Ashley Newbrough and Christopher Russell star in this touching holiday movie on Hallmark Channel. It’s filled with some sentimentality, drama, and some humor, so it’s a trifecta this year for a new Christmas movie.

Lottie (Newbrough) is a Chicago event planner sent to her hometown of Boston to procure a prestigious contract: to plan the event for the Warby Foundation’s Christmas charity that will benefit the children’s hospital. What a coup if she can get the assignment. 

Lottie meets Tristan (Russell) at the airport. They’re both on their way to Boston. She doesn’t know that he is the heir to the Warby dynasty. They get along all right but then when they collect their luggage in Boston, they both get the wrong suitcase. Remember the day when everyone had black suitcases? Well, these two have green suitcases so it’s easy to mistake them. There aren’t many of them around. But wait, there happens to have been one more exactly like theirs on the same flight. What a coincidence.

When they each get to their homes, Tristan realizes that the very expensive antique nutcracker, that is the highlight of the event, is missing. He discovers he has a doll inside his case, which isn’t his case after all. Lottie opens her case which happens to be the correct suitcase. But the third person, Dave (Darryl Hinds), discovers the doll he was bringing home to his daughter is missing. In its place is a nutcracker. Unbeknownst to Dave, this is not an ordinary nutcracker, so he ends up giving it to his daughter who adores it.

Okay, so the stage is set. Tristan tells Lottie about the mixup and they devise a plan to locate the other passenger and retrieve the nutcracker. She dubs it “Operation Nutcracker.”

How can they keep this secret from Tristan’s mother? And how will they be able to track down the missing suitcase?

Little by little they track down clues to the third passenger. And one clue leads to another and so on. As they get close to the charity event, the nutcracker still has not been found.

The clues they discover are interesting, but putting them together with the passenger (Dave) turns out to be more difficult than they expected.

This is a delightful holiday movie and as they say, “All’s well that end’s well.” And indeed it does. After all, what would you expect from an enjoyable holiday film from Hallmark?

Operation Nutcracker premieres October 25, 2024 as part of Hallmark Channel’s “Countdown to Christmas.”

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.

Photo credit: ©2024 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Courtesy Vortex Media

“Christmas is a time to reflect on what matters most,” said Bill Abbott, President & CEO, Great American Media. “As a brand, Great American differentiates its Christmas offering by remembering the nostalgia of the Christmas classics and why we love them. The timelessness of stories that affirm our faith, the love and joy of being present with family and all those we love, and the hope that the season transcends us all into our best selves. These values are the heart of Great American Christmas, Christmas as its meant to be,” Abbott concluded.

Airing on Great American Family and streaming on Pure Flex, the holiday movies for 2024 are indeed memorable and entertaining, not to mention inspirational. The following three  films are only a sample of the many new movies to look forward to this season on  Great American Family.

A Vintage Christmas

Old versus new in A Vintage Christmas. Tessa (Merritt Patterson) is the town historian of Oak Creek, a small community filled with history and kind people. She’s old-fashioned and holds onto traditions.

Noah (Christopher Russell) is a designer with plans to tear down the old Post Office building and build a new, efficient, and modern office building that will bring new revenue to the town. After all, the Post Office has been empty for ages and is in disrepair.

Unfortunately, Noah comes up against a formidable foe when Tessa submits the old building to be designated a historical site. This puts Noah’s plans on hold while the historical society makes their decision. So Noah and Tessa are given the task by the mayor to see if they can come up with a compromise.

What happens is that Noah tries to convince Tessa that his building is good for the town and Tessa tries to convince Noah that the old building is something that represents the history of Oak Creek. And Tessa has a personal attachment to the building as well.

While the two put their differences aside for a little while, they decide to spread the Christmas spirit of the past through the town. They see each other’s side in the dispute, but they also begin to get to know each other not as adversaries but as friends. And, you guessed it, their friendship is more than just a passing fancy.

A Vintage Christmas premieres October 19, 2024.

A Christmas Castle Proposal

A Christmas Castle Proposal, the second in the long list of holiday movies for GAF, is an enchanting story with fun and fantasy. Rhiannon Fish and Mitchell Bourke return as Olivia and Prince Alexander in this sequel to last year’s A Royal in Paradise.

Olivia, a romance novelist, travels to the country of Torovia to spend Christmas with Alex and his mom, Queen Patricia (Andrea Moor). Her parents (Andrew Buchanan and Claire Weller Price) also join in the holiday. The issues arise when the Americans and the Queen have different ideas about how to celebrate the holiday.

Nevertheless, they all try to get along and Alex tries several times to pop the question, but he is always interrupted. So, when the time finally comes, things don’t go according to plan.

When the queen has a heart to heart with Olivia, she does not pretend she was initially against the couple, but has seen their love blossom and how good they are together. And, as she advises Olivia, love will see them through all the ups and downs.

A Christmas Castle Proposal premieres October 26, 2024.

Christmas in Scotland

Christmas in Scotland takes viewers to a quaint town in Scotland filled with history and plenty of Scottish hospitality.

Jill Winternitz stars as Emma, a New York installation designer who has a budding career and just completed a magnificent Christmas window for a local store. When her father presents her with a ticket to accompany him to Scotland so he can research their family roots, Emma decides this is a good time to go as there is nothing on her calendar for more Christmas decorations for the year.

The little village of Glenrothie is picturesque and filled with friendly people. All except the Laird and his son Alex Glenrothie (Dominic Watters). The Laird permits the villagers to decorate the insides of their homes and businesses but not the outside. Nothing outside represents the spirit of the season.

When the villagers learn that Emma’s job is decorating, they coerce her into turning their village into a holiday display worthy of winning the title of “Best Christmas Village,” which they have never won due to the orders of the Laird. With a little smooth talking, Alex decides to help Emma with his father and with the decorations. And soon, the village takes on the air of a historic Scottish village which honors the history of Glenrothie. Unfortunately, another village ruins their plans so Emma must come up with a second plan.

During the planning and decorating, Emma and Alex’s relationship deepens and they both realize they are falling for each other. Even the local artisan Megan (Caroline Deyga) can see they are attracted to each other. And Emma’s father also finds a Scottish match. But will Emma and Alex be able to sustain their relationship when the contest is over?

Christmas in Scotland premieres December 15, 2024.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.

Images courtesy Great American Media

Mr. Write is a 2016 movie just added to the lineup on UP Faith and Family. It’s unique in that it focuses on two women and their romances rather than just one.

The main story has junior book editor Dori (Charlotte Sullivan) taking on a big assignment. She has been enamored with the romance novels written by Michael Roghchild. So, when the publisher gives her the job to make sure he finishes his next novel or he will be dumped from the company, she gladly and excitedly takes on the challenge. After all, how hard could it be? He has had her enchanted with his past stories, so it should be a slam dunk.

The problem arises when she meets Michael and discovers he is really not a romantic. And he has not even started his novel which is due in one month. He is lazy and has no gumption. How can Dori pull out what she knows he has bottled up deep inside and help him write a story worthy of being a Michael Rothchild romance? It’s not going to be easy.

While helping Michael regain his old style Dori is also dealing with her upcoming nuptials to Philip (Preston Vanderslice). Planning a wedding is stressful in itself, but also having to deal with Michael and his crazy antics, not to mention his awful new story, is almost too much.

In the meantime, her best friend and colleague at the publishing house Pamela (Christie Laing) is being seriously wooed by Tim (Colin Lawrence). Pamela has a commitment issue. Tim, on the other hand, goes all out to get her attention by sending her flowers, chocolate, and texts. She has to either accept the start of a new relationship that could go somewhere, or cut him loose.

While Dori deals with her wedding plans and Michael’s new novel, Pamela decides to cut Tim loose. But he won’t go willingly. And if he does go, will she regret her decision? 

While Michael is regaining his old romantic style and finally living up to his potential, he realizes that Dori is more to him than just his editor. The sticky situation is that she is engaged. But things could change. And being a romance movie viewers already know that love wins out in the end.

Mr. Write streams on UP Faith and Family.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.

Image courtesy UP Faith and Family

With their Love on the Danube collection of new movies, Hallmark + has some pretty fun romantic shows in store for their viewers. Love on the Danube: Love Song is one of the many films in this series that takes place on the beautiful Danube and the surrounding European cities.

Sarah (Nazneen Contractor) and her mother Julia (Pamela Sinha) are traveling together on this cruise. Julia, a former Broadway star, is on her way to perform in a tribute to Broadway.

Jack (Wes Brown) and his father Andre (David Samaritan) are also on the same cruise. When Jack meets Sarah, they realize their single parents could use some spice in their lives so they devise a plan to set them up. As Jack says, it’s like “Parent Trapping” them. (A reference to the 1961 and 1998 movies where the kids decide to get their parents together.)

Julia and Andre get off to a rocky start. After all, spilling wine on someone’s dress isn’t the best way to start a relationship.

As the days pass, the foursome get some time together but it seems the parents decide they want to “reverse Parent Trap” their kids.

With spectacular scenery and historical sights along the way, this cruise is educational, interesting, and a bit inspirational. Julia has the jitters about returning to the stage, but with the support of her daughter, Jack and Andre, she manages to get on with the show.

While Andre and Julia’s relationship blooms, Jack and Sarah’s blossoms. And to think they all live in the same county back home. That makes things a lot easier when they disembark from this Danube cruise. Although not “The Love Boat,” it’s the next best thing.

This is a fun escape filled with plenty of scenery and four interesting characters. It’s just one of the movies in this series. Look for Love on the Danube: Royal Getaway and Love on the Danube: Kissing Stars to round out this enchanting series. Mark Holden plays Captain Magnusson on all three cruises. Will there be more to come? We’ll see. In the meantime, set sail for a relaxing trip down the Danube with these three films.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.

Image courtesy Hallmark Media

October 4, 2024 brings back a new Hannah Swensen mystery starring Alison Sweeney. Sweeney is Hannah Swensen, a baker and part time detective. Her mother Delores (Barbara Niven) has her PI license and never fails to let her daughters know that she is a professional private investigator.

A Sprinkle of Deceit: A Hannah Swensen Mystery begins with Hannah opening a new bakery that now includes coffee making. She is expanding her business but that doesn’t mean investigating murders will stop. No, on the contrary, Hannah is so good at investigating she often puts the police to shame. And even the Sheriff admits Hannah is an asset to them.

In this story Hannah caters a reunion that includes many of her friends. Advised by Chad (Victor Webster), the District Attorney to stay out of it for conflicting reasons, Hannah nevertheless dives right into the investigation. After all, one of her friends is the key suspect and she knows he is innocent of this murder. There are too many others who had reasons to kill this woman and she intends to get to the bottom of it.

All the while, Delores gets her big break in show business by filling in at a commercial shoot in town when the actress walks off. Delores is perfect for show business.

While Hannah continues to investigate, she also continues to keep her thriving bakery. She uses her baking talent to interview potential suspects and witnesses by taking boxes of goodies to them. After all, who can resist one of her tasty treats? Actually, Chad is the only one who can.

And speaking of Chad, viewers saw this coming. Chad and Hannah begin a flirtatious relationship and Delores uses her charms to push the two of them together at every opportunity.

Could Hannah and Chad be the new couple in town? Well, by the end of this film it looks like they are on their way.

But getting back to the murder, Hannah’s drive to clear her friend could put her own life in danger. Nevertheless she plunges ahead.

This series of mystery films is popular with the Hallmark Mysteries viewers as Sweetin is one of the favorite veteran Hallmark actors. And putting her together with Victor Webster is genius as the two of them make a great team – and a great on-screen couple. Keep your eyes out for more Hannah Swensen mysteries to come.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA.

courtesy photo: Crown Media