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 1993 >>


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

	LWT
	00.50	The Alamo (1960)
			Starring John Wayne
	03.45	Ryan's Four (1983)
	05.05	The Trials of Rosie O'Neill
			The Man from ELF
	05.55	Morning News
	06.00	GMTV
			0600 News and Weather 0616 Rosie and Jim 0635 Muppet Babies 0706 Count Duckula
	07.40	Saturday Disney
			0745 The Adventures of Winnie the Pooh 0810 Chip 'n Dale 0840 Darkwing Duck
	09.25	Christmas Morning Worship
			From the Cathedral Church of St Peter, Bradford.
	10.30	Cartoon Time
	10.40	What's Up Doc?
	11.30	The ITV Chart Show
			The Video Vault features Band Aid 2 with "Do They Know It's Christmas?"
	12.30	Movies, Games and Videos
	13.00	News and Weather
	13.05	Cartoon Time
			Bugs Bunny.
	14.00	Six Little Angels
	15.00	The Queen
	15.05	The NeverEnding Story (1984)
	16.50	ITN News
			Weather; Regional Weather
	17.00	Beadle's Daredevils
	18.00	National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989)
			Starring Chevy Chase.
	19.50	ITN News
			with Libby Weiner
			Weather; Regional Weather
	20.00	Field of Dreams (1989)
			Starring Kevin Coster and Ray Liotta.
	21.55	D.O.A. (1988)
			Starring Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan.
	23.40	Dreaming of a White Christmas
			The Life and Music of Irving Berlin

	Channel 4
	00.10	The Word
			Christmas Special
			The wildest, the weirdest and the wackiest moments from the show that's had more than its fair share over the past year.
	01.10	Manhattan Cable's Christmas Extravanganza
			Xmas in New York
			LAURIE PIKE appears with RuPAUL (who has his own show on Tuesday 21 December) with Christmas messages direct from MRS MOUTH, AUNT GAIL, JOHN WALLOWITCH and the Lassie of the Nineties, DIRTY THE DOG. Special stories include the rehabilitation of drug addicts to become Father Christmas, the festive lawn layouts of New York's suburbia and the window displays to beat all window displays.
	01.55 - 02.50	L.A. Law
			Princess And The Pee
			Kusak finds out a rival attorney in a personal-injury suit never passed the bar. Now on her own, Abby hires an off-duty cop for back-up but their relationship soon blooms further.
	05.00	4-Tel on View
	06.00	The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
			The Gnome King has captured the Emerald City and wants all the emeralds...
	06.25	Heathcliff
			The cat and his gang are on the prowl for more adventures.
	06.40	Bobobobs
			Su Su is getting married - but her home planet must be cleaned up a bit first...
	07.05	Up on the House Top
			A surprise visit makes the Curtis' Christmas really bright. Animated special.
	07.35	The Boy Who Dreamed Christmas
			The animated adventures of one little boy and his Christmas dreams.
	08.00	For Better or Worse
			A Christmas Angel
			More animated extracts of family life. Today, it's a case of teen angst.
	09.00	White Camel
			Animated tale of the boy-king Melkior and his grandfather's wish that he have a white camel. As he searches for the elusive beast, Melkior is joined by Caspar and Balthazar and together they follow a mysterious star... all the way to Bethlehem.
	09.55	Saved by the Bell
			Zack and the gang help a homeless man at the Mall - but what's his relationship to Laura?
	10.20	The Great St Trinian's Train Robbery (1966)
	12.05	Harold Lloyd: The Third Genius
			(1/2)
			As a prelude to a season of Harold Lloyd's films, this two-part documentary profiles (concluding tomorrow) the comic genius behind the spectacular silent movies. With rare archive footage, stills and interviews, KEVIN BROWNLOW and DAVID GILL present the classic American success story of the boy from Nebraska who went on to be responsible for more comedies than Chaplin and Keaton combined and created some of the most sensational movie stunts ever performed.
	13.05	Gingernutt's Xmas Circus
			Christmas adventures in the Animaland series. Vintage animation from the David Hand studio.
	13.10	Christmas in Rome
			(2/3)
			In the second programme from the Basilica di Santa Maggiore in Rome, TREVOR PINNOCK and THE ENGLISH CONCERT perform 17th and 18th century music for Christmas, including a Scarlatti cantata, with soprano NANCY ARGENTA and Corelli's Concerto Grosso in G Minor.
	13.50	The One and Only Groucho
			As an introduction to a late-night season of MARX BROTHERS comedies, this intimate and revealing portrait pays tribute to the most charismatic of the comedy team. Groucho was the creation of JULIUS MARX, one of cinema's maddest wise-cracking gagsmiths, perpetually sporting a cigar, manic eyebrows and a painted moustache. This documentary follows the career of this extraordinary creation, as movie star, author and host of the original You Bet Your Life and his return to the stage with a one-man show at the ripe old age of 72.
	15.00	The Alternative Christmas Message
			Xmas in New York
			Continuing a great British television tradition, Channel 4 presents a distinctive queen's speech - a heartfelt Christmas message from New York's most famous British emigré, QUENTIN CRISP. Mr Crisp will address the nation from the sumptuous surroundings of the Plaza Hotel. Britain's mo0st acerbic elder statesman, resident in New York for some years and well-known for his occasional observations on various issues, will also be seen taking a carriage ride through Central Park.
	15.15	Christmas Star
			What was the Star of Bethlehem? Was it a comet, a supernova, a conjunction of the planets? What exactly was it that guided the Magi to Christ's birthplace? This documentary is a fascinating scientific and historical exploration of the Christmas Star, investigating the phenomena of fireballs and exploding stars, the science of astronomy and the significant observations of sky-watchers in ancient China and Babylon. Together with clues from the Gospel of Saint Matthew, science provides a surprising answer.
	16.15	HM The Queen
			Christmas Message
			The Queen addresses Britain and the Commonwealth. Signed and subtitled.
	16.25	The Snowman (TVM 1982)
			Raymond Briggs' best-selling story of a boy's Christmas adventure is brought to life in this enchanting animation which has been shown every year since Channel 4 began. As the snow falls, a little boy races outside to build a snowman and later, when everyone's asleep, the snowman comes life to whisk his creator off on a mission to meet a Very Important Person at the North Pole...
	16.55	Brookside
			Omnibus
			Difficult times seem to loom ahead for the Jordaches, Sinbad is left open-mouthed by Beth's revelation, and Ron Dixon gets a surprise Christmas present.
	18.20	Christmas with Luciano Pavarotti
			A Christmas concert performed by LUCIANO PAVAROTTI, with Les Petits Chanteurs du Mont-Royal and Les Disciples du Massenet, conducted by Gilbert Patenaude and Franz-Paul Decker, accompanied by organist Pierre de Grandmaison, in Montreal's vast and spectacular Notre-Dame Cathedral. The musical celebration includes Minuit, Chrétiens, Pieta Signore, Les Anges Dans Nos Campagnes, Bizet's Agnus Dei, Franck's Panis Angelicus and Adeste Fideles.
	19.25	Channel 4 News
			and weather
	19.30	Cousin Bobby
			Xmas in New York
			Screened as a Witness special, the premiere of JONATHAN (Silence Of The Lambs) DEMMEs documentary about his cousin, THE REVEREND ROBERT CASTLE. He's a Minister at St Mary's Episcopal Church on 126th Street in New York's Harlem, ministering to a mainly Black and Hispanic parish, and has been active in community organisation and civil rights for more than 40 years, even taking an anti-Vietnam stance long before its acceptability. Demme, who had not seen his cousin for 30 years, talks about Castle's life and influences and follows him as he takes the church on to the streets.
	20.30	Swan Song
			SIR JOHN GIELGUD takes the lead role in this Academy Award-nominated short film of Chekhov's short story, directed by Kenneth Branagh. The night of his farewell performance, an aging actor wanders on to the stage long after the theatre has emptied to re-live the great Shakespearean characters of his illustrious career. RICHARD BRIERS co-stars as the theatre's homeless prompter who takes an interest in the elderly actor's stories of the past.(There is another Chekhov short film tomorrow night).
	21.00	La Fanciulla del West
			PLACIDO DOMINGO takes the role of a romantic bandit Dick Johnson in Puccini's Wild West opera, in a production specially designed for television by the Metropolitan Opera. A tale of passion and courage, Fanciulla is set in a rugged mining town in the days of the Californian gold rush. The superb cast includes BARBARA DANIELS as Minnie, the saloon keeper and mother-figure who is in love with Johnson, and SHERRILL MILNES as Jack Rance, the Sheriff who wants her for himself.
	23.30	The Alternative Christmas Message
			Xmas in New York
			Another opportunity to see QUENTIN CRISP's Christmas address to the nation.
	23.50	Robin Williams Live at the Met
			Comedian and actor ROBIN WILLIAMS takes to the stage for a punishingly brilliant hour of stand-up comedy. Wickedly perceptive and endearingly off-beat, Williams finds humour in his own misguided past, the mysteries of childbirth and the newfound joys of parenthood.

	BBC One
	00.55	The Philadelphia Story (1940)
			Classic Oscar-winning comedy starring Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, James Stewart The preparations for the wedding of socialite Tracy Lord to wealthy George Kittredge are turned upside down by the arrival of Lord's first husband. Director George Cukor FILM REVIEWS pages 46-65
	02.45	Weather and Close
	06.20	Henry's Cat
			With Philippa Forrester. Stereo Rpt
	06.25	Candy ClausRpt
	06.50	Mythical Magical Creatures
	07.00	Felix the Cat
	07.15	Peter Pan and the Pirates
	07.40	The Flintstones
			Seasonal cartoon fun.
	08.30	Live and Kicking on Christmas Day
			A festive frenzy of music, comedy and gunge. Musical guests are Eternel, but watch out for special stars in the Famous for Five Minutes slot, and surprise visitors throughout the show. There's a celebrity Run the Risk with Shane Richie and Peter Simon introducing teams from EastEnders, Gladiators and Maid Marian and Her Merry Men, plus the usual cartoon fun. With Andi Peters, Emma Forbes, John Barrowman, Trev Neal and Simon Hickson. SEE THIS WEEK page 12
	09.58	Weather
	10.00	The Giant Nativity Festivity
			Roger Royle, Bernard Hill and Sally Ann Matthews celebrate with 1,000 people in a circus tent in Liverpool, to sing carols, and see the Christmas story told by circus performers and local people. Stereo
	10.45	Scrooge
			Star-studded musical adaptation of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol, starring Albert Finney Alec Guinness Ebeneezer Scrooge dismisses Christmas as "humbug". Can a host of ghosts change his mind? With Edith Evans, Kenneth More, Michael Medwin, Laurence Naismith, David Collings, Anton Rodgers, Roy Kinnear, Gordon Jackson. Director Ronald Neame (1970)
	12.35	Christmas Comedy Cracker
			Double-bill of family comedy. TheTwoRonnies Messrs Barker and Corbett's 1985 Christmas show. With guest, singer Phil Collins. 1.30 Dad's Army The platoon plans a turkey dinner for pensioners.
	14.00	Top of the Pops
			Christmas 1993
			Including performances from Take That, 2 Unlimited, the Bluebells, Gabrielle and M People.
	15.00	The Queen
			Her Majesty's Christmas message to the Commonwealth. Stereo Subtitled
	15.10	Noel's Christmas Presents
			Noel Edmonds and his team travelled the world to bring together these nine extraordinary stories, each one delivering a unique Christmas present to people who deserve something that money can'tbuy. This is the fourth time that viewers have written in to nominate friends and loved ones to receive a special gift. SEETHISWEEKpage4
	16.05	Back to the Future III (1990)
			Another time-travelling comedy adventure starring Michael J Fox Christopher Lloyd Trapped in 1955, Marty McFly needs help to get back to the future again. But to get there he must first travel to the wild west of 1885, to protect the future for Doc Emmett Brown, inventor of the time machine. Director Robert Zemeckis (1990)
	17.55	News
			With John Humphrys. Weather Penny Tranter
	18.05	Only Fools and Horses
			Del and Rodney Trotter return for what could be their last appearance for some time, according to writer John Sullivan. "We finished the last series in and did a Christmas special last year," says Sullivan, "and I could happily write a new series right now. I'm always happy in the world of the Nag's Head." Plans for a 1993 series were put on hold when David Jason signed to Yorkshire Television for Touchof Frost (startingin January). "The earliest we could do it now would be 1995." But as compensation we at least have this special, feature-length episode. His enthusiasm for fatherhood and domesticity having palled, Del is determined to escape from the pipe-and-slippers atmosphere of Nelson Mandela House and put in some serious drinking time. But will Raquel let him? It's s left to Rodney - suffering his own problems with Cassandra's insistence that they start a family - to try and talk sense into his brother. Director Tony Dow ; Producer Gareth Gwenlan SEE THIS WEEK page 4
	19.30	EastEnders
			The Fowlers are determined not to rise to the Chapmans' bait. Phil is late for Kathy's party and Mandy and Aidan are left out in the cold. (For cast see Thursday 23 December)
	20.00	Birds of a Feather
			A special holiday edition has the trio from Chigwell hitting Tinseltown, in a transatlantic comedy adventure. Sharon and Tracey knew they were adopted, but made a pact never to seek out their real parents. However, when their Aunty Sylvie dies and leaves them their birth certificates, they discover their father may be a celebrity. With Dorien in tow, they fly off to Hollywood to search for him. With guest appearances from movie star George Hamilton and George Wendt, Norm in Cheers. Episode written by Geoffrey Deane Direct or/ProducerChar!ie Hanson An Alomo production for BBCtv SEETWSWE£Kpage4
	21.00	News
			With John Humphrys. Weather Penny Tranter
	21.10	Ghost (1990)
			Oscar-winning supernatural thriller that proves true love never dies, starring Patrick Swayze Demi Moore Whoopi Goldberg Soon after setting up home with girlfriend Molly Jensen, banker Sam Wheat is killed by a mugger. But Sam's spirit refuses to leave Molly. When he discovers that he was murdered, and that Molly's life is now in danger, he persuades fake spiritualist Oda Mae Brown to help him warn her. Director Jerry Zucker FILM REVIEWS pages 46-65
	23.10	Morecambe and Wise Christmas Show
			The annual show by the country's greatest-ever double act became as essential a part of the season's viewing as the Queen's Christmas Message, and this is a vintage edition from 1977. The celebrities eager for ritual humiliation at the hands of Eric and Ernie include Penelope Keith. She agrees to appear in one of Ern's plays, but only if she can make a glamorous, musical entrance down a staircase. Singer Elton John arrives to perform on the show, but never quite makes it to the stage. Actors Francis Matthews and Angharad Rees perform in a couple of mini-dramas. Plus singer Stella Starr, and a host of guest celebrities. Written by Eddie Braben Director/Producer Ernest Maxim Rpt

	BBC Two
	00.20	A Ghost Story for Christmas
			The Treasure of Abbot Thomas A window holds a clue to hidden treasure. With Michael Bryant, Sheila Dunn, Anne Blake, Frank Mills, Virginia Balfour, Paul Lavers, John Herrington and Peggy Aitchison. Dramatised by John Bowen, from the story by M R James Producer Rosemary Hill Director Lawrence Gordon Clark
	01.00	Weatherview
	01.05	The Fly
			A short, dark festive season - Black Christmas - begins with a horror starring Vincent Price A scientist uses a matter transmitter without realising that a fly is caught in it. Director Kurt Neumann (1958) FILM REVIEWS pages 46-65
	02.40	Closedown
	07.00	Rio Lobo (1970)
			Western starring John Wayne As the Civil War ends, former enemies join forces to track down missing gold. Director Howard Hawks FILM REVIEWS pages 46-65
	08.50	White Christmas (1954)
			Musical starring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye Reworking of Holiday Inn, which gave Christmas its biggest hit song. Director Michael Curtiz FILM REVIEWS pages 46-65
	10.45	Athletics
			Highlights from the world athletics championships held in Stuttgart in August. British gold, American dominance and Chinese women distance runners made a memorable championship.
	11.45	Inside the Wrong Trousers
			Behind-the-scenes look at the work of Oscar-winning animator Nick Park, the man behind Creature Comforts and Wallace and Gromit. Park's A Grand Day Out is shown at 5.35pm.
	12.15	The Way of the Cross in Sarajevo
			In the devastated city, a remarkable Mass is held as two priests follow a contemporary road to Cavalry.
	12.40	The Railway Children (1971)
			Family drama starring Dinah Sheridan, Jenny Agutter E Nesbit's classic story telling the adventures of three London children whose peaceful lives are turned upside down one Christmas. Written and directed by Lionel Jeffries
	14.25	Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
			Disaster strikes the Banks family Christmas.
	14.50	A Tribute to Rudolf Nureyev
			People across the world mourned the death earlier this year of Rudolf Nureyev, the Russian-born dancer who became one of the most famous figures in the history of ballet. In this documentary paying tribute to his life and work, colleagues including Dame Ninette de Valois, Dame Merle Park, and Natalia Makarova share their memories of a man who was also a choreographer, ballet director, producer, actor and conductor. The programme includes excerpts from Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker, and is followed by a film of Nureyev in performance.
	15.35	Romeo and Juliet (1966)
			Shakespeare's tragic love story is told in this ballet showing Rudolf Nureyev in one of his famous roles, opposite Margot Fonteyn, with whom he made his Covent Garden debut in 1962. By the time this film was made, theirs had become a renowned partnership. With music by Prokofiev and the designs of Nicholas Georgiadis, it was the first full-length work for the Royal Ballet by Kenneth MacMillan, who died last year. Director Paul Czinner FILM REVIEWS pages 46-65
	17.35	A Grand Day Out
			In this Claymation comedy from Creature Comforts director, Nick Park, Wallace, an amiable inventor, sets off with his dog Gromit for an outing to the Moon. This first Wallace and Gromit adventure won a Bafta award for best animated film. This is one of three Animated2 programmes over the holiday. A sequel, The Wrong Trousers, is shown tomorrow at 5.20pm.
	18.00	A Christmas Carol
			Celebrating the 150th anniversary of the publication of Charles Dickens's famous Christmas ghost story, is the premiere of this television version of Christopher Gable's production for the Northern Ballet Theatre. With Carl Davis's music, he recaptures a snowy Victorian Christmas Eve in London. Choreographed by Massimo Moricone, with designs by Lez Brotherston, it tells the story of the miserly Scrooge, and his encounter with four ghosts. Director Kriss Rusmanis Executive producer Bob Lockyer
	19.30	American Friends (1991)
			Drama starring Michael Palin The closeted life of an Oxford college seems the perfect environment for Victorian don Francis Ashby. But on holiday in Switzerland, he meets two American ladies and his future is changed. Director Tristram Powell FlLM REVIEWS pages 46-65
	21.05	The Queen
			This afternoon's speech, with signing for deaf people. Then Christmas in Sarajevo
	21.15	Bookmark: Selected Exits
			Anthony Hopkins and his daughter Abigail Harrison appear on screen together for the first time In Alan Plater's dramatisation of Gwyn Thomas's autobiography. Hopkins plays the Welsh comic writer, playwright, broadcaster and raconteur who died in 1981. "I was an impudent, assertive child," writes Thomas, "given to making loud rash statements when everyone else had agreed that a long cautious silence was the only answer to our problems. Producer Geraint Moms; Director Tristram Powell SEETHISWEEKpage8
	22.25	French and Saunders
			An episode from the comedy pair's series, first shown in 1990, with guest Jane Asher. Director Bob Spiers Producer Jon Plowman
	22.55	Belle de Jour (1967)
			Classic Luis Bunuel drama starring Catherine Deneuve A bored wife's exotic fantasies lead her to enter a brothel. In French with English subtitles. With Jean Sorel, Genevieve Page. (1967) FILM REVIEWS pages 46-65
Back to the top

<< Christmas Day 1993 >>