The
Polar Express, Chris Van Allsburg’s beloved children’s
book, published by Houghton Mifflin Company, captures the pure
spirit of the holiday season. It is a time of wonder, of enchanting
discovery, of boundless fascination … but only available
for those who truly believe. The inspirational tale will become
even larger than life when it hits the big screen this Nov.
10 with the theatrical release of “The Polar Express”
from Warner Bros. Pictures, starring the Academy Award-winning
team of Tom Hanks and director Robert Zemeckis. And now, true
believers can take home a little bit of that magic after the
credits roll.

As the official “The Polar Express Headquarters”
this holiday season, Hallmark Gold Crown® stores will offer
exclusive gifts celebrating the spirit of The Polar Express
story.

"The
Polar Express is such a classic Christmas story, it seemed appropriate
that Hallmark Gold Crown stores, a traditional holiday destination,
serve as the ‘The Polar Express Headquarters,’” says
Greg Raymond, vice president of license acquisitions at Hallmark.
“From an authentic reproduction of the bell Santa gives
as the first gift of Christmas, to a water globe that was developed
using the train lantern in the film as inspiration in its creation,
the one-of-a-kind Hallmark collection truly brings the classic
story to life.”

In
“The Polar Express” movie, a doubting young boy takes
an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole. Fans can feel
the excitement of the moment with Hallmark’s Lantern Water
Globe ($24.95) that features the conductor and boy running to
catch the train, emblazed with the words, All Aboard the Polar
Express! And kids will love the Train Night-Light ($12.95),
complete with a bulb that illuminates the engine headlight and
gives the appearance of smoke swirling from the smokestack.

When the train reaches the North Pole, Santa offers the boy
whatever his heart desires. The boy chooses a silver bell from
Santa’s sleigh, straight from the reindeer’s harness,
as the “first gift of Christmas.” The boy learns the
sound of the bell can only be heard by those who believe. Consumers
will love The Bell ($12.95), an authentic reproduction of this
gift from Santa. Tucked in a red striped, hinged box, it reads
in gold letters: First Gift of Christmas 2004 – The bell
still rings for me as it does for all who truly believe. Similarly,
the Magic Bell Ornament ($24.00) rings and features Santa’s
voice saying, “Always remember, the true spirit of Christmas
lies in your heart.”

In the end, the boy learns that the wonder of life never fades
for those who believe.

Also available at Hallmark Gold Crown stores are copies of
The Polar Express book on which the movie is based. Fans can
pick up a copy of the book, settle down by the fire with a cup
of hot chocolate, and read the story aloud with the entire family.
Hallmark’s The Polar Express Mug provides colorful commentary,
equipped with a light-activated sound of the train rumbling
down the mountain. A special Polar Express plush Santa Claus
will also be specially offered for $9.95 with the purchase of
any three cards.

Other gifts available in The Polar Express™ Collection
from Hallmark include Keepsake Ornaments, photo frames, gift
wrap, a tealight holder, stocking holders, greeting cards and
partyware. The variety of gifts in the Collection will delight
even those not so familiar with The Polar Express story.

"We’ve had a long relationship with Warner Bros.
Consumer Products,” says Raymond. “And appreciate
the opportunity to be involved in such an exclusive project.”

"Hallmark has a long history of celebrating warm holiday
traditions and these traditions are perfectly in sync with what
The Polar Express symbolizes,” said Karen McTier, Executive
Vice President, Domestic Licensing, Warner Bros. Consumer Products.
“Now filmgoers can take a bit of the movie magic and enchantment
home with them.”

The Polar Express™ Collection from Hallmark is available
exclusively at participating Hallmark Gold Crown stores in the
US.

For more details visit the Hallmark
web site.

Visit the WCN Hallmark information
pages and message boards.