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 1989 >>


\| LWT \| Thames \| Channel 4 \| BBC One \| BBC Two \|

	LWT
	00.30	Rich Little's Christmas Carol
			Dickens' characters take on the familiar personas of W C Fields and Humphrey Bogart in the actor's adaptation of this classic fireside tale
	01.30	The Comedy Store
			Alternative comedy with Michael Redmond
	01.40	Why Me? (TVM 1984)
	03.20	Burning Rage (TVM 1984)
	05.10	ITN Morning News
	05.15	Scooby Goes to Hollywood
			(Repeat)

	Thames
	06.00	TV-am
			0600 Cartoon Capers. 0730 Benji, Zax and the Alien Prince. 0800 Good Morning Britain.
	09.25	Bugs Bunny and Friends at Christmas
	10.15	The Other Side of Christmas
			A live spectacular from the London Arena in the capital's Docklands. Hosted by Anneka Rice, the programme includes a Christmas morning service from St Michael and All Angels in Hackney and a link with Glasgow Royal Maternity Hospital welcoming Christmas babies to the world.
	12.25	On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969)
			starring George Lazenby, Diana Rigg and Telly Savalas. James Bond does battle with arch villain Blofeld who is attempting to blackmail the world by threatening to unleash a biological time bomb which will destroy plant and animal life.
	15.00	The Queen
	15.15	The B.F.G. (1989)
			Animation Featuring the voice of David Jason as the voice of the BFG.
	17.00	Home and Away
			Steven reveals that Carly has reacted badly to city life.
	17.30	ITN News
	17.40	Strike It Lucky Christmas Special
			with special guest Frank Bruno.
	18.30	Christmas Comedy Box
			Jim Davidson introduces clips from popular shows including those featuring Billy Connolly, Tommy Cooper, Charlie Drake, Kenny Everett, Benny Hill and Morecambe and Wise.
	20.00	Coronation Street
			Ken Barlow has some explaining to do.
	20.30	After Henry
			Realising that without Henry, Christmas will never be the same, Sarah, Eleanor and Clare decide to accept all the invitations they receive.
	21.00	Down and Out in Beverly Hills (1986)
			starring Nick Nolte and Bette Midler.
	22.55	ITN News
	23.10	Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
			starring Harrison Ford. Archaeologist Indiana Jones learns that the Nazis have found the lost Egyptian city containing the Well of Souls, fabled resting place of the ancient Ark of the Covenant. He soon becomes involved in a hair-raising chase to prevent the omnipotent Ark from falling into the hands of the Germans.

	Channel 4
	01.40 - 03.05	Monkey Business (1931)
			Classic MARX BROTHERS comedy which finds GROUCHO, HARPO, CHICO and ZEPPO as stowaways running riot on board a transatlantic liner.
	06.00	Creation
			Live recording of Joseph Hadyn's Creation performed at the Alte University in vienna. (rpt)
	07.00	Dennis
			More mischievous antics of the American comic character.
	07.25	Aladdin
			An animated feature-length version of the story of Aladdin and his magic lamp.
	08.45	Countdown Masters
			with Richard Whiteley
	08.55	Dai Mouse
			Series about a mouse who is brought to life from a tapestry remnant by cushion makers. Narrated by DAVID JASON.
	09.10	The Poetry Book
			A compilation of poems blending the beauty of classic verse with stunning illustration, today includes The Charge of the Light Brigade, The Walrus and the Carpenter and The Dong with thee Luminous Nose, read by ALAN BENNETT, PAUL SCOFIELD and DEREK JACOBS.
	09.25	Sesame Street
			Christmas Special
			This Christmas musical special is now an annual event in the USA, featuring the Sesame Street cast with Big Bird, Jim Henson's Muppets and skaters from Holiday on Ice.
	10.30	The Adventures of Tintin
			Shooting Star
			A new daily serial featuring the adventures of Tintin and his friends.
	10.35	The Batman
			(3/15)
			Saving a train from derailment leaves the Batman in a life-and-death situation as he lies unconscious on the tracks.
	11.00	Silent Mouse
			The curious true story of the origination of the carol Silent Night featuring GREGOR FISHER and narrated by LYNN REDGRAVE. (rpt) Narrator - Lynn Redgrave Franz Gruber - Gregor Fisher Joseph Mohr - Jack McKenzie Karl Maraycher - Bill McCue Patter Nostler - Phil McCall Father Ambrosius - John Cairney Felix Gruber - Richard Blane Felix Gruber's voice - Mary Riggans Mrs Gruber - Zdenka Sajfertová King's Choirmaster - John Moore Writer: Jocelyn Stevenson Producer / Director: Robin Crichton Edinburgh Film Production
	12.00	The Greatest (Little) Show on Earth
			Australia's Fabulous, Fantastic Flying Fruit Circus in performance and behind the scenes, narrated by JOHN FLAUS.
	13.00	George and Rosemary
			A funny and moving National Board of Canada cartoon by Alison Snowden and David Fine.
	13.10	Olivier Tribute: Pride and Prejudice (1940)
			The first in a three-film Christmas tribute to the late Lord Olivier, starring OLIVIER as the haughty Mr Darcy in the magnificent MGM film version of the classic novel by Jane Austin. The Bennets have five daughters for whom Mother is bent on finding husbands, often to Father's despair. Made in black and white See page 127 and film guide, beginning page 47 Oracle subtitles page 888 Elizabeth Bennet - Greer Garson Mr Darcy - Laurence Olivier Mrs Bennet - Mary Boland Mr Bennet - Edmund Gwenn Jane Bennet - Maureen O'Sullivan Kitty Bennet - Heather Angel Mary Bennet - Marsha Hunt Lydia Bennet - Ann Rutherford Screenplay: Aldous Huxley, Jane Murfin from Jane Austin's novel. Director: Robert Z. Leonard
	15.25	Birthday
			Dame Judi Dench reads a selection of poetry from Lakeland aesthete The Reverend Alan Ecclestone, whose message is that the greatest birthday of all is really the birthday of us all. Written / Presented: Alan Ecclestone Producers: Tim Cooper, Alison Porteous HED Production
	15.40	An Evening for Armenia
			This gala, recorded earlier this year at the Royal Opera House, brings together opera and ballet stars from the East and West in support of the victims of the Armenian earthquake. (rpt) International and opera stars come together at the Royal Opera House for a gala in aid of The British Red Cross Armenian Earthquake Appeal. These highlights feature stars of the Bolshoi and Kirov Ballets, Sadler's Wells Royal Ballet, Thomas Allen, Natalia Makarova, Anthony Dowell, Carol Vaness, The Royal Opera House Orchestra and Chorus. Everyone involved in the production donated their services. Holmes Associates Production
	17.10	The Queen
			Her Majesty the Queen gives her traditional address to the nation and the Commonwealth. (With subtitles and signing for the deaf and hard of hearing).
	17.25	Channel 4 News
	17.30	The Snowman (TVM 1982)
			A repeat of the BAFTA award-winning animated version of Raymond Brigg's picture book about the adventures of a 1ittle boy and a snowman, with HOWARD BLAKES's magnificent musical accompaniment.
	18.00	The Little Sweep
			Benjamin Britten's delightful short opera about an eight-year old sweep who is rescued from a life of Dickensian misery by a group of children and their governess.
	19.00	Circus of the Sun (Le Cirque du Soleil)
			An untraditional performance, inspired from the Chinese circus which is based on team performances and not on individual stars, in which animals do not play a major role.
	20.00	Brookside
			(749/2915)
			Sue and Terry's 'quiet' Christmas is shattered by the arrival of Jonathan, Barry and Jack. Katie spends a terrifying day in the dark and Jimmy and Sinbad plunge the Roger's house into darkness while rigging the 1ights on their 'knock off' Christmas present for Billy and Sheila.
	20.30	Cheers
			Home is the Sailor
			Launching a Christmas season of classic US comedy repeats. Sam returns to the Boston bar after his round-the-world-sailing trip to find a new manager in his place! With TED DANSON and KIRSTIE ALLEY.
	21.00	Olivier Tribute: Richard III (1955)
			LAURENCE OLIVIER's classic film of the Shakespeare play with a superb cast including RAL PH RICHARDSON, JOHN GIELGUD, CEDRIC HARDWICKE and CLAIRE BLOOM, the second in the Olivier Tribute. England in the 15th century. The power-hungry Richard Crookback covets the throne of England. He plans to murder all those who stand in his way. See page 127 and film guide, beginning page 47 Richard III - Laurence Olivier Buckingham - Ralph Richardson Clarence - John Gielgud Edward IV - Sir Cedric Hardwicke Henry Tudor - Stanley Baker Hastings - Alec Clunes Catesby - Norman Wooland Queen Elizabeth - Mary Kerridge Jane Shore - Pamela Brown Dighton - Michael Gough Stanley - Laurence Naismith Duchess of York - Helen Haye Lovel - John Laurie Brakenbury - Andrew Cruickshank Rivers - Clive Morton Screenplay: Alan Dent, Laurence Olivier from the play by William Shakespeare Director: Laurence Olivier
	23.55	La Nativité du Seigneur
			by Olivier Messiaen
			Messiaen's organ masterpiece celebrating the glory of Christmas, performed by virtuoso interpreter JENNIFER BATE and recorded in the Cathedral of Norwich. Digital Stereo Sound (London/Yorkshire only) Producer / Director: Clem Shaw Prometheus Production

	BBC One
	00.20	Love Story
			Starring and The idyllic romance between the upper-class Oliver and Jenny develops into an enduring love which their conflicting family backgrounds do little to upset. But even true love cannot guarantee happiness. Screenplay by ERICH SEGAL Produced by HOWARD G MINSKY Directed by ARTHUR HILLER 0 FILMS: page 25 CEEFAX SUBTITLES
	02.00	Weather and Close
	07.00	The Nativity Play
			With Andi Peters and Lisa Jones. The Christmas story. (R)
	07.10	Bluetoes-the Christmas Elf
			The elves are preparing for Santa's big journey on Christmas Eve, including the elf called Small One.
	07.30	Playdays
			The Christmas Tree Stop Puppeteer: Jane Eve. Story: Papa Panov's Special Day by Ruben Saillens adapted by Leo Tolstoy retold by Mig Holder . Illustrations by Tony Morris. Music JONATHAN COHEN and WILL HILL
	07.50	Ziggy's Gift
			Ziggy takes a job as a street-comer Santa. Music and lyrics by HARRY NILSSON Directed by RICHARD WILLIAMS (R)
	08.15	A Merry Mirthworm Christmas
			Bert Worm tries to help with the Christmas preparations. (R)
	08.40	A Flintstone Christmas
			Seasonal fun with Fred, Barney and the gang.
	09.30	Eggs 'n' Baker
			With Cheryl Baker. Jason, Sinitta, Big Fun and Sonia all help, and Jimmy Somerville performs his newest release. Goodies galore, with festivities at Hatfield House and more ... Director J.F.D. NORTHOVER Producer MADELINE WILTSHIRE BBC North West
	09.55	Weather
	10.00	Christmas Celebration
			Roy Castle joins the congregation of his home church, Gold Hill Baptist in Buckinghamshire. Service led by the Rev Jim Graham. Preacher: the Rev Bob Allen. Reading: Luke 2, w 4-14. 0 Come, All Ye Faithful; Away in a Manger; The First Nowell; See, amid the Winter's Snow; Joy to the World; Angels from the Realms of Glory; Hark! The Herald Angels Sing; Come On and Celebrate. Director SIMON HAMMOND Producer CHRIS LOUGHUN
	11.00	Noel's Christmas Presents
			The programme has travelled all over the world to give some very unusual presents to some very special people. Join Noel Edmonds to count down the 12 days of Christmas with a gift for each day. Script associate CHARLIE ADAMS Written by MARTIN BOOTH . BRIAN LEVESON and PAUL MINETT Directed by BILL MORTON Produced by MICHAEL LEGGO 0 CHILDREN: pope 23
	12.00	Christmas Comedy Cracker
			A lunchtime menu of classic BBC comedy. Starting with Porridge By Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais. Starring Disturbing the Peace (R)
	12.30	Dad's Army
			By Jimmy Perry and David Croft. Starring and My Brother and I Capt Mainwaring gives a party. Designer ROBERT BERK Producer DAVID CROFT (R)
	13.10	Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em
			Written by Raymond Allen. Starring and Jessica's First Christmas Frank offers to build the set for the Nativity play. Producer MICHAEL MILLS (R)
	14.00	Top of the Pops Christmas Show
			Episode 1351
			A review of the chart-topping pop records of 1989. Introduced by Jakki Brambles Bruno Brookes, Gary Davies. Produced and directed by STANLEY APPEL
	15.00	The Queen
			HM The Queen speaks to the Commonwealth. CEEFAX SUBTITLES
	15.15	Bread
			Written by Carla Lane. The Boswell Christmas stocking filled with some fun, sadness and surprises. Title music by DAVID MACKAY Produced and directed by ROBIN NASH CEEFAX SUBTITLES
	16.05	Only Fools and Horses...
			By John Sullivan. Starring and with The Jolly Boys' Outing Producer GARETH GWENLAN Director TONY DOW 0 COMEDY: page 4 CEEFAX SUBTITLES
	17.30	News
			With Jill Dando. Weather Michael Fish
	17.35	The Russ Abbot Christmas Show
			Special guest star Les Dennis. Featuring Bella Emberg Sherrie Hewson, Tom Bright and Michael Stainton. Jack Frost roasting by an open fire, chestnuts nipping at your nose - pull up your television set and join Russ Abbot in his Yuletide festivities. See the golden days of the Hollywood musical revived by joke-to-joke resuscitation. See Russ and Les Dennis celebrating the New Year together separately. See the Phantom of the Opera as you've never seen it before. A Merry Russmas and an Abbot New Year! Produced and directed by JOHN BISHOP CEEFAX SUBTITLES
	18.15	Crocodile Dundee
			starring Paul Hogan and Linda Kozlowski. Mick Dundee, nicknamed 'Crocodile' because of his tall tales of survival, is a modern-day hero, a larger-than-life character with a broad sense of humour and a unique outlook on life. American reporter Sue Charlton travels to the outback to discover the man behind the legend and uncovers more than she bargained for. But that's nothing compared to what Mick finds when he goes to New York and takes a walkabout on the wild side! A special presentation of the famous comedy adventure which made an international star of Australian comedian Paul Hogan. Screenplay by PAUL HOGAN KEN SHADIE and JOHN CORNELL Directed by PETER FAIMAN 0 FILMS: page 25 CEEFAX SUBTITLES
	19.50	Miss Marple
			A Caribbean Mystery
			by Agatha Christie. Screenplay by T. R. Bowen. Sent on a recuperative holiday to Barbados, Miss Marple finds the Golden Palm Hotel - a tropical paradise of blue sea, white sand and lush vegetation - a rather dull place where nothing seems to occur. But it soon turns out to be a Garden of Eden where a dangerous serpent lurks. Music by KEN HOWARD Film editors BERNARD ASHBY and PAUL GARRICK Designer DON GILES Photography JOHN WALKER Directed by CHRISTOPHER PETIT Produced by GEORGE GALLACCIO * DRAMA: page 12 CEEFAX SUBTITLES
	21.40	In Sickness and in Health
			By Johnny Speight. Christmas on an old-age pension holds no cheer for Alf. While others have turkey and lots of drink, all he has to look forward to is bread and cheese, so he decides to follow the advice: 'The Lord helps those who help themselves.' Alf Garnett. .... WARREN MITCHELL Produced and directed by RICHARD BODEN 0 COMEDY: page 4 * CEEFAX SUBTITLES
	22.10	News
			With Jill Dando. Weather
	22.20	Clockwise
			Starring and For headmaster Brian Stimpson this will be no ordinary day, but not in the way this most meticulous man has planned ... Due to address a prestigious conference in Norwich, he misses his train - the first setback in an increasingly hysterical race against the clock. This frenetic farce teams the author of the stage comedy Noises Off with the star of A Fish Called Wanda to great success. Screenplay by MICHAEL FRAYN Directed by CHRISTOPHER MORAHAN (First showing on British television) 0 FILMS: page 25 CEEFAX SUBTITLES
	23.55	Christmas Epilogue
			The Word Made Flesh Alec McCowen reads the prologue to St John's Gospel. Director GARRY BOON Producer HELEN ALEXANDER

	BBC Two
	08.25	The Third Man
			Starring Three Dancing Turtles
	08.50	Buck Rogers
			(2/12)
			Starring Buster Crabbe 2: Tragedy of Saturn
	09.10	Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe
			(2/12) Freezing Torture
			Starring Buster Crabbe
	09.30	Berlin Freedom Concert
			Live by satellite from East Berlin. Leonard Bernstein conducts Beethoven's Choral Symphony. In the spirit of Schiller's Ode to Joy, with which the work ends, the conductor, with an orchestra assembled from both sides of the Iron Curtain, projects the message: 'All men shall be brothers.' Directed by HUMPHREY BURTON
	11.00	Film for the Family: The Prince and the Pauper
			Continuing a short season of holiday films for the family. Starring and When Prince Edward meets his exact double, street urchin Tom, he thinks it would be a joke to change places with him for the night. But his disguise works too well... Screenplay by GEORGE MACDONALD FRASER Directed by RICHARD FLEISCHER ('The Black Stallion' tomorrow at 6.00pm) * FILMS: page 25 * CEEFAX SUBTITLES
	13.00	The Boy and the Snowgoose
			Written and animated by GAYLE THOMAS A National Film Board of Canada production
	13.10	Fred Astaire
			Change Partners and Dance The second of two documentaries narrated by Joanne Woodward. (R) ('Swing Time' tomorrow 9.30am)
	14.00	Amsterdam Christmas Concert
			Live from the Concertgebouw. This traditional concert has always featured grand Romantic works. The new principal conductor Riccardo Chailly conducts a performance of Ravel's sumptuous ballet Daphnis and Chloe in a concert version. With the Groot Radio Choir and the Concertgebouw Orchestra. Introduced by Chris de Souza. Directed for NOS by JELLIE DEKKER
	15.00	The Pagnol Trilogy: Marius
			Starring and From the 1930s to the 1980s - from Marius to Jean de Florette- audiences have taken the Marcel Pagnol's loveable, temperamental characters to their hearts. Set in and around a harbour cafe in the south of France, Marius tells the story of a young man torn between his love of the sea and his love of the girl next door. César................ RAIMU Written and produced by MARCEL PAGNOL Directed by ALEXANDER KORDA 0 FILMS: page 25
	17.00	Aida from the Met
			An opera by Giuseppe Verdi. Starring Set among the pyramids of ancient Egypt, Aida is Verdi's grandest opera. In this new production from the Metropolitan Opera, New York, British director Sonja Frisell focuses on the drama's conflict between public duty and private desire. Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera House, New York, conductor JAMES LEVINE Set designer GIANNI QUARANTA Costume designer DADA SALIGERI Italian text by ANTONIO GHISLANZONI English subtitles by GILLIAN WIDDICOMBE Television director BRIAN LARGE 0 MUSIC: page 16
	19.35	The Queen
			Her Majesty speaks to the Commonwealth (with open subtitles and sign language interpretation). Sign language presenter: Maureen Denmark.
	19.50	Babette's Feast (1987)
			Starring In a small windswept village in Denmark two sisters try to follow their father's strict religious precepts. Little do they realise when they take in a destitute French woman that they are opening the door to temptation. This adaptation of Karen Blixen's heartwarming tale won the Oscar for best foreign film in 1987. Written and directed by GABRIEL AXEL (A Danish film with English subtitles. First showing on British television. Karen Blixen's 'Out of Africa' on New Year's Day at 8.05pm on BBC1) 0 FILMS: page 25
	21.30	Plum
			P.G. Wodehouse, perhaps best known and best loved of English comic novelists, is still something of a mystery. Affable and accessible to journalists, he was cripplingly shy and remained inscrutable about his private life. Bookmark traces his career, from an Edwardian middle class family to his experiences in a German internment camp, with the help of Tom Sharpe, Barrie Pitt, Lady Frances Donaldson, Sir Edward Cazalet and Lt Col Norman Murphy, a Wodehouse scholar who claims to have discovered the origins of Blandings Castle. Film editor JEFF SHAW Producer NIGEL WILLIAMS ('Wodehouse on Broadway' tomorrow at 4.30pm) 0 DOCUMENTARY: page 18
	22.40	Viva Leone! My Name Is Nobody
			Starring and This flamboyant western marks the passing of the Old West. A supreme gunfighter hopes to find peaceful retirement in Europe, but the persistent admiration of a young man called 'Nobody' prevents him from hanging up his pistols until he can defeat the 150 horsemen of the 'Wild Bunch'. Screenplay by ERNESTO GALDI Producer SERGIO LEONE Directed by TONlNO VALERII (First showing on British television. 'The Good, the Bad and the Ugly' tomorrow at 11.25pm) 0 FILMS: page 25
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<< Christmas Day 1989 >>