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 1972 >>

This year the BBC broadcast a traditional pantomime recorded at The Wimbledon Theatre, "Dick Whittingdon", starring Peter Noone as Dick, with Dick Emery, Stratford Johns, Michael Aspel and Gemma Craven.


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

	LWT
	00.40	Closedown

	THAMES
	08.30	A Concert for Christmas
			Carols from the Royal Festival Hall
	09.15	The Enchanted House
			Preparing for Christmas
	09.30	A Merry Morning
	10.00	Clapperboard's Christmas Cracker
	10.45	Christmas Morning Service
	12.00	Gulliver's Travels (1939)
	13.15	The Big Top
			Mary Chipperfield's International Circus
	14.00	The Flight of the Snow Geese
	15.00	H.M. The Queen
	15.10	That Riviera Touch (1966)
	16.50	Opportunity Knocks!
	17.35	ITN News
	17.45	All Star Comedy Carnival
	19.30	Coronation Street
	20.00	The Comedians
	20.30	The Way West (1967)
			Part One
	22.00	ITN News at Ten
	22.15	The Way West (1967)
			Part Two
	23.00	The Love Goddesses

	BBC ONE
	00.55	Closedown
	09.30	This is Christmas Morning
			With grateful hearts salute the morn, And swell the streams of song, That laden with great joy are borne, The willing air along; The tidings thrill, With right good will; For this is Christmas morning! Come, sing the carols old and true, That mind of good cheer, And, like a heavenly fall of dew, Revive the drooping year; And fill us up A wassail-cup; For 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
	10.00	Mr Benn
			Cowboy
	10.15	News Summary
			Weatherman GRAHAM PARKER
	10.20	Born in the City
			A Service for Christmas Morning led by THE REV B. ARTHUR SHAW Chairman of the Chester and Stoke on Trent District of the Methodist Church from the Town Square, Runcorn Shopping City, in association with the Runcorn Council of Churches. THE RUNCORN ORPHEUS CHOIR choirmaster RONALD HUGH SMITH NORTON PRIORY CHORAL SOCIETY conducted by BRIAN QUINN Tableaux by the HEATH COUNTY SECONDARY SCHOOL THE FAIREY BAND Musical Director KENNETH DENNISON Presented for TV by STEWART CROSS
	11.25	A Christmas Appeal
			Robert Dougall appeals on behalf of Television for the Deaf - a special fund administered by the Royal National Institute for the Deaf - to open a window on the world for lonely, old and poor deaf people who cannot enjoy music, hear a laugh or join in ordinary conversation with their fellows. Donations, preferably by crossed PO or cheque, to: [address removed]
	11.30	A Stocking Full of Stars
			opened by Mike Aspel and Roy Castle Direct from the National Children's Home at Harpenden A non-stop Christmas morning entertainment featuring a host of family favourites including Bruce Forsyth and the Generation Game Basil Brush; Blue Peter Charlie Cairoli ; The Goodies Animal Magic; Laurel and Hardy Penelope Pit-Stop ; Tom and Jerry Top of the Pops Top Soccer Stars Vision On; Yogi Bear and many more, as well as ROY CASTLE'S own special brand of Christmas entertainment Music by the GEOFF SANDERS QUARTET Designer PHILIP LINDLEY Producer IAN SMITH Executive producer PHILIP LEWIS (Two Father Christmases: page 9)
	13.30	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 leader TONY FISHER conducted by GEORGE MITCHELL and ALAN BRISTOW Choreography by ROY GUNSON Designer MARTIN COLLINS Producer ERNEST MAXIN
	14.10	Top of the Pops 72
			Episode 459
			Part 1 A review of the year's best-sellers and some other top records from David Cassidy, Hot Butter, Michael Jackson, Don McLean, Move, New Seekers, Gilbert O'Sullivan, Lynsey de Paul, Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, Slade, Rod Stewart, T. Rex Introduced by Jimmy Savile, OBE and Ed Stewart TOP OF THE POPS ORCHESTRA Directed by JOHNNY PEARSON Vocal backings THE LADYBIRDS Pan's People choreography by FLICK COLBY Sound RICHARD CHAMBERLAIN Lighting BERT POSTLETHWAITE Designer IAN RAWNSLEY Producer JOHNNIE STEWART (Part 2: Thursday at 7.10 pm)
	15.00	The Queen
			The Queen speaks to the Commonwealth
	15.05	Billy Smart's Christmas Circus
			Television audiences in six European countries join those already in the Big Top for a gala presentation of the world-famous circus Ringmistress Yasmin Smart introduces from France: The White Devils high-wire drama without a net from Italy: Los Erminios high-speed juggling from Great Britain: The Halfwits frantic comedy gymnastics from Germany: Manuella Burkett glamour on the single trapeze from Italy: The Adrianos precision, flight and balance from Great Britain: Jacko Fossett, Little Billy, Toby and Jug the knockabout circus clowns from Czechoslovakia: The Valla-Bertinis skills and spins on unicycles from India: The Elephants presented by Yasmin Smart from Italy: The Folco Paolos fun and laughs in the circus ring from South Africa: The Oscar Andersons largest-ever flying trapeze act Circus produced by RONNIE, DAVID and BILLY SMART Musical directoi KEN GRIFFIN Designer JOHN o'HARA Television presentation IAN smith (Runaway baby elephants: pp 15, 16)
	16.10	Dick Whittington (1972)
			starring Dick Emery as Sarah the Cook and Peter Noone as Dick Whittington A traditional pantomime recorded at Wimbledon Theatre with special guests Stratford Johns as The Sultan of Morocco Michael Aspel as The Vizier and GORDON PETERS as Idle Jack DAVID HEALY as Captain Barnacle GEMMA CRAVEN as Alice ROBERT DORNING as Alderman Fitzwarren PETER ELLIOTT as Billy ALAN CURTIS as King Rat MERVYN WEBB as Timmy the Cat TRUDI VAN DOORN as the Spirit of the Bells THE PAMELA DEVIS DANCERS THE PEGGY O'FARRELL CHILDREN Choreography PAMELA DEVIS RONNIE HAZLEHURST AND HIS ORCHESTRA THE FRED TOULINSON SINGERS Written by JOHN WARREN and JOHN SINGER from the original book by PHIL PARK Make-up CHERRY ALSTON Costumes RUPERT JARVIS Sound ROBIN LUXFORD Lighting BERT OATEN Designer ANDY DIMOND Producer COLIN CHARMAN (Bygone amazement: page 14)
	17.45	News
			with Robert Dougall ; Weather
	17.55	Bruce Forsyth and The Generation Game
			starring Bruce Forsyth in a special Christmas programme where the wits, skill and ingenuity of both young and young-in-heart are put to a seasonal test with a tongue-in-cheek flavour. with seven surprising dwarfs, an amazing dancing bear, a potted panto and family couples from all over the country with hostess Anthea Redfern Programme associate TONY HAWES Designer ROBIN TAPSNANE Producers ALAN TARRANT and JAMES MOIR (The hosts of Christmas 1922-1972: p 100)
	18.55	Christmas Night with the Stars
			Introduced by Ronnie Corbett and Ronnie Barker starring Cilia Black The Young Generation, Lulu ' Dad's Army' Script by JIMMY PERRY and DAVID CROFT starring Arthur Lowe John Le Mesurier, Clive Dunn featuring JOHN LAURIE, JAMES BECK ARNOLD RIDLEY, IAN LAVENDER Producer DAVID CROFT 'Look - Mike Yarwood ! Script by ERIC DAVIDSON starring Mike Yarwood, Adrienne Posta ' The Liver Birds ' Script by CARLA LANE starring Polly James, Nerys Hughes With MOLLIE SUGDEN, SHEILA FAY Producer SID LOTTERBY (Cilia Black is the cover star of the New Year's third issue of RADIO TIMES) ' The Goodies' Script by GRAEME GARDEN and BILL ODDIE With TIM BROOKE-TAYLOR starring Tim Brooke-Taylor Graeme Garden, Bill Oddie with DENISE DISTEL, PAUL ELLISON Producer JIM FRANKLIN The Young Generation Choreography by NIGEL LYTHGOE ALYN AINSWORTH AND HIS ORCHESTRA ST RICHARD'S WITH ST ANDREW'S SCHOOL CHOIR, HAM, SURREY ' The Two Ronnies ' script by GARRY CHAMBERS, BARRY CRYER TONY HAWES, RONNIE KING WALLY MALSTON, DAVID MCKELLAR SPIKE MULLINS, DAVID NOBBS MICHAEL PALIN and TERRY JONES NEIL SHAND and JOE STEEPLES PETER VINCENT, DICK VOSBURGH Cilia Black and Ronnie Corbett duet by RONNIE TAYLOR Orchestra directed by RONNIE HAZLEHURST Vocal backing by THE BREAKAWAYS Sound LARRY GOODSON Lighting BILL MILLAR Designer MARTIN COLLINS Producers MICHAEL BURLL, TERRY HUGHES (Ronnie Corbett is appearing in 'Cinderella' at the Bristol Hippodrome; Lulu In 'Peter Pan' at the Opera House, Manchester; Adrienne Posta in 'Babes in the Wood' at the London Palladium; Polly James in ' I and Albert' at the Piccadilly Theatre, London)
	20.15	Morecambe and Wise Christmas Show
			A star-studded holiday special starring Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise with special guests Glenda Jackson, Jack Jones Vera Lynn, Pete Murray with Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen and guest appearances of Shirley Bassey, Ian Carmichael Fenella Fielding, Eric Porter, Andre Previn, Flora Robson featuring ANN HAMILTON With JANET WEBB Written by BARRY CRYER, JOHN JUNKIN Reindeer sketch by MIKE CRAIG and LAWRIE KINSLEY Additional material by MORECAMBE and WISE Musical arrangements and orchestra directed by PETER KNIGHT Sound MICHAEL MCCARTHY, ADRIAN STOCKS Costume designer VERITY LEWIS Make-up SANDRA EXELBY Lighting PETER WESSON Designer VICTOR MEREDITH Producer JOHN AMMONDS (The hosts of Christmas 1922-1972: p 100)
	21.15	Barefoot in the Park (1967)
			A film starring Robert Redford, Jane Fonda Charles Boyer, Mildred Natwick Robert Redford and Jane Fonda star as newly-weds in Neil Simon's gay and sparkling comedy. When the couple leave the luxury of their honeymoon hotel for a one-room flat in Greenwich Village, Corie is still on cloud nine. And in spite of no lift, no heating and a hole in the roof, she refuses to come down to earth! Screenplay by NEIL SIMON Based on his own stage play Director GENE SAKS (Christmas Films: pages 17-19)
	23.00	The Good Old Days 1953-1973
			A special Christmas edition which also marks the 150th programme of Old-Time Music-Hall from the stage of the Famous City Varieties Theatre, Leeds. (By arrangement with Stanley and Michael Joseph) For your delectation and delight the dashingly debonair Leonard Sachs introduces Ken Dodd the knut from Knotty Ash Neville King ventriloquially speaking Lyn Kennington vivaciously vocal Alfredo buffoonery and bedlam Louisa Jane White shamelessly saucy The Trio Hoganas swinging and spinning in curvacious contortions Trevor Little balloonerama Members of the Players' Theatre, London Musical Director BERNARD HERRMANN Producer BARNEY COLEHAN (Ken Dodd and Lvn Kennington are in ' Robinson Crusoe ' at the Theatre Royal, Nottingham; Neville King is in ' The Black and White Minstrel Show ' at the Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool)
	23.50	A Story for Christmas
			To complete your Christmas Day viewing Told by John Slater Presented by FRANCES WHITAKER

	BBC TWO
	01.10	Closedown
	11.00	Play School
			Story: The Christmas Story Presenters MIRANDA CONNELL, RICK JONES
	11.25	The Point
			Dustin Hoffman narrates this cartoon with music about a land where everything and everyone is pointed - except little Oblio, a boy who is always pointed at. Songs written and sung by HARRY NILSSON
	12.40	The Vanishing Hedgerows
			Another chance to see this highly-praised documentary, entered for the 1973 Monte Carlo International TV Festival. : From 1936 to 1946 the well-known author Henry Williamson farmed in Norfolk by using traditional and old-established methods. In this film he revisits his old farm and gives his personal account about the effects of modern farming methods on the countryside. Producer DAVID COBHAM (from Bristol)
	13.30	Look, Stranger
			The World of Jane Phillips Dragons, princes, giants and wizards, elephants, piglets, butterflies and giraffes - they all live together in a converted warehouse in Cardiff and belong to someone who, because of her dedication to an ideal, has created a professional puppet theatre in her native Wales. The world of JANE PHILLIPS is the world of the ' Caricature Theatre ' and her story is the story of an obsession. Executive producer JENNIFER JEREMY Producer GERAINT STANLEY JONES BBC Wales
	13.55	News Headlines
	14.00	Golf Story 72
			There was ... an Englishman - Tony Jacklin a Mexican - Lee Trevino and a South African - Gary Player three of 1972's top professional golf personalities. With HENRY LONGHURST, PETER ALLISSand MARK MCCORMACK, they discuss the highlights of an incredible season, current trends, humour and future of their own fascinating game. Producer ALAN MOUNCER
	15.00	The Queen
			The Queen speaks to the Commonwealth
	15.05	Henry V (1944)
			by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE LAURENCE OLIVIER'S famous film - starring Art director PAUL SHERIFF Costume designer ROGER FURSE Music by WILLIAM WALTON Producer and director LAURENCE OLIVIER (Christmas films: pages 17-19)
	17.15	Call My Bluff
			A duel of words and wit between Frank Muir Jean Marsh, Miles Kington and Patrick Campbell Anne Stallybrass Douglas Fairbanks Jr Referee Robert Robinson Call My Bluff devised by MARK GOODSON and BILL TODMAN Director PEGGY WALKER Producer JOHNNY DOWNNES (from Manchester)
	17.45	The Childhood of Christ
			by Berlioz A musical evocation of the familiar story of the Holy Family's flight into Egypt. ' I hear on all sides that your oratorio is a perfect bouquet of sweet flowers of melody and a masterpiece of simplicity.' (HEINE to BERLIOZ) Part 1 The Dream of Herod Part 2 The Flight into Egypt Part 3 The Arrival at Sais Sung in Lincoln Cathedral in a dramatised English version by PAUL ENGLAND to mark the 900th Anniversary of Lincoln's founding. CHOIR OF KING'S COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE LONDON PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA leader RODNEY FRIEND conducted by David Willcocks Costumes designed by PAT FISHER Make-up SHIRLEY CHANNING-WILLIAM S Sound GRAHAM HA1NES Lighting BRYAN WJLKES Designer DAVID WYERSCOUGH-JONES Producer BRIAN LARGE
	19.25	The Stallion
			by DAVID ROOK and JOHN KING with Peter Arne A black arab stallion escapes on Dartmoor and ' runs wild.' It steals mares from a pony trader who lives there. The story tells, without words, of the man's efforts to capture it. Roundup Rider PAUL DOUGLAS The Stallion MORFAX Film editor CHARLES ALDRIDGE Film cameramen EWART NEEDHAM and BERNARD HEDGES Director JOHN KING (from Bristol)
	20.15	La Sylphide
			A film from French Television of a romantic ballet first performed at the Paris Opera 140 years ago. The story is set in the Scottish Highlands: La Sylphide, a spirit of the air, falls in love with a human boy. 'La Sylphide'.GHISLAINE THESMAR Music by JEAN SCHNEITZHOFFER played by the ORCHESTRE ORTF DE LILLE conductor MAURICE SUZAN Adaptation and choreography PIERRE LACOTTE after PHILIPPE TAGLIONI Scenery MARIE-CLAIRE MUSSON Costumes MICHEL FRESNAY after CICERI and LAMY Producer YVES ANDRÉ HUBERT (An ORTF production)
	21.25	The Stone Tape
			by NIGEL KNEALE starring Michael Bryant, Jane Asher with lain Cuthbertson Michael Bates, Reginald Marsh EDDIE: Analyse a spook? BROCK: They once had a go at it with bell, book and candle. Well we are better equipped. Everything we get, Jill's going to programme on the computer. Music and special sound by DESMOND BRlSCOW BBC Radiophonic Workshop Script editor LOUIS MARKS Designer RICHARD HENRY Producer INNES LLOYD Director PETER SASDY
	22.55	News on 2
			Weather
	23.00	America
			7: A Firebell in the Night
			A Personal History of the United States in 13 parts written and narrated by Alistair Cooke
	23.50	Fred Astaire
			in a special edition of The Dick Cavett Show Fred Astaire recalls a long and uniquely successful career in conversation with DICK CAVETT. With all the old ease and charm he sings again some of his greatest hits including ' Lady Be Good,' ' Cheek to Cheek ' and ' Top Hat, White Tie and Tails ' - and shows he can still make dancing look the easiest thing in the world. An ABC production
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<< Christmas Day 1972 >>