Hallmark Christmas Movie Schedule 2025 Drops

Ms. Chabert, set to grace Christmas screens this Holiday season, seen here having pulled this man's finger

Well, Hallmark has released their schedule for the Christmas movies coming in 2025.  Despite the fact it's September and in the 90's where I live, over in Hallmark HQ, it might as well be time to rock around the Christmas tree.

Hallmark isn't completely ignoring the rest of the year.  They're currently showing movies with a fall theme on the channels (although it's not officially autumn until September 22nd).  And they're even getting spooky this year as Ms. Chabert and Hallmark stalwart Wes Brown will appear in the Halloween themed third chapter in the "Haul Out the Holly" saga.  

Meanwhile, Hallmark ornaments are coming in waves for 2025, with an official Lacey Chabert ornament coming in October.  (I am well aware of the Superman ornament, thanks).  

Here's the Hallmark checklist of new content:

Happy Birthday, Cassandra Peterson

Today is the birthday of Cassandra Peterson, better known as Elvira, Mistress of the Dark.

Peterson doesn't actually get dressed up as Elvira anymore for conventions, etc...  but she's managed to just be herself, and it turns out, people really like Cassandra Peterson.  

We highly recommend her memoir, Yours Cruelly, Elvira.  

Robert Redford Merges WIth The Infinite

Robert Redford, actor, producer, director, activist and all-around okay guy, has passed.

I'll say it:  I've never seen Redford deliver anything but a great performance, and I'm not sure I've ever genuinely disliked anything he's been in.  Of course, I've only seen a fraction of his filmography, but I'll stand by the idea.

In an industry full of people trying to dumb things down, Redford exploded during the 1960's and 70's where he took on challenging roles in complicated films, whether we're talking something like a clockwork political thriller like Three Days of the Condor or the exploration of the myth of the west in Jeremiah Johnson.  But his list of classic roles is as long as your arm.  Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.  The Sting.  The Great Gatsby.  The Natural.  Etc... et al.  Heck, he played one of the best villains in a Marvel film.  Who knew?

He'd go on to direct critically acclaimed films, including Quiz Show (which is still stunningly good).  

Far from just a handsome actor to slot into parts, Redford carved out his own world within Hollywood, using his box office draw to get attention for numerous causes.  He helped found Sundance as a film festival and market for independent film (when that meant something) and he supported efforts to save Barton Springs here in Austin, Texas - where he swam as a kid.

Flat out, this site thinks Redford is cool AF, and salutes the man.  He'll be missed.

Nunsploitation Watch: To The Devil A Daughter (1976)

Watched:  09/15/2025

Format:  Criterion

Viewing:  First

Director:  Peter Sykes

It's hard not to see To The Devil a Daughter (1976) as existing due to Rosemary's Baby's wild success, a dash of 1970's-style Satanic Panic, and a dollop of Hammer's latter-era horror output like The Devil Rides Out (this is a Hammer co-production).  It's based on a novel by Dennis Wheatley from the 1950's, so good on the printed word leading the way here.

For reasons that kinda make sense if what I understand about Hammer's financial state in the 70's, a German company was involved in financing and production.  

The movie stars an American, Richard Widmark, who made his name in noir - especially with Kiss of Death, with which he's still widely associated - and then went on to participate in a wide-range of movies and roles.  Widmark plays a writer who has written a sensationalistic best-seller about Satanism, who is represented by former Bond-girl Honor Blackman, his pal in London,* and her boyfriend, David.

Nunsploitation Watch: Behind Convent Walls (1978)

Watched:  09/13/2025

Format:  Criterion

Viewing;  First

Director:  Walerian Borowczyk

Uhm.

So.

Yeah.

And.

Right.

So.

Behind Convent Walls (1978) is a lot more what I had in mind when the word "Nunsploitation" entered my vocabulary a few weeks ago.  For good or ill.