Hallmark Hall of Fame Season 3, Episode 4: McCoy of Abilene

A Smile for Damger

A woman poses as an agent in the East.

120 min

Of Time and the River

Adaptation of Thomas Wolfe's "Of Time and the River", the deathbed scene.

120 min

A Queen's Way

This is the biographical drama of Catherine Parr, one of the wives of Henry VIII.

120 min

Never kick a man upstairs

The story highlights the early career of "T.R." until the time he became President. It shows how, during those years, Roosevelt was a colorful, forceful, imaginative man who overcame many obstacles, both personal and political, on his rise to the Presidency.

120 min

The Imaginary Invalid

Moliere's rollicking satire tells the story of a wealthy fop, Argan, who fancies himself the victim of dozens of ailments. He accordingly becomes the dupe of the absurd 17th Century doctors, who fill him with worthless medicine and extract valuable fees in return. Argan's saucy maid Toinette, realizing the ridiculous situation of her gullible master, devises a plan that makes him come to his senses.

120 min

The Lonely Way

The moving story of John C. Fremont, one of the great American explorers of the last century is dramatized. Fremont whose explorations helped open a large part of the far West, played a conspicuous part in the winning of California territory from Mexico. An army lieutenant-colonel at the time, he was later court-martialed for insubordination to his superior officer. Disillusioned by this occurance, in which he felt himself blameless, he resigned his commission and once again headed West. After many trying experiences, during which the bulwark of his faith was the enduring love of his wife, Jessie, Fremont struck gold and remade his fortune. He eventually became the first Senator from California.

120 min

Of Time and the River (II)

The story takes place during the hours just before Gant's demise. The remarkable man and his family are the long suffering wife who finds joy in hearing a compliment about her cooking; Gant's daughter who wants freedom from her father's overwhelming personality and young Eugene Gant who seeks the true meaning og the father-son relationship. The old man, laughing in the face of death, towers about all in what has been acclaimed as a great modern American novel.

120 min

The Courtship of Miles Standish

The struggles of the early Pilgrims at Plymouth rock is dramatized. Beset by illness, food shortage and Indian marauders, the colonists relied almost on courage alone in the realization of a haven that promised them freedom they had long sought. Against this background unfolded the love story of Priscilla and John Alden, including the famous line "Speak for yourself, John" which occurs when Alden asks the maid to give her hand to his friend, Captain Miles Standish.

120 min

The Last Voyage

The story of Benjamin Franklin's famous trip to Paris during the Revolutionary War and its importance for the American cause is dramatized. In Paris Franklin meets the beautiful Mme. Brillon who helps him establish important acquaintances. But he faced opposition from his fellow American hot-tempered Arthur Lee, and had to use the utmost patience and tact to resolve a most dangerous situation.

120 min

Asop and Rhodope

Slave and story teller Aesop is smitten with slave girl Rhodope.

120 min

Amahl and the Night Visitors

Amahl, a crippled boy, and his poor mother are visited by the Three Wise Men, who stay the night, and are entertained by the villagers. During the night, Amahl's mother tries to steal their jewels, but is caught by the page. Amahl begs for her release, and is rewarded for his pains by being healed. He then leaves with the Three Wise Men.

120 min

Blaze of Darkness

About the mid-seventeenth century John Milton used his fiery pen to espouse the cause of Oliver Cromwell against the throne, since he believed that Cromwell would make England the World's first true democracy. Milton worked hard in this cause and though he was warned that continued eye-strain might cause him to lose his sight. Cromwell's advent to power plunged England into a strict dictatorship to Milton's disillusionment. Milton once again took up the pen to denounce Cromwell and, before long, overwork led to the poet's, total blindness. His personal star continued in descent when Charles II, after his restoration, had the poet imprisoned as a traitor. Despite these overwhelming setbacks, Milton lived to write the immortal "Paradise Lost."

120 min

John Marshall and the Burr Case

The story of Chief Justice John Marshall and his dignity and impartiality during the trial of Aaron Burr, the man who killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel.

120 min

Crusade to Liberty

James Edward Oglethorpe fought a single-handed battle against the debtor prisons of England. In 1732, Oglethorpe fights a losing battle for the freedom of all unfortunate Englishmen rotting in jail because they owe money. Oglethorpe conceives a plan of starting a colony, to be made up of freed debtors, in the new world. Eventually, a boatload of debtors arrives at what Is later to become Georgia, but warlike Indians imperil the beleaguered band. When his fiancee, Anne Dabney, is murdered by the Indians, Oglethorpe swears vengeance. However, calmer advice prevails, the colony is rebuilt and Oglethorpe becomes Georgia's first governor, outlawing jail terms for men in debt.

120 min

The St. Cloud Storm

Jane Grey Swisshelm, pioneer newspaper woman, who in 1857 heeded her boss Horace Greeley's advice and headed Westward to the town of St. Cloud, Minnesota, where she attempted to expose the local boss. Her presses were destroyed and she almost lost her life.

120 min

King Richard II

The story of the King who believed he ruled by divine right and was completely heedless of his personal responsibility to his people and his Kingdom. Deposed by insurgent nobles who rebelled at his excesses, Richard ultimately found dignity and true nobility in the tragedy of his ultimate ruin.

120 min

Lone Star

Houston goes to Mexican Territory at the suggestion of his friend, President Andrew Jackson. He soon becomes involved in the cause of Texas independence, but in opposition to Stephen Austin, who believes Texas can gain autonomy under Mexican rule. After Austin is imprisoned by the Mexicans, Houston is appointed commander-in-chief of the Texas forces in their fight for freedom. When Houston's orders are ignored, the Alamo falls. However, he rallies his forces and engages a much larger Mexican force under the wily Santa Ana, in a battle in which he employs brilliant military strategy.

120 min

The Hands of Clara Schumann

Clara Weick's father strongly objected to her marrying a penniless young composer named Schumann. The law in Vienna then permitted fathers to choose their daughters' mates, and Clara felt obliged to sue in the courts to Rain the right to marry the man of her choice. After a lengthy and humiliating public trial, Clara was victorious and soon married Schumann. They made a triumphal tour of Europe—Schumann composing and Clara playing the concert piano.

120 min

Crusader Against Cruelty

The true story of Henry Bergh and his fight against cruelty to children and animals is dramatized.

120 min

Miss Tracy of Mt. Vernon

Miss Tracy's story is told in order to preserve Washington's home as a national shrine in Mt. Vernon, neutral during the Civil War.

120 min

The Turbulent Air

he story of the co-discoverer of oxygen Lavoisier is dramatized.

120 min

The Good Samaritan

Story about a man who lives for almost 2,000 years in many nations at many times, attempting to imbue civilization with the meaning and spirit of mercy through the ages. The drama will cover a space in time from the days of Christ to the formation of the Red Cross.

120 min

The Road to Tara

Christian Patricius escapes from pagen Eire and returns in story of St. Patrick.

120 min

Out of Jules Verne

The program salutes the achievement of the father of science fiction. Despite his ardent desire to become a successful writer, Verne failed as a playwright. He abandoned writing for the stage when he married a young widow and started a business in the Stock Exchange at which he also failed. His wife and a friend Nadar the pioneer balloonist encouraged him to write again and his first book, a fantasy about balloon ascension to the planets, became a sensational success when its publication coincided with Nadar's balloon flight over Paris. Verne was also launched on his career as a successful author of science fiction.

120 min

The Ordeal of Thomas Jefferson

A period of history when Jefferson's enemies branded him as a traitor, spy and believer in "government by rabble". Alien and sedition laws were passed, making it a crime to criticize the United States; newspapers were destroyed and non-conforming Congressmen were jailed. But Jefferson fought for the right of this nation's citizens to be free in the right to disagree with one another.

120 min

Young William Penn

The story of a young privileged son who was greatly affected by the preaching of Quaker minister Thomas Loe.

120 min

The Liberator

The story of Simon Bolivar who freed Venezuela from the tyranny of Spain.

120 min

The Story of Ruth

Ruth a childless widow and foreigner was helped by an older woman Naomi to overcome the many difficulties she faced.

120 min

Lafayette for Freedom

120 min

Petticoat Revolution

Story of Aimee Rivery, who brought reforms to Turkey.

120 min

Portrait by Whistler

The drama describes the struggle of the famed artist to gain recognition and depicts the time that the sheriff almost takes away his famous "Arrangement in Black and Gray" the world acclaimed picture of his mother. However, a friend steps in to pay off the artist's many debts.

120 min

Moby Dick

A sea captain seeks vengeance upon a whale.

120 min

Serra and San Francisco

The story of the Catholic missionary Father Junipera Serra, who founded over 18 missions along the West Coast in the 1770's. His efforts helped to prevent the Russians from invading the U.S. through Alaska.

120 min

The Armour-Bearer

The moving story behind the founding of temple University in Philadelphia is told. The drama will relate how Russell Con well, founder of the university, abandoned a lucrative law practice to become a minister and a great humanitarian, as a result of the death of his armour-bearer in the Civil war. Conwell was a Union army officer when his armour-bearer, a young lad named Johnny Ring, died. Since the boy had hoped to become a minister and preacher after the war, Conwell decided to devote his own life to these objectives, as a testimonial to the boy's, high moral spirit.

120 min

A Reckless Youth

The little known and humorous story of how Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) won his wife Olivia Langdon. Clemens manages to wangle an invitation as houseguest at the Langdon home in order to court the girl of his dreams. Her stern father disapproves.

120 min

Come to the Window

Completely exhausted after a concert tour of the United Slates under the driving managership of P.T. Barnum, Jenny Lind decides to abandon her theatrical career, marry an English suitor and retire in England. However, Otto Goldschmidt, her devoted accompanist, realizes the beautiful coloratura could never be happy as a housewife. He loves Jenny, and believes her voice is a gift to the world. It remains for the famed showman, P.T. Barnum, to solve her problem.

120 min

Flight from Cathay

Chinese princess, Kukachin, is befriended by the adventurous Marco Polo. Young Polo, his father and uncle, although respected advisors to Kubla Khan, are h e l d virtually as prisoners in the Emperor's palace. They desperately wish to return to Venice and hit upon a scheme — to escort the Princess Kukachin W Persia, where she will marry the Shah. From there they plan to escape to their home.

120 min

Wife unto Caesar

The story unfolds as Calpurnia visits her husband on the battlefield and is ordered back to Rome and there learns of a plot against Caesar. She obtains the details and makes a desperate attempt to get the news to Caesar.

120 min

John Paul Jones

Historic drama about America's first naval hero. The historical drama reveals that John Paul, (his actual name) came to America after becoming disgusted with the sea, and decided to attempt farming. In North Carolina he met a plantation owner named Wylie Jones who, impressed with the young sailor's candor, honesty and knowledge of ships, took him into the family,, When the American Revolution started, he was reluctant to become involved but Wylie Jones convinced him of the worthiness of the cause. Adopting the family name of Jones as his own, he joined the Navy.

120 min