Diane Neal Finds THIS MAGIC MOMENT on Hallmark Channel

Clark Gable dreams of writing movies. When Oscar-nominated movie star Helena Harris, along with her co-star and former boyfriend Roberto Molinez, come to shoot their newest film in Clark’s town – Stone’s Throw – he is beyond excited. Thus begins The Hallmark Channel’s newest original movie, This Magic Moment, premiering tonight at 9/8c.

Travis Schultz stars as Clark Gable, named for the charismatic star by his romantic mother. Although Clark dreams of following in his namesake’s steps and taking Hollywood by storm with his screenplays, family tragedy and responsibility have kept him “stuck in a rut” in Stone’s Throw. The arrival of the production company and its actors in his small town is cause for excitement, but Clark never expected to find himself in a relationship with famous Helena Harris (Diane Neal, with fabulous hair and looking far more glamorous than her Law & Order: SVU counterpart ever did). Their romance may not be what it seems, but it looks real enough to cause trouble with Helena’s ex, Roberto, and Clark’s “old friend” Emily who has just returned to town after a divorce.

Written by Gary Goldstein, whose holiday movie Hitched for the Holidays was a charmer last winter, and directed by David S. Cass, Sr., This Magic Moment is another winning romantic tale that manages to avoid being too predictable, or too shallow. Neal’s Helena is reminiscent of Julia Roberts in Notting Hill – the world famous star with a rocky romantic history who just might be ready for a nice, normal guy and the proverbial picket fence. Her relationship with Clark is convenient at first, then develops into something that could change her life.

The real focus of the movie, however, is Clark himself. A nice guy who stepped up to care for his mother and sister after his father died, Clark put his dreams of moving to Los Angeles and writing screenplays on hold for years, but never lost his love of cinema. Feeling trapped in his charming small town, Clark is ready when opportunity knocks in the form of this major film production. A meet-cute with Helena, followed by an accidental walk-on role, lead him to make the sort of contacts an aspiring screenwriter would kill for in real life. But is Hollywood still the dream, or have Clark’s desires changed? And could he be happy with Helena, or does his heart lie with an old love?

Find out when This Magic Moment premieres tonight at 9/8c on The Hallmark Channel.