Everyone comes to discover and appreciate Hallmark films for different reasons. For some, it’s the promise that everything will work out. For others, it’s simply a relief to watch something so optimistic and uplifting, compared to the often cynical and pessimistic content that’s out there.
For “Haul Out the Halloween” star Stephen Tobolowsky, they became a respite when he was in a pretty bad place with his health. “I so enjoyed in my recovery watching Hallmark movies,” he told Bramble Jam Media. “I found them hopeful.”
From a Neck Break to Open‑Heart Surgery: How Hallmark Movies Became Stephen Tobolowsky’s Lifeline
A decade before Stephen starred in “Haul Out the Holly,” he almost died during a catastrophic horseback riding incident. “In 2008, I broke my neck riding on a horse on the side of an active volcano in Iceland,” Stephen explained. “My doctor told me I had a fatal injury. I said, ‘Well, you know, doc, I come from the world of theater, and words have meaning, and fatal means I’m dead.’ He says, ‘No, it’s a freak thing that you’re alive.'”
After Stephen’s neck healed, he then ended up back in the hospital for open-heart surgery. He quickly discovered a love for Hallmark films.
“In the hospital, I’m watching Hallmark movies,” the “Groundhog Day” star revealed. “And I’m going like, ‘This is very healing.’ It is about the pursuit of love, the attainment of love, and, for a while, believing in that very delicate line between truth and fiction, that love can last. And that’s kind of the fable and the commandment that Hallmark movies follow. That it’s possible for love to exist, and it’s possible for love to last.”
Stephen’s take on Hallmark’s efficient, enjoyable filmmaking
Stephen not only loved Hallmark’s positive storylines, but he was equally impressed by the talent and professionalism of the actors. “Everybody on the movies is so good,” Stephen said. “Everybody, they’re all pros.”
“You’ve got two weeks, man, two and a half weeks to crank out a whole movie,” he continued. “And you can’t do that if you’re a doofus, you know? Everybody’s got to show up, be there on time, do their work, and everything. And I found the discipline on the Hallmark sets is terrific, and the people you meet are hard workers, and the work ethic is good.”
Many of his castmates on the “Haul Out the Holly” series have spoken about how well the cast got along, and Stephen couldn’t agree more. “Doing ‘Haul Out the Holly’ was a hoot, we just had so much fun,” he said.
“You have the Commandment, ‘The more fun you have doing a movie, the worse the movie will be,” Stephen added. “But that wasn’t true with ‘Haul Out the Holly.’ It was dear, it was terrific.”
“Haul Out the Halloween” will air at 8 pm ET/7 pm CT on Saturday, October 11 on the Hallmark Channel.
Loved Haul out the Halloween. It was so much fun to watch. Even more so than Christmas. The two new characters are FANTASTIC to watch and so much fun. AND, happy that Ned is finding love. What a great story and cast that can’t be beat. Lacy and Wes, and all the others. WOW!!!!! WONDERFUL.