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

Honoring September 11th - God Bless America

Remembering September 11th...

Let us continue to pray for peace in America and for those who lost someone they loved on September 11, 2001.

As time moves us further away, I hope and pray, as a nation, we will never forget what took place on that day - when terrorists struck planes into our World Trade Center in New York City and our Pentagon in Virginia, and when the heroes of Flight 93 crashed their hijacked plane into a field in Pennsylvania.

My heart remains with the victims from that day and their families, along with our military and first responders/rescuers - who lost their lives because of that day.

As we remember that dark time, I pray we will also never forget the patriotic spirit and the love that was shown in that time of tragedy. Let us be a Light to someone Today! Let us Love one another!

 
May this excerpt from the song, God Bless the USA, be our motto today... "For the flag still stands for freedom, and they can't take that away..."

God bless America

and all who visit here,

Net

"In Him was Life,

and that Life was the Light of all mankind.

The Light shines in the darkness,

and the darkness has not overcome it."

~John 1:4&5

Remembering Actor Ed Asner...

image: Hallmark Crown Media

Most of you probably heard the sad news over the weekend that actor Ed Asner passed away on August 29, 2021 at the age of 91. He was born on November 15, 1929 in Kansas City, Missouri to Morris David Asner and Lizzie Seliger. Asner was married twice and had four children: Matthew, Charles, Kate and Liza.

Ed Asner's passing was shared on social media Sunday morning with this message...

"We are sorry to say that our beloved patriarch passed away this morning peacefully. Words cannot express the sadness we feel. With a kiss on your head- Goodnight dad. We love you."

image: Hallmark Crown Media

To a lot of viewers, he is well known from the TV series: Lou Grant and The Mary Tyler Moore Show. However, to a younger generation, he is most well known as Santa Claus in the popular Christmas movie comedy Elf and his Hallmark movies: The Christmas Card (which is a beloved, true Hallmark Classic that pays tribute to our military serving in Afghanistan and the Vietnam War, Asner portrays a Veteran), Generation Gap (like The Christmas Card, this movie is another great tribute to the military), Out of the Woods (he portrays an eccentric Grandpa), Second Chances (Ed plays another heroic character, as retired fireman, Buddy), and Ed Asner has an important role in the All of My Heart trilogy of films, alongside Lacey Chabert and Brennan Elliott. (In fact, I just watched one of the All of My Heart movies last week, and I was thinking how wonderful it was that they were able to have his involvement in all three movies. There's a brief military tribute in this movie, as well. In the first All of My Heart movie, Ed's character shares that his older brother sadly died during the war.)

Actor Brennan Elliott shared this heartfelt tribute on social media...

"This man made everything funny no matter what he said or did! Being able to work with him was a treasured moment for me and everyone on our #aomhmovies. We lost a genius today who will be missed greatly. Keep them all laughing in heaven my friend! Miss you!"

If you take a look at Ed Asner's extensive career at IMDB, then you'll also see that he was planning to do several more projects that were in pre-production. Also, the movie Elf isn't the only time he portrayed Santa; Ed played Kris Kringle in... A StoryBots Christmas, Santa Stole Our Dog: A Merry Doggone Christmas!, Elf: Buddy's Musical Christmas, Olive, the Other Reindeer, The Story of Santa Claus, Christmas on the Bayou, Murdoch Mysteries, and in an episode of Highway to Heaven! Asner did the voice work for many various animations, including: the Pixar movie, Up, plus, Daniel, in the lions' den, in the Adventures from the Book of Virtues and Joshua in Joshua and the Battle of Jericho.

Besides Elf and The Christmas Card (my personal favorite!), Ed Asner starred in many other notable Christmas movies that should be aired each year, but typically aren't... The Man Who Saved Christmas, The Christmas Star, The Gathering, Thomas Kinkade's Christmas Cottage, Yes Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus, Home Alone: The Holiday Heist, and Christmas on the Bayou!

We say goodbye now to this iconic TV legend, and we will fondly remember him each time we watch one of his many shows or movies replay on TV. My prayers go out now to his dear family and friends.

God bless, Net

Remembering Actress Cloris Leachman...

Sadly, legendary film and TV actress, Cloris Leachman, passed away on January 27, 2021. She was born on April 30, 1926 and lived to be 94 years old. Cloris will be fondly remembered for a variety of roles, including "The Beverly Hillbillies," "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," "The Facts of Life" and more... Plus, she had multiple guest star roles on many shows, such as: "Gunsmoke," "Lassie," The Donna Reed Show," "The Love Boat," "Perry Mason," "Diagnosis Murder," "Touched by an Angel," "Promised Land" and so on...


Cloris Leachman had an extensive career in film and on TV, and it's no wonder - with her spunky, vibrant personality and dramatic flair, Cloris fit into any character, whether it was the den Mother on "Facts of Life," the cranky, recluse woman in "Prancer," the peppy, high-spirited Granny in "The Beverly Hillbillies," or even the inspirational grandmother in "I Can Only Imagine." Cloris could play all of these roles perfectly.


Hallmark fans may also recall Cloris Leachman had a role in one of the Christian based, "Love Comes Softly" pioneer era movies, "Love Takes Wing," which aired on the Hallmark Channel in 2009. Cloris played the role of Miss Hattie and helped Dr. Belinda Simpson overcome her grief and reach out to the sick orphaned children, who were in desperate need.

While I loved Cloris in so many roles, I will personally remember her best from two of her family Christmas movies. The first one is "A Little Piece of Heaven," with Lacey Chabert and Kirk Cameron, from 1991. This sweet little movie is one that always touches the heart; I sure wish they would air it on TV again. I've had it on DVD for years, and I'm so glad to see Amazon still offers it.

The second Christmas movie that Cloris Leachman has a role in that is always a must see for me each Christmas, is Prancer! To say I absolutely love this movie is an understatement. It brings me such joy to see the little girl, Jessica, reach out to show love and kindness to Cloris' character, Mrs. McFarland, who lives all alone and is forgotten by everyone else in town. It is such a beautiful scene when Mrs. McFarland comes to church during a Christmas candlelight service. I typically become a bit misty-eyed at this point. There is so much more to this movie then just believing in Santa Claus, it's about overcoming loss and restoring one's faith and Cloris' character is key to that discovery.

Please share which show or movie you enjoyed with Cloris Leachman in comments below.

Sending our love and prayers 

to her dear family and friends.

God's Blessings, Net

Remembering Actress Valerie Harper - Plus, MeTV and getTV give Special TV Tributes

image: Hallmark Crown Media

Last week we lost one of television's leading ladies... legendary actress, Valerie Harper, who lost her battle with cancer, at the age of 80, on Friday, August 30, 2019.

Whether you watched in real time or reruns, many of us know and love Valerie Harper in her various roles... from The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Rhoda, Love Boat, the sitcom Valerie, and lots of guest roles and TV movies, including: The Great Mom Swap, Promised Land, Touched by an Angel, Mary and Rhoda, UPtv's The Town That Came A-Courtin' and so on. Valerie also starred in Hallmark Channel's Fixing Pete and Signed, Sealed, Delivered (the TV Series).

image: Hallmark Crown Media

I especially loved Valerie in her role on Signed, Sealed, Delivered as the Dead Letter Office Supervisor, Theresa Capodiamonte. She had such an inspirational spark about her with this character. One of the episodes was aptly named Time to Start Livin' and in the episode Valerie's character did just that, as she decided to take a chance and live out her dreams while it was still possible to make them happen!

We are blessed now by Valerie's legacy of films and TV series, that have brought joy, laughter, and inspiration to generation after generation.

Valerie Harper leaves behind her husband, Tony Cacciotti, and her daughter, Cristina. My thoughts and prayers go out to her dear family and friends.


MeTV will be giving a special TV tribute to Valerie Harper this Sunday. Please see the press release below...

Plus getTV, will have a special tribute this Friday. See details below...


PRESS RELEASE - MeTV:

MeTV NETWORK PAYS TRIBUTE TO VALERIE HARPER

WITH A SPECIAL PRESENTATION OF “THE BEST OF RHODA”

TRIBUTE BEGINS SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8th AT 5:00 PM ET/PT

September 3, 2019 – Chicago, IL – MeTV Network pays tribute to the career of beloved actress Valerie Harper with a special presentation of select episodes from The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Rhoda, airing on MeTV this Sunday, September 8th beginning at 5:00pm ET/PT through 8:00pm ET/PT. (Episodes listed below).

Valerie Harper will forever be remembered as Rhoda Morgenstern, the wisecracking and lovelorn best friend to Mary Richards on the Primetime Emmy award-winning series, The Mary Tyler Moore Show. With her signature charm and snark, Harper made Rhoda one of the most memorable feminist icons of television in the 1970s, and earned three Primetime Emmy Awards for her performance, before landing her own spin-off series Rhoda in 1974.

Rhoda is the first and only television series to earn the top spot in Nielsen ratings for its premiere episode, where Rhoda leaves Minneapolis to return home to New York City and fires up a whirlwind romance with divorcee Joe Gerard, played by David Groh. At the time, the iconic New York wedding between Rhoda and Joe was the most watched television episode of the 1970s, with a whopping 52 million Americans tuning in. Airing from 1974-1978, the series earned 17 Primetime Emmy nominations, and seven Golden Globe nominations. Harper herself earned her fourth Emmy Award for Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical, as well as the Golden Globe for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy.

Harper went on to appear in a handful of television series, including The Love Boat, Touched By An Angel, Melrose Place, Sex and the City, Desperate Housewives, Dancing with the Stars and 2 Broke Girls. In 2000, Harper reunited with Mary Tyler Moore for the made-for-TV movie Mary and Rhoda. In 2013, Harper revealed that she had been diagnosed with a rare and incurable form of brain cancer, but continued to work, appearing in short films, on stage, and even voicing characters on animated series, The Simpsons and American Dad.

Throughout her career, Harper earned four Primetime Emmy Awards, one Golden Globe, and one Tony nomination. Outside of show business, Harper was a longtime representative for the Hunger Project, an organization that supports rural women in developing countries, and co-founded L.I.F.E. (Love Is Feeding Everyone) in 1983, a charity dedicated to preventing hunger in Los Angeles. Harper is survived by her husband of 32 years, Tony Cacciotti.



The complete schedule for MeTV’s Tribute to Valerie Harper includes:

Sunday, September 8, 2019 (All Times are Eastern/Pacific)

5:00pm-5:30pm: The Mary Tyler Moore Show – “Rhoda, The Beautiful”

Rhoda enters a beauty contest but continues to put herself down.

5:30pm-6:00pm: The Mary Tyler Moore Show – “Is a Friend in Need”

Rhoda loses her job, but Mary doesn't tell her about an opening at WJM.

6:00pm-6:30pm: The Mary Tyler Moore Show – “A Girl’s Best Mother Is Not Her Friend”

Rhoda's mother visits with the intention of being her daughter's best friend.

6:30pm-7:00pm: The Mary Tyler Moore Show – “Where There’s Smoke, There’s Rhoda”

Mary and Rhoda are best friends, but can they be roommates too?

7:00pm-7:30pm: Rhoda – “Rhoda’s Wedding Part 1”

Rhoda's wedding day has finally arrived and is filled with mishaps.

7:30pm-8:00pm: Rhoda – “Rhoda’s Wedding Part 2”

Complications may ruin Rhoda's wedding day.



Viewers can see our complete schedule and find out where to watch by visiting MeTV.com.


About Weigel Broadcasting Co.

Weigel Broadcasting Co. is a family-owned media company based in Chicago, Illinois. In addition to producing the new series Collector’s Call, the company owns and operates national television networks, as well as local broadcast stations throughout the country. Weigel is the leader in the multicast television network space with "MeTV," Memorable Entertainment Television, the number-one rated and distributed multicast network, as well as the "Movies!" Network in cooperation with the Fox Television Stations, the "DECADES" Network, the "H&I" Network and the “Start TV” Network in association with the CBS Television Stations. Weigel's local stations include CBS, ABC, The CW, MyNet and Telemundo network affiliates. Weigel and its affiliate companies broadcast network and independent television stations in Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis, Cedar City-St. George, Milwaukee, South Bend and Rockford. Weigel is also the creator of the nationally syndicated music format “MeTV FM”. For more information on Weigel, visit: https://www.weigelbroadcasting.com/

###

image courtesy: getTV

Tribute for Valerie Harper - details below via getTV:

getTV Remembers Valerie Harper (1939-2019) With Special “Hot in Cleveland Episode” Reuniting Her and “Mary Tyler Moore Show” Co-Stars on Friday, September 6 at 7:30 pm ET

getTV will pay tribute to four time-Emmy-winning actress Valerie Harper, who died Friday, by airing a special 2013 episode of “Hot in Cleveland,” in which Harper guest-starred, on Friday, September 6 at 7:30 pm ET. The episode, entitled “Love Is All Around,” also guest stars Mary Tyler Moore and Cloris Leachman and series regulars Betty White and Georgia Engel, who all co-starred with Harper on the long-running “Mary Tyler Moore Show.” On that series, Harper created the role she was best-known for, of Rhoda Morgenstern, who she later played on a spin-off series, “Rhoda.”

The actresses all play former members of a bowling team who reunite, causing old rivalries to resurface. “Hot in Cleveland,” which also stars Valerie Bertinelli, Jane Leeves and Wendie Malick, airs weeknights from 6-8 PM ET on getTV.

Remembering Legendary Actor Tim Conway

"Surprised by Love" image: Hallmark Crown Media

We solemnly say goodbye today to actor and comedian Tim Conway, who was one of the stars of the classic 'The Carol Burnett Show'.

As Hallmark viewers- we are blessed that one of Mr. Conway's last projects was co-starring in the romantic comedy, "Surprised by Love" in 2015, along with Hilarie Burton and Paul Campbell. What an incredible talent he was at making people laugh.

Tim Conway was born on December 15th, 1933 in Willoughby, Ohio. As a young man he served in the United States Army from 1956 to 1958. His journey to stardom began when he started working for a radio station. From there, he started writing skits in between CBS morning movies and he was discovered!

'The Apple Dumpling Gang' image: Disney

As a 6-Time Emmy Winner, Tim Conway has 124 movies, tv shows, etc... in his acting credit, including the classic Disney movie, 'The Apple Dumpling Gang' from 1975, with Don Knotts.

Our hearts and prayers go out to his dear friends, family, his children, and grandchildren...

With God's Love, Net

💮 REMEMBERING DORIS DAY 💮 AS SHE TAKES A SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY HOME...

Today, we remember Doris Day, who sang her way into our hearts with classic songs like: 'Sentimental Journey,' 'Que Sera, Sera,' 'Please, Please, Don't Eat the Daisies' and many more cherished tunes.

Doris Day was known for being the epitome of sugar and spice and everything nice... all sweetness, wholesomeness, and goodness! Her style was bright and cheerful; she was the legendary girl next door.

UPDATE: Details on TCM's Doris Day movie tribute below...

According to the Doris Day Animal Foundation, Doris had been in excellent health until she recently contracted a serious case of pneumonia. She passed away Monday, May 13, 2019 at the age of 97, in her home in Carmel Valley, California surrounded by dear friends.

What an incredible, soothing voice she had, recording over 600 songs, in which generation after generation, have enjoyed listening to. Many of her hit songs, such as: 'On Moonlight Bay,' 'Love Me, Or Leave Me' and 'April in Paris' were the highlight of the films she starred in. No matter your age or the era you grew up in, Doris' songs still evoke a certain sentiment... a heartwarming emotion... a feeling of ease, like a warm breeze on a carefree Summer day.

Doris was born April 3, 1922; her given name was Doris Mary Ann Kappeloff by her parents, William Joseph Kappeloff and Alma Sophia. Doris had two older brothers, Richard and Paul. Richard, however, passed before Doris was born.

As a young girl, Doris initially wanted to be a professional dancer, but after she injured her leg in a car accident in 1937, that dream ended. Instead, she realized her singing talent as she sang along with the radio, recovering from her accident. Doris took singing lessons and worked with the Les Brown band, eventually recording the hit song 'Sentimental Journey' in 1945.

screen-cap image via 'Romance on the High Seas'

From there, she was recommended for an audition for the movie 'Romance on the High Seas' in 1948. Doris, of course, earned the role, which led to more films thereafter. She even co-starred in a feature film with future President, Ronald Reagan, in "The Winning Team". In all, she made 39 films, even dancing in many of them, thus fulfilling her first dream, as well!

Even more than her entertainment dreams, Doris yearned to be a housewife and mother. She had one son, Terry, who, sadly, proceeded her in death in 2004. Terry's son, Ryan, is her only grandchild.

Doris Day with her son, Terry

In her later years, Doris loved being surrounded by the love and companionship of her animals. In 1978, she founded the Doris Day Pet Foundation, now the Doris Day Animal Foundation.

Doris Day and Jimmy Stewart
in promotional photo for "The Man Who Knew Too Much"

My personal love of Doris Day films began with movies like "Move Over, Darling" with James Garner and the Alfred Hitchcock film, "The Man Who Knew Too Much," with Jimmy Stewart. It has also been a thrill for me, personally, to share my birthday with Doris Day each year and send her a birthday greeting here on my blog.

Doris Day and James Garner in promotional shot for "Move Over Darling"

Doris' song 'A Bushel and a Peck' brings to mind a very special childhood memory for me of my Grandmother (we called her Ma-Ma). My own Momma would often sing to me and my siblings many of her favorite Doris Day songs, as we were growing up and still today! Furthermore, a dear, precious Aunt of mine, actually looked a lot like Doris Day. She was such a beautiful lady, inside and out.

Like an old movie reel playing in my mind, I can still see family members (past and present), sitting around in a circle at holiday gatherings, singing gospel hymns and cherished Doris Day songs like 'Sentimental Journey,' 'You are my Sunshine' and 'By the Light of the Silvery Moon'.

I imagine many of you also have your own sweet memories, in which Doris Day is a special part. Please share yours or any favorite Doris Day movie or song you may have, in comments below - as we remember Doris Day today in her 'Sentimental Journey' home...

May God bless and comfort
all the dear family and friends of Doris Day.

In God's Love... with my prayers, Net

(See TCM's Doris Day tribute schedule below...)

Turner Classic Movies (TCM) will celebrate the life and career of iconic actress, singer and animal activist Doris Day with a 24-hour, 13-film tribute on Sunday, June 9.

TCM Remembers Doris Day – Sunday June 9

6:00 a.m. Romance on the High Seas (1948)- A singer on a Caribbean cruise gets mixed up in a series of romantic problems.

8:00 a.m. My Dream Is Yours (1949) – A talent scout turns a young unknown into a radio singing star.

10:00 a.m. Tea For Two (1950) – An heiress has to say no to every question for 24 hours if she wants to star on Broadway.

11:45 a.m. On Moonlight Bay (1951)– A small-town tomboy falls for the boy-next-door in the years before World War I.

1:30 p.m. Carson on TCM: Doris Day (1976)– Doris Day joined Johnny to discuss why she decided to set the record straight about her life and write her autobiography.

1:45 p.m. Love Me or Leave Me (1955)– True story of torch singer Ruth Etting's struggle to escape the gangster who made her a star.

4:00 p.m. Calamity Jane (1953)– The Wild West heroine helps bring a star attraction to Deadwood and finds love.

6:00 p.m. Please Don't Eat the Daisies (1960) - A drama critic and his family try to adjust to life in the country.

8:00 p.m. Pillow Talk (1959) - A man and woman carry their feud over the telephone line they share into their real lives.

10:00 p.m. Lover Come Back (1961) – An ad exec in disguise courts his pretty female competitor.

12:00 a.m. Move Over Darling (1963) – Five years after a woman disappeared in the sea after a plane crash, her husband remarries and sets off to be with the new wife only to be confronted by the woman he had pronounced legally dead.

2:00 a.m. The Glass Bottom Boat (1966) – A woman writing a scientist’s biography is mistaken for a spy.

4:00 a.m. Julie (1956)– A stewardess is stalked by her psychotic estranged husband.

(All times Eastern)


Listen here to Doris Day singing 'Sentimental Journey'...

Remembering the Legendary Actresses ~ Debbie Reynolds and her daughter Carrie Fisher

I'm sure you were, as I was, stunned to learn the passing of both of these actresses so suddenly these passed few days. First, Actress Carrie Fisher, from a heart attack on December 27, 2016, and then her mother, Actress Debbie Reynolds from a stroke a day later, December 28, 2016. So tragic, especially for all of the dear family and friends they left behind.

Actress Debbie Reynolds - the All American Girl Next Door!

Both Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher were legends in the acting world. Debbie Reynolds was from Hollywood's By-gone Golden Era... with hits like "Singing in the Rain," "The Affairs of Dobie Gillis," "Susan Slept Here," "The Tender Trap," "Tammy and the Bachelor," "The Unsinkable Molly Brown," and so much more! You can see Debbie Reynolds' extensive acting career at imdb - with over 80 acting credits in her filmography and over 200 performances as herself!

"Singin' in the Rain" - Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, and Donald O'Connor

via US magazine - Getty Images; Terry O'Neill/Getty Images
Gene Kelly in Singin' in the Rain in 1952;
Carrie Fisher in Star Wars in 1977 

Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford in Star Wars 

Of course, Carrie Fisher will forever be remembered as the iconic character from the original Star Wars movies, as Princess Leia. You can see her filmography at imdb, with over 90 acting credits!

Debbie Reynolds with daughter Carrie Fisher

My thoughts...
It is so sad to see these two pass away - Daughter and Mother, so close to one another.

Debbie was such a wonderful actress and beautiful singer. Her song "Tammy" and "Singin' in the Rain" are both musical favorites! Each year when Debbie's birthday comes along in April, you may recall, I have often wished her a Happy Birthday here on my site and shared news on TCM's movie marathon for her. I'm sure TCM will have a memoriam movie tribute for her soon, as they have already shared this touching video tribute below.

With my prayers and sympathy to all of their family and friends...

To the brilliant actress whose golden life made our lives golden in return. Debbie Reynolds, we miss you dearly. #TCMRemembers pic.twitter.com/6pufT0V6VO

— TCM (@tcm) December 29, 2016

"Miracle on 34th Street" Star Maureen O'Hara now Walks the Streets of Gold...

The ever so lovely and talented actress Maureen O'Hara, born August 17, 1920, has passed away surrounded by her family at her home in Idaho, on October 24, 2015, at the age of 95.

Actress Maureen O'Hara

Maureen was a well known actress, working throughout her life and career on a number of films, alongside many of the greats, such as John Wayne, Jimmy Stewart, Robert Young, John Forsythe, Charles Laughton, Joel McCrea, John Payne, Errol Flynn, and many others.

Maureen O'Hara is often recognized from her films "How Green Was My Valley", "The Hunchback of Notre Dame", Disney's "The Parent Trap", and most of all, the classic 1947 version of the Christmas movie "Miracle on 34th Street", as working mother, Doris Walker, who finds it very hard to believe, but regains her faith, through the eyes of her child.

Actress Maureen O'Hara and Natalie Wood on the
"Miracle on 34th Street" set

Actress Maureen O'Hara and Actor John Payne - "Miracle on 34th Street"

Later, in her career, Maureen O'Hara worked on Broadway and filmed TV movies, including "The Christmas Box", alongside The Waltons Richard Thomas. It is a beautiful, touching film where joy is found in remembering the first gift of Christmas!

Actress Maureen O'Hara in promotional photo for "The Christmas Box"

Maureen O'Hara's legacy of films will certainly carry on and continue to bring joy to us all.

May we all forever cherish Maureen's characters words in "Miracle on 34th Street"...

"Faith is believing in things

when common sense tells you not to."

Maureen O'Hara, John Payne, Natalie Wood, and Edmund Gwenn in
"Miracle on 34th Street" 

Prayers to Maureen O'Hara's dear family and friends-

may the Lord comfort and bless you now...

***

 

 

Remembering Beloved Disney Actor Dean Jones

Actor Dean Jones

known for his strong faith and friendly smile 

passed away on September 1, 2015.

He had Parkinson's Disease.

Anytime I would see Dean Jones in any other movie or show, he always brought joy to my heart, and took me back to my remembrances of his Disney days. I'm sure many of you feel the same, as you've watched these movies, over the years, with your families.

Those classic roles he portrayed will forever be cherished in the classic Disney vault of films. From 1965-1977, he held the leading role in numerous Disney movies, including The Love Bug (Which I recall seeing for the first time on video in the 3rd grade! I loved it!), That Darn Cat, The Ugly Dachshund, The Million Dollar Duck, The Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit, The Shaggy D.A., Snowball Express, and so on!!!

Dean Jones with Michelle Lee

Dean Jones with Hayley Mills

Dean Jones with Don Knotts

Jones also co-starred in 1997 remake versions of both That Darn Cat and The Love Bug.


Here's a clip from the Turner Classics Documentary "The Age of Believing" featuring the story of Herbie "The Love Bug":




Dean Jones was married to Mae Inez Entwisle in 1954. They had two children together and divorced in 1971. Around 1973, before his father's death, Dean Jones became a devout born-again Christian. Following that he took roles in several Christian films. Dean was presently married to Lory Patrick Jones. They were wed in 1973 and had one son.

"In 1998 (via wikipedia) Jones founded the Christian Rescue Committee (CRC), an organization that helps provide a "way of escape to Jews, Christians, and others persecuted for their faith."

Jones last film was Mandie and the Secret Tunnel, in 2008. In classic Dean Jones "Disney" style, it is a decent family friendly film, which gives an exciting lesson on history and life, with a mix of mystery, faith, and drama.

In 2001, Jones starred as Scrooge in a classic adaption of Charles Dicken's "A Christmas Carol" TV mini-film, titled Scrooge & Marley.

You can watch it here:


Jones also narrated and starred in a stage production, tiled The Gospel According to Scrooge, that can be seen on the iTBN web-site.

Beyond the stage and screen, Dean Jones does a spectacular performance in the audio drama narration of the first book in the delightful Jan Karon Mitford book series, At Home in Mitford. Jones gives voice to the lead character, Father Timothy. After listening to the first story, my family fell in love with the entire Mitford series.

You can read more about Jones personal story of faith... via Christianity Today, in which is shared... "Though he'd grown up in a religious home and even briefly attended Asbury, a Christian college in Kentucky, Jones had rejected the faith of his family. After his near-death (car) accident, he was ready to stop running from God. After his conversion, Jones felt a peace he'd never known before, and he felt whole for the first time. He righted his blighted relationships, remarried, and began seeking out projects on and off screen that he could do for the glory of God."

 

 

Our heartfelt prayers and sympathy

go out to his dear family and friends.

 

We will forever be blessed

and hold dear in our hearts all of these wonderful

Dean Jones family films.

 

Remembering Richard Attenborough, best known as Santa Claus in Miracle on 34th Street

In our hearts, and memories, many of us shall always cherish actor Richard Attenborough in the 1994 re-make version of Miracle on 34th Street, as the beloved character, Kris Kingle, a kind jolly man, who brought such joy to children and grown-ups, alike. His legacy will forever live on in his films, and for Christmas Movie fans, he will always be the ideal Santa Claus.

image via 20th Century Fox
Pictured: Richard Attenborough, Mara Wilson, Dylan McDermott, and Elizabeth Perkins.

Richard Attenborough

(August 29, 1923 – August 24, 2014)

Dylan McDermott and Mara Wilson, who starred with Richard Attenborough in the 1994 remake movie Miracle on 34th Street, expressed their thoughts on Twitter:

"Rest in peace Richard Attenborough. U were the best Santa ever."

- Dylan McDermott
(Brian Bedford, in Miracle on 34th Street)

"Sir Richard Attenborough was the only Santa Claus I ever believed in. A wonderful man. Still in shock right now. May he rest in peace."

-Mara Wilson
(Susan Walker, in Miracle on 34th Street)

Richard Attenborough leaves behind his wife, Sheila and their three children Jane, Michael, and Charlotte.

My heart felt condolences to the Attenborough family and friends.

Remembering Lauren Bacall, Legendary Actress of the Stage and Screen

She had Style, Elegance, Grace, and an air of Sophistication.

Actress Lauren Bacall

was one of the great actresses, of a bygone era.

 

I just adore her in the lighthearted Christmas Movie,

All I Want for Christmas, (pictured above)

where she portrays the loving and supportive Grandmother,

who was once a star of the stage.

 

Lauren Bacall was born on September 16, 1924 to William Perske and Natalie Weinstein-Bacal.

Her given name was Betty Joan Perske. Her name was later changed.

 

Bacall was married to actor Humphrey Bogart from 1945 to 1957, when Bogart passed away. They had two children together, Stephen Humphrey Bogart and Leslie Howard Bogart.

 

Then, she was married to actor Jason Robards Jr. from 1961 to 1969. They had one child together, Sam Robards.

 

Best known for her husky voice, actress Lauren Bacall was opposite many great actors and actresses, including her husband Humphrey Bogart, Katherine Hepburn, Spencer Tracy, Doris Day, Gregory Peck, Chuck Connors, Betty Grable, Charles Boyer, William Powell, Kirk Douglass, and many more...

 

At the age of 89, on August 12, 2014, legendary actress Lauren Bacall passed away.

 

My prayers and condolences go out now to her dear family and friends.

Remembering Legendary Actor James Garner

My fondness for actor James Garner began as he was one of Doris Day's leading men. He was handsome, charming, and debonair - a great opposite for Doris. On screen, they shined bright. Off screen, I know they were great friends. In the two films they made, Move Over Darling and The Thrill of it All, (both made in 1963) they portrayed husband and wife. Together, they were a fantastic romantic and comedy duo!

 

James Garner was the epitome of "cool"

as Jim Rockford in the Rockford Files

and Bret Maverick in the Maverick western series.

 

Both were before my time, but thanks to re-runs and DVD,

James amazing work lives on forever!

 

 

 

James Garner was born on April 7, 1928. His mother passed away when he was only 5, and he was sent to live with relatives until his father re-married. His step-mother was abusive to all three boys, especially Jim. He joined the United States Merchant Marine near the end of World War II, at the age of 16. However, he suffered from seasickness and returned to high school at 17. According to Wikipedia: he left high school again and joined the National Guard, serving seven months in the United States. He then went to Korea for 14 months in the Regular Army, serving in the 5th Regimental Combat Team in the Korean War. He was wounded twice, first in the face and hand from shrapnel fire from a mortar round, and second on April 23, 1951, from friendly fire from U.S. fighter jets as he dove headfirst into a foxhole. He received two purple hearts.

 

James Garner married Lois Fleishman Clarke in 1956. Lois had a daughter from a previous marriage, Kim, and they had a daughter, Greta "GiGi", together. They were married almost 58 years when James passed away on Sunday, July 19, 2014.

 

 

 

 

Many of us now, will look back and cherish a favorite memory, TV Show, or Movie... we remember James Garner from. You can see his full list of his film credits at imdb. Please share your memory or favorite movie of James Garner below, in the comments...

 

Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of James Garner's dear family and friends.