THE SOUL COLLECTOR, a new television movie starring Melissa Gilbert ("Little House on the Prairie," "Murder at 75 Birch") and Bruce Greenwood ("The Sweet Hereafter," "Disturbiing Behavior"), will be broadcast as the "CBS Sunday Movie," Sunday, Oct 24 (9:00-11:00pm, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

Ossie Davis ("The Secret Path") also stars in this mystical romance about a spirit who. when banished to Earth for a month, is surprised to discover that human emotions and matters of the heart are more complicated than he expected.

Zachariah (Greenwood), the ethereal being who has neglected his soul-collecting duties, is in big trouble this time. After many instances of irresponsibility, he is banished down to Earth by his supervisor, Mordecai (Davis), to learn compassion for the human race he often neglects. Landing on the farm of a young widow, Rebecca (Gilbert), Zach, now in a more helpless human state, soon gets a job from her, although she is reluctant at first to hire this mysterious stranger without a past. Rebecca's family and staff are also suspicious of the"man," who instantly ingratiates himself into the complicated life of Rebecca and her young son, Danny.

However, as days pass, Zach inadvertently becomes emotionally attached to Rebecca and her family. He discovers that humans may be a lot more complicated than he originally thought, and as his days on Earth grow short, he must decide if his own soul belongs in Heaven or on Earth.

Melissa Gilbert, well-known for her fole as a Laura Ingalls in the television series "Little House on the Prairie," has established herself as an adult actress with many television movies, including "Murder at 75 Birdh," "Barbara Taylor Bradford's Her Own Rules," "Childhood Sweetheart," "Cries From the Heart," "Family Secrets" and "Christmas in My Hometown," all on the Network, as well as "The Miracle Workere" and "Without Her Consent."

Bruce Greenwood has appeared in the feature films "The Sweet Hereafter," "Disturbing Behavior," "Fathers' Day" and "Passenger 57." His television movie credits iinclude "The Absolute Truth" on the Network, "The Color of Courage" and "Tell Me No Secrets." Greenwood has also guest starred on "The Larry Sanders Show."

Ossie Davis' television credits include the mini-series "Queen," on the Network, and "Roots" and the movies "The Secret Path," also on the Network, "Miss Evers' Boys" and "The Stand." He has also appeared in a recurring role in the series "Promised Land," on the Network, and "NYPD Blue." Among his feature film credits are "Dr. Doolittle," "Twelve Angre Men," "Get on the Bus," "I'm Not Rappaport," "The Client," "Grumpy Old Men," "Jungle Fever," "Mo' Better Blues," "Do the Right Thing" and "School Daze." Among his Broadway credits are "A Raisin in the Sun," "Jamaica" and "No Time for Sergeants."

THE SOUL COLLECTOR, based on the nove A Pocketful of Paradise by Kathleen Kane, is being produced by King Phoenix Productions. Anne Carlucci ("Unforgivable," "Dangerous Evidence") and Marian Brayton ("Unforgivable," "Dangerous Evidence") are executive producers. Michael Scott ("Murder at 75 Birch") is the director; Joyce Brotman, the scriptwriter.

Released Wed., Jul 21, 1999