The Littlest Angel

I saw it for the first time as a kid in the 1990's at Catholic school, with little knowledge of 1960's television or that it was from that far back, and found it kind of enjoyable, although I felt bad for the kid dying and missing his home. (And I blinked and missed that he fell off a cliff, and thought he had died of exhaustion from climbing the mountain trying to catch the bird). I rewatch it as an adult recently (knowing more about 60's television), and am like, this movie was that old? The angel boy was the kid from 'Family Affair'? The guardian angel was Herman Munster? Also, I'm re-seeing the trippy 60's effects, which went over my head as a kid, and while I didn't see their names anywhere in the credits, if someone told me Sid and Marty Krofft had a hand in production, I would believe them. Overall not a bad movie, with 60's stars.

This is a beautiful story of a little boy who has a fatal fall and goes to Heaven. His guardian angel is Patience (played by Fred Gwynne). Michael (Johnny Whitaker) refuses to acknowledge that he is now an angel, and wants to go home. Even after flying lessons, he wants to go home to get his treasure box, and Patience allows him to do so. He arrives back in Heaven just in time for the birth of Christ, and decides to give the Holy Child his treasure box.

By today's standards, the special effects are somewhat "hokey" and very stage-like. I was surprised at the singing talents of some who were in it. Johnny sings like the young boy that he was at the time. Fred Gwynne sings pleasantly and on key, and Tony Randall later went on to make a career on the musical stage (playing Applegate in "Damn Yankees" in several productions, for instance). Cab Calloway delighted me, as did several other lesser known singers. The songs are less than memorable, but at least they were sung well.

This show is now out on DVD. I was able to purchase mine at the Hollywood Collectors and Celebrities Show, but I'm told its available other places. There are no special features with the DVD.

We may be able to petition Hallmark Channel, which still owns the rights to their Hallmark Hall of Fame Special, to run this show at Christmastime.

Donna

This show really sent shivers up and down my spine. I remember seeing this as a child, and it just left such an impression on me. The part when he went fell off the cliff and went to heaven was just wonderful. When he went to return to his house to get a gift for God, played by E.G.Marshall, and his mom was crying and couldn't see him right there was just sad. The end of the show where his gift was the most special gift of all will always stay with me. It also taught me the value of a gift when it comes from the heart. I really want to see it again. I know its on video tape somewhere.

Its a Christmas treat! I hope people will show this show their kids. I think it should go down as a holiday classic.

BEWARE OF FALSE REVIEWS & REVIEWERS. SOME REVIEWERS HAVE ONLY ONE REVIEW TO THEIR NAME. NOW WHEN ITS A POSITIVE REVIEW THAT TELLS ME THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE MOVIE. IF ITS A NEGATIVE REVIEW THEN THEY MIGHT HAVE A GRUDGE AGAINST THE FILM . NOW I HAVE REVIEWED OVER 200 HOLIDAY FILMS. I HAVE NO AGENDA. I AM HONEST

This 1969 Hallmark Hall of Fame as an adaption of the beloved children's story. This stars Johnny Whitaker who was best known at the time for playing Jody in the television show "Family Affair". This was most likely shot when "Family Affair" was on hiatus.

In this film an 8 year boy finds out he is now an angel and he isn't too happy about it. He wants to go back home. He misses his mom and dad. He also misses being a shepherd and his little box of treasures he kept under his bed.

This adaption suffers because most of the musical numbers drag it down. The songs are not memorable. There is a minor highlight. We get to see the legendary Cab Calloway leading a heavenly choir.

This film however would have been much better had they just stuck to the story and not turned into a musical. If they wanted a musical then they should of cast a better singer in the lead role. I like JW but his singing is terrible in this film.

Johnny Whitaker however would go in to co-star with Jodie Foster in 2 films. "Napoleon and Samantha" & "Tom Sawyer" which also happens to be a musical and perhaps the film adaption of the classic American Novel.

If you look past the bad songs in this then you will enjoy this. It is however fun to watch to see all the familiar faces in this cast. This is family safe but, most people might get bored watch. Running 79 minutes the film seems to run much longer.

This production still stays with me after all these decades.Around that time television never openly addressed death.The censors would tell the characters of a show that the person who died simply WENT AWAY to visit a sister.Great cast and they all sang on key but the songs slowed down the continuity or flow to the performance.Sad ending seeing bewildered grief stricken parents, and of course that hug from the littlest Angel makes your eyes misty; no water.Nice to see Fred Gwuinn, Tony Randall and James Coco. Connie Stevens was a perfect angel herself trying to teach the new arrival how to fly.Special effects at that time could easily use improvement.A period piece for sure.