshed in a declining romantic relationship, is hired to create an exhibition honoring the history of Christmas at The Plaza Hotel. There, she meets Nick, a handsome decorator who’s been commissioned to deck out the iconic landmark. When they’re paired together to prepare the exhibition, they wind up enjoying a host of holiday traditions together and find themselves falling for each other. Tensions soon rise as Jessica must figure out her romantic priorities and decide with whom she’ll ultimately spend Christmas at The Plaza.

👉Click Here to Order DVD - Amazon

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

Starring Tricia Helfer and Eric Mabius

Storyline via Hallmark: As mayors of neighboring New Hampshire towns, longtime rivals Liam and Sarah are determined to best each other on their way to leading their hamlets to victory in the annual statewide “Christmas Spirit Competition.” When both towns unexpectedly advance to the contest’s final round, the mayors decide their best hope lies in working with, rather than against, each other. As they collaborate on a celebration showing what Christmas means to their communities, they discover their own holiday miracle: love.

👉Click Here to Order DVD - Amazon

Picture a Perfect Christmas

Starring Merritt Patterson and Jon Cor

Storyline via Hallmark: A photographer whose career is on the fast track yet whose personal life lacks the fulfillment she seeks, finds romance with an unlikely candidate while visiting her grandmother in Bainbridge Island, Washington over the Christmas holiday season.

👉Click Here to Order DVD - Amazon

Sense, Sensibility & Snowmen

Starring Erin Krakow and Luke MacFarlane

Storyline via Hallmark: The film centers on Christmas enthusiast party planners Ella and her sister, Marianne, who clash with their client, Edward, who is a not-so-jolly toy company CEO.

👉Click Here to Order DVD - Amazon

A Christmas Love Story

Starring Kristin Chenoweth and Scott Wolf

👉Click Here to Order DVD - Amazon

It's great to see these new Christmas DVD releases from 2019; I'm hopeful we'll see many more!

I would tell you my favorite picks, but I love them ALL!

However, ...if I had to give the edge to just ONE, it would definitely be "A Christmas Love Story!" I am such a lover of music and singing, especially at Christmastime, so this movie has everything I love best! ♪ Plus, Kristin Chenoweth and Scott Wolf are too cute together!

Do you have an absolute favorite?

Joyous Blessings! Net

🎄🎄🎄

NEED a little CHRISTMAS now? Or a Friend? 🌟 SEE HERE:

Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Steven Ackerman

I have seen many messages and comments from people who keep saying how much watching a sweet, simple Hallmark movie means to them right now with all that is going on in the world with the coronavirus.

My prayers certainly go out to everyone who is infected with this virus and those who have to deal firsthand with patients in need of medical assistance. And I know we are all most grateful to those in the service industry who are working hard to fill our shelves with the goods we need and those who are working night and day to feed everyone who is hungry.

Even though we are instructed to practice social distancing in real life, your social interaction here is always welcome! You are a special member of this "It's a Wonderful Movie" family! Please feel free to share in comments below how you are doing and if you have a prayer request.

This is definitely a time of great uncertainty, as we are praying hard for a good outcome. If you are having trouble finding basic supplies at your local stores, you may want to check out various options at Amazon for water, canned goods, cleaning supplies, and paper goods.

While we endure many days of businesses, churches, schools, etc... closed indefinitely, I know so many of us will enjoy a little time of reflection this week - as we look back to The Most Wonderful Time of the Year... Christmas! We had no idea, did we, how wonderful it really was? As I think back now on that special time, I'm going to continue to put my trust in the Prince of Peace, Jesus!

Hopefully, the three Hallmark Christmas movies airing this week will fill all of our hearts with joy and peace...

🌟🌟🌟

Hallmark Drama's
"Home for the Holidays"
classic Christmas movie feature is...
"Help for the Holidays"
on Wednesday, March 18th at 9pm/8c..

image: Hallmark Crown Media

Storyline via Hallmark: Although she loves Christmas, Santa's elf Christine (Glau) wonders if there could be more to life than making toys in the North Pole. When Santa receives an emergency wish from a little boy in Los Angeles, he puts Christine on special assignment, sending her to L.A. to give the VanCamp family - mom Sara (La Rue), dad Scott (Gauthier), and their two kids - a holiday wake-up call.

🌟🌟🌟

Hallmark Movies & Mysteries
"Miracles of Christmas"
classic Christmas movie feature is
"Two Turtle Doves"
on Thursday, March 19th at 9pm/8c.

image: Hallmark Crown Media

Storyline via Hallmark: Neuroscientist Dr. Sharon Harper, who studies loss and grief, returns to her childhood home following the death of her beloved grandmother to get her affairs in order. She becomes reacquainted with Sam, the disheartened estate lawyer and single dad, grieving for his late wife. It’s both Christmas and her late grandmother’s Will and Testament that challenge Sharon with a quest for a long-lost family heirloom that leads them both to confront old memories with making new ones. When she is faced with choosing between her past and her future, she rediscovers what the holiday --and life-- is truly about.

🌟🌟🌟

Hallmark Channel's
"Countdown to Christmas"
classic Christmas movie feature is
"Picture a Perfect Christmas"
on Friday, March 20th at 8pm/7c.

UPDATE:

*Friday's Schedule on the Hallmark Channel was changed to a Christmas Movie Marathon - SEE HERE!

image: Hallmark Crown Media

Storyline via Hallmark: A photographer whose career is on the fast track yet whose personal life lacks the fulfillment she seeks, finds romance with an unlikely candidate while visiting her grandmother in Bainbridge Island, Washington over the Christmas holiday season.

🌟🌟🌟

I sure hope you are able to relax and enjoy all of the Christmas movies airing this week!

MY PICK of the Week:

All of them! I love "Help for the Holidays" for it's magic child-like, North Pole Christmas wonder!

"Two Turtle Doves" absolutely swept my heart away with the beautiful love story with Sharon (Nikki Deloach) and Sam (Michael Rady), plus there's a precious, precocious little girl and the mystery of a lost ornament!

Lastly, I love the relationship that slowly "develops" in "Picture a Perfect Christmas" between professional photographer Sophie (Merritt Patterson) and David Murphy (Jon Cor), as she and her grandmother are temporarily watching over his adorable nephew, who happens to live next door!

What is your Christmas movie pick of the week?

Be sure to check my Christmas TV Schedule for even more Christmas movies airing in March and April!

Plus, if you haven't already, be sure to take a minute and vote for your favorite TV Movie - HERE!

Take care, Everyone...
Blessings to You All, Net

PICTURE THIS: 5 NEW CHRISTMAS MOVIE PREMIERES THIS WEEKEND ON TV - HALLMARK, LIFETIME, AND UPtv!

Get the popcorn (for eating or stringing!) and DVR ready for FIVE all new Christmas movies premiering this Saturday and Sunday! I've also provided encore times, if you can't catch a certain movie the first time around...


Saturday, November 9, 2019:

Picture a Perfect Christmas

image: Hallmark Crown Media

Storyline via Hallmark: A photographer whose career is on the fast track yet whose personal life lacks the fulfillment she seeks, finds romance with an unlikely candidate while visiting her grandmother... click here to read more...

See the premiere of Picture a Perfect Christmas

Saturday, November 9, 2019

at 8pm/7c. on the Hallmark Channel

Encore Air Times:

Sunday November 10, 2019 at 4pm/3c.

Wednesday November 13, 2019 at 8am/7c.

Thursday November 14, 2019 at 8pm/7c.

🌟🌟🌟

More... Saturday, November 9, 2019:

Radio Christmas

image via: Lifetime

Storyline via Lifetime: When her Philadelphia radio station is closed for repairs during the holidays, DJ Kara Porter (Pulliam) is forced to broadcast from the small town of Bethlehem. Desperate to increase her numbers and get promoted outside of Radio Christmas – a year-round Christmas station, Kara seeks to uncover the identity of... click here to read more...

See the premiere of Radio Christmas

Saturday, November 9, 2019

at 8pm/7c. on Lifetime

Encore Air Times:

Sunday, November 10, 2019 at 12:01am/11:01c.

Sunday, November 10, 2019 at 6pm/5c.

🌟🌟🌟

Sunday, November 10, 2019:

Rock N’ Roll Christmas

image via: UPtv

Storyline via UP: An estranged mother/daughter country music duo reunite after 10 years apart to release a Christmas single after a video of them goes viral. Now, they’re going to need a lot of forgiveness and a little Christmas... click here to read more...

See the premiere of Rock N’ Roll Christmas

Sunday, November 10, 2019

at 7pm/6c. on UPtv

Encore Air Times:

Sunday, November 10, 2019 at 10:57pm/9:57c.

Saturday, November 16, 2019 at 7pm/6c.

Saturday, November 16, 2019 at 11pm/10c.

Sunday, November 17, 2019 at 5pm/4c.

🌟🌟🌟

More... Sunday, November 10, 2019:

The Mistletoe Secret

image: Hallmark Crown Media

Storyline via Hallmark: When Aria Eubank convinces a famous travel writer to do a feature story on her beloved hometown, Midway, Utah, it looks like the town’s tourism drop is about to be reversed. However, when the travel guru and his ghostwriter both show up, Aria finds her heart torn between... click here to read more...

See the premiere of The Mistletoe Secret

Sunday, November 10, 2019

at 8pm/7c. on the Hallmark Channel

Encore Air Times:

Tuesday November 12, 2019 at 10:03pm/9:03c.

Sunday November 17, 2019 at 6pm/5c.

Thursday November 21, 2019 at 10:03pm/9:03c.

🌟🌟🌟

More... Sunday, November 10, 2019:

A Sweet Christmas Romance

image via: Lifetime

Storyline via Lifetime: When food stylist Holly (Kane) returns home for Christmas, she learns that Loretta (Devine), the elderly owner of her favorite childhood bakery, is retiring and has started a contest to give the bakery away to whoever can recreate her famous 12 Days of Christmas recipes. Holly enters, despite not being much of... click here to read more...

See the premiere of A Sweet Christmas Romance

Sunday, November 10, 2019

at 8pm/7c. on Lifetime

Encore Air Times:

Monday, November 11, 2019 at 12:01am/11:01c.

Monday, November 11, 2019 at 10:03pm/9:03c.

Tuesday, November 12, 2019 at 2:04am/1:04c.

🌟🌟🌟

There are certainly many diverse choices of Christmas movies airing this weekend on TV - with Music, Photography, Christmas Baking, a cute Doggie, Mistletoe, Secrets and more! And I'm looking forward to watching each and every one! (In time! I mean, I have to sleep sometime, right?)

Hope you enjoy ALL the Christmas movies you are able to squeeze in over the weekend, too! Does one intrigue you more than the others? Please share in comments below!

Have a great, Picture-Perfect weekend!
Christmas Blessings to You! Net

🌟 SHINING HIS LIGHT 🌟

"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."

Isaiah 1:18 (KJV)

Picture a Perfect Christmas - a Hallmark Channel Countdown to Christmas Movie starring Merritt Patterson and Jon Cor!

MOVIE REVIEW

Movie: Picture a Perfect Christmas

Network: Hallmark Channel

Original Air Date: November 9, 2019

CAST:

Merritt Patterson ... Sophie
Jon Cor ... David
Luke Roessler ... Troy
Paula Shaw ... Louise
Nicole Oliver ... Marissa
Toby Levins ... Brent
Kwesi Ameyaw ... Ross
Terence Kelly ... Simon
Anita Brown ... Jodi
Chelsea Gill ... Prospective Nanny
Briana Skye ... Chloe
Claude Knowlton ... Client
Richard Glen Lett ... Santa
Leandro Guedes ... Auditioner #2
Madeleine Kelders ... Smiling Parent
Gidget ... Riggs the dog

PLOT:

Storyline via Hallmark: A photographer whose career is on the fast track yet whose personal life lacks the fulfillment she seeks, finds romance with an unlikely candidate while visiting her grandmother in Bainbridge Island, Washington over the Christmas holiday season.

Movie Review:

Coming...


See or Skip:

Coming...


--
*images via: Hallmark Crown Media Family Networks
Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Allister Foster

HALLMARK CHRISTMAS MOVIES SHARED in "CHRISTMAS: A FIRST LOOK PREVIEW SPECIAL" with LACEY CHABERT! See Here...

On Saturday night, July 13th, 2019 at 10pm/9c., the Hallmark Channel gave viewers a first hand look at NINE of the FORTY CHRISTMAS MOVIES that will be airing this Christmas Season on both Hallmark networks.

*Images Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer:
Alexx Henry/Alexx Henry Studios, LLC

This "Christmas: A First Look Preview Special," hosted by Lacey Chabert, focused on the Hallmark Channel, giving Hallmark viewers a glimpse of the first Christmas movies to premiere - starting in October, plus an enticing sweet taste of Thanksgiving week and Crown Media's highest achievement of all, the chosen Hallmark Hall of Fame movie!

Here are the Hallmark Channel Christmas movies

that were highlighted in this Preview Special:

1.) Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses
Starring: Jill Wagner and Matthew Davis
Premiere Date: October 26, 2019

2.) Merry & Bright
Starring: Jodie Sweetin and Andrew Walker
Premiere Date: November 2, 2019

3.) Picture a Perfect Christmas
Previous title: A Family Under the Christmas Tree
Starring: Merritt Patterson and Jon Cor
Premiere Date: November 3, 2019

4.) Write Before Christmas
Previous title: Five Cards for Christmas
Starring: Chad Michael Murray and Torrey DeVitto
Premiere Date: November 9, 2019

5.) Christmas in Rome
Starring: Lacey Chabert and Sam Page
Premiere Date: November 16, 2019

6.) Christmas Scavenger Hunt
Starring: Kevin McGarry and Kim Shaw
Premiere Date: November 27, 2019 (Thanksgiving week!)

7.) A Christmas Love Story - Hallmark Hall of Fame
Previous title: The Christmas Song
Starring: Kristin Chenoweth and Scott Wolf
Premiere Date: November 30, 2019 (Thanksgiving week!)

8.) Christmas Town
Starring: Candace Cameron Bure and Tim Rozon
Premiere Date: December 1, 2019 (Thanksgiving week!)

9.) A Merry Christmas Match
Starring: Ashley Newbrough and Kyle Dean Massey
Premiere Date: December 22, 2019


So what can we glean from the information we were given during this one hour Christmas preview special? Well... it looks like the Hallmark Channel is definitely bringing us a Thanksgiving week filled once again with Christmas movies, which has become a very popular, highly rated programming event every year. Also, it was confirmed that "A Christmas Love Story" would earn the crown jewel, as Crown Media's Hallmark Hall of Fame production, which now traditionally airs the Saturday after Thanksgiving. In the meantime, Hallmark's Christmas queen, Candace Cameron Bure, will once again have her Christmas movie complete Thanksgiving week on Sunday night, with "Christmas Town."

Two of the movies also had new titles. "A Family Under the Christmas Tree" has been renamed "Picture a Perfect Christmas," while "Five Cards for Christmas" has been renamed "Write Before Christmas." I'm not usually into changing titles, but in this case, I really like the upgraded versions. They both seem to suit the unique originality of the stories.

Most of all... in this Christmas Preview special, Lacey Chabert shared with us her spirited enthusiasm, great joy and vibrant hope for this upcoming Christmas season... and I know we all can't wait for it! Until then, may we enjoy the simple pleasures of this day, until it leads to the next!

Joyous Blessings! Net