Lauren Lee Smith (10/00 Christy movies)
Excerpt from PR Newswire 10/19/00: Lauren Lee Smith | Christy
Peace Arch Announces Production of 'Christy' Movies With PAX TV and Hallmark Entertainment.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Peace Arch Entertainment Group Inc. (Amex: PAE, Toronto: PAE.A, PAE.B) with PAX TV, Paxson Communications (Amex: PAX), and Hallmark Entertainment is pleased to announce production and distribution of three all new "Christy" movies. Based on the international bestseller by Catherine Marshall, the "Christy" movies tell the stories of a courageous and spirited young woman who leaves her sheltered city life to teach at a mission school in a remote Appalachian community in 1912. By breaking through walls of fear and generations of darkness, she fights for the welfare of the people and helps bring them into the 20th century by touching their hearts and changing their world. Working in cooperation with the family of the author Catherine Marshall, these movies will present additional chapters in the story of "Christy." The three "Christy" films cover yet-to-be dramatized chapters including: "Christy: The Movie," in which Christy recounts her early days as a mission teacher; "A Change of Seasons," in which Christy questions her belief in God; and "A New Beginning," in which Christy is forced to choose between the two men in her life. The latter two films will be shown as a mini series in 2001. The "Christy" movies star Vancouver actor Lauren Lee Smith ("Get Carter," "Dark Angel") as Christy Huddleston. The movies, which are being shot on location in Vancouver, British Columbia, are executive produced by Tom Blomquist, who served as writer and supervision producer of the original "Christy" series on CBS, and John Schneider ("Dukes of Hazzard").
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For more information visit the PAX exclusive "Christy" website at www.christy.tv. The website includes information direct from the production, interviews with the cast, weekly journal entries from Lauren Lee Smith, photos, contests and much more.
© PR Newswire
Excerpt from Herald Journal 11/18/00: Lauren Lee Smith
Christy returns
"Christy: The Movie," based on Catherine Marshall's 1967 novel about an idealistic 19-year-old who leaves behind a privileged life in Asheville, N.C., to be the mission school-teacher in Cutter Gap, a remote Appalachian village, will premiere Sunday. The movie will air at 9 pm on PAX-TV on cable. It begins where the original television series, which left network TV five years ago, left off. Newcomer Lauren Lee Smith will portray Christy the role originated by Kelli Martin on the TV series. Christy recalls her first year as a mission school teacher and the attempt to get a real road built to the outside world. Female aviator Harriet Quimby crash-lands in the cove and stirs up the town. The movie will encore at 9pm Thursday. A subsequent miniseries is planned for next year.
© Herald Journal
Excerpt from Chicago Tribune 11/19/00: Lauren Lee Smith
Welcome Back, `Christy': The Heartwarming Drama Returns For A Reunion -- Minus Most Of The Original Cast
November 19, 2000|By Allan Johnson, Tribune Television Writer.
Pax's first TV film is Sunday at 8 p.m. on WCPX-Ch. 38.
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Filling in for Martin is Lauren Lee Smith ("Dark Angel"), who seems as if she's only taking over someone else's part, as opposed to making it her own.
© Chicago Tribune
Excerpt from Christian Teens 4/01: Lauren Lee Smith
Resurrecting Christy
Author: Cindy Klauss Date: April 2001
Even new cast members are aware of the "Christy" fans loyalty and dedication. Canadian actress Lauren Lee Smith, who is playing the title role, has kept up with the online activity centered around "Christy." "I read it all the time", she says, and she is amazed by the fans "passion and impressed with their knowledge of the book and of the original series." Smith admits at times that she feels a bit intimidated to portray "such a beloved character."
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"Christy" Executive Producer Tom Blomquist recognized the importance of the web in the whole process and at his urgings the christy.tv web site was launched on the day production of the new movies started. The response from the fans toward the site has been very positive and the site receives on an average 3,000 page views a day. Blomquist has gone out of his way to steer as much content as possible to the site and through frequent updates, constantly adding new photos, interviews and articles, the site has become a very effective way to keep the fans in touch with the production and spur interest in the new movies. Blomquist is who encouraged lead actress Smith to keep an online journal of her experiences on the site.
© Christian Teens
Excerpt from American Family Association 4/17/01: Lauren Lee Smith
Christy Returns to PAX in Mid-May
By Pat Centner April 17, 2001
(AgapePress) - Whether you are a devoted fan of the book or original TV series, or just someone longing to see clean, wholesome television programming, tune in to PAX TV on Sunday and Monday evenings, May 13 and 14, and be prepared for a pleasant surprise. Christy, Choices of the Heart, a two-part mini-series, will take you back in time to the early 1900s and Cutter Gap, a small settlement in the beautiful Smoky mountains of Tennessee. There you'll find Christy Huddleston and the beloved characters that originally graced the pages of Catherine Marshall's novel, Christy, and later charmed viewers in the TV series by the same name. The new mini-series will air Sunday evening at 9:00 p.m. and Monday at 8:00 p.m., Eastern and Pacific.
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Lauren Lee Smith, a model and actress from Vancouver, British Columbia, is new to the role of Christy. In the former series, Christy was played by Kellie Martin, who was unable to return because of other commitments. Blomquist only has words of praise for both Smith and Martin: "Lauren was an absolute miracle and godsend to us. We were all really skeptical that we could ever find anyone who could live up to Kellie's portrayal of Christy. But Lauren has many of her same qualities. She brings intelligence, grace, innocence and a certain spiritual purity to the role."
Smith says she is thrilled to have been picked for the role of Christy. "Even though I feel I'm still just starting my career, I know that roles like Christy Huddleston don't come along very often. I knew how special the original series was, and it was a dream come true to be involved with something like that."
© American Family Association
Excerpt from Chicago Tribune 4/25/01: Lauren Lee Smith
May sweeps shows to beat strike clock
April 25, 2001|By Allan Johnson, Tribune television reporter.
Turn-of-the-20th-Century missionary teacher Christy Huddleston (Lauren Lee Smith) picks one of two suitors to marry in "Christy: Choices of the Heart" (May 13-14, Pax).
© Chicago Tribune
Excerpt from TV Now 5/01: Lauren Lee Smith
Lauren Lee Smith: The Star of the new "Christy" is a woman of many faces
Tony Bray
On Sunday night, May 13, Pax TV introduces a new chapter in the "Christy" saga with Lauren Lee Smith back in the role of Christy Huddleston. The occasion is the two-part miniseries Christy: Choices Of The Heart:, a dramatic account of the citizens of Cutter Gap, assaulted by a devastating typhoid fever epidemic and then leveled by the storm of the century. By the time this adventure concludes on Monday night, Christy will be married to either Dr. Neil MacNeill (Stewart Finlay-McLennan) or Preacher David Grantland (James Waterston). I was fortunate enough to talk with the young actress who portrays Christy last week (she turns 21 next month) and came away from the meeting convinced that she has a bright future ahead. Her maturity and infectious laughter helped me quickly see why fans of the "Christy" series have welcomed her with open arms in the role originally portrayed by Kellie Martin. Not many veteran actresses would have been willing to take on a character made famous by someone else, but Lauren is an exceptional young woman destined to succeed in a demanding profession. With less than two years in the business, she was ready and able to handle the 12-week difficult shoot required for the new "Christy" tale. According to Tom Blomquist, executive producer and co-writer of the new series, Lauren was a gift from above who brought "intelligence, grace, innocence and a certain spiritual purity to the role." I know one thing for sure. The actress is loyal. She either doesn't know the man who won Christy's hand in marriage -- the film crew shot the wedding using each actor as the groom -- or she knows and is not talking. Blomquist should reward her for that little bit of deception.
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In the movie Get Carter with Sylvester Stallone, who did you work with?
That picture was really my very first sort of acting job other than commercials, and it was just a tiny, tiny little part. The way that they cut it you only see me for about two seconds. I worked with Rhona Mitra who is now on "Gideon's Crossing" and that's pretty much it.
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If that was your first role, how did you get "Christy" with so little experience?
Last year I went down to Los Angeles for pilot season - I had just finished doing an MTV series called "2gether," so I went down there to try my luck. I went into sort of a general meeting with a casting director. There wasn't anything going on then, but she did say that there was this part coming up that she thought was a go called "Christy" and she thought that physically I looked right for the part. I remember the series and read the book, and you never know, too, if it's actually going to happen. A couple of months later, she called my agent in Vancouver. I put myself on tape and sent it to Los Angeles. A couple of weeks later, Tom Blomquist flew to Vancouver to audition a few people and that's when I met him. That's how it came about.
Actually, that sounds pretty easy.
Yeah, as some parts go - I knew that I could do it when I read it, but when I first read the pilot information I knew that I could totally get into this and that it was something I could relate with.
Do you know whether or not there will be more of "Christy" in the future?
As of now I think they're just pretty much waiting to see how the ratings go. I know that there hasn't really been much word about it yet, so we'll see. Hopefully.
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I've seen the modeling pictures that you have online. If two years from now, somebody offers you a large advertising job for $125,000 and at the same time you get a lower paying movie offer which requires you to add 35 pounds for the role, what would you do?
Without a doubt, I'd gain the weight.
Even if it was a $20,000 gig?
Without question. I mean, I would love to have to gain a bunch of weight to do a movie - eat whatever I want!!
That tells me a lot about where you want your career to go.
Modeling is a lot of fun and it's great you get to look all these crazy different ways, but it's not really challenging in any way, and it's not something you can really push yourself in and take it to its limits and keep working on improvements. It's a lot of fun and I'm glad I did it.
You always look different. It seems like you morph into every project. Do you work hard at that?
I used to when I was a bit younger. I'd try to change my image all the time. I just think that's fun. It's fun to come out and look a completely different way, and people wonder if that's the same person? Yeah, I like doing that.
How do you maintain your weight? Do you exercise a lot?
Lately I have been working out a lot, but I go through phases. Sometimes I don't, sometimes I do. But I do feel better when I do.
This question is for wannabe actors and actresses. At this stage in your acting career, is there enough money in the field for someone at your level or do you have to work in multiple jobs to make ends meet?
No, not really. Right now I'm at a point where I don't have to have another job, which is amazing.
How about the first year you were at it, say when you did the "Dark Angel" pilot and "Get Carter"?
Yeah, that's when I was still doing the modeling. Just this last year is when I've been really fortunate enough to just completely concentrate on acting and not have to have a side job.
End of The Lauren Lee Smith Interview
With our interview over, I had time to reflect on the experience. Time that helped me realize several things. Lauren's new fans should visit her Official Site and enter the area called "Portfolio". Her photographs allow visitors to take a unique look at a model who looks perfect and different for each assignment. After that, fans should read her superb Journal at the Official Pax Christy Site. Not only did this refreshing young woman weather a long production shoot, she wrote about it on a daily basis. It is a terrific read. The "Christy" site is full of information about the new series and offers multimedia clips for all to enjoy. For more about the "Christy" rebirth, read Beverley Arbuckle Galia's wonderful article published last week on TVNow.
In 1997, I tried to talk other writers and critics into watching a young actress who was appearing on Beverly Hills, 90210. Some did. Most didn't. That talented newcomer was Oscar-winner Hilary Swank. It will not surprise me at all if Lauren Lee Smith has similar gold in her future. Don't let it surprise you.
© TV Now
Excerpt from The Daily Times 5/11/01: Lauren Lee Smith (Pictures at Eras of Elegance)
Christy takes a husband: Heroine weds at conclusion of miniseries
By Karen Pierce and Stefan Cooper May 11, 2001
This Monday, author Catherine Marshall's Christy Huddleston will walk down the aisle in the second installment of a two-part PAX miniseries, which premieres at 9 p.m. Sunday. The conclusion of ``Christy, Choices of the Heart'' airs at 8 p.m. Monday. Though it's a wedding that's been more than 30 years in the making, only a handful of folks -- not counting the actors -- know who the groom is.
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The teacher -- who, in the early 1900s, came from Asheville, N.C., to East Tennessee to teach mountain children -- will wed either Dr. Neil MacNeill, that rugged medicine man with the sexy foreign accent, or David Grantland, the clean-cut preacher with high ideals. Throughout the book, the CBS series and in ``Christy: The Movie,'' which aired on PAX last November, Christy (played in the PAX productions by Lauren Lee Smith) struggled with feelings for both bachelors.
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Actually, the outcome of the wedding will remain a closely guarded secret (sound familiar?) until Monday's broadcast, known only to the Marshall-LeSourd family; Tom Blomquist, executive producer; Tim Johnson, PAX programming executive vice president; and Jeff Sagansky, Paxon president and CEO. According to press materials, the decision to have Christy marry was given vital consideration by the Marshall-LeSourd family who had recently discovered Marshall's notes for a sequel novel -- notes that clearly indicated Christy's choice. The miniseries became the vehicle for completing character arcs begun 34 years ago with the publication of the novel. To obtain peak performance from all the actors, alternate weddings and ``breakup'' scenes were shot. Filming the wedding both ways was taxing, says James Waterston, who plays Grantland.
``That was a terrible day ...,'' says Waterston, son of ``Law and Order'' actor Sam Waterston. ``It was somewhat heartless to have one groom ... go up and do the vows and then step down and the exact same crowd watch another groom step up and take the same vows.
``However, I have to add, however difficult it was for me, it must have been much more so for Lauren because she had to be just as enamored by both. ... She had a bigger job to do.''
© The Daily Times
Excerpt from TV Now 5/01: Lauren Lee Smith
Christy the Rebirth of a Series
by Beverly J. Arbuckle Galia
Thanksgiving, 2000 marked the return of Christy to television with the airing of Christy: The Movie. Newcomer Lauren Lee Smith delivered a captivating performance in the title role of Christy, and James Waterston, son of noted actor Sam Waterston, took over the part of Reverend David Grantland, while Oscar-Nominated Diane Ladd portrayed Quaker missionary Alice Henderson.
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On May 13th (8 p.m. CST/MST 9 p.m. EST/PST) and 14th (7 p.m. CST/MST 8 p.m. EST/PST) the question of Christy's groom will finally be answered. PAX will air the second and third movies, a two-part series called Christy, Choices of the Heart. Not since "who shot J.R.?" has a storyline been so well guarded and protected. Two different wedding scenes were filmed. Not even the actors themselves, including the "bride-to-be" Lauren Lee Smith, know whom Christy will actually marry. "The cast and crew were completely divided on whom Christy should marry," Smith recalls. "People often changed their minds several times a day, including me, until I gave up trying!"
© TV Now
Excerpt from Sun Sentinel 5/12/01 Lauren Lee Smith
After Four Hours, Christy Gets Her Man
May 12, 2001|By Tom Jicha TVRadio Writer
Kellie Martin, who created the role on CBS, has been replaced by Lauren Lee Smith, a winsome young actress whose appeal does not fully compensate for her limited experience. Tyne Daly also has been replaced by old pro Diane Ladd, a more even exchange of talent than Smith for Martin.
© Sun Sentinel
Excerpt from LA Times 5/12/01: Lauren Lee Smith
TV's Plucky 'Christy' Returns --and She's Getting Hitched
May 12, 2001|SUSAN KING | TIMES STAFF WRITER
The new version of "Christy" managed to get some of the series' original actors to return, the most prominent being Finlay-McLennan, with Lauren Lee Smith taking over the role of Christy, Diane Ladd joining as Alice and James Waterston, son of actor Sam, as Grantland.
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The production filmed two breakup scenes, two wedding scenes and two reception scenes in order to keep everyone guessing on the outcome. "During the whole course of filming, who I thought it would be changed," said Smith. "It was super-strange. Literally we would do one shot with one actor and then they would bring on the other guy and we'd do the scene the exact same way. It was a little awkward."
© LA Times
Excerpt from Nola.com 5/13/01: Lauren Lee Smith
Two guys, a girl and a simpler place: 'Christy' finally ties the knot
By Renée Peck TV Focus editor May 13, 2001
So veiled in secrecy is Christy's husband that Pax filmed two endings to the miniseries -- one for each suitor. Waterston donned top hat and tuxedo for his on-screen nuptials, while Finlay-McLennan as MacNeill turned out in full Scottish regalia, including kilt. Whichever wedding airs, the bride will be resplendent in silk chiffon and chantilly lace, topped with an antique lace veil. But there's a lot of plot to get through before that trip down the aisle.
In the series, set in 1912, you'll recall, the 19-year-old Christy moves to Cutter Gap from Asheville to teach school in a remote mission schoolhouse. Over 21 episodes, she develops a devout faith and lasting relationship with the mission's inhabitants. When CBS pulled the plug on the series after one season, the network was deluged with angry letters, faxes and phone calls, and a host of "Christy" fan sites popped up in cyberspace. But it took Pax to pick up the ball and keep it rolling, first with a TV movie in November 2000 that had a spunky aviatrix landing in Cutter Gap and giving Christy a little competition on the romantic front, and now with the miniseries.
"Choices of the Heart" begins with Christy as an old woman, revisiting the schoolhouse of her youth. This older Christy narrates the ensuing tale, which deals as much with acts of God as with acts of love. In fact, much of the first night is taken up with a typhoid epidemic, and Christy's resulting crisis of faith. The evening ends with her acceptance of David's proposal (haven't we been round this bend before?) and MacNeill's decision to leave Cutter Gap. Night two finds another juxtaposition between nature and nurture: Christy receives a second marriage proposal just as the storm of the century arrives to wallop the area. Trapped in an isolated cabin with MacNeill, she finds herself once again torn between the two men in her life. Viewers will have to tune in Monday to find out which groom awaits her at the end of the aisle.
Familiar names, if not faces, fill this two-part outing, with Fairlight Spencer, Lundy Taylor and little Sam Houston, among others, all figuring in the action. In most cases, the roles have been recast: Lauren Lee Smith and Diane Ladd replace Kellie Martin ("E.R.") and Tyne Dale as Christy and her landlady/confidante Alice Henderson, while Waterston (yeah, he's the son of Sam) replaces Randall Batinkoff as the brash and earnest David. An exception is Australian actor Finlay-McLennan, whose robust portrayal of MacNeill from day one has earned him a dedicated fan base. In this outing, Smith brings a certain shyness and air of uncertainty to Christy, while David seems equally winsome and ethereal as a young preacher who can't quite get the hang of how to minister to a headstrong flock.
© Nola
Excerpt from The Globe and Mail 4/13/11: Lauren Lee Smith
The fruit of Lauren Lee Smith's labour
PETRINA GENTILE Published Wednesday, Apr. 13, 2011 1:02PM EDT
What was your first car?
The very first car I bought was a white 1992 Jetta. It cost me $3,500. I was 19 and I thought it was really cute - that was honestly my reasoning. I looked at a whole bunch of cars in my price range and the Jetta I thought was the cutest, it’s sad but true. That’s how I picked my first car. It kind of let me down. I think it ran for about a year and then there was just one problem after another - it probably was not a good idea to buy a car based on how cute it was. I probably should have actually got it checked out.
That’s a lot of money for a 19-year-old - how did you pay for it?
I had just finished doing my first starring role in this mini-series called Christy and that was what I got myself - my first car. It was a really, really cool time. It was very exciting. That little car got me to and from set in Maple Ridge for about four months. I felt really proud to have my first little car.
© The Globe and Mail
Excerpt from University of North Carolina Library 4/15/14: Lauren Lee Smith
Lights, Camera, Novel: Catherine Marshall’s Christy
by Jency Williams | April 15, 2014 · 11:58 am
Five years later, in 2000, PAX network (since renamed Ion) continued the unresolved plot line in a made-for-TV movie. Some of the same actors reprised their roles, but Christy was recast using an unknown actor, Lauren Lee Smith. Three TV movies adapting Marshall’s novel were released between 2000 and 2001 giving fans the closure they were denied in the canceled TV series. The movies - Christy: Return to Cutter Gap, Christy: A Change of Seasons and Christy: A New Beginning - were filmed primarily in Canada.
© University of North Carolina Library