About
"'Hallmark Hall of Fame's' 50th anniversary meant a great deal to us. That you can do something and do it well and continuously for that long a period of time is a wonderful thing."
In his two-hour interview, Donald Hall (1928-2024), the chairman of Hallmark Cards, Inc., recalls the beginnings of his family's company, starting out as a greeting card firm and later moving into television production with the Hallmark Hall of Fame. He speaks of the many well-known directors and producers who have been involved in the series, and touches on some of the well-known productions. Hall discusses some of the programming risks involved in productions, and details some of the then-recent changes to the company, including the addition of Hallmark Entertainment and the Hallmark Channel. Michael Rosen conducted the interview on November 18, 2002 in Kansas City, MO.
Highlights
Donald Hall on Hallmark getting into television
Donald Hall on the early shows that Hallmark sponsored including Amahl and the Night Visitors
Donald Hall on Hallmark Hall of Fame's production of "Hamlet" and choosing material for the show
Donald Hall on Hallmark Hall of Fame's presentation of "Sarah, Plain and Tall"
Donald Hall on Hallmark's television commercials
Donald Hall on the formation of Hallmark Entertainment and The Hallmark Channel
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his early life and influences; on going into the greeting card business and being drafted; on his early impressions of television
On Hall Brothers' advertising on radio; on his father's management style; on his rise though Hallmark and Hallmark getting into television
Chapter 2
On the early shows that Hallmark sponsored including Amahl and the Night Visitors; on naming Hallmark Hall of Fame and Hallmark's relationship with NBC; on Hallmark Hall of Fame's production of "Hamlet" and choosing material for the show
On Hallmark Hall of Fame's version of "Born Yesterday"; on his involvement in Hallmark Hall of Fame and his goals regarding the program; on promoting Hallmark Hall of Fame
Chapter 3
On Hallmark Hall of Fame leaving NBC for CBS; on various Hallmark Hall of Fame presentations
On Hallmark Hall of Fame attracting high caliber actors; on the importance of keeping Hallmark a family-run business; on the formation of Hallmark Entertainment and The Hallmark Channel
Chapter 4
On Hallmark's television commercials; on Hallmark's audience; on his son taking over Hallmark
On the key to his success; on his management style and his employees; on mentorship and how he'd like to be remembered
On B-roll pictures from his career- Joyce Hall receiving a special Emmy; receiving a special Governor's Emmy Award; Joyce Hall's induction into the Emmy Hall of Fame; at UCLA's 40th Anniversary of Hallmark Hall of Fame; with Glenn Close, James Stewart and James Woods
Shows
Amahl and the Night Visitors
Donald Hall on the early shows that Hallmark sponsored including Amahl and the Night Visitors
Emmy Awards, The (Primetime and Daytime)
Donald Hall on his father receiving a special Emmy in 1961 for Hallmark Hall of Fame
Hallmark Hall of Fame
Donald Hall on Hallmark getting into television
Donald Hall on the early shows that Hallmark sponsored including Amahl and the Night Visitors
Donald Hall on naming Hallmark Hall of Fame and Hallmark's relationship with NBC
Donald Hall on Hallmark Hall of Fame's production of "Hamlet" and choosing material for the show
Donald Hall on Hallmark Hall of Fame's version of "Born Yesterday"
Donald Hall on his involvement in Hallmark Hall of Fame and his goals regarding the program
Donald Hall on Hallmark Hall of Fame producer George Schaefer and other behind the scenes people
Donald Hall on promoting Hallmark Hall of Fame
Donald Hall on Hallmark Hall of Fame leaving NBC for CBS
Donald Hall on Hallmark Hall of Fame's two presentations of "Macbeth"
Donald Hall on Hallmark Hall of Fame's presentation of "Teacher, Teacher"
Donald Hall on Hallmark Hall of Fame's presentation of "The Price"
Donald Hall on Hallmark Hall of Fame's presentation of "The Promise"
Donald Hall on Hallmark Hall of Fame's presentation of "My Name is Bill W."
Donald Hall on Hallmark Hall of Fame's presentation of "Sarah, Plain and Tall"
Donald Hall on Hallmark Hall of Fame's presentation of "What the Deaf Man Heard"
Donald Hall on Hallmark Hall of Fame's presentation of "Green Pastures"
Donald Hall on Hallmark Hall of Fame's presentation of "A Storm in the Summer"
Donald Hall on Hallmark Hall of Fame's presentation of "Love is Never Silent"
Donald Hall on Hallmark Hall of Fame's presentation of "The Piano Lesson"
Donald Hall on Hallmark Hall of Fame attracting high caliber actors
Donald Hall on his favorite presentations of Hallmark Hall of Fame
Donald Hall on his father receiving a special Emmy in 1961 for Hallmark Hall of Fame
Donald Hall on the 50th anniversary of Hallmark Hall of Fame
Donald Hall on the then-future of Hallmark Hall of Fame
Topics
Advertising and Sponsorship
Donald Hall on Hallmark's television commercials
Creative Influences and Inspiration
Donald Hall on mentorship and how he'd like to be remembered
Emmy Awards
Donald Hall on his father receiving a special Emmy in 1961 for Hallmark Hall of Fame
Historic Events and Social Change
Donald Hall on Hallmark Hall of Fame's presentation of "Green Pastures"
Network Creation
Donald Hall on the formation of Hallmark Entertainment and The Hallmark Channel
Pivotal Career Moments
Donald Hall on mentorship and how he'd like to be remembered
Representation on Television
Donald Hall on Hallmark Hall of Fame's presentation of "Green Pastures"
Television Industry
Donald Hall on the formation of Hallmark Entertainment and The Hallmark Channel
Donald Hall on Hallmark's television commercials
Donald Hall on television's mission
Underrepresented Voices
Donald Hall on Hallmark Hall of Fame's presentation of "Green Pastures"
Professions
Executives
Donald Hall on the formation of Hallmark Entertainment and The Hallmark Channel
Donald Hall on his management style and his employees
Genres
Classic Anthology Series
Donald Hall on Hallmark Hall of Fame (Part 1)
Donald Hall on Hallmark Hall of Fame (Part 2)
Donald Hall on Hallmark Hall of Fame (Part 3)
Commercials
Donald Hall on Hallmark's television commercials
People
Glenn Close
Donald Hall on Hallmark Hall of Fame's presentation of "Sarah, Plain and Tall"
Robert Halmi, Sr.
Donald Hall on the formation of Hallmark Entertainment and The Hallmark Channel
George Schaefer
Donald Hall on Hallmark Hall of Fame producer George Schaefer and other behind the scenes people