Period drama based on Louisa
May Alcott's classic story, starring June Allyson
An all-star MGM version of the tale, which follows the fortunes of four very different sisters, the March girls, growing up in the US in the 1860s.
Director Mervyn LeRoy (1949) Subtitled.. ♦ FILM REVIEWS pages 47-70
Continuing the season of classic 50s musicals. Starring
Gene Kelly , Debbie Reynolds
A satirical, tune-filled and affectionate story of Hollywood during the fabulous
20s, when the movie capital wrestled with the problem of turning silents into talkies.
The King and f is on this evening at 7.00pm
Directors Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly (1952)
* FILM REVIEWS pages 47-70
A look back at this year's rallying world championship, which was decided only in the very last race. With Steve Lee ,
Barry Gill and Tony Mason.
Snowsculpting in the Rockies. Twenty teams from all over the world, including Wales, unpack their axes, saws and cheese-graters forthis year's snowsculpting championships in Colorado, where they carve works of art from blocks of snow. With Eddie Ladd.
Short film made in 1907 by pioneer cinema director George Melies. In a dream, King Edward VII and the French president commission a tunnel under the Channel. But when the tunnellers meet midway, disaster strikes and the dream becomes a nightmare.
Subterranea Britannica. A wry look at Britain's underground enthusiasts, whose passions range from Victorian sewers to coal mines and catacombs.
A look at the history of The Sleeping Beauty, featuring an interview with Anthony Dowell , producer of the new production which follows. Presented by Judith Mackrell.
Tchaikovsky's grand three-act ballet, performed by the Royal
Ballet in the new production which opened last month at the Royal Opera
House in London's Covent Garden. With the orchestra of the Royal Opera House, conducted by Barry Wordsworth. See today's choices.
The story of Project Apollo, the US space programme, from the early days of the space race with the Soviet Union to the first moon landing 25 years ago in 1969. Featuring interviews with astronauts and ground staff, plus spectacular and rarely seen archive film. Introduced by Neil Armstrong , the first man to set foot on the surface of the moon.
Producers Jenny Abbott and Richard Bradley ;
Executive producer Clare Paterson. ....
Harry Dodson became a cult figure in Canada after broad casts of his gardening series. He has even been described by a Canadian newspaper as "the Springsteen or Madonna of gardening". During the trip of a lifetime as guest of honour at a flower festival in Victoria on Canada's Pacific coast, flying for the first time and travelling more than 5,000 miles, the septuagenarian gardener reflects on the rapturous welcome he receives from his devoted fans, takes in the sights and casts his experienced eye over the gardens of British Columbia. Director Keith Sheather ; Producer Nina I Ferretti
The season continues with the screen version of the stage musical by Oscar Hammerstein II and Richard Rodgers. Starring
Deborah Kerr , Yul Brynner
An English schoolteacher arrives in Siam to teach the King's many children. Theirideals and cultures clash, but eventually they come to respect and love each other. The songs include such classics as Shall We
Dance?, Hello, Young Lovers and March of the Siamese Children.
High Society on Wednesday 28 December at 6.45pm Director Walter Lang (1956)
♦ FILM REVIEWS pages 47-70
The last feature film written and produced by Dennis Potter , who died in June this year.
Starring Jim Carter, Louise Germaine, Brian Dennehy
Henry, a quiet bachelor, is drawn to Amber by a powerful sexual attraction. He is invited to a dinner party after which the guests watch the midnight movie on television. Amber's mother stars in the movie, which stirs many passionate, long forgotten memories in Henry. Midnight Movie is a tribute to the emotional power of memory and also a celebration of the art of cinema.
See today's choices.
Stereo Subtitled
Drama directed by Woody Allen , starring Gena Rowlands
Mia Farrow , Ian Holm
Recently turned 50, Marion Post has taken a sabbatical from the women's college where she teaches philosophy in orderto write the novel she hopes will put her life into perspective. In her rented studio she is distracted by overheard conversations between a psychiatrist and his patient. Marion becomes fascinated, and her orderly life begins to unravel.
(1988) # FILM REVIEWS pages 47-70
The most important night of the country music year is introduced from the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee, by singer/songwriter Vince Gill. Among the top performers featured in the show are contemporary artists Mary Chapin Carpenter, Lyle Lovett, Clint Black, Reba McEntire, George Strait, Pam Tillis, and Tanya Tucker dueting with rock 'n' roll star Little Richard.
Plus Emmylou Harris, who introduces Merle Haggard into the Country Music Hall of Fame, and Dolly Parton, with a rare performance of her classic song To Daddy.
