THE BEATLES AT CHRISTMAS

by Eddie M

​It's December, Christmas is on it's way, the double Christmas edition of the Radio Times is due out on Saturday and it's 40 years since the BBC transmitted the epic 'The Beatles at Christmas' season.
Fed up of buying poor quality bootleg videos I went out and bought a recorder to tape the line up of Beatles classic films that was coming our way. 

In 1979, television was a very different medium to that of today. TV companies, i.e. BBC1, BBC2 & ITV had to wait five years to show a 'blockbuster film such as The Towering Inferno & the Odessa File. Their Christmas schedules usually had a theme and this year the theme was music.

Christmas TV shows were aimed at families whether made by the BBC or bought from abroad.
Forty years ago, alongside the Beatles at Christmas season we were treated to Perry Como's Christmas in Austria, Val Christmas Music Show, The Spinners at Christmas and The Best of Dean Martin.
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Musicals included a short series Christmas with Gene' that's Kelly for all you youngsters, Elvis - That's the Way It Is, The Singing Nun, My Fair Lady and Oklahoma!

But it was the Beatles at Christmas season that had everybody excited. 
Of course, all the Beatles were still with us in 1979, it was brilliant to be able to spend time with them over the Christmas holidays.

​Here's the Beatles at Christmas line up:

21st  December -  BBC 2 - 6.10pm  The Beatles at Christmas: Magical Mystery Tour
22nd December - BBC 2 - 6.35pm  The Beatles at Christmas: Film : Help! (1965)
​23rd December -  BBC2  - 5.30pm  The Beatles at Christmas: The Beatles At Shea Stadium
24th December - BBC1 -   2.40pm  Wings Over The World - Paul McCartney and Wings, 1975-6 - 3.53PM

24th December - BBC2 -  5.40pm  The Beatles at Christmas: Film : Yellow Submarine
25th December - BBC2 -  3.00pm  The Beatles at Christmas: A Hard Day's Night (1964)
26th December - BBC2 -  5.50pm  The Beatles at Christmas: Let It Be (1970) ​

​Wouldn't it be thrilling to buy the Radio Times Christmas Double Issue on Saturday, open its pages to see that the BBC were celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Beatles at Christmas...
​Anybody selling a Blu Ray recorder?