Over the years a number of movies have been put out for public consumption under the banner of the Hallmark Hall of Fame. These movies are largely family friendly and a good many of them also are set during a particular time in history. The name Hallmark Hall of Fame has come to signify quality, with many of the movies distributed as such earning a number of well respected awards. A great deal of attention is paid to the writing for these movies and many big name stars have shunned the opportunity to appear in a Hollywood blockbuster so that they could appear in an acclaimed Hallmark Hall of Fame film.

Here is a look at five little known facts about Hallmark Hall of Fame:

1. The first Hallmark Hall of Fame production appeared on television in 1951, it was an original one-act opera by Gian Carlo Menotti. This was also the first time in the United States that an opera had been composed specifically for television.

2. Many famous and highly thought of actors have appeared in these wonderful film productions over the years including Richard Burton, Laurence Olivier, Peter Ustinov, James Garner, Glenn Close, Hume Cronyn, Jessica Tandy, James Woods, Julie Harris, Alfred Lunt, Christopher Walken, Jessica Lange, Lynn Fontanne, and more.

3. Over the course of its existence, Hallmark Hall of Fame films have appeared on NBC, PBS, ABC, and CBS. The movies also occasionally play on the parent company's own networks: the Hallmark Channel and the Hallmark Movie Channel. Many of them are also available on VHS and DVD as well.

4. Glenn Close and Christopher Walken have appeared as their characters Sarah Wheaton/Witting and Jacob Witting in three installments of these popular movies. Sarah, Plain and Tall was released in 1991, its sequel Skylark came out in 1993, and then six years later Sarah, Plain and Tall: Winter's End was released in 1999. These remain some of the more popular movies in the series' history.

5. Early in her career, actress Heather Graham portrayed the role of young Alexandra Bergson who was played as an adult by Jessica Lange in the Hallmark Hall of Fame production of O Pioneers!

With some of the best writing, greatest performers, and incredibly subject matters in film history, it is no mystery how the Hallmark Hall of Fame movies have grown to become some of the most cherished and favorite films of those who have been treated with the opportunity to view them. Fans of the series know that when a new release in the series is upcoming that they are in store for a rare treat, especially when compared to some of the fare being produced in movie studios today. Based on a track record stretching back more than fifty years, it is easy to see that Hallmark Hall of Fame films will continue to be well throught of and cherished for many years to come.

More information about Hallmark Hall of Fame movies can be found online at Hallmark-hall-of- - reminding people every day about high quality family-friendly movies.