NBC, 8:00 p.m. ET
Few Christmas TV traditions remain, but here’s one of them. This 1946 Frank Capra holiday classic used to be shown by a ridiculous number of local stations and cable networks each year – until the film’s rights were rescued from public domain, and NBC landed a contract to televise the film exclusively, twice each year. This is the first of this month’s two prime-time NBC telecasts, with James Stewart and Donna Reed starring in a story of a small-town banker. Events of recent years have made its story of risky mortgages even more potent – and poignant.
ABC Family, 8:00 p.m. ET
When this 2003 comedy was released in theaters, Will Ferrell, as a human raised by elves, was the big star. His female co-star, Zooey Deschanel, was relatively unknown at the time – as was the strength of her singing voice, now on fine display as the distaff half of She & Him. But in this movie, Ferrell hears her singing in the shower, and is enchanted. Understandably, and, in retrospect, a few years ahead of the national curve.
Bravo, 8:00 p.m. ET
Aaron Sorkin wrote the play on which this 1992 movie was based, and wrote the screenplay, too. Presto: Before the decade was out, he was writing The West Wing. But here’s his big starting break, a little movie starring Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson. I guess everyone has to start somewhere.
TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET
Preston Sturges is the man behind this inspired satire and love letter to Hollywood moviemaking, a 1941 film that somehow seems more modern all the time. Joel McCrea stars as a movie director who decides to make more meaningful films, and Veronica Lake plays the woman who accompanies him on his journeys to experience hardship firsthand.
Bravo, 10:00 p.m. ET
Tom Hanks stars in this 1995 movie, directed by Ron Howard, that manages to be a real thriller, even though the outcome of the 1970 lunar mission is well known. Fabulous supporting cast, and a fantastic story – which, in this case, is true.