Henninger Completes Production On `'Curse of the Hope Diamond'' for the Learning Channel; One-Hour Documentary Features Visually Stunning Footage Not Previously Released.

Broadcast and Entertainment Editors

ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 12, 2000

Henninger Productions, the original programming arm of Henninger Media Services, Wednesday announced they have completed production of the "Curse of the Hope Diamond," a one-hour film about the world famous jewel and the legendary curse that surrounds it.

The program, slated to air on The Learning Channel (TLC) on Feb. 4, 2000 at 10 p.m. EST, incorporates never before seen footage recently released by the Library of Congress along with never before seen footage of the diamond's unique red glow under fluorescent light

-- known as phosphorescence.

The program is a co-production with TLC; Brian Kelly of Henninger Productions is the film's executive producer, and Bob Fahringer and William K. Howard are the producers. The largest blue diamond in the world at 45 and a half carats, the Hope Diamond is the most famous and valuable gemstone in the world.

Henninger's visually stunning one-hour documentary explores the diamond's roots in 1600s India to its journey to America at the turn of the 20th century. The film debunks many of the myths surrounding the Hope Diamond while discussing the cursed legacy that has been spun around the world's most mysterious and intriguing icon.

According to legend, it was stolen from the eye of a Hindu idol. But it came with a price: a curse that destroyed careers, lives, marriages, and empires in its long journey through time. It is alleged to have brought generations of the wealthy Hope family to bankruptcy.

Evelyn Walsh McLean, a wealthy Washington socialite, was the last private person to own it; she lost her young son to a freak auto accident in the 1920s.

"Recently uncovered footage of the Hope Diamond and Mrs. McLean from the Library of Congress made this project really special," said Kelly. "Rare footage like this is a real treat for those of us who strive to bring compelling stories to the screen."

McLean, who was the wife of Washington Post owner Edward McLean, used an early camera to shoot home movies of herself and her family in the early 1900s to about 1920. The footage has been under wraps at the Library of Congress until Henninger Productions negotiated with the family for its release.

"Not only is this footage exciting because it records the lives of the most important owner of the Hope Diamond, but Mrs. McLean was a pretty talented camera operator. She managed to get some pretty amazing shots of herself wearing the diamond," Howard noted.

"Add this newly discovered Walsh material to the extraordinary original cinematography of Dennis Boni and suddenly you see this exciting story come to life."

Henninger also had the opportunity to shoot a never before seen sequence of the diamond phosphorescing or glowing red after being exposed to florescent light. This rare property is the result of tiny imperfections in the unique Hope Diamond. "Having two cinematographic moments that have never been seen before on screen is incredible," Kelly said.

Henninger Productions and Henninger Development & Distribution together develop, produce, represent, and distribute awards winning, high quality original television programming. Established in 1994, the divisions license their programming both domestically and internationally for broadcast and home video.

For further information, contact Stephen Schupak, general manager, at 703/243-3444 or access the Internet at www.henninger.com. The company is located at 2601-A Wilson Blvd., Arlington, Va. 22201.

Founded in 1983, privately held Henninger Media Services Inc. is one of the nation's ten largest production companies with headquarters in Arlington and facilities in Washington, D.C.; Nashville, Tenn. Richmond, Va.; New York and Los Angeles.

In addition to its editing, graphics and audio capabilities, Henninger Media Services includes a film lab, nationwide editing equipment rental service and a program marketing and funding division. Well known clients include Discovery Communications, PBS, National Geographic Television, The Martin Agency, Smithsonian Institution, Showtime Networks and Circuit City Stores.