Hallmark Channel's "Love Comes Softly" Film Honored

Hallmark Channel Original Movie version of Janette Oke's classic novel "Love Comes Softly" (5 million copies sold) Recently won the Epiphany Prize for Most Inspirational Television Program sponsored by The John Templeton Foundation

(PRWEB) April 12, 2004 --With beloved novelist Janette Oke in attendance, the Hallmark Channel Original Movie version of her classic novel "Love Comes Softly" won the Epiphany Prize for Most Inspirational Television Program sponsored by The John Templeton Foundation. The award was part of the 12th Annual Movieguide® Awards Gala held in the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel on March 24. This event honors family-friendly films and television entertainment that uphold moral standards and have high redemptive value.

During the acceptance of the award, director Michael Landon Jr. invited Oke onstage to present her with a dozen long-stemmed red roses. Before five-hundred celebrities, other guests, and reporters, she graciously thanked Movieguide for honoring her story and Michael for his skillful writing and directing.

Also receiving an honor for the film was actor Dale Midkiff, who won the Grace Prize for Television Acting for his portrayal of Clark Davis, the stalwart, faithful husband who turns his "marriage of convenience" to his bride, Marty, into a shining example of true devotion and patient, selfless love.

The award marks the beginning of further Oke stories on the screen. Filming, directed again by Landon Jr., began March 29 on the sequel "Loves Enduring Promise."

"Love Comes Softly", first released in 1979 by Bethany House Publishers with its prairie setting and gentle romance, has sold more than 5 million copies. The novel was singular in paving a path for modern Christian fiction. The impact of her novels was heralded to the publishing industry when Janette Oke received the 1992 ECPA President's Award for her significant contribution to the category of Christian fiction and in 1999 the Life Impact Award from CBA International. Combined sales of Oke novels is approaching 23 million copies.

The DVD/video version of the film will be available Fall 2004.

More information about the books "Love Comes Softly" and "Love's Enduring Promise" is available at http://www.BethanyHouse.com.