UP, America's Christmas Channel, Rings In The Holidays With The UP Premiere Movie Silver Bells Starring Bruce Boxleitner, Antonio Fargas And Kenton Duty

ATLANTA, Oct. 31, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- UP, "America's Christmas Channel," presents the UP Premiere Movie Silver Bells (#SilverBells), a funny, moving and inspiring holiday movie for the entire family, starring Bruce Boxleitner (Tron: Legacy, "Cedar Cove"), Antonio Fargas ("Everybody Hates Chris," "Starsky & Hutch"), Kenton Duty ("Lost," "Shake It Up!"), Bridgett Newton ("Justified"), Laura Spencer ("The Lizzie Bennet Diaries") and Kevin Downes (Mercy Streets).  Harold Cronk ("What If…") directs from a screenplay written by Andrea Gyertson Nasfell (Christmas Angel).  Silver Bells will premiere on Sunday, December 1 at 7 p.m. EDT, with encores at 9 and 11 p.m. EDT on UP.

In Silver Bells, Bruce Dalt (Bruce Boxleitner) is an ambitious, gung-ho father and local TV sports anchor who approaches the holidays much like he approaches life - competitively.   This Christmas, he wants his interior designing wife Piper (Bridgett Newton) to win the neighborhood's annual holiday house decorating contest.  He wants his son Jason (Kenton Duty) to be the winning basketball player on his high school team.  And of course, he wants everyone in the family -- including daughter Kasey (Laura Spencer), who is in her first year of law school – to win by securing the biggest Black Friday shopping deals before dawn.  Bruce Dalt is all "for the win!"   This philosophy, however, has put a strain on his family; especially Jason, who has more heart than competitive drive.  When Bruce gets into a physical scuffle with a ref (Kevin Downes) at Jason's basketball game, the holidays take a turn for the worse.  In no time, the video goes viral.  Bruce is then sued, suspended from the anchor desk, and sentenced to community service with The Salvation Army.  There, he meets Major Melvin Lowell (Antonio Fargas), who patiently guides Bruce while managing his competitive streak.  When Bruce encounters the people in his life from behind the kettle, everything – especially his relationship with his son – begins to change.  The Dalts are about to embark on the most meaningful holiday season ever -- all thanks to ringing that signature bell.

"Silver Bells modernizes the traditional tale of finding one's Christmas spirit and good will towards others with great joy, humor and heart," said Leslie Glenn Chesloff, executive vice president of programming, UP.  "Bruce Boxleitner and Antonio Fargas' characters are tremendously fun to watch as the overenthusiastic sportscaster discovers the more modest, true spirit of the holiday."

UP presents a Pure Flix Entertainment production.  Silver Bells stars Bruce Boxleitner, Antonio Fargas, Kenton Duty, Bridgett Newton, Laura Spencer and Kevin Downes.  Directed by Harold Cronk.  Produced by Michael Scott, David White and Russell Wolfe.  Cinematography by Mark Dadlani.  Script by Andrea Gyertson Nasfell. 

Follow our cast at:

• www.UPtv.com/SilverBells
• Bruce Boxleitner on Twitter @boxleitnerbruce
• Antonio Fargas online at www.antoniofargas.com 
• Kenton Duty on Twitter @KentonDuty
• Bridgett Newton on Twitter @BridgettNewton
• Laura Spencer on Twitter itslauraspencer
• Kevin Downes on Twitter @kevindownes

For photos and more information, please visit www.UPtv.com/SilverBells and www.salvationarmyusa.org.

About UP

UP (www.uptv.com) is America's favorite network for uplifting family entertainment. The network presents original and acquired movies, series, stage plays and music specials along with gMovies, the first faith-friendly streaming movie service. The UP brand is reflected in "Uplift Someone," the network's successful pro-social initiative.  UP can be seen in more than 65 million homes on various cable systems around the country, as well as DISH Network on channel 188, DIRECTV on channel 338 and Verizon FIOS on channel 224. Follow UP on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/UPtv, Twitter on @UPtv and Instagram at UP_TV.

About Pure Flix

Pure Flix is a Christian movie studio that produces, distributes, and acquires Christ-centered movies for the sole purpose of changing our culture for Christ, one heart at a time. Our mission since day one has remained the same and we continue to strive to make a difference for His name.  Pure Flix Entertainment has created many films, such as Apostle Peter and the Last Supper, Jerusalem Countdown, The Wager, Home Beyond the Sun, In the Blink of an Eye, Sarah's Choice, Birdie & Bogey, A Greater Yes: The Story of Amy Newhouse, The Book of Ruth: Journey in Faith and Holyman Undercover.  They also produced the first two seasons of TBN's "Travel the Road."

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