• by Fern Siegel , February 17, 2009

Hallmark Channel believes in variety, adding mysteries and musicals to its lineup. It has booked two "Stone Cold" movies and acquired the Emmy-nominated "Comanche Moon" miniseries, both from Sony TV. For song-and-dance fans, the network will showcase 18 classic musicals on its movie channel.

The musical lineup includes family-friendly fare, such as "Bye, Bye Birdie," "Funny Lady," "Oliver!," "Pal Joey" and "Pennies From Heaven." The musicals will become part of a franchised block on Hallmark Movie Channel.

Michelle Vicary, senior vice president, acquisitions and scheduling, says the movie deal enhances the company's family branding, while allowing the network to "attract new advertisers and spur even greater distribution for both Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movie Channel."

"Comanche Moon," a six-hour Western miniseries based on the book by Larry McMurtry, is the prequel to the popular Emmy-winning "Lonesome Dove." It stars Val Kilmer, Steve Zahn and Rachel Griffiths.

"Stone Cold" features a self-destructive LA homicide detective (Tom Selleck) who leaves the big city to become a police chief in a small fishing town. The turf is smaller, but crime continues. The movies are based on the book series by Robert B. Parker.

Hallmark Channel carries a lineup of classic TV shows, such as "7th Heaven," "Little House on the Prairie" and "M*A*S*H." "The Golden Girls" joins March 1.

Owned and operated by Crown Media Holdings, Hallmark Channel is a 24-hour basic cable network with 86 million subscribers.