Christmas TV

For many years now, families have gathered together on Christmas Day to enjoy Christmas lunch and Christmas telly.
Below you can find listings of every programme broadcast on British television on December 25th during the twentieth century.

<< Christmas Day 1952 >>

A rare treat this Christmas was the television premiere of Laurel and Hardy's 'Swiss Miss' feature film, the first time a made-for-cinema movie was shown on Christmas Day. It would be screened four times over the next couple of years.




	BBC Television Service
	11.00 - 12.00	Christmas Day Service
			from the Church of St. Dunstan and All Saints, Stepney, the Parish Church of the High Seas. Preacher, The Rector, the Rev. D. H. Booth, M.B.E. O come. all ye faithful (E.H. 28) Introductory Sentences General Confession and Absolution The Lord's Prayer Versicles and Responses The Lord's my shepherd (BBC Hymn Book 480: Tune. Crimond) First Lesson: Isaiah 9. vv. 2-7 (read by the Rev. W. J Lewis, London Chaplain of the British Sailors Society) Te Deum Second Lesson: St. Luke 2, vv. 1-20 (read by the Rev. H. R. Penney, Port of London Staff Chaplain to the Missions to Seamen) While shepherds watched their flocks by night (E.H. 30) Apostles' Creed Collects Once in royal David's city (E.H. 605) Sermon Hymn: The First Nowell Blessing Service conducted by the Rev. Geoffrey P. Thornley Organist, Ronald Gordon
	15.20	Swiss Miss (1938)
			Laurel and Hardy
			A Hal Roach comedy film
	16.20	Interlude
	16.30	For the Very Young
			Maria Bird invites your small children to join in a special Christmas programme of songs and games with Andy Pandy and afterwards to watch the adventures of Bill and Ben - The Flowerpot Men Audrey Atterbury and Molly Gibson pull the strings Gladys Whitred sings the songs Peter Hawkins speaks the voices Maria Bird writes the songs and music
	17.00 - 18.00	One Way Genie
			Children's Television
			A Christmas play by Godfrey Harrison Settings by Stephen Taylor Produced by Kevin Sheldon
	19.30	Television's Second CHRISTMAS PARTY
			The guests include: Arthur Askey Ethel Revnell Norman Wisdom Frankie Howerd Petula Clark Betty Driver John Slater Eamonn Andrews Tommy Cooper Joe Stuthard and many others Music by Eric Robinson and his Orchestra Your host, McDonald Hobley Presented by the Television Light Entertainment Department
	21.15	A Christmas Card from Korea
			Television outside broadcast cameras, with James Buchan, visit a family in Scotland and bring greetings from their son serving with the Black Watch in Korea
	21.30	1066 and All That
			A musical comedy based on that Memorable History by Sellar and Yeatman
			starring Harry Locke Book and lyrics by Reginald Arkell Music by Alfred Reynolds Adapted for television by Desmond Davis Produced by Michael Westmore The Compère, Tony Britton The Common Man, Harry Locke The Players: Kenneth Brown, David Croft Robert Dickens, Edmund Donlevy Hilda Fenemore, Brenda Gay Peter Glover, Cameron Hall, Madi Hedd Geoffrey Hibbert, Wilfred Johns Beatrice Kane, Dennis Martin Beryl Mason, Ursula Medley Robert Moore, Gillian Owen Graham Stark, Ian Wallace and Marjory Freeland, Enid Heard Valerie Hayward, Harold Holmes Brian Ford, Valentine Over Pat Kelly, Joan Elvin Peggy Thompson, June Smith Musical Director, Leighton Lucas Orchestral arrangements by Jack Jordan Choreographer, Peter Glover Chorus-Master, Dennis Ringrowe Animations by Antony Hart and Alfred Wurmser Designs by Lawrence Broadhouse
	23.00 - 23.15	Weather Forecast and NEWS
			(sound only)
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<< Christmas Day 1952 >>