The Lost Valentine
Encyclopedia
The Lost Valentine is a 2011 American
drama film starring Betty White
, Jennifer Love Hewitt
, and Sean Faris
. It is based on the novel by James Michael Pratt of the same name, previously titled The Last Valentine, a 1998 New York Times and USA Today
bestseller.
during World War II
. Susan immediately clashes with Caroline's grandson, Lucas (Faris), when he overhears her referring to the potential story as a fluff piece, rather than the very personal story it is. She apologizes, and starts to enjoy spending time with both of the Thomases...and her friendship with Lucas makes her have doubts about her relationship with her almost fiance, Andrew.
As the interview process goes on, it is revealed that Mrs. Thomas finds only silence about her husband for sixty-six years from the Department of the Navy. Susan turns to Andrew for help because part of the rockiness of their relationship (which ultimately ends) rests on the fact that he frequently leaves the country, and has connections in the place where Lt. Thomas was last seen. With the additional help of a United States Senator (Susan did an unrelated story on the senator) who puts pressure on the Navy, they locate the family of Billings, the gunner on Thomas' airplane. The now deceased Billings' son tells of the crash and of Morang, a Filipino guerilla who rescued the wounded naval aviators.
Putting past hard feelings over their breakup, Andrew Hawthorne goes to the Philippines and sets up a teleconference for the aged Caroline and elderly Morang. The story of the fate of Lt. Thomas, Morang says he was badly wounded, but wanted his more seriously injured gunner, Billings to get medical aid. When Thomas had recovered, deep behind Japanese lines, he joins the Filipino Guerillas. During a patrol, Lt. Thomas is killed by a Japanese sniper. Morang knows the location of the burial site of Lt. Thomas.
The US Navy goes to the 1944 grave site and returns (on Valentine's day) the remains and effects to the United States. Caroline is given Neil's wallet and dogtags. For Neil's bravery and courage, Caroline is given his Navy Cross
, Silver Star
and Purple Heart
. Lt. Thomas is buried by the US Navy, with full military honors. Caroline is further cheered when her beloved grandson and the woman who helped her discover the fate of her husband begin a romantic relationship.
.
) but represented the most-watched Hallmark movie in four years (since the film Valley of Light aired in January 2007).
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
drama film starring Betty White
Betty White
Betty White Ludden , better known as Betty White, is an American actress, comedienne, singer, author, and former game show personality. With a career spanning seven decades since 1939, she is best known to modern audiences for her television roles as Sue Ann Nivens on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and...
, Jennifer Love Hewitt
Jennifer Love Hewitt
Jennifer Love Hewitt is an American actress, producer, television director and former singer-songwriter. Hewitt began her acting career as a child by appearing in television commercials and the Disney Channel series Kids Incorporated...
, and Sean Faris
Sean Faris
Sean Hardy Faris is an American model and actor. He is well known for his roles as Jake Tyler in Never Back Down, Kyo Kusanagi in The King of Fighters, and Rick Penning in Forever Strong.-Life and career:...
. It is based on the novel by James Michael Pratt of the same name, previously titled The Last Valentine, a 1998 New York Times and USA Today
USA Today
USA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...
bestseller.
Plot
The story follows the characters of a TV journalist, Susan Allison (Hewitt) working on a profile of a woman, Caroline Thomas (White) whose husband naval aviator Lt. Neil Thomas was declared MIAMissing in action
Missing in action is a casualty Category assigned under the Status of Missing to armed services personnel who are reported missing during active service. They may have been killed, wounded, become a prisoner of war, or deserted. If deceased, neither their remains nor grave can be positively...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Susan immediately clashes with Caroline's grandson, Lucas (Faris), when he overhears her referring to the potential story as a fluff piece, rather than the very personal story it is. She apologizes, and starts to enjoy spending time with both of the Thomases...and her friendship with Lucas makes her have doubts about her relationship with her almost fiance, Andrew.
As the interview process goes on, it is revealed that Mrs. Thomas finds only silence about her husband for sixty-six years from the Department of the Navy. Susan turns to Andrew for help because part of the rockiness of their relationship (which ultimately ends) rests on the fact that he frequently leaves the country, and has connections in the place where Lt. Thomas was last seen. With the additional help of a United States Senator (Susan did an unrelated story on the senator) who puts pressure on the Navy, they locate the family of Billings, the gunner on Thomas' airplane. The now deceased Billings' son tells of the crash and of Morang, a Filipino guerilla who rescued the wounded naval aviators.
Putting past hard feelings over their breakup, Andrew Hawthorne goes to the Philippines and sets up a teleconference for the aged Caroline and elderly Morang. The story of the fate of Lt. Thomas, Morang says he was badly wounded, but wanted his more seriously injured gunner, Billings to get medical aid. When Thomas had recovered, deep behind Japanese lines, he joins the Filipino Guerillas. During a patrol, Lt. Thomas is killed by a Japanese sniper. Morang knows the location of the burial site of Lt. Thomas.
The US Navy goes to the 1944 grave site and returns (on Valentine's day) the remains and effects to the United States. Caroline is given Neil's wallet and dogtags. For Neil's bravery and courage, Caroline is given his Navy Cross
Navy Cross
The Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...
, Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
and Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
. Lt. Thomas is buried by the US Navy, with full military honors. Caroline is further cheered when her beloved grandson and the woman who helped her discover the fate of her husband begin a romantic relationship.
Cast
- Betty WhiteBetty WhiteBetty White Ludden , better known as Betty White, is an American actress, comedienne, singer, author, and former game show personality. With a career spanning seven decades since 1939, she is best known to modern audiences for her television roles as Sue Ann Nivens on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and...
— Caroline Thomas - Jennifer Love HewittJennifer Love HewittJennifer Love Hewitt is an American actress, producer, television director and former singer-songwriter. Hewitt began her acting career as a child by appearing in television commercials and the Disney Channel series Kids Incorporated...
— Susan Allison - Sean FarisSean FarisSean Hardy Faris is an American model and actor. He is well known for his roles as Jake Tyler in Never Back Down, Kyo Kusanagi in The King of Fighters, and Rick Penning in Forever Strong.-Life and career:...
— Lucas Thomas - Billy MagnussenBilly MagnussenBilly Magnussen is an American actor.-Biography:Magnussen was born in New York City and grew up in Woodhaven, New York, until the age of 10, which point he moved with his family to Cumming, Georgia...
— Lieutenant Neil Thomas Sr., USN - Gil GerardGil GerardGilbert C. "Gil" Gerard is an American actor. He is most famous for his role as Captain William "Buck" Rogers in the 1979-1981 television series Buck Rogers in the 25th Century.-Early life:...
— Neil Thomas Jr. - Will ChaseWill ChaseWill Chase is an American actor and singer, best known for his work in Broadway musicals.Chase was born in Frankfort, Kentucky to Jerry and Betty Chase and is the youngest of three boys...
— Andrew Hawthorne - Nadia DajaniNadia DajaniNadia Dajani is an American actress of Irish and Palestinian descent.-Acting career:For two seasons , she starred as Amanda Moyer in the Fox television sitcom, Ned & Stacey. She starred in numerous television pilots...
— Julie Oliver - Meghann FahyMeghann FahyMeghann Fahy is an American actress and singer, best known for her role as Natalie Goodman in Next to Normal and as Hannah O'Connor on One Life to Live.- Personal life :...
— Young Caroline - Victoria Loving — Maggie Thomas, Lucas's mother
Production
The teleplay was written by Maryann Ridini Spencer & Barton Taney. Spencer met the author of the book, James Michael Pratt, in 2001 and fell in love with the story line. Her screenplay based on the novel ultimately resulted in a contract with HallmarkHallmark
A hallmark is an official mark or series of marks struck on items made of precious metals — platinum, gold, silver and in some nations, palladium...
.
DVD Release
The film aired on January 30, 2011 on CBS and was available to order from Hallmark after the film aired.Reception
The film received a generally positive review from US Magazine, who said it was "Supercorny, though White tugs the heart". The film was a huge success which not only won its time period in viewers (14.53 million, beating out Fox's second hour of coverage of the NFL Pro BowlPro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
) but represented the most-watched Hallmark movie in four years (since the film Valley of Light aired in January 2007).