2020 Paley Archive Elements 3840x1536 Banner2

HALLMARK HALL OF FAME: A CRY OF ANGELS (TV)

Summary

One in this series of dramatic specials presented by Hallmark. This docudrama concerns the events leading to composer George Frideric Handel's creation of the "Messiah" oratorio. The story begins at a difficult time in the composer's life and career: After thirty years in London, Handel has become unfashionable, due in large part to the efforts of his personal enemy, Frederic, the Prince of Wales. Furthermore, he is in debt, his hands have become crippled, and lack of both funds and a significant following may prevent the continuation of his latest operatic production. A once highly regarded actress and singer, Susanna Cibber -- now destitute and ostracized as a "fallen woman" because of an unfortunate chain of circumstances -- auditions for Handel, but he cruelly criticizes her singing. She later accepts payment from Charles Jennens to deliver his "Messiah" manuscript to the composer, who has been unresponsive to Jennens's requests for a meeting. Susanna finds Handel at a benefit, tells him about her difficulties, and forthrightly explains that she has been paid to present him with Jennens's work. A mutual respect is forged and she comforts him when he is publicly humiliated at the benefit by the prince. Later, a deeply depressed Handel becomes inspired when he reads the "Messiah" manuscript and composes the music for it in a burst of religious and artistic passion. But when he attempts to premiere the work in London, he is met with rejections from every theater in the city as a result of Prince Frederic's interference. However, a theater in Ireland agrees to debut the work, where it opens to great acclaim. Prince Frederic's sister, Caroline, hears about the success of the work and prevails upon her father, King George II, to request a command performance in London. Includes commercials and promos.

("Hallmark Hall of Fame" aired on NBC from 1952 to 1978; network affiliation varies after 1978.)

(Beginning with the live telecast of the opera "Amahl and the Night Visitors" on December 24, 1951, Hallmark has sponsored a series of dramatic specials which, since 1952, has aired under the title "Hallmark Hall of Fame." From 1952 to 1955 Hallmark also presented "Hallmark Hall of Fame," a weekly half-hour dramatic anthology series hosted by Sarah Churchill. The first program, "Dr. Serocold," was televised in January 1952 under the title "Hallmark Television Theatre." This series also ran under the title "Hallmark Summer Theatre" in July and August 1952.)

Details

  • NETWORK: NBC
  • DATE: December 15, 1963 Sunday 4:00 PM
  • RUNNING TIME: 0:58:55
  • COLOR/B&W: B&W copy of a color telecast
  • CATALOG ID: T:31291
  • GENRE: Docudrama; Specials
  • SUBJECT HEADING: Biography; Composers; Docudrama; Music; Oratorios - Excerpts
  • SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1951-1978
  • COMMERCIALS:
    • TV - Commercials - Hallmark cards, gifts, and decorations
    • TV - Promos - "Hallmark Hall of Fame: Abe Lincoln in Illinois"

CREDITS

  • George Schaefer … Producer, Director
  • Robert Hartung … Associate Producer
  • Sherman Yellen … Writer
  • George Frideric Handel … Composer
  • John McCollum … Singer, Handel's "Messiah"
  • Lee Vines … Announcer
  • Walter Slezak … Cast, George Frederic Handel (George Frideric Handel)
  • Maureen O'Hara … Cast, Susanna Cibber
  • Hermione Gingold … Cast, Princess Caroline (Princess Royal)
  • Hurd Hatfield … Cast, Prince Frederic (Prince of Wales)
  • Norman Barrs … Cast, Peter LeBlond
  • Douglas Rain … Cast, Charles Jennens
  • Kathryn Loder … Cast, Serefina
  • Carl Harms … Cast, the First Puppeteer
  • Donald Somers … Cast, the Second Puppeteer
  • Arthur Tell … Cast, the Bailiff