GUEST EDITORIALFrom the Prince of Egypt to The Prince of Peace: Both Are Winners at Movieguide AwardsSpiritually Based Film And Television Programs Win The Epiphany Prizes (For Most Inspiring Film And TV Program) At Christian Oscars. by Dan Wooding of ASSIST Communications HOLLYWOOD, CA (March 19, 1999)—THE PRINCE OF EGYPT, DreamWorks SKG, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Executive Producer and the “HERE COMES SANTA CLAUS,” segment of the 7TH HEAVEN series, Aaron Spelling Productions and the WB Network, came out as winners of the prestigious Epiphany Prizes for most inspiring film and TV program at the MOVIEGUIDE awards at the Universal, Universal Hilton City, California, on March 18.“Each prize was worth $25,000 and was given by the John Templeton Foundation for the movie and television program that was more than just morally inspiring or humanitarian,” explained Dr. Ted Baehr, publisher of MOVIEGUIDE, the nation's family-friendly guide to movies and entertainment. “They must also be spiritually uplifting and inspiring and result in a great increase in man's love of God or man's understanding of God. “The winners went from the 'Prince of Egypt to the 'Prince of Peace—the Old Testament to the New Testament,” added Dr. Baehr, who is also chairman of The Christian Film and Television Commission. The Grace Prizes (for outstanding performances exemplifying God's grace and mercy) went to: Ian Michael Smith for SIMON BIRCH and Jim Carrey for THE TRUMAN SHOW. REPORT TO THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY During his much-awaited Report to the Entertainment Industry, Dr. Baehr explained that G-rated movies grossed on average ($44, 599, 907) 234% more than R-rated movies averaged ($13, 358, 749), which is up 1,014% from 1997, when G-rated movies grossed 21% more than R-rated movies. Thus, G-rated movies performed more than twice as much as R-rated movies.THEY WORE WHITE HATS The gala awards program, which was hosted by Pat Boone and Nancy Stafford, also honored 100 years of worthwhile movies and entertainment. In a special tribute called THEY WORE WHITE HATS, three great cowboy stars who died last year—Bob “Tex” Allen, Gene Autry and Roy Rogers—were posthumously honored.AND THE WINNERS ARE… The Ten Best 1998 Family Movies, winners of the “Teddy Bear” Awards:The Swiss America Awards: “The Faith and Values Award” went to THE RIDE, from World Wide Pictures, as the year's Best Special Feature Film.The Movieguide Award for Excellence in a Foreign Feature or Documentary: FUMI: A TOOL IN THE HAND OF GOD, from Harvest Time Ministries, JapanThe Epiphany Prizes (for Most Inspiring Film and TV Program): Film: THE PRINCE OF EGYPT, DreamWorks SKG, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Executive Producer. Dr. Baehr is next scheduled to address the International Roman Catholic Bishop's “Conference on the Family” in Manila, Philippines, March 25-27. He will be speaking on how Christians can become media wise, which is based on his latest book, THE MEDIA-WISE FAMILY. For further information about the awards gala or MOVIEGUIDE, the biweekly, highly respected movie guide known for its comprehensive family-oriented film and television reviews and commentaries, please call: (800) 899-6684, or write: MOVIEGUIDE, P.O. Box 190010, Atlanta, GA 31119 or go one-line at www.movieguide.org. Posted March 20, 1999.
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