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 1988 >>


\| LWT \| CHANNEL 4 \| BBC ONE \| BBC TWO \|

	LWT
	01.00	ITN News Headlines
	01.05	Otley (1968)
			Starring Tom Courtenay. Followed by ITN News Headlines.
	02.40	Night Network
			With the best of 1988's videos, Spike Milligan in the bunker and Communard Richard Coles reviewing the big screen new releases.
	05.00	ITN News Headlines
			Followed by The Great Santa Claus Caper.
	05.30	Christmas Comes to Pacland
			Animation.
	06.00	TV-am
			0600 Christmas Robins. 0700 Puff the Magic Dragon. 0730 Christmas with TV-am. 0830 Black Beauty.
	09.25	Motormouth on Christmas Day
	10.05	The Little Troll Prince (1987)
			Animation.
	11.00	Christmas Morning Worship
			From St John's Church, Lemsford, Hertfordshire.
	12.00	Disney at Christmas
			Mickey's Moving Day.
	12.15	The Great British Pop Machine
			French and Saunders celebrate the rise of British pop music featuring exclusive performances from right across the current pop music spectrum.
	13.15	Mr. Majeika
			Starring Stanley Baxter.
	14.15	Bullseye Christmas Special
			Starring Jim Bowen.
	15.00	The Queen
			Speaks to the Commonwealth.
	15.10	Christmas Blind Date
			With Cilla Black.
	15.55	The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
			First TV Showing of the Second chapter of the Star Wars Trilogy, Starring Harrison Ford and Mark Hamill.
	18.05	Save the Children
			With Michael Crawford. Christmas music from the West End with proceeds going to the children's charity.
	19.15	Coronation Street
	19.45	10 Years of Alright on the Night
			With Dennis Norden.
	20.45	London's Burning
	22.15	ITN News
	22.25	One More Audience with Dame Edna
	23.30	The Squeeze (1977)
			Starring Stacy Keach.

	CHANNEL 4
	01.40 - 02.30	Max Headroom's Giant Christmas Turkey
	09.30	Christopher's Christmas Mission
			Swedish animated film.
	10.00	Silent Mouse
			Drama.
	11.00	The Waltons
	12.00	Treasure Hunt
			From Florida.
	13.00	Lost in Space
			(12/30) A Visit to Hades
	14.00	Show People (1928)
			Thames Silents
			Starring Marion Davies.
	15.30	Mozart Mass in C Minor
			Recorded in Vienna.
	16.40	John Wells and the Three Wise Men
	17.20	The Queen
			Speaks to the Commonwealth.
	17.30	The Snowman (TVM 1982)
	18.00	Faerie Tale Theatre
			'Pinocchio'.
	19.00	Channel 4 News
	19.02	Time Is a Country
	20.20	Challenge by Fire
			Restoring York Minster four years after the fire which destroyed part of the building.
	21.00	Creole Giselle
			Ballet.
	22.40	Jean-Michel Jarre
			Performing in London's docklands.
	23.45 - 02.40	Human Rights Now!
			A concert from Argentina recorded to mark Human Rights Day. Performers include Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Peter Gabriel and the E Street Band.

	BBC ONE
	00.35	Movie Classics
			Barry Norman introduces a season of cinema greats. The Searchers starring John Wayne and Jeffrey Hunter. When a group of Comanches attack the Edwards' Texan ranch, they kill the older members of the family and kidnap Debbie and the teenager Lucy - later raping and murdering the older girl. Ethan Edwards begins a five-year search for his niece ... In one of his most complex roles, John Wayne stars as the embittered homesteader. Director John Ford makes fine use of the scenery of . Monument Valley. Screenplay by FRANK S. NUGENT From the novel by ALAN LEMAY Produced by MERIAN C. COOPER Directed by JOHN FORD ('The Wicked Lady', Holiday Tuesday at 12.00) 0 BARRY NORMAN : page 24 If CEEFAX SUBTITLES
	02.30	Weather
	06.55	Now It's Christmas
			with Simon Parkin, Andy Crane and their guests. Starting with The Christmas Toy What goes on in the playroom when the children are asleep? It's Christmas Eve and all the toys from previous Christmasses come to life. The big question is: who will be this year's Christmas toy? A HENSON ASSOCIATES production 7.45am The Christmas Raccoons A musical cartoon. Narrated by Rich Little with the voices of Rita Coolidge and Rupert Holmes. As the children and animals living in the Evergreen Forest prepare for Christmas a strange mystery begins to unfold - the forest is slowly disappearing! (R) 8.10am The Nativity Play A fascinatingly simple rendering of the Christmas story. 8.20am Playbus The Why Bird Stop. 8.45am The Pink Panther Show Pink Christmas (R) 9.10am Charlie's Christmas Project Charlie wasn't asking for an expensive present - all he wanted was to look after Arfie. Arfie didn't cost anything and wouldn't take up much room at home since he was a very small dog. Written, produced and directed by GENE MCPHERSON 9.35am Umbrella Christmas Special with Mark Chatterton and Susan Leong. Why did a hooded figure visit the house of a poor merchant with gifts for his daughters, and why did a Manchester man give his daughter a poem for Christmas? Director CELLA THOMSON Producer JUDY MERRY BBC North West 9.58am Weather
	10.00	Christmas Worship
			from Paisley Abbey. In 1163 Walter Fitzalan, the first High Steward of Scotland and founder of the Stewart dynasty, signed the charter that established a House of God in Paisley. The Rev Alan Birss, with the Rev John McArthur, leads the congregation in a service of praise and thanksgiving. Readings: Isaiah 9, w 2, 6, 7 Titus 2, w 11-15 Luke 2, w 1-20 O come, all ye faithful (Adeste fideles); See in yonder manger low (Humility): Of the Father's love begotten (Corde Natus); Rocking; Good Christian men, rejoice (In Dulci Jubilo); Hark! The herald angels sing (Mendelssohn) Director of music GEORGE MCPHEE Organist JOHN LANGDON Sound RON ALLAN Lighting JAMES MAIDEN Television presentation MICHAEL A. SIMPSON BBC Scotland
	11.00	Christmas Morning with Noel
			starring Noel Edmonds. Noel's traditional Christmas show is packed with goodies; including international messages of goodwill and cheer, walks around the country, dedications from very important people and visits to some extremely unusual places. There's a chance to ring in and swap those unwanted Christmas presents, a look at 'Aunty's Bloomers', and a fast and furious studio game for some lucky families who could win a trip to visit friends or relatives overseas, aided and abetted by special celebrity guests. It's all here in one exciting show - and it's live! Script associate MARTIN BOOTH Sound DAVID THOMPSON Lighting ERICWALUS Designer LESSTEPHENSON Produced and directed by MICHAEL LEGGO 0 FEATURE: page 8
	12.05	It's a Charity Knockout
			from Walt Disney World Resort. In this special version of It's a Knockout Stuart Hall introduces three teams from Australia, Great Britain and the USA who compete over a course of crazy games to raise money for Children in Need. Join Mickey, Donald, Goofy and friends in the wonderful setting of the Magic Kingdom and Epcot Centre with their special guests, who include: Jenny Agutter, Joe Bugner BernieClifton, Annabel Croft Eddie 'The Eagle' Edwards The Fat Boys, Gil Gerard Evonne Goolagong. David Gower Rolf Harris, Lloyd Honeyghan George Lazenby, Meatloaf Richard Roundtree, Toyah and from the Harlem Globetrotters, referee Curly Neal. Researcher ROSIE BILLSON Assistant producer JEM KIME Games designer and devisor STUART FURBER Director JOHN ROONEY Executive producer ALAN WALSH BBC North West
	13.00	EastEnders
			by JULIET ACE and TONY HOLLAND. 'Christmasses have a habit of being a bit dramatic in Albert Square.' % CEEFAX SUBTITLES
	14.00	Top of the Pops Christmas Show
			Episode 1298
			Presenting the top hits and videos from 1988 including the Christmas No 1. Introduced by Bruno Brookes, Gary Davies and Anthea Turner. A simultaneous broadcast with Radio 1
	15.00	HM The Queen
			The Queen speaks to the Commonwealth. II CEEFAX SUBTITLES
	15.10	Back to the Future (1985)
			A spectacular adventure in time starring Michael J. Fox Christopher Lloyd Lea Thompson and Crispin Glover. Marty McFly is always late - until the day that he tries out Dr Emmett Brown's time machine and finds himself 30 years early! Stranded in 1955, Marty meets his parents and unwittingly changes their destiny. Can he put things right and return to the future before it's too late? The first television showing of this box-office smash by Robert Zemeckis, director of Who Framed Roger Rabbit ? Screenplay by ROBERT ZEMECKIS and BOB GALE Produced by BOB GALE and NEIL CANTON Directed by ROBERT ZEMECKIS (First showing on British television) 0 FILMS: page 24 CEEFAX SUBTITLES
	17.05	Only Fools and Horses .
			by JOHN SULLIVAN. starring with John Challis Roger Lloyd Pack Kenneth MacDonald Tessa Peake-Jones Sue Holderness Patrick Murray Roy Heather Paul Beringer Andree Bernard Martin Cochrane Nicholas Courtney Maggie Norris Chris Stanton Jean Warren Steven Woodcock Studio lighting DON BABBAGE Film sound MICHAEL SPENCER Film cameraman ALEC CURTIS Designer GRAHAM LOUGH Producer GARETH GWENLAN Director TONY DOW 0 FEATURE: page & CEEFAX SUBTITLES
	18.25	News
			with Moira Stuart Weather BILL GILES
	18.30	A Christmas Celebration
			Cliff Richard and Sally Magnusson host a special Songs of Praise family entertainment with the Arts Centre Group. Each year, stars from the theatre and television join in with artists and technicians for an evening of carols, comedy and song in celebration of Christmas. You are invited to join the festivities with: Russell Boulter Paul Burbridge Wendy Craig Alison Draper Ian Gall, Peter Goodwright Fiona Hendley Thora Hird, Paul Jones Graham Kendrick Ian McCaskill Kathleen McKellar Ferguson Polly March, Pam Rhodes Roger Royle, John Wells Michael Williams Precious Wilson Members of the Arts Centre Group All Souls Orchestra and Choir Choir of St Philips conducted by Noel Tredinnick Sound JOHN CAULFIELD Lighting JOHN KING Associate producer HELEN MORTON Producer CHRISTOPHER MANN Editor STEPHEN WHITTLE CEEFAX SUBTITLES
	19.15	Bread
			written by CARLA LANE Title music by DAVID MACKAY Sound supervisor GRAHAM WILKINSON Lighting director DAVID LOCK Designer PAUL TRERISE Produced and directed by ROBIN NASH CEEFAX SUBTITLES
	20.30	The Russ Abbot Christmas Show
			starring Russ Abbot with special guests Les Dennis Bernard Cribbins and featuring Tom Bright Bella Emberg Sherrie Hewson George Malpas John Nettleton You sit there feeling rotten Each year you never learn, You give expensive presents, But get rubbish in return. Nan's sweater doesn fit you And who would buy those socks? The walnuts are mouldy. Just hard centres in the chocs. You're up to here with turkey, Christmas pudding and hot mince pies. But don't despair, for here at last, Is Russ's big surprise! Script associates BARRY CRYER and PETER VINCENT Musical director ALYN AINSWORTH Staged by JEFF THACKER Choreography PHIL WINSTON Sound LAURIE TAYLOR Lighting director BILL MILLAR Designer DACRE PUNT Produced and directed by JOHN BISHOP 0 FEATURE: page CEEFAX SUBTITLES
	21.10	News
			Moira Stuart brings you the latest pictures stories and events from Britain and around the world. Weather
	21.20	Silverado
			starring Kevin Kline, Scott Glenn and Kevin Costner. Western. A misfit bunch of friends comes together to right the injustices which exist in a small town.
	23.30	The Gospel According to St Matthew
			The Christmas story of the sequel to the birth of Christ from the second chapter of St Matthew, told by Janet Suzman. Director ROGER STOTT Producer JIM MURRAY
	23.40	Broadway Musicals: Carousel
			starring Gordon MacRae and Shirley Jones. This lavish version of Rodgers and Hammerstein's immensely successful show includes the immortal songs Mister Snow, June Is Bustin' Out All Over and You 71 Never Walk Alone. It tells of Billy Bigelow who - in a starry heaven - learns that his wife and daughter on earth are having problems. As he recounts their life together he is told he can return to them - just for a day. Screenplay by PHOEBE EPHRON HENRY EPHRON Music by RICHARD RODGERS Book and lyrics by OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN II from their musical play based on FERENC MOLNAR's Liliom Directed by HENRY KING ('Fiddler on the Roof tomorrow at 11.40pm) 0 FILMS: page 24

	BBC TWO
	10.00	Storm Boy
			starring Greg Rowe Peter Cummins and David Gulpilil. Storm Boy lives with his father in a beautiful, but isolated, part of the south Australian coast. One day he discovers another human being, living among the sand dunes - Fingerbone Bill, a young Aborigine who becomes his friend. When three baby pelicans come into Storm Boy's life, one of them - Mr Percival - becomes a very special friend indeed. This enchanting and visually beautiful film won the Australian Academy Award as 'Best Picture' and has become a modem cinema classic. Screenplay by SONJA BORG based on the novel by COLIN THIELE Directed by HENRI SAFRAN * FILMS: page 24
	11.25	The Bible.... in the Beginning
			starring This epic production draws on the Book of Genesis to the Three Angels. This epic production draws on the Book of Genesis to depict the Creation up to the story of Abraham and Isaac. Using spectacular-photography, the film presents an evocation of the Garden of Eden, Noah's escape from the Flood; the fiasco of the building of the Tower of Babel; and finally the submission of Abraham to God's will. Screenplay by CHRISTOPHER FRY Produced by DINO DE LAURENTILS Directed by JOHN HUSTON 0 FILMS: page 24
	14.10	Islands of the Fire Goddess
			The Hawaiian Islands were born from the fiery womb of the sea; they grew in eruptions of glowing lava into a mighty mountain range. It's a world of ice and snow, sea cliffs and coral sands; spectacular photography reveals the underworld of the volcanoes. Narrated by Jack Watson Producer KEENAN SMART Series editor ANDREW NEAL BBC Bristol
	15.00	Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Concert
			On 11 June this year the whole world tuned in to Wembley Stadium to see and hear the world's top performers celebrate the 70th birthday of the imprisoned South African anti-apartheid leader, Nelson Mandela. The 74,000 people in the stadium were joined by millions around the world who watched artists such as Sting, George Michael and the Eurythmics. (For further details see page 99) In over five hours of non-stop music and comedy, there is a chance to enjoy again the excitement and energy that filled Wembley on 11 June. Top acts paid a musical tribute to Nelson Mandela, including: Farafina, Harry Belafonte Sting, Lenny Henry Amampondo George Michael, Richard Gere, Eurythmics Arnhem Land Dancers Amabutho, H. B. Barnum Al Green, Joe Cocker Ashford and Simpson Natalie Cole, Tracy Chapman Wet Wet Wet Joan Armatrading Midge Ure, Curt Smith Bryan Adams, Bee Gees Jonas Gwangwa Youssou N' Dour, Aswad Mahalitini Queens, UB40 Chrissie Hynde Whoopi Goldberg Billy Connolly, Hugh Masekela Michael Palin, Courtney Pine Simple Minds Steven van Zandt Jerry Dammers, Peter Gabriel Harry Enfield Angolan Dancers Whitney Houston, Derek B Stevie Wonder; Fat Boys Dire Straits, Jessye Norman For BBC: OB producer BOB WILD OB editor TIMOTHY MARSHALL For Elephant House Productions: Director KEN O'NEILL Executive producer NEVILLE BOLT An ELEPHANT HOUSE PRODUCTIONS/BBCtv production (R) revised
	20.20	HM The Queen
			The Christmas Day programme in which HM The Queen speaks to the Commonwealth. With open subtitles and sign-language interpretation. CEEFAX SUBTITLES
	20.30	Once in a Lifetime
			by MOSS HART and GEORGE S. KAUFMAN. Talking pictures have come to Hollywood, threatening the careers of top stars and multi-million-dollar studio magnates alike. Silent pictures are over - how can the stars learn to talk? An out-of-work vaudeville team comes to the rescue ... May Daniels .ZÃ–E WANAMAKER Music composed by CARL DAVIS Designer TONY BURROUGH Lighting ALAN HORNE Costume designer JOYCE MORTLOCK Producer SHAUN SUTTON Director ROBIN MIDGEY A WNET/BBCtv production CEEFAX SUBTITLES
	22.15	The Family
			starring Vittorio Gassman Fanny Ardant Stefania Sandrelli and Philippe Noiret. Carlo lives in the flat where he was born. As the celebrations begin for his 80th birthday, he remembers the crowded years of family life: the wars and revolutions that took place outside; the squabbles and reconciliations at home. Ettore Scola's sprawling family saga chronicles the life of one man, echoing the clamour of a turbulent century. Screenplay by RUGGERO MACCARI ETTORE SCOLA. FURIO SCARPELU Produced by FRANCO COMMITERI Directed by ETTORE SCOLA (An Italian film with English subtitles. First showing on British television) FILMS: page 24
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<< Christmas Day 1988 >>