[bozey45]

According tothe UCLA Film and Television Archives website Hallmark Hall of Fame's December 19, 1954 telecast was done live and in color for the first time as the first 'commercially sponsored television special to be done in color.' The previous 3 telecasts were b&w and done live. Hallmark apparantly donated a number of Hall of Fame kinescopes and tapes to UCLA for preservation. They have some interesting info about the Hallmark Hall of Fame telecasts over the years at that site with original air dates, cast, etc. So that Amahl program of Dec. 19, 1954 may well have been the first 'special' done in color for Christmas with the Colgate Comedy Hour being the first regular weekly program to have color at Christmas. December of 1953 I think would have been too early a date for color telecasting a special unless it was done closed circuit as a test. Thats what i could come up with, hope it helps.