Christmas TV

Christmas TV & Film listings

The Christmas break is always the perfect excuse to relax with classic films, although, if your year has seen you working from home since March, there may well have been plenty of opportunities to have a vintage film on, in the background of course, throughout 2020.

Thankfully there are a fair few greats being shown this Christmas & New Year, along with some new TV productions to look forward to.

From classic British comedies by the Carry On Team and Ealing Studios to cult films, there’s hopefully something for everyone in amongst the Christmas programming.

In normal times, the Art & Hue Christmas TV guide would list airings closer to Christmas but it may be some of you are using up your holiday leave ahead of the festive period so the listings start from the 12th.

Here are some films & TV shows well worth catching, recording, or relaxing with over the coming festive days:

Date Time Channel Film
12th DEC 2020 14:00 pm BBC Two Half a Sixpence
Period romantic comedy musical with location shooting on Eastbourne seafront and Tunbridge Well’s Pantiles.
Tommy Steele pop art print by Art & Hue
12th DEC 2020 22:30 pm BBC Four The Shadows at 60
Another chance to see the excellent documentary marking The Shadows’ influence on British music.
The Shadows pop art print by Art & Hue
12th DEC 2020 23:30 pm BBC Four Sir Cliff at the BBC
Clips of Cliff Richard’s performances across the years.
Cliff Richard pop art prints by Art & Hue
13th DEC 2020
13th DEC 2020 11:00 am Talking Pictures Brothers in Law
with Terry-Thomas, Richard Attenborough, Ian Carmichael, & Irene Handl
Brothers in Law film
13th DEC 2020 12:55 pm Talking Pictures The Duke Wore Jeans
with Tommy Steele.
14th DEC 2020
14th DEC 2020 18:35 pm Talking Pictures Jigsaw
with archetypal policeman Jack Warner and great location shots of Brighton.
Jack Warner stylish pop art print by Art & Hue
14th DEC 2020 21:00 pm TCM Get Carter
with Michael Caine, Ian Hendry,Britt Ekland, & the iconic Trinity Square car park.
Get Carter film cast
14th DEC 2020 22:00 pm Talking Pictures Lady Godiva Rides Again
with Diana Dors, Stanley Holloway, Sid James, Dennis Price, Alastair Sim, & Joan Collins.
Lady Godiva Rides Again film
15th DEC 2020
15th DEC 2020 18:25 pm Talking Pictures The Smallest Show on Earth
with Peter Sellers & Margaret Rutherford
Peter Sellers & Margaret Rutherford
15th DEC 2020 22:15 pm Talking Pictures Machine Gun McCain
with Britt Ekland, scenes of Las Vegas, and a cracking Ennio Morricone score.
Britt & Vegas
16th DEC 2020
16th DEC 2020 10:30 am Talking Pictures Double Bunk
with Liz Fraser, Janette Scott, Sid James, & Ian Carmichael.
Double Bunk cast
16th DEC 2020 14:30 pm Talking Pictures Clockwise
with John Cleese.
17th DEC 2020
17th DEC 2020 00:25 am Talking Pictures Orders are Orders
with Peter Sellers, Tony Hancock, & Sid James.
Orders are Orders film cast
17th DEC 2020 13:05 pm Film4 Carry On Spying
with the Carry On gang plus Bernard Cribbins and Barbara Windsor‘s first Carry On appearance.
17th DEC 2020 13:45 pm BBC Two Talking Pictures: David Niven
Clips of the actor’s chat show appearances over the years.
17th DEC 2020 14:30 pm Talking Pictures The Happiest Days of your Life
St. Trinian’s precursor with Alastair Sim, Joyce Grenfell, & Margaret Rutherford.
Happiest Days
17th DEC 2020 22:00 pm Talking Pictures Up the Junction
with Dennis Waterman & Liz Fraser.
Liz Fraser & Dennis Waterman
17th DEC 2020 22:00 pm & 23:00pm BBC Four Dusty
A double-bill of Dusty with “Dusty Springfield at the BBC” at 10pm followed by an episode of her own show “Dusty” at 11pm.
Dusty Springfield Pop Art print by Art & Hue
18th DEC 2020
18th DEC 2020 12:20 pm Talking Pictures The Saint: The Fiction-Makers
with Roger Moore as Simon Templar.
19th DEC 2020
19th DEC 2020 13:05 pm BBC Two Around the World in 80 Days
with David Niven
19th DEC 2020 16.20 pm Channel 5 Scrooge: A Christmas Carol
with Alastair Sim
19th DEC 2020 From 18.10pm BBC Two Michael Caine Night
A full evening of Michael Caine starting with 18.10pm “The Eagle has Landed”, “The Many Faces of Michael Caine” at 20.20pm, the long-awaited terrestrial debut of “My Generation” at 21.20pm, then ‘Educating Rita” at 22.40pm.
19th DEC 2020 23.30 pm Talking Pictures Smashing Time
with great shots filmed on Carnaby Street in front of John Stephen’s shop called Trecamp, (which partly inspired Austin Powers, even down to casting Michael York), it includes Valerie Leon‘s first film credit, Irene Handl, & Ian Carmichael.
Smashing Time film
20th DEC 2020
20th DEC 2020 11.00 am Talking Pictures Wonderful Life
Cliff Richard musical.
Wonderful Life pop art prints by Art & Hue
20th DEC 2020 11.00 am Radio 4 Desert Island Discs
Sir Cliff returns to the desert island for this new recording.
20th DEC 2020 11:00 am Film4 Carry On Spying
with the Carry On gang plus Bernard Cribbins and Barbara Windsor‘s first Carry On appearance.
20th DEC 2020 13:15 pm Talking Pictures Kind Hearts & Coronets
Classic Ealing comedy with Joan Greenwood & Dennis Price.
70 years Kind Hearts & Coronet Art & Hue
20th DEC 2020 16:40 pm Film4 Carry On Regardless
Comedy with the Carry On gang & Liz Fraser.
20th DEC 2020 21:00 pm Channel 5 Victoria Wood: In her own words
A new documentary about the incredible comedy writer & actress.
Victoria Wood Pop Art print by Art & Hue
20th DEC 2020 23:20 pm TCM Get Carter
with Michael Caine & Britt Ekland.
Get Carter film cast
21st DEC 2020
21st DEC 2020 10.50 am BBC Two Viva Las Vegas
Fun Elvis Presley musical in Las Vegas.
Elvis Las Vegas
21st DEC 2020 10.50 am ITV3 On the Buses
The first film outing for the classic sitcom characters.
On the Buses film poster stylish pop art print by Art & Hue
22nd DEC 2020
22nd DEC 2020 01.40 am Talking Pictures No Sex Please, We’re British
Farce with Ronnie Corbett, Valerie Leon, and Beryl Reid.
Beryl, Valerie & Ronnie
22nd DEC 2020 10.50 am ITV3 Holiday on the Buses
The third film outing sees the On the Buses gang visit Pontins in Prestatyn.
22nd DEC 2020 21.00 pm BBC Four Mother Love: Part 1
A welcome (and overdue) airing of the powerful 1989 drama starring Diana Rigg & David McCallum.
Diana Rigg & David McCallum
22nd DEC 2020 22.45 pm BBC Four Face to Face with Dame Diana Rigg
Dame Diana Rigg interview from 1997, when she was in “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” at The Aldwych Theatre.
23rd DEC 2020
23rd DEC 2020 01.35 am Talking Pictures Up the Chastity Belt
Frankie Howerd comedy
23rd DEC 2020 10.30 am Talking Pictures Miss Robin Hood
with Margaret Rutherford
23rd DEC 2020 10.50 am ITV3 Mutiny on the Buses
The second film outing for the bus crew, with On the Buses visiting a safari park.
23rd DEC 2020 11.30 am Channel 5 Scrooge: A Christmas Carol
with Alastair Sim
23rd DEC 2020 21.00 pm BBC Four Mother Love: Part 2
The concluding part of the classic drama with David McCallum for which Diana Rigg won a BAFTA.
Diana Rigg & David McCallum
23rd DEC 2020 22.45 pm BBC Four Mark Lawson talks to Dame Diana Rigg
Dame Diana Rigg interview.
Mrs Peel Titles Pop art by Art & Hue
23rd DEC 2020 22.00 pm Talking Pictures Who Dares Wins
with Lewis Collins
24th DEC 2020
24th DEC 2020 19.45 pm BBC Four Viva Las Vegas
Fun Elvis Presley musical in Las Vegas.
Elvis Las Vegas
24th DEC 2020 20.00 pm Talking Pictures Ooh… You Are Awful
with Dick Emery
Dick Emery pop art print by Art & Hue
24th DEC 2020 21.05 pm BBC Four Elvis: the rebirth of the King
Elvis Presley documentary
25th DEC 2020
25th DEC 2020 15.00 pm BBC One The Queen’s Speech The Annual Christmas tradition of The Queen‘s Christmas message
25th DEC 2020 15.05 pm Talking Pictures Scrooge: A Christmas Carol
with Alastair Sim
Alastair Sim in Hue & Cry - pop art by Art & Hue
25th DEC 2020 16.40 pm ITV4 The Pink Panther
Classic comedy with Peter Sellers, David Niven, Claudia Cardinale, & Capucine.
The Pink Panther Group of pop art prints by Art & Hue
25th DEC 2020 19.45 pm Sky Arts Elvis Night on Sky Arts
Elvis Presley Evening from 19:45pm
25th DEC 2020 20.20 pm BBC Two Victoria Wood’s All Day Breakfast
A welcome repeat of the 1992 Christmas Special.
Julie Walters pop art illustration print by Art & Hue
25th DEC 2020 21.20 pm BBC Two Victoria Wood: The Secret List
Part One of a new show featuring Victoria Wood’s preferred sketches.
Manchesterford Trio of illustrated pop art prints by Art & Hue
26th DEC 2020
26th DEC 2020 02.05 am ITV3 Holiday on the Buses
The third film outing sees the On the Buses gang visit Pontins in Prestatyn.
26th DEC 2020 03.50 am ITV3 On the Buses
The first film outing for the classic sitcom characters.
26th DEC 2020 10.50 am ITV3 Carry On Cruising
Time for a flo-dear cocktail.
26th DEC 2020 11.15 am Talking Pictures The Likely Lads
Film version of the classic sitcom.
The Likely Lads film poster pop art print by Art & Hue
26th DEC 2020 16.00 pm ITV3 Carry On Jack
Classic nautical comedy
26th DEC 2020 19.30 pm ITV3 Carry On Screaming
Frying tonight!
26th DEC 2020 21.05 pm BBC Two Victoria Wood: The Secret List
Part Two of Victoria Wood‘s preferred sketches.
26th DEC 2020 21.30 pm ITV3 Carry On Cleo
Infamy, infamy!
26th DEC 2020 22.05 pm BBC Two Victoria Wood Live
Classic stand-up performance by Victoria Wood from 1997.
26th DEC 2020 23.20 pm ITV3 On the Buses
The first film outing for the classic sitcom characters.
27th DEC 2020
27th DEC 2020 01.00 am ITV3 Holiday on the Buses
The third film outing sees the On the Buses gang visit Pontins in Prestatyn.
27th DEC 2020 02.45 am ITV3 Mutiny on the Buses
The second film outing for the bus crew, with On the Buses visiting a safari park.
27th DEC 2020 11:00 am Film4 Carry On Regardless
Comedy with the Carry On gang & Liz Fraser.
27th DEC 2020 21.00 pm BBC One Black Narcissus
Part one of the anticipated TV adaptation starring Dame Diana Rigg.
27th DEC 2020 22.00 pm Talking Pictures Ten Little Indians
Agatha Christie adaptation with Shirley Eaton, Stanley Holloway, Dennis Price, and the voice of Christopher Lee.
Shirley Eaton, Stanley Holloway  & Dennis Price
28th DEC 2020
28th DEC 2020 09.55 am BBC Two Evil Under The Sun
Dames Maggie Smith & Diana Rigg spar in this Agatha Christie adaptation
Emma Peel
28th DEC 2020 13.20 pm BBC Two Sean Connery: Talking Pictures
Clips of Sean Connery interviews across the years
28th DEC 2020 14.10 pm BBC Two Murder on the Orient Express
Classic Agatha Christie adaptation with an all-star cast including Sean Connery, Lauren Bacall, & Rachel Roberts.
28th DEC 2020 16.15 pm BBC Two Death on the Nile
An all-star cast, including David Niven, Maggie Smith, and Bette Davis, star in this Agatha Christie adaptation
David Niven in The Love Lottery - pop art by Art & Hue Yellow
28th DEC 2020 21.00 pm BBC One Black Narcissus
Part two of the anticipated TV adaptation starring Diana Rigg.
Mrs Peel, We're Needed
28th DEC 2020 21.00 pm BBC Four Kenneth Williams: Fantabulosa!
Michael Sheen stars as the comedy legend.
28th DEC 2020 22.20 pm BBC Four Comic Roots: Kenneth Williams
From the archives, Kenneth walks us through where he grew up.
28th DEC 2020 23.50 pm Talking Pictures Ten Little Indians
Agatha Christie adaptation with Shirley Eaton, Stanley Holloway, Dennis Price, and the voice of Christopher Lee.
Shirley Eaton, Stanley Holloway  & Dennis Price
29th DEC 2020
29th DEC 2020 02.25 pm BBC Four Kenneth Williams: Fantabulosa!
Michael Sheen stars as the comedy legend.
29th DEC 2020 11:00 am Film4 Carry On Sergeant
The first film which launched the successful comedy film series.
29th DEC 2020 13.30 pm TCM Murder on the Gallop
with Margaret Rutherford
29th DEC 2020 21.00 pm BBC One Black Narcissus
The concluding part of the TV adaptation starring Diana Rigg.
Emma Peel
30th DEC 2020
30th DEC 2020 11:00 am Film4 Carry On Teacher
School comedy with the Carry On gang.
30th DEC 2020 14.30 pm Talking Pictures The Green Man
Classic comedy with Terry-Thomas & Alastair Sim.
The Green Man film
31st DEC 2020
31st DEC 2020 10.30 am Talking Pictures Jumping for Joy
Racing comedy with Frankie Howerd, Danny Green, & Stanley Holloway.
Jumping for Joy film
31st DEC 2020 11:00 am Film4 Carry On Cabby
Classic taxi comedy.
31st DEC 2020 17.40 pm ITV4 The Pink Panther
Classic comedy with Peter Sellers, David Niven, Claudia Cardinale, & Capucine.
The Pink Panther Group of pop art prints by Art & Hue
31st DEC 2020 18.50 pm Talking Pictures Dead of Night
Influential & respected horror anthology with Basil Radford & Naunton Wayne.
1st JAN 2021
1st JAN 2021 11:00 am Film4 Carry On Nurse
The first hospital Carry On film. Daffodils at the ready.
1st JAN 2021 12.45 pm BBC Two Talking Pictures DAMES
Clips of iconic Dames in interviews, including Maggie Smith & Diana Rigg.
1st JAN 2021 19.00 pm Sky Arts Comedy Legends: Sid James
Documentary about the iconic actor and comedy legend.
1st JAN 2021 22.00 pm Talking Pictures Ten Little Indians
Agatha Christie adaptation with Shirley Eaton, Stanley Holloway, Dennis Price, and the voice of Christopher Lee.
Shirley Eaton, Stanley Holloway  & Dennis Price
1st JAN 2021 23.25 pm Talking Pictures Play it Cool
with Billy Fury & Helen Shapiro
Play it Cool film
2nd JAN 2021
2nd JAN 2021 11:00 am Talking Pictures They Came From Beyond Space
60s British sci-fi.
They Came From Beyond Space stylish pop art print by Art & Hue
2nd JAN 2021 20:30 pm BBC Two Amazing Grace
The terrestrial premiere of the concert documentary starring the Queen of Soul.
Queen of Soul stylish pop art print by Art & Hue
As well as the films & TV shows listed above, ITV3 & ITV4 continue to air episodes of “George & Mildred” and “Man About the House” starring Yootha Joyce, “The Saint” with Roger Moore, “The Protectors” with Robert Vaughn, The Professionals, The Sweeney, and Minder throughout the festive period.
Art & Hue presents 1970s Cops stylish pop art illustrations

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