The Very Best Family Movies of All Time in Breathtaking High Definition!

The Very Best Family Movies of All Time in Breathtaking High Definition!

HALLMARK MOVIE CHANNEL HD LAUNCHES APRIL 2 WITH MOVIE EVENT 'SON OF THE DRAGON,' STARRING EMMY NOMINEE DAVID CARRADINE AND JOHN REARDON, THRILLING LOVE STORY BASED ON THE CLASSIC THIEF OF BAGHDAD

Hallmark Channel Launches First HD Network

STUDIO CITY, Calif., March 18 /PRNewswire/ -- In a historic move for the network, Hallmark Channel will celebrate the launch of Hallmark Movie Channel HD with a two-night movie event starring Emmy(R) nominee and martial arts legend David Carradine, who will kick the new network into high (def) gear. The U.S. Television Premiere of "Son of the Dragon" HD will feature Night One, Wednesday, April 2 (8/7 c) and Night Two, Thursday, April 3 (8/7 c).

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080318/LATU013)

John Reardon ("Merlin's Apprentice") and Rupert Graves ("V for Vendetta") costar in "Son of the Dragon," a two night, four hour Hallmark Movie Channel Original Movie Event that will immerse viewers in such startling HD clarity, they may need to start dodging punches! A stunning re-imagining of the classic Thief of Baghdad, the film, which was shot entirely in China, revolves around a charismatic young thief known as Devil Boy, or DB (Reardon), who was abandoned at birth and rescued from the docks of Shanghai by Bird (Carradine), a wise former warrior. Now, DB and Bird have their eyes on the ultimate prize ... swindling the royal court of its jewels. The best way for them to execute the perfect heist is by winning the hand of the Governor's daughter, Princess Li Wei (Desiree Siahaan, "Marco Polo"), whose father is welcoming potential suitors to court. Posing as the Prince of the Seven Seas and his loyal lieutenant, DB and Bird enter a world unlike anything they imagined.

Although DB has genuine feelings for the princess, there is formidable competition from the Prince of the North (Graves) and it is soon apparent that he is playing by a far more dangerous and sinister set of rules. Caught in a dangerous game, DB and Bird must rely on their cunning, street-smarts and a little magic to survive an untimely demise.

The scent of lotus blossoms will waft off of the screen, slashing swords will tear into living rooms everywhere, and the beauty, adventure, and romance of Ancient China will come alive as never before. It's the "Son of the Dragon" premiere -- the first program to air on the all-new Hallmark Movie Channel HD -- Wednesday, April 2 (8/7 c) Night One and Thursday, April 3 (8/7 c) Night Two. Hallmark Movie Channel HD will be a spectacle the likes of which has yet to be seen in any definition!

Programming events such as "Son of the Dragon" will be a regular occurrence on Hallmark Movie Channel, with a major event title premiering every quarter on the 24-hour network. In addition to its star-studded launch, Hallmark Movie Channel will become the premiere destination for the very best family movies of all time, and home to the critically-acclaimed Hallmark Hall of Fame library! In more than 50 years, the Hall of Fame films have featured 131 Academy Award(R) nominees and 55 winners, have won 81 Emmy Awards and 13 Golden Globes, and consistently rank among the top five films on broadcast television year after year. Accompanying the Hall of Fame library on the network will be an array of current and classic titles from major Hollywood studios and networks, including Warner Brothers, Paramount Pictures and Disney.

Hallmark Movie Channel, the second linear channel from Crown Media, simulcast in SD (standard definition) and HD (high definition), is a 24-hour cable network dedicated to bringing viewers the very best family movies of all time with a mix of classic theatrical films, original Hallmark Channel movies and presentations from the acclaimed Hallmark Hall of Fame library. In today's crowded television landscape, the network is a unique and captivating entertainment experience, providing programming that family can watch together. Viewers can tune in on Sunday nights to see Hall of Fame favorites including "Sarah Plain and Tall," "What the Deaf Man Heard" and "To Dance With the White Dog." The channel also spotlights a major quarterly programming event, such as the upcoming four-hour mini-series, "Son of the Dragon," starring David Carradine. The movie event premieres Wednesday, April 2, and will mark the launch of Hallmark Movie Channel HD, offering audiences an unparalleled viewing experience.

For more information, please visit http://www.hallmarkchannelpress.com/.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Photo: NewsCom:

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080318/LATU013
AP Archive:

http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN2
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Hallmark Movie Channel HD

CONTACT: Pam Slay, +1-818-755-2480, or Sheri Helmers, +1-818-755-2490,
both of Hallmark Movie Channel HD

Web site:

http://www.hallmarkchannel.com/
http://www.hallmarkchannelpress.com/

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