Golden Boots Awards honor 'Avenging Angel'

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Aug. 12 (UPI) -- The Hallmark Channel movie, "Avenging Angel," won the Best of the West prize in Beverly Hills, Calif., at the 25th annual Golden Boot Awards.

The awards show -- presented by the Motion Picture & Television Fund -- also featured Patrick Wayne accepting the Founders Award on behalf of his late father, John Wayne.

The ceremony also honored Viggo Mortensen, Eva Marie Saint, Martin Kove, Lee Horsley, Caruth Byrd and Walt LaRue.

This year's awards show featured the introduction of a new award, the Champion Award, which is named after Gene Autry's horse. The inaugural Champion Award was presented to the cowboy star's widow, Jackie Autry, in recognition of her philanthropic endeavors.

"Avenging Angel" is the story of a preacher who defends a local town from greedy land barons.