Historical drama starring Raymond Massey.
Robert E. Sherwood's acclaimed play "Abe Lincoln in Illinois" is the basis for this moving portrait of "Honest Abe's" early days. It follows him from his roots as a peace-loving backwoodsman, through his career as a lawyer, to his involvement with politics and his rise to the Presidency.
Films: pages 41-65

Continuing the season of films starring
Fred Astaire
Ginger Rogers
A world-renowned ballet star, Petroff, falls in love with a musical comedy star.
Music by George and Ira Gershwin Director Mark Sandrich
● TELETEXT SUBTITLES: page 888 ● FILMS: pages 41-65

Animation about the people who live on Pigeon Street.

A documentary by the acclaimed director Frederick
Wiseman which follows the antics of the rich and famous at
Aspen. Celebrities spend extravagant ski holidays there, while Wiseman records them and exposes another and more human side of the small town.

In the last of four programmes shown as a tribute to Sir
Geraint Evans , he works with young singers on Mozart's famous opera Cost fan tutte. Introduced by masterclass participant Rosemary Ashe , currently performing in Les Miserables.

The penultimate lecture by Professor Charles Stirling , FRS. Symmetry, Sensation and Sex Our sex depends directly upon the handedness of a molecule.
Professor Stirling examines the role of handed molecules like testosterone and adrenalin in the survival of the species.
(The final lecture tomorrow at 2.50pm)

Slippery When Wet. A scientific look at liquid engineering. • TELETEXT SUBTITLES: page 888

Unusual insights into Britain today by first-time directors.

It's Christmas and a barber is giving his last haircut.

(Black and white. Rpt)

A look back at the final of the 1992 Embassy World Darts Championship between
Mike Gregory and Phil Taylor, one of the closest contests of this event. With Dougie Donnelly. ● STEREO

Nick Faldo won his third Open Golf Championship in July, confirming his place as the world's No 1 player. This film looks back at a triumph fashioned by nerve, skill and strength of character. With Steve Rider.
● STEREO

Last in the comedy drama series starring John Sessions Keeping Up Appearances
Ernest seems to be going up in the world at last.
● TELETEXT SUBTITLES: page 888

Family adventure starring
Mickey Rooney
Kelly Reno , Teri Garr
The tale of a boy shipwrecked off north Africa with a headstrong Arab stallion and their adventures after they are rescued and return to New York.
Director Carroll Ballard
* TELETEXT SUBTITLES: page 888 0 FILMS: pages 41-65

Kurt Weill in America
The story of Kurt Weill's relationship with the American popular theatre. During his years in exile on Broadway, the composer of Mack the Knife and The Alabama Song, who personified decadent Berlin, found a new life in New York, creating such standards as September Song and Speak Low. Director Barrie Gavin describes the film as "the history of an artist ... struggling to write music which could have real meaning for the society he had just joined." Weill is remembered by the conductor Maurice Abravanel and the actor Burgess Meredith and there are extracts from several of his works.
( Weill's Street Scene from the English National Opera is tomorrow at 6. OOpm) ● STEREO

Third episode of an action-packed updating of a 19th-century romantic opera. (Part 4 tomorrowat 10.25pm. Forcast see Tuesday 29 December) ● STEREO

Music and comedy from
Australia's most irreverent trio. With a guest appearance from comedian Flacco.
Director/Producer Geoff Posner APozzitiveproductionforBBCtv

First showing on network television for this spoof epic film.
AD 932: King Arthur and his page Patsy are seeking knights to join them at the Round Table. But a more demanding task awaits them when God appears telling them of their quest - to seek the Holy Grail.
With Graham Chapman ,
John Cleese , Terry Gilliam , Eric Idle , Terry Jones , Michael Palin , Carol Cleveland, Connie Booth, John Young and Neil Innes.
Directors Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones TELETEXT SUBTITLES: page 888 ● FILMS: pages 41-65

Always provocative, often outrageous, American comedian Sandra Bernhard features in a filmed comedy-cabaret adapted from her 1990 off-Broadway stage show.
She takes her audience on a journey through love, sex, drugs, rock 'n' roll and Madonna. But why isn't her audience responding and is she really nothing without them? Director John Boskovich
● STEREO