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.

I recall seeing most of this "Hallmark Hall of Fame" musical special on NBC, probably when it first aired in December 1969. Seeing it again almost 30 years later, I found this shot-on-tape production every bit as dreary and depressing as I'd remembered it. "The Littlest Angel" is the heartwarming story of a shepherd boy named Michael who dies on his eighth birthday, and ends up in Heaven. (To make matters worse, the white dove that lures Michael to his death turns out to have been sent by God Himself.) Michael, less than enthusiastic about being in Heaven, just wants to go home - and who can blame him? If you have any small kids who weren't sufficiently traumatized by the demise of Bambi's mother, they're bound to get a kick out of the scene in which Michael is allowed to return to Earth briefly to retrieve his treasure box; he can see his parents, but his parents, who don't even know yet that their son is dead, can't see him.

In this special, Heaven is a place where people wearing white gowns and metallic halos are badly chroma-keyed against vaguely psychedelic backgrounds. There's very little plot, and a bunch of pretty forgettable songs which run the gamut from pious to perky. The video effects are hopelessly crude (even, I think, by 1969 standards). Johnny Whitaker, who was still co-starring in "Family Affair" on CBS at the time, is one of the few genuinely delightful things about this production. Fred Gwynne, a few years after shaking off Herman Munster, does what he can as guardian angel Patience. You may be surprised at how well he sings (as he did in the much later "Ironweed"). Connie Stevens appears for one number as a "flying mistress"; Cab Calloway leads a heavenly choir; E.G. Marshall plays God.

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 film brings back a lot of great Christmas memories. Yes, the special effects are dated and the costumes a bit cheesy (it's from the 60's, for Pete's sake, give it a rest!). However, the music is actually good and is still worth listening to (anyone who thinks the music is sappy, perky, etc. probably didn't particularly like any of it in the first place).

I also think it would be great if this particular film could be redone with better special effects/costumes/etc. However, I wouldn't change the music (arrangements) as it really fits the overall mood and message.

I have to admit that looking at it again in later years (I've had a copy of the VHS tape for a long time) there are a few elements about the film that were rather morbid (like the child visiting his parents after his death to get his box and they had no idea that he had actually died).

I suppose everyone has their own take on the film. For me, the overall message and appeal is still there and has made it a Christmas staple for me; it's one of the elements that gets me "in the Christmas spirit". Time seems to go backward and, for a little while, I can remember what it was like to be a child.

For me, "The Littlest Angel" will always be a classic.

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.