HALLMARK MOVIES & MYSTERIES 'MOST WONDERFUL MOVIES OF CHRISTMAS' UNWRAPS BLOCKBUSTER HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

Unprecedented 1500 Hours of Holiday Programming Includes Seven New, Original Movie Premieres Stars Include James Brolin, Mena Suvari and Wendy Malick

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - July 27 - Hallmark Movies & Mysteries unveils its blockbuster annual holiday-themed programming event, "Most Wonderful Movies of Christmas," with an unprecedented 1500 hours of holiday movies airing Friday, October 28 - Saturday, Dec. 31. The 24/7 holiday schedule will feature the world premiere of three new Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Originals, "Pair of Jacks" (wt) with James Brolin ("Life in Pieces"), Mena Suvari ("Chicago Fire") and Giselle Eisenberg ("Life in Pieces"); "Finding Father Christmas" with Wendy Malick ("Hot in Cleveland") and Erin Krakow ("Army Wives," "When Calls the Heart") and "Operation Christmas" with Tricia Helfer ("Battlestar Galactica"), Marc Blucas ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer") and Lisa Durupt ("Murder She Baked"). The announcement was made today to a semi-annual gathering of the Television Critics Association in Beverly Hills.

Additionally, the network's annual Happy Yule Log will burn brightly from Christmas Eve through Christmas morning. Featuring appearances by Crown Media Family Networks' rescue animal ambassadors Happy the Cat and Happy the Dog, the adorable duo will stretch and cozy up by the fire to timeless, seasonal favorites for families to enjoy as they open gifts and create cherished keepsake memories.

"Hallmark Movies & Mysteries is offering the most original holiday movie premieres in the history of the network," said Michelle Vicary, Executive Vice President, Programming and Network Publicity, Crown Media Family Networks. "We're also thrilled to be the exclusive home of more titles than ever before as well as perennial, holiday favorites to help our viewers get into the spirit of the season."

Following are descriptions of three of the seven upcoming original holiday movie premieres:

'PAIR OF JACKS' (wt)

Stars: James Brolin ("Life in Pieces"), Mena Suvari ("American Horror Story"), Giselle Eisenberg ("Life in Pieces")

Jackie Foster (Suvari), a dynamic Assistant District Attorney and single mom, is looking forward to wrapping up her latest case and spending Christmas with Gracie (Eisenberg), her adorable and precocious, eight-year old daughter. But when Jackie's estranged dad, Jack (Brolin), a gruff retired police officer, unexpectedly shows up at her door, they will be forced to confront old wounds. Tensions rise when Jack brings Nose, a mischievous former police dog, into Jackie's orderly home. Though Jack had planned on quickly passing through, Gracie convinces him to stay until Christmas. Despite the baggage he brings, Jack and Jackie begin to work through their issues and she finds the possibility of an unlikely romance with a detective friend of Jack's. As they experience the magic of Christmas together, they attempt to let go of their past and celebrate this loving holiday the way Jackie always dreamed.

'FINDING FATHER CHRISTMAS'

Stars: Wendy Malick ("Hot in Cleveland"), Erin Krakow ("When Calls the Heart"), Niall Matter ("Eureka")

Christmas for Miranda is a painful reminder of the family she never had. Her mother died when she was young, never revealing the identity of her father. But, three days before Christmas, she unexpectedly receives a clue as to the whereabouts that takes her to a beautiful New England town where she meets Ian, a young man who helps with her search. As the clues lead to her father's identity and Miranda discovers the possibility of love in Ian, and she learns that her father lived in the small town and now she knows his family (her brother and her biological father's wife). She faces a terrible decision... Should she share the truth and risk losing the family she has just found, or leave and keep the secret forever? This Christmas promises to be life-changing for Miranda with a new chance at life and love."

'OPERATION CHRISTMAS'

Stars: Tricia Helfer ("Battlestar Galactica), Marc Blucas ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer") and Lisa Durupt ("Murder She Baked")

As her new romance blossoms, a single mother is dismayed when her boyfriend, a military sergeant, is deployed right before Christmas. Determined to not let it ruin the holidays for her and her children they decide to give back to the struggling military families on his base and, as their efforts go viral, they are rewarded in ways they never imagined.

ABOUT HALLMARK MOVIES & MYSTERIES

Along with sister network Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries is the second 24-hour linear channel under the Crown Media Family Networks umbrella. Distributed in both (HD) and standard definition (SD) in 66 million homes across the United States and one of the fastest growing networks in cable, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries is a leading destination for quality family friendly entertainment. Launched in 2008 as Hallmark Movie Channel, the network underwent a brand evolution in fall of 2014 when it transitioned to become Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. True to its name, the channel brings the lighter side of the suspense and mystery genres into focus with rich, dramatic, and thoughtprovoking storytelling. The network's programming lineup features a unique mix of original movies, presentations from the acclaimed Hallmark Hall of Fame library, and such time-honored acquired series as "Murder, She Wrote," "Matlock," "Hart to Hart" and "Diagnosis Murder." The channel is also home to annual 8-week holiday programming event, "The Most Wonderful Movies of Christmas," which helps viewers celebrate the season with new original movies and all-time classics like "A Christmas Carol," "Holiday Affair," "Babes in Toyland" and "Christmas in Connecticut." Hallmark owns and operates Crown Media Family Networks. HALLMARK MOVIES & MYSTERIES @HALLMARKMOVIE Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Channel Locator: http://www.hallmarkmoviesandmysteries.com/channellocator