HALLMARK CHANNEL 2011 WINTER PREVIEW

Hallmark Channel's "Countdown to Christmas," one of the most anticipated seasonal events in entertainment, features more hours of holiday-themed programming than any other network.

LOVE'S CHRISTMAS JOURNEY

Hallmark Channel Original Movie Event World Premiere

Saturday, November 5 (8p.m. ET/PT, 7C)

Starring: Sean Astin, JoBeth Williams, Ernest Borgnine, Charles Shaughnessy, Natalie Hall, Dylan Bruce, Greg Vaughan

While still mourning the loss of her husband and daughter, recently widowed Ellie King (Hall) visits her brother Aaron Davis, (Vaughan) a sheriff in the small town of Haddonton, and his two children during the Christmas holiday. Ellie does her best to enjoy the holidays, even making new friends with Beatrice (Williams), a local shop keeper and Deputy Strode (Bruce). Settling in nicely with her brother's family, Ellie agrees to watch her niece and nephew when Aaron travels out of town to purchase adjacent land for farming. But when a corrupt attorney in town leaves a young man to blame for Mayor Wayne's (Astin) barn catching fire and burning, Ellie ignores distrusting townspeople and steps in to help to prove his innocence. To her dismay, the season's festivities are threatened when Aaron goes missing. When all seems lost, Ellie not only gets the perfect holiday miracle - her brother delivered home safely on Christmas morning - but also the chance at a new life when she finds herself falling in love again.

MISTLETOE OVER MANHATTAN

Hallmark Channel Original Movie World Premiere

Sunday, November 6 (8p.m. ET/PT, 7C)

Starring: Tedde Moore, Tricia Helfer, Greg Bryk, Mairtin O'Carrigan

Rebecca, Mrs. Claus (Moore) is worried that her exhausted, workaholic husband (O'Carrigan) has lost his holiday spirit. She believes she can help him recapture his bliss and secretly heads to the one place she knows the spirit of Christmas must still exist, the place she fell in love with Nick - New York City. In a crowded diner, Rebecca befriends Joe (Bryk), a caring cop who is worried about this kindly grandmother, who's alone and low on funds. Joe reveals he and his wife Lucy (Helfer) are in the middle of a divorce. Sensing that Joe is still very much in love with his wife, Rebecca agrees to work temporarily as the family's nanny until Christmas. To Rebecca's delight, by healing Joe and Lucy's family, she shows Santa that Christmas miracles are still possible and his job's more important than ever!

HERO DOG AWARDS

Hallmark Channel Original Special World Premiere

Friday, November 11 (8p.m. ET/PT, 7C)

Presenters: Ewan McGregor, Betty White, Kristin Chenoweth, Jillian Michaels, Whoopi Goldberg

They are our companions and comrades; they fight on the front lines alongside our servicemen at war and assist our disabled and ailing at home; they help solve crimes and locate missing persons; they are a treasured and beloved part of our families; they guide us, protect us and risk their own safety for our benefit -- everyday dogs not only enrich, but save lives around the globe. Hallmark Channel is proud to join American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards(TM) presented by CESAR(R) Canine Cuisine to honor our remarkable canine friends and their immeasurable contributions. The Hero Dog Awards, produced by Emmy(R) Award winning MRB Productions, feature a nationwide search for America's top dogs, which Hallmark Channel will premiere in a 90-minute televised special. International film star Ewan McGregor ("The Beginners") will join actress, comedian, and author Betty White ("Hot in Cleveland") on stage as a celebrity presenter, while film, stage, and television actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth ("Glee," "Pushing Daisies") and health and wellness expert Jillian Michaels ("The Doctors," "Dr. Phil") will join Whoopi Goldberg, among others, as celebrity judges for the inaugural American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards(TM).

LUCKY CHRISTMAS

Hallmark Channel Original Movie World Premiere

Saturday, November 12 (8p.m. ET/PT, 7C)

Starring: Elizabeth Berkley, Jason Gray-Stanford

Holly Ceroni (Berkley) is a single mother who has been destitute when it comes to luck and love. No one can afford a personal chef, forcing Holly to go back to waitressing. She buys a lottery ticket, kissing it for good luck before she tosses it in the glove compartment of her car, hoping this Christmas things will get better. That night Holly's car is stolen, adding to her streak of misfortune. The next morning Holly discovers her lotto numbers are in fact the million dollar winner, but the ticket is in her missing car. Mike Ronowski (Stanford) is one of the men behind Holly's missing vehicle; he and his friend had inadvertently taken Holly's car the night before. When Mike's greedy friend finds the winning lottery ticket he suggests that Mike romance Holly in order to get a cut of the money to help save his family business. As Mike gets to know Holly, he unexpectedly falls in love with her and realizes there are more important things in life than money. Will Holly's losing streak continue, or is fate finally on her side this Christmas?

CANCEL CHRISTMAS

Hallmark Channel Original Movie World Premiere

Sunday, November 13 (8p.m. ET/PT, 7C)

Starring: Judd Nelson

Imagine Santa's (Nelson) surprise when the Christmas Board of Directors issues an ultimatum to holiday's top Elf: In 30 days or less, make Christmas less commercial and material, or lose it forever. The Board is so sure the turnaround is hopeless that they give Santa the task of changing the hearts of privileged kids so they, in turn, will reach out to help a less fortunate boy. As he views the mission before him, Santa sees the following themes: private school, privilege, rich kids, mean kids, a science fair, a Golden Retriever, and a friendless boy in a wheelchair. Daunting? No more so than making reindeer fly. If ever there was a force for joy, goodness and sharing, it is the mythical man in red. After all, it's Christmas - believe with all your heart!

THE CASE FOR CHRISTMAS

Hallmark Channel Original Movie World Premiere

Saturday, November 19 (8p.m. ET/PT, 7C)

Starring: Dean Cain, Rachel Blanchard, Barry Flatman, George Buza

Santa (Buza) is in trouble - everyone is losing faith in him, and he's being sued for ruining Christmas. Young lawyer Michael Sherman (Cain) takes Santa on as his client to defend him against wealthy businessman Braxton Bennett (Flatman). When it comes out that the law suit is all for Braxton's own financial gain, Michael helps save Christmas and finds love with his friend Lauren (Blanchard) along the way.

A CHRISTMAS WISH

Hallmark Channel Original Movie World Premiere

Sunday, November 20 (8p.m. ET/PT, 7C)

Starring: Kristy Swanson, Tess Harper, Ed Herrmann

Martha Evans (Swanson) has been abandoned by her ne'er-dowell husband, who took all their cash and left her homeless and virtually destitute with her two daughters and stepson. Martha leaves town in hopes of finding a job and a place to stay, she finally finds a job at a sleepy rural diner, formerly famous for its home-made root beer. But with her car broken down and the bills piling up, it looks like it's going to be a bleak Christmas for the Evans family. However, there are warm hearts working behind the scenes that ultimately make this the happiest holiday of Martha's life -- a real answer to her prayers.

JINGLE ALL THE WAY

Hallmark Channel Original Animated Special

Friday, November 25 (7p.m. ET/PT, 6C)

A spirited Husky puppy looking for a home at a Christmas tree farm instantly bonds with a young boy visiting with his parents. As the boy rides away, unable to keep him, the pup escapes and embarks on a snowy journey to find his friend again. Guided by a wise cardinal and the sound of jingling bells, he eventually receives the help he needs from a big man in a red suit just in time for Christmas morning.

DEBBIE MACOMBER'S TRADING CHRISTMAS

Hallmark Channel Original Movie World Premiere

Saturday, November 26 (8p.m. ET/PT, 7C)

Starring: Tom Cavanagh, Faith Ford, Gil Bellows, Gabrielle Miller, Emma Lahana

Emily (Ford) misses her daughter Heather (Lahana) who is attending college in Boston. Since her father died, Heather is sensitive to her mom's dependence on long-standing holiday traditions. This Christmas, Heather has planned a trip to Phoenix with her boyfriend, but tells her mother she is staying on campus to study. After arranging a house-swap with Charles (Cavanagh), an English professor from Boston who wants Washington State's solitude in order to finish his novel, Emily hops on a flight to Boston to surprise Heather for Christmas. Unaware of the house swap, Emily's best friend, Faith (Miller) walks in on Charles at Emily's house and in Boston, Ray, Charles' brother (Bellows) responds to a 911 call only to find Emily at Charles' condo. Will Christmas travel calamities lead to cross-country romances? Or have there been one too many surprises already?

HOLIDAY ENGAGEMENT

Hallmark Channel Original Movie World Premiere

Sunday, November 27 (8p.m. ET/PT, 7C)

Starring: Bonnie Somerville, Shelley Long, Jordan Bridges, Haylie Duff, Sam MacMurray

Jilted by her high-powered fiancé just before Thanksgiving, and terrified of disappointing her demanding mother (Long), Hillary Burns (Somerville) hires David (Bridges), an unemployed artist to pretend to be her fiancé over the holiday weekend. She soon discovers however, that the hired replacement may not be a replacement after all - but the real thing.

A PRINCESS FOR CHRISTMAS

Hallmark Channel Original Movie World Premiere

Saturday, December 3 (8p.m. ET/PT, 7C)

Starring: Sir Roger Moore, Katie McGrath, Travis Turner, Leilah De Meza

Jules Daly (McGrath) is a frenetic twenty-something who becomes guardian to her young niece Maddie (De Meza) and nephew Milo (Turner) when her sister and brother-in-law are tragically killed in an accident. While balancing the daily hysteria of becoming an overnight parent, Jules was recently laid off at work, her car is on the fritz, and the kids' shenanigans have caused a dozen nannies to flee like vampires before garlic. When an ominous knock on the door comes late one evening, Jules wonders, what now? At the door is Paisley Winterbottom (Miles Richardson), a proper English butler, with a most curious invitation: a Christmas holiday with grandfather, Edward (Moore), the Duke of Castlebury Hall, who was absent from the kids' lives, but wants to reconnect out of love for his late son. Jules initially wants to decline the trip, though she and the kids eventually travel to Castlebury to meet the Duke. On more than one occasion, Jules feels woefully common trying to blend in with her late brother-in-law's ostentatious family. Eventually, however, even with missteps and mistakes, a mystical influence begins to fall over the family, like the comfort of a dusting of snow over the quiet countryside. This Christmas, the family won't lament what has been lost, but will celebrate all that has been found!

ANNIE CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN

Hallmark Channel Original Movie World Premiere

Saturday, December 10 (8p.m. ET/PT, 7C)

Starring: Vivica A. Fox, Maria Thayer, Vicki Lawrence, Sam Page, NayNay Kirby, Ryan Bittle

In "Annie Claus is Coming to Town," Santa's daughter Annie (Thayer) takes her first trip away from the North Pole during the Christmas season hoping to find adventure and love in sunny California. While Santa (Jason) and Mrs. Claus (Lawrence) watch their daughter through a magic snow globe, Annie arrives in L.A. and becomes friends with the owner of Candy Cane Inn, Lucy (Fox), and her daughter, Mia (Kirby). She also quickly lands a job at Wonderland Toys. Wonderland Toys' owner, Ted (Page) is struggling to stay in business selling old-fashioned toys in a digital world. Annie soon realizes that she wants Ted's business to thrive because she has feelings for this Christmas traditionalist. Annie also knows that when she finds her true love, she and her mate will move back to the North Pole to take over the family business. But Santa isn't the only one watching Annie through the looking glass. So is a senior Santa Elf who himself wants to inherit the Ho Ho Ho of Holidays, so much so that he hires Dean (Bittle), a Hollywood actor to feign affection for Annie. Although Annie temporarily falls for the imposter, she realizes there is something about Ted that is unforgettable.

THE CHRISTMAS PAGEANT

Hallmark Channel Original Movie World Premiere Movie

Sunday, December 11 (8p.m. ET/PT, 7C)

Starring: Melissa Gilbert, Robert Mailhouse, Ed Herrmann, Lennon Wynn

Vera Parks (Gilbert), an overly intense and demanding Broadway director gets fired from yet another job, leaving her no choice but to take a gig directing a small town Christmas pageant in upstate New York. Stunned at how basic the production is, Vera attempts to back out, but she is convinced by Garret (Herrmann) the owner of the B&B and some of the other locals to give their town a chance. To her surprise, the warmth and charm of the small town grows on Vera and she even enjoys the experience of directing the pageant. When Vera discovers her former fiancé Jack (Mailhouse) recommended her for the job, she is outraged. But over time Vera appreciates the gesture, as she grows close to both Jack and his young daughter (Wynn). Will love stay in the wings this time around? Or is this Vera's eleven o'clock number after all?

CHRISTMAS COMES HOME TO CANAAN

Hallmark Channel Original Movie World Premiere

Saturday, December 17 (8p.m. ET/PT, 7C)

Starring: Billy Ray Cyrus, Gina Holden, Emily Tennant, Jacob Blair, Matt Ward, Liam James

Billy Ray Cyrus reprises his role as Daniel Burton in the 1960s-era saga of a family's experiences in racially charged Canaan, TX. In the story, Daniel's son Bobber (James) needs extensive orthopedic surgery and months of intensive physical therapy to recover from being struck down by an automobile. Rodney Freeman (Ward, narrates the story), the young black man who Daniel took into his home and raised as another son, has become a famous writer and offers to fly Daniel and Bobber to San Francisco and to pay for the surgery. Once in San Francisco, Daniel meets and falls for Briony Adair (Holden), a physical rehabilitation specialist who will be working toward Bobber's recovery. When therapy progresses slowly, Bobber invites Briony to come home to Canaan to spend Christmas with the Burtons and continue his treatment. Briony is a natural at caring for a thriving family, but Sarah (Tennant), Daniel's daughter distances herself not wanting to dishonor her late mother's memory, and a disastrous Christmas visit drives Daniel and Briony apart. In the soul searching that follows, Daniel finds the strength to open his heart again and invite love back into his life.

CHRISTMAS MAGIC

Hallmark Channel Original Movie World Premiere

Sunday, December 18 (8p.m. ET/PT, 7C)

Starring: Lindy Booth, Paul McGillion, Derek McGrath, Kieara Glasco

Carrie Bishop (Booth) lives for her successful career as an event planner in New York City, but her life changes in an instant after a nasty car accident in a snowstorm. Carrie suffers head trauma and regains consciousness in Central Park with an older man, Henry (McGrath). Henry is Carrie's spirit guide and is there to help her "pass over" to Heaven. But before Carrie can move on, she must fulfill one last task on Earth - a type of Angel Duty. Henry tells Carrie that she must help guide a widowed, young restaurant owner, Scott Walker, (McGillion) who has recently considered suicide because his beloved restaurant/catering business is utterly failing. Carrie befriends Scott and his 8-year-old daughter (Glasco) and immediately displays a knack for promoting the restaurant. But time isn't on Carrie's side on this mission. She has until midnight Christmas Eve to turn the eatery around. As friendship grows, romance blooms, and Carrie finds it a struggle to keep business and pleasure separate. Will the heat in Scott's kitchen be all about the food? Or is one Angel on a meteoric rise to earn her wings?