''The Angel of Pennsylvania Avenue'' is an American 1996 television film directed by
Robert Ellis Miller, the last film Miller directed before his death on January 27, 2017. The film was completed days before actor
Robert Urich had surgery for cancer.
Plot
During the
Great Depression
The Great Depression (19291939) was an economic shock that impacted most countries across the world. It was a period of economic depression that became evident after a major fall in stock prices in the United States. The economic contagio ...
, an unemployed Detroit man is arrested for a crime he didn't commit, prompting his three children to travel over 500 miles to the
White House
The White House is the official residence and workplace of the president of the United States. It is located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., and has been the residence of every U.S. president since John Adams in 1800. ...
in search of help from President
Herbert Hoover
Herbert Clark Hoover (August 10, 1874 – October 20, 1964) was an American politician who served as the 31st president of the United States from 1929 to 1933 and a member of the Republican Party, holding office during the onset of the Gr ...
in order to have their father home for Christmas.
Cast
*
Diana Scarwid as Annie Feagan
*
Robert Urich as Angus Feagan
*
Tegan Moss
Tegan Moss (born February 7, 1985) is a Canadian actress appearing in film and television. She has been nominated for a Young Artist Award.
Biography
Moss was born in Vancouver, British Columbia. She has two brothers, Rory Moss, and actor Jes ...
as Bernice Feagan
*
Britt Irvin as Lily Feagan
*
Alexander Pollock
Alexander Pollock is a Canadian realtor and former actor. He is best known for his roles as Corky in ''Big Bully'', Scotty Brody in ''Cats & Dogs'', and Richie/Elf Tight End in ''The Santa Clause 2''.
Career
He made his debut in 1996 as Corky ...
as Jack Feagan
* Camille Mitchell as Margaret
*
Thomas Peacocke
Charles Thomas Peacocke CM, (March 31, 1933 – November 2022) was a Canadian actor. He won the Genie Award for Best Actor at the 2nd Genie Awards in 1981, for his role in ''The Hounds of Notre Dame''.Jay Scott, "Les Bons débarras sweeps the Gen ...
as President
Herbert Hoover
Herbert Clark Hoover (August 10, 1874 – October 20, 1964) was an American politician who served as the 31st president of the United States from 1929 to 1933 and a member of the Republican Party, holding office during the onset of the Gr ...
Production
Filming took place in Vancouver, British Columbia during October and November 1996.
Robert Urich had been diagnosed with
synovial sarcoma in August 1996 and received treatments while filming was taking place; Ulrich had also completed a chemotherapy course just before he was approached to perform as Angus. Days after filming was completed Ulrich had surgery for the cancer.
Release
''The Angel of Pennsylvania Avenue'' premiered on The Family Channel on December 15, 1996. It was a co-production between the channel and Hallmark Entertainment.
Reception
''Radio Times'' gave it 2 stars, saying "Cheesy dialogue and general overacting don't help matters, though it still warms the heart when the trio are finally given their audience with President Hoover."
See also
*
List of Christmas films
Many Christmas stories have been adapted to feature films and TV specials, and have been broadcast and repeated many times on television; since the popularization of home video in the 1980s, their many editions are sold and re-sold every year d ...
References
External links
*
1996 television films
1996 films
1990s Christmas drama films
ABC Family original films
American Christmas drama films
Films about presidents of the United States
Films directed by Robert Ellis Miller
Great Depression films
Christmas television films
Cultural depictions of Herbert Hoover
1990s English-language films
1990s American films
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