Veteran screen actress Ann Blyth was among local Gabriel Award winners honored at Family Theater Productions Oct. 16 for outstanding artistic achievement in film, television and radio.

The Hollywood event also recognized L.A.-area 2009 Gabriel awardees from "The Tale of Despereaux" (children's film); "Hometown Heroes," "Marathon Love" and "Assumptions" (television shows); and KCRW (secular radio station of the year), among others.

The 44th annual Gabriel Awards, presented by the Catholic Academy for Communication Arts Professionals, honor industry professionals who produce films, television and radio programs, features and spot announcements highlighting positive, creative treatment of human concerns.

The 2009 winners represent broadcasters from across the United States and Canada and include honorees from three motion pictures, 15 television programs, thirteen radio programs and two Spanish-language programs.

A Gabriel-worthy program affirms the dignity of human beings and recognizes and upholds universally-recognized human values such as community, creativity, tolerance, justice, compassion and the dedication to excellence.

Ms. Blyth, who appeared in more than 40 films, received this year's Personal Achievement Award honoring individuals whose work and career display outstanding leadership epitomizing the Gabriel Award. Married to the late Dr. James McNulty for 57 years, she is the mother of five children, two roles she says she embraced more than the roles she played on screen.

The Gabriel Personal Achievement Award is sponsored by Family Theater Productions, in honor of its founder, the late Holy Cross Father Patrick Peyton. Family Theater Productions received a 2009 Gabriel award for its television program, "Assumptions," which won in the "Religious: National Release" category.

Local radio station KCRW-FM in Santa Monica won in the Secular Radio Station of the Year category for its community service programming. The station was honored for its show "McCabe's at 50."

The 2009 Gabriel Award film winners were Universal Pictures' "The Express" (drama) and "The Tale of Despereaux" (children's), and Fork Films' "Pray the Devil Back to Hell" (documentary).

The Gabriel award is a nine-inch silver figure of Gabriel, the angel who first announced to Mary (and to the world) the coming of Jesus (Luke 1:26-38). The statue symbolizes the communication of God's Word to humankind.

The members of the Catholic Academy include broadcasters, journalists, producers, syndicators, public relations and other media professionals who work for both church-related and secular radio and television stations, production facilities and communications organizations. For a complete list of the Gabriel award winners, log on to www.gabrielawards.com.

---Paula Doyle