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.
No Christmas Day message by the Queen was recorded this year. Instead there was a feature length documentary about The Royal Family simulcast in colour on both BBC One and Two. This year also saw the first Morecambe and Wise Christmas Show, that would become a staple of BBC Christmases to come.
| | Thames | BBC One | BBC Two | | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thames | ||||
| 00.00 | Midnight Communion | |||
| 00.15 | Closedown | |||
| 08.15 | Carols for Everyone | |||
| 09.05 | Superman | |||
| 09.30 | Cinema Special | |||
| 10.15 | Christmas Morning United Free Church Service | |||
| 11.00 | A Merry Morning | |||
| 11.30 |  Moonfleet (1955) | |||
| 13.00 | Kelvin Hall Circus | |||
| 14.00 | This is ... Tom Jones | |||
| 15.00 | Petticoat Pirates (1961) | |||
| 16.35 | Aladdin | |||
| 17.50 | ITN News | |||
| 18.00 | All Star Comedy Carnival | |||
| 20.30 | The Benny Hill Show | |||
| 21.30 | Robin and the Seven Hoods (1964) | |||
| Continued after the News | ||||
| 22.30 | ITN News | |||
| 22.40 | Robin and the Seven Hoods (1964) | |||
| Part Two | ||||
| 23.45 | Whicker in Europe | |||
| BBC One | ||||
| 09.00 | On Christmas Day in the Morning | |||
| The children of: THE CHRISTOPHER WREN SCHOOL HAMMERSMITH COUNTY SCHOOL ST CLEMENT DANES GRAMMAR SCHOOL BURLINGTON GIRLS' GRAMMAR SCHOOL ELLERSLIE PRIMARY SCHOOL present an entertainment for Christmas morning Masks and movement directed by ERIC RICKMAN Folk groups from DALSTON COUNTY SCHOOL and PARKSIDE SCHOOL Pop group : THE REMEDY Devised and conducted by PETER FLETCHER A shortened version of the Inner London Education Authority's Christmas Carol Festival. Produced by JOHN VERNON | ||||
| 09.30 | A Spoonful of Sugar | |||
| from Stoke Mandeville Hospital with Michael Aspel and Sheila Tracy The patients in this world-famous hospital near Aylesbury meet and talk to famous personalities of their own choice including Father Christmas-1970 style - who drops in to add to the surprises, as does one of Britain's most popular singers. Produced by NICK HUNTER | ||||
| 10.00 | The News | |||
| and Weather | ||||
| 10.05 | Tom and Jerry | |||
| playing cat and mouse in a selection from the world-famous award-winning cartoon films Cat Fishin' Created by WILLIAM HANNA and JOE BARBERA | ||||
| 10.15 | The Doctors | |||
| Written by DICK SHARPLES starring John Barrie Justine Lord, Paul Massie Guest star Wilfred Pickles Storyline and serial created by DONALD BULL Script editor MAGGIE ALLEN Designer TOM CARTER Producer COLIN MORRIS Directed by CHRISTOPHER BARRY | ||||
| 10.35 | Christmas Morning Service | |||
| from St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, in the presence of HM The Queen HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and other members of The Royal Family Service conducted by THE REV I. G. COLLINS Organist and Master of Choristers SIDNEY CAMPBELL Assistant organist JOHN MOREHEN Scene described by RICHARD BAKER Hymn: Once in Royal David's city Psalm 19 Lesson: Isaiah 9, vv 2-7 read by CANON j. A. FISHER Te Deum: Sumsxon in G Lesson: St Luke 2, vv 1-20 read by CANON G. B. BENTLEY Benedictus: Sumsion in G Lord's Prayer Hymn: Hark the herald-angels sing Address: THE VERY REV R. WOODS DEAN OF WINDSOR Prayers Hymn: O come all ye faithful Blessing; National Anthem Directed by ANTONY CRAXTON | ||||
| 11.45 | Rolf Harris | |||
| invites you to Meet the Kids who are in hospital this Christmas A programme for children to charm adults with Rolf Harris singing, painting, and talking to the patients Also a visit to the house of COOJEEBEAR and a visit from POOH, TIGGER, and HEFFALUMP (from Walt Disney's ' Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day ') with the Bert Hayes Group An outside broadcast direct from Queen Mary's Hospital for Children, Carshalton, Surrey. Produced by MARY DAVID | ||||
| 12.30 | Royal Family | |||
| A special Christmas showing of the historic documentary film by RICHARD CAWSTON This unique picture of a year in the life of the Queen and her family has been acclaimed throughout the world and is already established as a television milestone. For the first time ever, the Royal Family agreed to let a television film team follow them with cameras and microphones not only while carrying out their duties, but in their off-duty moments as well. Richard Caws ton's film has captured for the nation today, and for future generations, the events, duties and relaxations that helped to make up the 17th year of the Queen's reign. The film presents seem after scene which have never before been witnessed by the public. The inner workings of Buckingham Palace, on board the Royal Yacht and the Royal Train, behind the scenes at daily events and special occasions, holidays at Balmoral and Sandringham, Christmas at Windsor - all these were recorded in picture and sound as they happened. The Queen is 63rd in a line of Sovereigns stretching back over 1,000 years to the grandfather of Alfred the Great. In all that time there has never been so full and open a revelation of the life the members of the Royal Family lead, and the work they do. Commentary spoken by MICHAEL FLANDERS and written by ANTONY JAY Photographed by PETER BARTLETT Sound recorded by PETER EDWARDS Dubbing mixer PATRICK WHITAKER Research ROGER CARY Production assistant BARBARA SAXON Film editor MICHAEL BRADSELL Directed and produced by RICHARD CAWSTON (A joint production by BBC Television and Independent Television) (also on BBC2) | ||||
| 14.15 | Top of the Pops '69 | |||
| Christmas Special - Part 1 | ||||
| A round-up of the year's top sellers, featuring discs by The Beatles, Blue Mink, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Fleetwood Mac, Marmalade, Thunderclap Newman, Clodagh Rogers, The Rolling Stones, Scaffold, Peter Sarstedt, Zager and Evans Introductions by Pete Murray and Jimmy Savile TOP OF THE POPS ORCHESTRA Directed by JOHNNY PEARSON Vocal backing THE LADYBIRDS, THE FIRM Lighting PETER SMEE Sound RICHARD CHAMBERLAIN Design DON TAYLOR Directed by JAMES MOIR Producer JOHNNIE STEWART (Part 2: tomorrow at 6.20) | ||||
| 15.00 | Billy Smart's Circus Spectacular | |||
| New magnificence in the old tradition of the ' Greatest Show on Earth' Guest star Roy Hudd in his element with miming and clowning and speechless introductions to spectacular acts from all over the world from India, The Royal Bengal Tigers Of CHARLES ILLENEB from the USA, King of Cloud Swings THE GREAT CARDONA from Italy, The aristocrats of clowning THE FABULOUS FRANCESCOS from England, The world's greatest elephant presentation BILLY SMART JR WITH ' JUNGALERO ' from Austria, A Circus Superman catching cannon balls THE MAGNIFICENT MARKUS from Spain, Flamenco on the double wire THE TONITOS BROTHERS from the Wild West, Whirlwind Red Indian Riders THE 12 ALBERTS from South Africa, Unique, breathtaking, double Flying Trapeze THE SEVEN FLYING OSCAS Finale MRS BILLY SMART and her Magic World of Circus Ringmaster MAJOR DICK BARTON Circus direction THE SMART BROTHERS Musical director KEN GRIFFIN Designer JAMES BOULD A Circus Special, produced in the Big Top by DEREK BURRELL-DAVIS (Roy Hudd is appearing in ' Sleeping Beauty' at the Wimbledon Theatre; Billy Smart's animals are at Safari Park, Windsor) | ||||
| 16.10 | Disney Time | |||
| Julie Andrews introduces scenes and characters from some of her favourite Walt Disney films - including Mickey Mouse and Pluto, Alice, Winnie the Pooh and Mary Poppins. Films include: Fantasia Jungle Book Swiss Family Robinson Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day King of the Grizzlies 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea 101 Dalmatians Pluto's Christmas Tree Mary Poppins Alice in Wonderland Films by courtesy of Walt Disney Productions Presented by RICHARD EVANS | ||||
| 17.00 | Cinderella | |||
| BBC Television's Christmas pantomime stars With and a magical appearance of Basil Brush LEIGH FOSTER and VREN1 ZULLIC as the Principal Dancers THE DENISE SHAUNE DANCERS and THE BOWLES BEVAN SINGERS Musical director BURT RHODES Musical associate ART DAY Choreographer DENISE SHAUNE Additional comedy material by EDDIE BRABEN, GEORGE EVANS and GEORGE MARTIN Wardrobe supervisor VALERIE SPOONER Make-up supervisor CHERRY ALSTON Scenery and costumes designed by BERKELEY SUTCLIFFE Directed by PETER WHITMORE Produced by FREDDIE CARPENTER by arrangement with Howard and Wyndham Ltd. (Jimmy Tarbuck is appearing in ' Tarbuck and Friends ' at the Opera House, Manchester; Anita Harris, Jack Tripp and Allen Christie are in ' Jack and the Beanstalk ' at the Palace Theatre, Manchester) | ||||
| 18.30 | The Main News | |||
| with ROBERT DOUGALL and Weather | ||||
| 18.40 | Save the Children | |||
| A Christmas appeal by Barbara Mullen on the occasion of the Fund's Jubilee The Save the Children Fund has projects in 28 countries at a cost of £6,000 per day. Barbara Mullen visited one of these projects, and talks tonight about some of the children helped by scf. Please send donations, preferably by crossed po or cheque, to: Barbara Mullen, [address removed] | ||||
| 18.45 | Christmas Night with the Stars | |||
| introduced by Val Doonican A gala programme featuring stars of BBC Light Entertainment in 1969 The stars include: Moira Anderson Cilia Black Roy Castle Wendy Craig Rolf Harris Mary Hopkin Lulu Kenneth McKellar Kenneth Williams The Young Generation Choreography DOUGLAS SQUIRES and Dad's Army Script by JIMMY PERRY and DAVID CROFT starring Arthur Lowe, John Le Mesurier and Clive Dunn featuring John Laurie, James Beck Arnold Ridley and Ian Lavender with Bill Pertwee, Robert Aldous Directed by DAVID CROFT Dick Emery with Peter Elliott Script by PETER ROBINSON Directed by ERNEST MAXIN ' Marty Written by MARTY FELDMAN and BÃRRY TOOK starring Marty Feldman with John Junkin Tim Brooke-Taylor and Roland MacLeod Directed by ROGER RACE Kenneth McKellar and Moira Anderson Orchestra directed by PETER KNIGHT Directed by YVONNE LITTLEWOOD Not in Front of the Children by RICHARD WARING starring Wendy Craig and Ronald Hines with Hugo Keith-Johnston Verena Greenlaw, Jill Riddick and Reginald Marsh Directed by GRAEME MUIR Monty Python's Flying Circus conceived, written and performed by John Cleese, Graham Chapman Michael Palin, Terry Jones Eric Idle, with Carole Cleveland Animations by TERRY GILLIAM Directed by IAN MCNAUGHTON THE CLIFF ADAMS SINGERS Orchestra directed by KEN THORNE Script by AUSTIN STEELE DAVID CLIMIE and VAL DOONICAN Graphics by BERNARD LODGE Design by BRIAN TREGIDDEN Associate producer COLIN CHARMAN Produced by TERRY HUGHES †(Kenneth McKellar is appearing In The World of Jamie ' at the King's Theatre, Edinburgh) Val Doonican introduces.... p. 6 | ||||
| 20.15 | The Morecambe and Wise Christmas Show | |||
| A laughter-packed holiday special starring Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise Written by EDDIE BRABEN Eric and Ernie's guests: Susan Hampshire Frankie Vaughan Nina, The Pattersons Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen featuring DERYCK GUYLER FRANK THORNTON and ANN HAMILTON with JANET WEBB, REX RASHLEY Orchestra directed by PETER KNIGHT Sound by COLIN DIXON Lighting by PETER WESSON Costumes by SONIA KERR Design by BERNARD LLOYD-JONES Produced by JOHN AMMONDS | ||||
| 21.15 | McLintock | |||
| starring John Wayne Maureen O'Hara, Yvonne de Carlo with Patrick Wayne, Stefanie Powers Jack Kruschen, Chill Wills A Western with a difference and comedy among the action. Screenplay by JAMES EDWARD GRANT Produced by MICHAEL WAYNE Directed by ANDREW v. MCLAGLEN | ||||
| 23.15 | Tony Bennett and The Count Basie Orchestra | |||
| A musical spectacular with these two great artists Tony Bennett sings: Just in time; If I ruled the world Old devil moon Yesterday I heard the rain What the world needs now I left my heart in San Francisco There will never be another you Play it again Sam; Sing you sinners For once in my life; The trolley song People The Count Basie Orchestra play: It's Oh so nice; Good time blues Whirlybird Tony Bennett's Musical Director JOHN BUNCH Costumes SONIA KERR Make-up CECILE HAY-ARTHUR Sound LEN SHOREY Lighting HARRY THOMAS Design PETER BRACHACKI Production TERRY HENEBERY | ||||
| BBC Two | ||||
| 10.15 | Play School | |||
| Christmas Day Today's story is The Little Drummer Boy illustrated by EZRA JACK KEATS Presenters JOHNNY BALL, CAROL CHELL | ||||
| 10.35 | Christmas Morning Service | |||
| from St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle in the presence of HM The Queen HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and other members of the Royal Family (also on BBC1 and BBC Wales) | ||||
| 11.45 | Kyoto | |||
| A masterly new film by KON ICHIKAWA director of Alone on the Pacific and Tokyo Olympiad on the magnificent former capital city of Japan. The film is a remarkable interpretation of the indestructible elements of Japanese culture of which Kyoto is the spirit. Ichikawa records on film, for the first time in its entirety, the Imperial villa of Katsura, the famous moss gardens and the monastic life of the Buddhist monk. Narrated by Sir Michael Redgrave | ||||
| 12.30 | Royal Family | |||
| A historic documentary film by RICHARD CAWSTON (Also on BBC1 and BBC Wales) | ||||
| 14.15 | Chronicle | |||
| The Fate of the Armada | ||||
| Introduced by Magnus Magnusson At midnight on 26 October 1588 the galleass Girona, a warship of the Spanish Armada, foundered on the cruel rocks of the Irish coast with the loss of 1,300 lives. Aboard were the combined commanders and crews of five ships, their gold, jewels, ornaments, and treasured possessions salvaged from the defeated Armada. Four hundred years later ROBERT STENUIT, a Belgian diver, author, and archaeologist, located the wreck of the Girona. With MAGNUS MAGNUSSON, he tells the story of two years' dangerous and painstaking work to reveal this first discovery of the legendary treasure of the Armada, and presents the latest finds to appear from this year's dive. Directed by RAY SUTCLIFFE Produced by PAUL JOHNSTONE ‡ | ||||
| 15.00 | The Royal Ballet The Sleeping Beauty | |||
| Music by TCHAIKOVSKY Produced by PETER WRIGHT Choreography by MARIUS PETIPA with new and additional choreography by FREDERICK ASHTON Director of the Royal Ballet Scenery by HENRY BARDON Costumes by LILA DE NOBILl and ROSTISLAV DOBOUJINSKY starring Antoinette Anthony Sibley Dowell From the Royal Opera House Covent Garden This new production was first televised in January of this year. ' I cannot imagine a more sumptuous or more exciting presentation of ballet .... ' (Peter Black: Daily Mail) Act 1 Act 2 Act 3 Artists of the Royal Ballet and students of the Royal Ballet School ORCHESTRA OF THE ROYAL OPERA HOUSE leader CHARLES TAYLOR conducted by John Lanchbery Introduced by CHRISTOPHER GABLE Television presentation by JOHN VERNON | ||||
| 17.25 | News Summary | |||
| 17.30 | Call My Bluff | |||
| Christmas Edition A duel of words and wit between Cliff Michelmore Kenneth More, Lance Percival and Jean Metcalfe Eleanor Summerfield Hilary Pritchard Referee Robert Robinson Call My Bluff devised by MARK GOODSON and BILL TODMAN Directed by MICHAEL GOODWIN Produced by T. LESLIE JACKSON | ||||
| 18.00 | The Price of Fame or Fame at any Price | |||
| featuring the combined and various talents of Georgie Fame and Alan Price with special guests Billy Preston, Doris Troy THE LADYBIRDS, PAN'S PEOPLE Choreography by FLICK COLBY Musical director REG GUEST Sound TONY MILLIER Lighting PETER SMEE Design ROGER FORD Production STANLEY DORFMAN | ||||
| 18.45 | The Paladins of Palermo | |||
| The Sicilian Teatro dei Pupi is probably the most exciting, and certainly the most bloodthirsty, of all the world's puppet theatres. Dragons, cannibals, angels, devils, the knights of Charlemagne, courtly love and revenge are all presented with a blaze of colour and a really astonishing amount of noise. In this film performance the dialogue is sub-titled, but the plot may be summarised as death-or-glory and needs no explanation for anyone who has ever slain dragons in his sleep. Produced by DAVID CHESHIRS A Review special | ||||
| 19.10 | Children Talking | |||
| That Christmas Feeling Gerald Harrison talks to boys and girls in North London schools about the world's biggest festival Produced by BOB MOZLEY tfrom BBC North) | ||||
| 19.20 | Jesus | |||
| The story of His life through the eyes of the young generation featuring The Young Generation HEATHER BECKERS, BOBBY BANNERMAN, MARIE BETTS, JAIN BURTON ANN CHAPMAN,CHRIS COOPER, CATHERINE COLLINS, ROGER FINCH, JACKIE DALTON, RICHARD GOUGH, DENISE FONE, PAUL GUESS JANE HERBERT, HARRY HIGHAM, LYNDA HERBERT, ROGER HOWLETT CAROLYN HEYWOOD, NIGEL LYTHGOE, LINDA JOLLIFF, COLIN PILDITCH LESLEY JUDD, JEREMY ROBINSON, KAY KORDA, BRIAN ROGERS LINDA LAWRENCE, DONALD TORR SANDY PENSON, KENNETH WARWICK WEI WEI WONG, TREVOR WILLIS Choreography DOUGLAS SQUIRES Narrator DEREK FRANCIS Music CLAUDE-HENRI VIC Lyrics JOHN MCCARTHY Musical and vocal director ALYN AINSWORTH Incidental music ALAN ROPER Costumes JOYCE MORTLOCK Sound JOHN TIMPERLEY, NORMAN BENNETT, LARRY GOODSON Lighting DICKIE HIGHAM and DUNCAN BROWN Design ROGER LOWE Production STEWART MORRIS | ||||
| 20.05 | The News | |||
| and Weather | ||||
| 20.15 | Bird's-Eye View | |||
| Beside the Seaside | ||||
| by Sir John Betjeman An aerial tour of the English seaside in the company of John Betjeman A swooping seagull takes its flight From Weymouth to the Isle of Wight From Cornish cliff tops wild and bare To crowds at Weston-super-Mare The seaside seen as history Bournemouth, Butlin's and Torquay Whatever paddles, surfs or sails Braves the waves or rides the gales A serapbook made at Christmaxtimt Of summer joys in film and rhyme. Film cameraman IAN STONE Fiim editor EDWARD ROBERTS Producer EDWARD MIRZOEFF | ||||
| 21.05 | This Colourful Year of Sport | |||
| At home in his 200-year-old Sussex windmill ('a good place for memories') Henry Longhurst looks back in colour on the highspots and low-spots of sport in 1969, and mixes a brew of excitement, nostalgia, and personal opinions. Guests: Henry Cooper, Colin Cowdrey and Grand National winning jockey Eddie Harty In action: Tony Jacklin; Arnold Palmer; the Ryder Cup; the Cup Final; England's soccer team; Leeds United; George Best; Dave Mackay; Rod Laver; Ann Jones; Pancho Gon zales; Jackie Stewart; Lester Piggott; Henry Cooper; Alan Rudkin; Jack Bodell; Gary Sobers; John Edrich; Derek Underwood; the Derby; the Grand National; Rugby League; Ian Stewart; Lillian Board; Budge Rogers; the Springboks; the anti-Springboks; the pressures; the politics; the punch-ups. Production team: BOB ABRAHAMS, KEN HAWKES, DENIS KELLY, TERRY LONG Editor PHIL PILLEY | ||||
| 22.25 | Barbra Streisand | |||
| entertains and causes A Happening in Central Park An echo of a late summer's evening in New York when that one-woman phenomenon which is Streisand held an audience of some 128,000 people spellbound for almost an hour. Produced and directed by ROBERT SCHEERER | ||||
| 23.15 | News Headlines | |||
| 23.16 | The Day They Robbed the Bank of England | |||
| starring Aldo Ray Peter O'Toole, Elizabeth Sellars A group of Irish patriots and a professional American criminal make a daring attempt to achieve the impossible. Directed by JOHN GUlLLERMIN Produced by JULES BUCK | ||||
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