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 1953 >>

Dodie Smith’s ‘Dear Octopus’ was this years Christmas drama.




	BBC TELEVISION SERVICE
	11.00 - 12.00	Christmas Day Service
			from the Parish Church of St. Julian the Hospitaller, Wellow, Somerset. Conducted by the Vicar, the Rev. L. W. Fussell Once in. Royal David's city (A. and M. 329) General Confession and Absolution The Lord's Prayer Versicles and Responses Psalm 85 First Lesson: Isaiah 9, vv. 2-7 Te Deum Laudamus Second Lesson: St. Luke 2, vv. 1-20 Jubilate Deo (Psalm 100) Apostles Creed ) Collects While shepherds watch'd their flocks by night (A. and M. 62) Prayers Hark! the herald-angels sing (A. and M. 60) Sermon O come, all ye faithful (A. and M. 59) Blessing Organist, Irene M. Fussell See page 17
	15.15	Christmas Journey
			A flying journey Eastwards round the world to capture the festive spirit in which preparations are made immediately before Christmas For this filmed programme a BBC camera team travelled more than 26,000 miles in five-and-a-half days and made twenty-two calls from Rome to Bangkok, from the beaches of Australia to the shores of Honolulu, from the snows of Canada to the streets of New York. (A BBC Television Film)
	16.15 - 16.30	Watch with Mother
			For the very young Andy Pandy Andy Pandy shows some of his presents to the children Audrey Atterbury land Molly Gibson pull the strings Gladys Whitred sings the songs Script, music, and settings by Maria Bird (A BBC Television Film)
	17.00 - 17.55	The Walt Disney Christmas Show
			Children's Television
			A film of a Christmas party in an American Hospital Introducing through a magic mirror artists and scenes from 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' 'Mickey Mouse and the Band Concert' 'Uncle Remus' 'Donald Duck the Plumber' 'Bambi'
	19.25	Weather Chart
	19.30	Christmas Party
			Join in the fun and games with many favourite television personalities who have entertained you during the year See foot of page Presented by W. Lyon-Shaw
	21.15	Newsreel
	21.30	Interlude
	21.40	Dear Octopus
			A comedy by Dodie Smith
			starring Helen Haye, Malcolm Keen and Rachel Gurney Produced by Harold Clayton The action of the play takes place at the Randolphs' country house in North Essex during a weekend in late autumn Settings by James Bould
	23.25 - 23.40	NEWS (sound only)
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<< Christmas Day 1953 >>