The legendary Betty White poses with Paulist Productions President Father Eric Andrews on the set of The Lost Valentine.

Paulist Productions is celebrating 50 years of faith in film with the premier of The Lost Valentine starring Jennifer Love Hewitt (Ghost Whisperer) and the legendary Betty White. The project, created in collaboration with Hallmark Hall of Fame, will air on the CBS network Jan. 30 at 9 p.m. EDT.

“We are thrilled to be commemorating Paulist Productions’ 50-year legacy of producing incisive and meaningful television with the production of The Lost Valentine, in association with Hallmark Hall of Fame,” said Father Eric Andrews, CSP, president of Paulist Productions. “Hallmark Hall of Fame has an unparalleled reputation for bringing high quality productions to television and we are very pleased with the opportunity to work with them.”

The film, based on the novel by James Michael Pratt, is set during World War II, when Lt. Neil Thomas says goodbye to his wife, Caroline, and their unborn child at Union Station before heading to the Pacific theater. Lt. Thomas’ plane is shot down over the Pacific and is declared missing in action.

A devastated Caroline (played by Ms. White) never gives up on her love for her husband, honoring his memory by returning to Union Station each year on the anniversary of her loss for the next 65 years.

A TV journalist (played by Ms. Hewitt) happens upon the heart-wrenching story and wants to find out what happened to Lt. Thomas 65 years earlier. Caroline is encouraged to cooperate by her and her missing husband’s grandson, who falls in love with the reporter.

“I thought, ‘Valentine … love story … Naval hero. Hallmark would be the perfect home,’” said Barbara M. Gangi, vice president of production and development for Paulist Productions and producer of The Lost Valentine, who brought the project to Hallmark Hall of Fame. “My instincts were right. They loved the story! After years of pre-production and development, there is much excitement at Paulist Productions as this film comes to fruition.”

Ms. White, 88, said that despite her busy schedule, she felt compelled to do this movie.

“I had to do this movie,” she said during an interview on-set in Atlanta with Ms. Hewitt. “… It is such a beautiful story. And if you’ve been lucky enough in real life to experience a deep, loving relationship like Caroline and Neil have, well, maybe you want to revisit it.”

Jennifer Love Hewitt and Betty White

The richness of the story is what first attracted Ms. Hewitt, 31.

“It is one of the greatest love stories I’ve ever read!” she said. “… Who doesn’t want to be in love? Who wouldn’t give up everything for love!”

In a case of life imitating art, Father Andrews tells the story of his grandfather, killed during the notorious Battle of the Bulge in Belgium and leaving behind his devoted wife and four children.

“His body was never recovered,” Father Andrews said. “The only thing that returned home was his dog tags. There would be no funeral Mass and no marker at a local cemetery. Without his body, I don’t think my grandmother really believed he was dead. His purple heart and a framed photo of his service picture were always prominently displayed in my grandmother’s living room.”

Father Andrews’ grandmother never remarried and worked hard to put her children through school.

“What saved her, I believe, was her great faith,” he said. “Going to church brought her great comfort and solace and helped her through her profound grief. … To me, this movie is a fitting tribute to my grandmother and so many other spouses and their children who have lost their loved ones in war.”

Founded in 1960 by the late Father Ellwood “Bud” Kieser, Paulist Productions and its “sister” company, Paulist Pictures, create films and television programs that entertain and enlighten. Spiritual values are at the heart of each production. Throughout its history, Paulist Productions has won numerous awards including six Emmys, the Christopher Award, five Gabriel Awards and the Toronto International Film Festival Award. Fr. Bud Kieser also founded the highly respected Humanitas Prize, which celebrates television and screenwriters who affirm the dignity of the human person and experience through entertainment writing. Endowed by the entertainment industry, it gives cash awards each year to the writers of television programs and feature films that do the most to enrich their audiences. For more information about Paulist Productions, log on to paulistproductions.org.