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 1971 >>

A record number of feature films were broadcast this year, including a full-blown dramatisation of Laurie Lee's book, "Cider With Rosie", filmed on location by the BBC.


\| LWT \| BBC ONE \| BBC TWO \|

	LWT
	08.15	Carols in Kirkgate
			from the Castle Museum, York
	09.00	Cartoons
	09.15	Christmas Morning Service
			A United Free Church Service from Princes Street Congregational Church, Norwich
	10.15	A Merry Morning
	10.45	Children's Christmas Cinema
	11.30	Captain Sindbad (1963)
	13.00	Christmas Singalong with....
	14.00	Kelvin Hall Circus
	15.00	The Queen
	15.10	King Solomon's Mines (1950)
	17.00	A Variety for Reg Varney
	18.00	News
	18.05	All Star Comedy Carnival
			Presentation Doctors at Large The Lovers ....And Mother Makes Three His and Hers Please Sir Fenn Street Gang Girls About Town Dear Mother-Love Albert Sez Les Lollipop Loves Mr Mole Father, Dear Father
	20.30	Around the World in 80 Days (1956)
			continued after the news
	22.00	News
	22.10	Around the World in 80 Days (1956)
			continued
	23.40	It Matters to Me

	BBC ONE
	01.05	Closedown
	09.00	This is Christmas Morning
			Seasonal words and music spoken, sung and played by the boys and girls of Chetham's School, Manchester including Ding dong merrily on high Oranges and Lemons Toy Symphony as well as readings from The Wind in the Willows Christmas for Miss Moss - Producer NICK HUNTER
	09.30	Aspel's Christmas Crackers
			Michael Aspel introduces a selection of cartoons and a sequence from The Tales of Beatrix Potter. Peter Glaze is on hand to pull the crackers. Producer GRANVILLE JENKINS (Peter Glaze is in ' Jack and the Beanstalk ' at the Birmingham Theatre)
	10.25	News Summary
			Weatherman BERT FOORD
	10.30	A Family Service
			for Christmas Day from St Mary's Parish Church, Moseley, Birmingham Conducted by the Vicar, THE REV LORYS DAVIES Children's drama and music as well as traditional carols are included in this Christmas service. Organist ADRIAN POWERS Television presentation BARRIE EDGAR
	11.30	The Order of St John
			A Christmas Appeal on behalf of the ancient Order of Chivalry by THE LORD PRIOR The best-known work of the Order in this country is St John Ambulance Each year 200,000 people are trained in first aid, and they give over four million hours of Voluntary Service at all public occasions where first aid may be required. Donations, preferably by crossed po or cheque, to: [address removed]
	11.35	The Basil Brush Show
			stars Basil in Pantoland featuring Derek Fowlds With PAT STARK, LES RAWLINGS BOB HUNTER, MICHAEL CLARKE JOHN O'NEILL, TERRY DOOGAN DIANNE GREAVES, DEBBIE ASH Script and songs by GEORGE MARTIN Music by THE BERT HAYES SEXTET Designer VALERIE WARRENDER Producer ERNEST MAXIN
	12.00	Rolf Harris
			invites you to Meet the Kids who are spending Christmas Day in hospital In his own inimitable style Rolf Harris meets, chats to and entertains the patients and nurses at Queen Mary's Hospital for Children, Carshalton, Surrey. Supporting Rolf will be COOJEEBEAR and THE BERT HAYES QUINTET Producer IAN SMITH (Bert Hayes is in 'Aladdin' at Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury)
	12.50	Ken Dodd
			introduces We Want to Sing Doddy joins 300 Diddy boys and girls in a plumptious absolutely discomknockerferatingly tattifilarious, tickling tonic guaranteed to make you full of gertitude and disgracefully contrapuntal aided and abetted by THE SETTLERS THE NORTHERN DANCE ORCHESTRA conducted by BERNARD HERRMANN Producer NICK HUNTER (from Manchester)
	13.15	Bruce Forsyth and The Generation Game
			starring Bruce Forsyth in his special Christmas programme, with umpteen Santa Clauses, Walt Disney characters, clowns, a pantomime and Family Couples from all over the country, including a special section for kids at home. RONNIE HAZLEHURST AND HIS ORCHESTRA Programme associates TONY HAWES, DENIS GIFFORD Designer ANDY DIMOND Producers ALAN TARRANT, JAMES MOIR
	14.15	Top of the Pops 71
			Episode 406
			Part 1 A look back at the year's Top Pops including discs by CCS, Dave and Ansil Collins (No 1), Dawn (No 1), Clive Dunn (No 1), Dave Edmunds (No 1), Middle of the Road (No 1), Mixtures, Mungo Jerry (No 1), Gilbert O'Sullivan, Supremes, T. Rex (No 1) Introduced by Jimmy Savile TOP OF THE POPS ORCHESTRA directed by JOHNNY PEARSON PAN'S PEOPLE Choreography by FLICK COLBY Costume design JANE NAGY Lighting RITCHIE RICHARDSON Sound RICHARD CHAMBERLAIN Producer JOHNNIE STEWART (Top of the Pops 71 Part 2, Introduced by Tony Blackburn : Monday at 4.35 pm)
	15.00	The Queen
			A Christmas Day programme
	15.10	Billy Smart's Christmas Circus
			This great festive Big Top spectacular is shared with viewers all over Europe Springboard with a Difference the catcher stands not on the ground but balanced on a huge rolling globe : THE SALLAY Aeroplane Antics revolving high above the ring held only by his partner's teeth: the Circus Oscar-winning ANTARES Jungle Giants a herd of Indian elephants presented by WILSON SMART with the gypsy girls Laughs Galore from the boxing ring of THE FABULOUS FRANCESCOS Grace in the Air suspended by her heels alone - swinging and spinning above the sawdust: from America, FRANCARRO AND ESTRELETA Black Stallions from Holland presented by YASMIN SMART Clown on the Bouncing Wire from Switzerland: GALETTI West Indian Contortionists brothers from the Island of Guadeloupe: THE COUDOUX 40ft Up on the High Wire Two men high on a unicycle for the first time in Britain: the Chechoslovakian BERONDINI Pedigree Pekes and a mongrel called Sheba circus's funniest dog act presented by DAVID ROSAIRE Festive Finale: a real Christmas tree grows as you watch - and the fairy on the top is real Circus direction THE SMART BROTHERS Musical director KEN GRIFFIN Designer JAMES BOULD Producer MARY DAVID
	16.15	The Black and White Minstrel Show
			starring The Mitchell Minstrels featuring Ted Darling Dai Francis, Margaret Savage Andy Cole, Les Rawlings with The Television Toppers Orchestra conducted by GEORGE MITCHELL, ALAN BRISTOW Choreography by ROY GUNSON Vocal arrangements by GEORGE MITCHELL Orchestrations by ALAN BRISTOW Design MARTIN COLLINS Producer ERNEST MAXIN (The Black and White Minstrels are appearing at the Victoria Palace, London. and at the Grand Theatre. Leeds) (Twanggo your heartstrings: pp 103-109)
	17.00	Aladdin
			starring Cilla Black as Aladdin A traditional pantomime recorded at Wimbledon Theatre with ERIC COVERDALE, BILL HERBERT and THE IRVING DAVIES DANCERS RONNIE HAZLEHURST AND HIS ORCHESTRA Vocal backings THE BREAKAWAYS and THE FRED TOMLINSON SINGERS Choreography IRVING DAVIES Written by RONNIE TAYLOR from the book by PHIL PARK and ALBERT J. KNIGHT Producer MICHAEL HURLL (Cilia's Choice: page 5)
	18.30	News
			with Richard Baker Weatherman BERT FOORD
	18.40	Christmas Night with the Stars
			Introduced by Ronnie Corbett and Ronnie Barker Two Ronnies script by GARRY CHAMBERS, BARRY CRYER TONY HARE, ERIC IDLE DAVID MCKELLAR, SPIKE MULLINS DAVID NOBBS, PETER VINCENT DICK VOSBURGH, GERALD WILEY featuring Engelbert Humperdinck Lulu Vera Lynn Harry Secombe The New Seekers Orchestra directed by DENNIS WILSON and Till Death Us Do Part A reunion with the Garnett family specially written for Christmas Script by JOHNNY SPEIGHT starring Warren Mitchell and Dandy Nichols Producer DUNCAN WOOD Bachelor Father Script by RICHARD WARING starring Ian Carmichael With DIANA KING, IAN JOHNSON BRIONY MACROBERTS, GAYNOR JONES GERALDINE AND JACQUELINE COWPER KEVIN MORAN, ANDREW BOWEN PETER THORNTON Producer GRAEME MUIR Dick Emery Script by JOHN WARREN and JOHN SINGER Interviewer Gordon Clyde who meets Lampwick and Mandy and some ' bower.' Producer COLIN CHARMAN A Policeman's Lot Script by ERIC SYKES starring Eric Sykes and Hattie Jacques With TONY MELODY, LESLIE NOYES Producer ROGER RACE Look Mike Yarwood Script by ERIC DAVIDSON starring Mike Yarwood and Adrienne Posta The Young Generation Choreography by DON LURIO ALYN AINSWORTH AND HIS ORCHESTRA Producer STEWART MORRIS Sound ADRIAN BISHOP-LAGGETT Lighting BILL MILLAR Design PAUL JOEL Producer TERRY HUGHES (Ronnie Corbett is in Cinderella at the London Palladium; Ronnie Barker in ' Good Time Johnny ' at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre; Eric Sykes in ' Big Bad Mouse ' at the Prince of Wales Theatre. London) (Christmas cover story: page 3)
	20.00	Morecambe and Wise Christmas Show
			A star-studded holiday special starring Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise written by EDDIE BRABEN with special guests Andre Previn and featuring Los Zafiros Ann Hamilton With ARTHUR TOLCHER and guest appearances of Frank Bough, Robert Dougall Dick Emery, Cliff Michelmore Patrick Moore, Michael Parkinson Eddie Waring Dance direction by ERNEST MAXIN Orchestra directed by PETER KNIGHT Sound MICHAEL MCCARTHY Special effects BILL KING Costumes SALLY NIEPER Lighting PETER WESSON Design BERNARD LLOYD-JONES Producer JOHN AMMONDS
	21.05	Arabesque (1966)
			Gregory Peck, Sophia Loren
			with Alan Badel, Kieron Moore In this high-tension adventure Gregory Peck plays an American professor at Oxford whose knowledge of hieroglyphics gets him mixed up with Arab spies. Sophia Loren plays a seductive espionage agent -but for whom? Producer and director STANLEY DONEN (Christmas Films: pages 14-15)
	22.45	The Good Old Days
			A Christmas edition of Old-Time Music-Hall from the stage of the Famous Varieties Theatre, Leeds (by arrangement with Stanley and Michael Joseph ) Terry Scott, Lynda Gloria Jack Douglas assisted by JOHN INMAN PHILIP SMITH and GEORGE TRUZZI John Boulter, Johnny Hart Julie Fisher, The Turkenders Chairman Leonard Sachs Musical director BERNARD HERRMANN Producer BARNEY COLEHAN (Terry Scott is in 'Cinderella' at the London Palladium; John Boulter in ' The Magic of the Minstrels ' at the Victoria Palace; Jack Douglas and George Truzzi in ' Dick Whittington ' at the Wimbledon Theatre; John Inman in ' Cinderella' at the Coventry Theatre)
	23.35	The Countryman at Christmas
			A romantic look at the countryside and its resilience to change. Introduced by DUNCAN CARSE Producer PETER CRAWFORD (from Bristol)
	23.55	Reflection
			METROPOLITAN ANTHONY OF SOUROZH considers a Nativity painting

	BBC TWO
	01.25	Closedown
	10.30	Play School
			The Christmas Story Presenters Carol Chell, Derek Griffiths Producer PETER RIDSDALE SCOTT Executive producer CYNTHIA FELGATE
	10.55	How the Grinch Stole Christmas
			Boris Karloff narrates this unusual Christmas cartoon film.
	11.20	Closedown
	14.15	Christmas on 2
	14.20	The Man Who Loves Giants
			A film about David Shepherd Narrated by JAMES STEWART Once rejected as a student without talent, DAVID SHEPHERD has since become one of England's most successful painters. Widely travelled, his jet-age routine is dominated by his passion for giants-in particular elephants and steam locomotives. Produced by CHRISTOPHER PARSONS
	15.10	The Royal Ballet inLa Fille Mal Gardee
			Music by Ferdinand Herold freely adapted and arranged by JOHN LANCHBERY Choreography by Frederick Ashton Scenery and costumes by Osbert Lancaster starring Merle Park and David Blair From the Royal Opera House Covent Garden FREDERICK ASHTON 'S hilarious ballet about the girl who loved the boy next door despite her mother's grander plans. ARTISTS OF THE ROYAL BALLET ORCHESTRA OF THE ROYAL OPERA HOUSE, led by CHARLES TAYLOR conducted by John Lanchbery TV presentation by JOHN VERNON Act 1 Scene 1: The farmyard Scene 2: The cornfield Act 2: The interior of the farmhouse (Merle's mince pies: page 4)
	16.50	The Queen
			A Christmas Day programme in which The Queen speaks to the Commonwealth. Producer RICHARD CAWSTON
	17.00	I Can See It All
			or The Grand Illusion Written by RICHARD WADE starring Dudley Foster as Humphrey Hastings and Elvi Hale as his wife Constance An Edwardian After-Dinner Christmas Entertainment This evening we invite you to the dress rehearsal of a magical entertainment which the Hastings family hope to have ready by the time their neighbours arrive. They call their show The Grand Illusion. But you will see the workings of the illusions, how the head floats and the fingers tap, and you can, if you have both the surplus furniture and the energy of a Humphrey Hastings, make all the magic in your own living room and become yourself an after-dinner entertainer. Costume DOROTHEA WALLACE Make-up MARION RICHARDS Designer DAVID SPODE Director DAVID MALONEY Producer RAMSAY SHORT (Magic with Foster: page 5)
	17.30	A Distant Trumpet (1964)
			Double Feature 1
			starring Troy Donahue, Suzanne Pleshette. Newly commissioned US Cavalry Second Lieutenant Matthew Hazard is posted to a desolate outpost on the Mexican border, where he volunteers to persuade the Indians to stop fighting and settle on a reservation. Director RAOUL WALSH (Christmas Films: pages 14-15) (The Barretts of Wimpole Street at 7.25)
	19.20	News on 2
			and Weather
	19.25	The Barretts of Wimpole Street (1957)
			Double Feature 2
			starring Jennifer Jones, John Gielgud with Bill Travers, Virginia McKenna. The tyranny of Elizabeth Barrett's cruel and embittered father dominates the family's home in London's Wimpole Street. A meeting with the poet Robert Browning brings love and eventual happiness to Elizabeth. From the play by RUDOLF BESIER Director SIDNEY FRANKLIN (Christmas Films: pages 14-15)
	21.05	Cider with Rosie (1971)
			Screenplay by HUGH WHITEMORE Village Children CHRISTOPHER GREGORY AUBREY JONES, DAVID COLLIER KENNETH LIDDICOT, REUBEN WYATT ANTHONY GARDINER DAVID HUMPHREY, CAROL TULLETT Others taking part NICK LLEWELLYN, ESMOND RIDEOUT PAUL NICHOLSON, SULTAN LALANI REX HOLDSWORTH, GERALD WEBB ANDREW SIMPSON, JOHN AYLING Music composed by WILFRED JOSEPHS Film recordist DENNIS PANCHEN Film cameraman PETER BARTLETT Film editor PETER COULSON Designer EILEEN DISS Producer ANN KIRCH Director CLAUDE WHATHAM ('Days filled with sun...': pp 10-11) (Trevor Bannister is in 'Move Over Mrs Markham' at the Vaudeville Theatre, London)
	22.45	The Little Angels
			National Folk Ballet of Korea Unique entertainment from the enchanting young Korean dancers who stole the show at the Royal Variety Performance. Choreographer SOON SHIM SHIN Introduced by GEOFFREY WHEELER Producer DON SAYER (Televised by arrangement with MAM)
	23.15	News on 2
			and Weather
	23.20	Marnie (1964)
			Midnight Movie
			starring 'Tippi' Hedren, Sean Connery, Diane Baker, Martin Gabel, Louise Latham Hitchcock's Marnie, like Psycho, explores the strange world of the unconscious mind and gives ' Tippi ' Hedren, star of The Birds, the role of the beautiful kleptomaniac whose passions are aroused by thunderstorms and the colour red. Sean Connery plays the wealthy publisher, fascinated by criminal behaviour in animals, who traps Mamie, the compulsive thief, and embarks on an unusual therapy. Director ALFRED HITCHCOCK (Christmas Films: pages 14-15)
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<< Christmas Day 1971 >>