Countdown to Christmas: The Littlest Angel (1969)

 From the Hallmark Hall of Fame, as first shown on NBC:

The Littlest Angel, an adaptation of a story by Charles Tazewell, first written for radio broadcast in 1939, then released as a book in 1946, found its way to the Hallmark anthology series in 1969, and would remain a holiday staple during the 70's, with its all-star cast, including Fred Gwynne (ex-The Munsters), Tony Randall (a year away from The Odd Couple), Connie Stevens (ex-Hawaiian Eye), John McGiver (ex-Many Happy Returns), and, in the title role, Johnnie Whittaker (Family Affair). As if there wasn't enough musical talent (Randall, Stevens, Whittaker), Cab Calloway is also along for the ride.

When Tazewell wrote his original story 30 years earlier, his protagonist was a 4 year old. That certainly couldn't work for the TV audience of 1969, hence Whittaker being cast. I cannot speak to whether or not Johnnie did any singing on Family Affair, but he would do so quite a bit in Sigmund & The Sea Monsters, also for NBC (1973-5). Still, he starts us off.

I do have memories of seeing this, but, at the time, it was a school night, and I went to bed before the show was over.

No rating.