How Wrong We Were In the last few decades astronomers have made discoveries that have proved the old theories wrong. Venus has no water - Mars has no canals - Man did not sink without trace into the moon's dust. Patrick Moore tells the stories of the old theories, and explains how, because of one mistake, the size of the universe was doubled. Producer PIETER MORPURGO

starring
Joseph Schildkraut Billie Burke
Eugene Pallette
In the first of two films for Christmas, a heartwarming tale of seasonal spirit. While his family prepare to celebrate, Mr Pidgeon faces financial ruin. Salvation beckons when rich Uncle Henry dies and leaves his fortune to a young actress he once admired. But if she is not found, the entire Pidgeon family are next in line.... and ST LUKE'S CHORISTERS Screenplay by FRANCES HYLAND from an original story by FRANCES HYLAND and ALBERT RAY Produced and directed by JOSEPH KANE
and at 3.35
The Nativity starring
A aramatic and reverent treatment of the months leading up to the birth of Christ, set against a turbulent background of civil disturbance and starvation under Roman occupation.
Screenplay by MLLARD KAUFMAN and MORT FINE Produced by wnJUAM P. D'ANGELO Directed by BERNARD KOWALSKI
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The story of an exceptional broadcasting career, told by Frank Gillard. This programme, first shown in 1975, marks the 20th anniversary of Richard Dimbleby 's death, and includes extracts from his most famous broadcasts. Producer PETER FOGES (R)

A series of 20 programmes
10: Wiirzburg is the principal city of Franconia, a region of vineyards large and small, where a delightful white wine is produced, Frankenwein.
The Weinfest in Volkach am Main is the climax of the harvest season. Presented by Hanni Vanhaiden Director GILL BARNES
Producer MADDALENA FAGANDINI
; Book £5. 95, three cassettes £3. 75 each and notes for teachers are available from booksellers or BBC Publications.

This specially made tribute to the legendary Hollywood star includes scenes of Cagney at work on his last film, Ragtime and an interview with him. The film traces his 50-year career, from his earliest days as a dancer to his present eminence as a movie veteran. There are also memorable clips including Public Enemy, Angels with Dirty Faces, and his Oscar-winning role in Yankee Doodle Dandy.
Written, produced and directed by RICHARD SCmCKEL
(First showing on British television) (Ragtime can be seen on 30 December,
9.10pm BBC2)

with Jan Leeming Weather

Narrated by Niall Tiobin

Doggy, or greyhound, men are known coloquially in Belfast as gru men. For more then 50 years greyhound racing has been a popular sport in Belfast, drawing people from all over Ireland to Dunmore Park in North Belfast. But, more importantly, it draws together people from the two communities in the North. It is a sport that demands dedication, patience and effort, and for Liam Kennedy, confined to a wheelchair and paralysed from the waist down, that effort carries a handicap which he simply refuses to acknowledge.

BBC Northern Ireland

from the Verona Arena
In the spectacular setting of Verona's Roman amphitheatre, many of the greatest stars of the operatic world came together last
August to help raise money for the victims of the African famine. The event was organised by the tenor, Jose Can-eras who introduced the event in the arena. Those taking part: Agnes Baltsa
Sarah Brightman
Renato Bruson Montserrat Caballe Sona Ghazarian Gwyneth Jones
Andrew Lloyd Webber Paul Miles Kingston Sherrill Milnes
Yevgeny Nesterenko Rosalind Plowright Juan Pons
Giuseppe di Stefano
Alexis Weissenberg and Ingvar Wixell , with specially recorded contributions from Placido Domingo and Simon Estes
Gwyneth Jones narrates the programme.
The RAI Orchestra, Turin, and the Polish State
Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Carlo Franci and Robert Paternostro Producer LISA RAUSCH Director PIT WEYRICK
Presented for BBCtv by PETER MANIURA
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The arts and media review of the year presented by Russell Davies.
With extracts from the performances, films, television programmes, and publications that have distinguished 1985, a year that has included: Akhnaten, Bacon, Carver, Donnerstag, EastEnders, Fierstein, Geldof, Hodgkin,
Illywhacker, Jencks,
Kureishi, Les Misérables,
Madonna, Nineteen Nineteen, Oz, Pravda, Queens', Rambo, Sher, Tender is the Night, Uchida, Versace, Witness, Xerxes, Yuppies, Zed and Two Noughts.
With comment and discussion from
Hermione Lee ,
Christopher Ricks and A. N. Wilson
And a personal selection of the year's art and exhibitions from Tom Phillips.
Researcher ANDREW EATON Director JONATHAN FULFORD Producer KEVIN LOADER Editor JOHN ARCHER

starring
Philippe Noiret Michele Placido
Vittorio Mezzogiomo Death brings three brothers back to their childhood home, a primitive farm in southern Italy. Beset by social problems, the men have lost touch with their roots. Together they try to recapture a sense of belonging, but only their desolate father and his
8-year-old granddaughter find peace and understanding.
This haunting film of family life concludes the season of Francesco Rosi films.
Screenplay by TONINO GUERRA and FRANCESCO ROSI
From the story by A PLATONOV Produced by GEORGIO NOCELLA and ANTONIO MACRI
Directed by FRANCESCO ROSI (An Italian film with English subtitles)
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