What's on TV? Wednesday, December 25, 1957

It's Christmas Day, 1957, and there's plenty of festive programming to help make for a relaxing day. Many of the regularly scheduled serials are being shown; I'd suspect they might be filler episodes in which not much happens (other than cast members celebrating the holiday themselves), so that anyone missing their story today wouldn't find themselves behind on the storyline. Anyway, enjoy; this week's listings are from Cleveland, with Akron, Youngstown, and Erie thrown in as part of the deal.

	3  KYW (NBC)
	MORNING
	7:00	TODAY—Garroway
	8:55	NEWS—Tom Haley
	9:00	CASH ON THE LINE—Quiz “We’re Rich Again” (1934)
	10:25	WINDOW—Women
	10:30	TREASURE HUNT—Quiz
	11:00	CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICE—Washington   SPECIAL
	AFTERNOON
	12:00	TIC TAC DOUGH—Quiz
	12:30	IT COULD BE YOU
	1:00	MOVIE—Drama “David Copperfield” (1934)
	3:00	MATINEE THEATER   SPECIAL    COLOR  “Amahl and the Night Visitors”
	4:00	QUEEN FOR A DAY
	4:45	MODERN ROMANCES
	5:00	DEAR PHOEBE—Comedy
	5:30	POPEYE—Kids
	EVENING
	6:00	SIX O’CLOCK ADVENTURE
	6:55	NEWS—Pete French
	7:00	CAPT. DAVID GRIEF—Adventure
	7:30	WAGON TRAIN—Western
	8:30	FATHER KNOWS BEST
	9:00	KRAFT THEATRE   COLOR  “The Other Wise Man”
	10:00	THIS IS YOUR LIFE
	10:30	MEN OF ANNAPOLIS—Drama
	11:00	NEWS—Pete French
	11:10	WEATHER—Joe Finan
	11:15	SPORTS—Bob Neal
	11:20	MOVIE—Musical Comedy “Babes in Arms” (1939)

Sportscaster Bob Neal is no relation to the Bob Neal who's been a fixture on TBS and TNT for years. This Bob Neal also did sideline reporting for college football on ABC and CBS.

	5  WEWS (ABC)
	MORNING
	8:55	NEWS—Court Stanton
	9:00	FUN FARM—Kids
	9:30	PAIGE PALMER—Woman
	10:00	MOVIE—Comedy “Dreaming” (English; 1945)
	11:00	CHRISTMAS CHOIRS—Music
	AFTERNOON
	12:00	NEWS—Court Stanton
	12:05	NOON SHOW—Kids
	1:00	ONE O’CLOCK CLUB—Variety
	2:00	STU ERWIN—Comedy
	2:30	BEULAH—Comedy
	3:00	AMERICAN BANDSTAND Guest: Santa Claus
	3:30	DO YOU TRUST YOUR WIFE?—Quiz
	4:00	AMERICAN BANDSTAND—Music Guest: Mike Pedicine
	5:00	WILD BILL HICKOK
	5:30	MICKEY MOUSE CLUB
	EVENING
	6:00	CAPT. PENNY—Kids
	6:30	NEWS—Dorothy Fuldheim
	6:45	WEATHER—Bill Prentice
	6:50	SPORTS—Wilcox, Penfound
	7:00	O. HENRY PLAYHOUSE—Drama
	7:30	DISNEYLAND “Dumbo”
	8:30	TOMBSTONE TERRITORY
	9:00	OZZIE AND HARRIET
	9:30	WALTER WINCHELL FILE “The Steep Hill”
	10:00	BISHOP SHEEN   SPECIAL  “Christmas and the Peace You Are Looking For”
	10:45	TELESPORTS DIGEST—Sports
	11:00	NEWS—John B. Hughes
	11:15	TONIGHT—Jack Paar
	1:00	NEWS—Bill Prentice

The 3:00 p.m. edition of American Bandstand is the show's annual Christmas party. It's only right that Santa is one of the guests.

	8  WJW (CBS)
	MORNING
	8:00	CAPTAIN KANGAROO—Kids
	8:45	HOW THE ANIMALS DISCOVERED CHRISTMAS
	10:00	GARRY MOORE—Variety
	10:30	ARTHUR GODFREY
	11:30	STRIKE IT RICH—Quiz
	AFTERNOON
	12:00	HOTEL COSMOPOLITAN
	12:15	LOVE OF LIFE—Serial
	12:30	SEARCH FOR TOMORROW
	12:45	GUIDING LIGHT—Serial
	1:00	MOVIE—Drama “Miracle on 34th Street” (1947)
	2:30	HOUSE PARTY
	3:00	BIG PAYOFF—Quiz
	3:30	VERDICT IS YOURS
	4:00	BRIGHTER DAY—Serial
	4:15	SECRET STORM—Serial
	4:30	EDGE OF NIGHT—Serial
	5:00	AS THE WORLD TURNS—Serial
	5:30	BEAT THE CLOCK—Games
	EVENING
	6:00	THE STAR SHALL RISE
	6:30	THE LITTLEST ANGEL
	6:40	CLEVELAND TODAY
	6:45	NEWS—Doug Edwards
	7:00	SAN FRANCISCO BEAT—Police
	7:30	I LOVE LUCY—Comedy
	8:00	BIG RECORD—Music Guests: Terry Moore, Lloyd Nolan, Gene Austin, Sammy Kaye, Paul Anka, Danny and the Juniors
	9:00	MILLIONAIRE—Drama
	9:30	I’VE GOT A SECRET
	10:00	CIRCLE THEATER “The Shepherd of Paris”
	11:00	NEWS—Warren Guthrie
	11:10	SPORTS—John Fitzgerald
	11:15	WEATHER—Ken Armstrong
	11:20	MOVIE—Drama “I’ll Be Seeing You” (1944)
	12:45	Movie—To Be Announced

Terry Moore (aka Mrs. Howard Hughes) and Lloyd Nolan are movie stars, and Gene Austin and Sammy Kaye are stars of the past. That leaves young Paul Anka, who appears to have quite a future ahead of him. 

	12 WICU (ERIE, PA) (ABC-NBC)
	MORNING
	7:00	TODAY—Garroway
	8:45	YOUR CHURCH—Religion
	9:00	MOVIE—To Be Announced
	10:00	ARLENE FRANCIS—Variety
	10:30	TREASURE HUNT—Quiz
	11:00	CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICE—Washington   SPECIAL
	AFTERNOON
	12:00	TIC TAC DOUGH—Quiz
	12:30	IT COULD BE YOU
	1:00	YOUR OWN HOME
	1:15	TEX AND JINX—Interviews
	1:30	HOWARD MILLER   COLOR
	2:30	BRIDE AND GROOM
	3:00	MATINEE THEATER   SPECIAL    COLOR  “Amahl and the Night Visitors”
	4:00	QUEEN FOR A DAY
	4:45	MODERN ROMANCES
	5:00	WILD BILL HICKOK
	5:30	MICKEY MOUSE CLUB
	EVENING
	6:00	CANDY CANE LANE
	6:30	SPORTS, NEWS, WEATHER
	6:45	NEWS—Huntley, Brinkley
	7:00	REAL McCOYS—Comedy
	7:30	WAGON TRAIN—Western
	8:30	FATHER KNOWS BEST
	9:00	KRAFT THEATRE   COLOR  “The Other Wise Man”
	10:00	BISHOP SHEEN   SPECIAL  “Christmas and the Peace You Are Looking For”
	10:45	FAMOUS FIGHTS—Sports
	11:00	NEWS, SPORTS
	11:30	TONIGHT—Jack Paar

"The Other Wise Man," based on the much-loved short story by Henry Van Dyke, is the moving story of Artaban, the "fourth" wise man, who for various reasons is unable to catch up with his three compatriots, and spends the rest of his life searching for the Christ. Richard Kiley is Artaban, and the incomparable Alexander Scourby narrates.

	21 WFMJ (YOUNGSTOWN) (NBC)
	MORNING
	7:00	TODAY—Garroway
	9:00	ADELAIDE SNYDER—Woman
	10:00	ARLENE FRANCIS—Variety
	10:30	TREASURE HUNT—Quiz
	11:00	CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICE—Washington   SPECIAL
	AFTERNOON
	12:00	TIC TAC DOUGH—Quiz
	12:30	IT COULD BE YOU
	1:15	KITCHEN CORNER—Mariner
	2:00	HOWARD MILLER   COLOR
	2:30	BRIDE AND GROOM
	3:00	MATINEE THEATER   SPECIAL    COLOR  “Amahl and the Night Visitors”
	4:00	QUEEN FOR A DAY
	4:45	MODERN ROMANCES
	5:00	FUN HOUSE GANG—Kids
	5:45	POPEYE—Kids
	EVENING
	6:30	SPORTS, NEWS, WEATHER
	6:45	NEWS—Huntley, Brinkley
	7:00	MAINSTREET YOUNGSTOWN
	7:30	WAGON TRAIN—Western
	8:30	FATHER KNOWS BEST
	9:00	KRAFT THEATRE   COLOR  “The Other Wise Man”
	10:00	THIS IS YOUR LIFE
	10:30	BADGE 714—Jack Webb
	11:00	NEWS, SPORTS
	11:20	TRAVELS IN SPACE
	11:30	TONIGHT—Jack Paar

I believe I've mentioned this before, but the Christmas service at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. was always a lovely Christmas morning tradition. It was shown nationally on NBC and in syndication from 1953 to 2010, and it's streamed on the Cathedral's website even today. Unfortunate that there doesn't seem to be any room for it on TV today. It's followed later in the day by Amahl and the Night Visitors, and then "The Other Wise Man"—what a good day of programs.

	27 WKBN (YOUNGSTOWN) (CBS-ABC)
	MORNING
	8:00	CAPTAIN KANGAROO—Kids
	8:45	CARTOON CLASSICS
	9:00	CAPTAIN KANGAROO—Kids
	9:45	CARTOON CLASSICS
	10:00	GARRY MOORE—Variety
	10:30	ARTHUR GODFREY
	11:30	STRIKE IT RICH—Quiz
	AFTERNOON
	12:00	CARTOON CARNIVAL
	12:15	LOVE OF LIFE—Serial
	12:30	MOVIE—Comedy “It’s a Pleasure” (1945)
	2:00	BEAT THE CLOCK—Games
	2:30	HOUSE PARTY
	3:00	BIG PAYOFF—Quiz
	3:30	VERDICT IS YOURS
	4:00	CARTOON CLASSICS
	4:15	SECRET STORM—Serial
	4:30	GRIZZLY PETE—Adventure
	EVENING
	6:00	MY LITTLE MARGIE—Comedy
	6:30	SPORTS, NEWS, WEATHER
	6:45	NEWS—Doug Edwards
	7:00	CITY DETECTIVE—Police
	7:30	I LOVE LUCY—Comedy
	8:00	BIG RECORD—Music Guests: Terry Moore, Lloyd Nolan, Gene Austin, Sammy Kaye, Paul Anka, Danny and the Juniors
	9:00	MILLIONAIRE—Drama
	9:30	I’VE GOT A SECRET
	10:00	CIRCLE THEATER “The Shepherd of Paris”
	11:00	NEWS—Warren Guthrie
	11:15	MOVIE—Comedy “Good Sam” (1948)

Captain Kangaroo twice in two hours? I can't believe it's a typo, since it's that way every day of the week. They must have had a good reason—anyone out there with a good idea?

	35 WSEE (ERIE, PA) (CBS)
	MORNING
	9:00	CAPTAIN KANGAROO—Kids
	9:30	NEWS—Hottelet
	10:00	GARRY MOORE—Variety
	10:30	ARTHUR GODFREY
	11:30	STRIKE IT RICH—Quiz
	AFTERNOON
	12:00	HOTEL COSMOPOLITAN
	12:15	LOVE OF LIFE—Serial
	12:30	SEARCH FOR TOMORROW
	12:45	GUIDING LIGHT—Serial
	1:00	HY YAPLE—Variety
	1:30	AS THE WORLD TURNS
	2:00	BEAT THE CLOCK—Games
	2:30	HOUSE PARTY
	3:00	BIG PAYOFF—Quiz
	3:30	VERDICT IS YOURS
	4:00	BRIGHTER DAY—Serial
	4:15	SECRET STORM—Serial
	4:30	EDGE OF NIGHT—Serial
	5:00	MOVIE—Western “Triggerman” (1948)
	EVENING
	6:00	POPEYE—Kids
	6:30	RANGE RIDER—Western
	7:00	NEWS—Doug Edwards
	7:30	RED SKELTON—Comedy
	8:00	BIG RECORD—Music Guests: Terry Moore, Lloyd Nolan, Gene Austin, Sammy Kaye, Paul Anka, Danny and the Juniors
	9:00	MILLIONAIRE—Drama
	9:30	I’VE GOT A SECRET
	10:00	CIRCLE THEATER “The Shepherd of Paris”
	11:00	NEWS, SPORTS
	11:15	MOVIE—Drama “Heidi” (1937)

I think we can be sure that the 11:15 p.m. showing of Heidi isn't going to be interrupted for football.

	45 WKST (YOUNGSTOWN) (ABC)
	AFTERNOON
	3:00	AMERICAN BANDSTAND Guest: Santa Claus
	3:30	DO YOU TRUST YOUR WIFE?—Quiz
	4:00	AMERICAN BANDSTAND—Music Guest: Mike Pedicine
	5:00	WILD BILL HICKOK
	5:30	MICKEY MOUSE CLUB
	EVENING
	6:00	NEWS, WEATHER, SPORTS
	6:45	AMOS ‘N’ ANDY—Comedy
	7:15	NEWS—John Daly
	7:30	DISNEYLAND “Dumbo”
	8:30	TOMBSTONE TERRITORY
	9:00	OZZIE AND HARRIET
	9:30	WALTER WINCHELL FILE “The Steep Hill”
	10:00	BISHOP SHEEN   SPECIAL  “Christmas and the Peace You Are Looking For”
	10:45	NEWS, WEATHER, SPORTS
	11:00	PARIS PRECINCT—Police
	11:30	FILM DRAMA

I'd imagine this might have been the television premiere of Dumbo, though I'll happily stand to be corrected; if true, it must have been a big deal for one of Disney's more beloved short cartoons. Would it be unfair of me to prefer it to the new one coming out, site unseen?

	49 WAKR (AKRON) (ABC)
	AFTERNOON
	1:00	MOVIE—Drama “Miracle on 34th Street” (1947)
	2:30	MOVIE—Drama “The Man I Married” (1940)
	4:00	AMERICAN BANDSTAND—Music Guest: Mike Pedicine
	5:00	MOVIE—Western “Six Gun Man” (1946)
	EVENING
	6:00	LOONEY TUNES—Cartoons
	6:40	SPORTS, NEWS, WEATHER
	7:15	NEWS—John Daly
	7:30	DUFFY’S TAVERN—Comedy
	8:00	SCOTLAND YARD
	8:30	MOVIE—Comedy “The Cockeyed Miracle” (1946)
	10:00	BISHOP SHEEN   SPECIAL  “Christmas and the Peace You Are Looking For”
	10:30	LIFE WITH ELIZABETH
	11:00	MOVIE—Drama “Red Dust” (1932)

Bishop Sheen's special Christmas message is broadcast live from New York, replacing ABC's regular Wednesday night fight. The topic tonight refers to the anxieties that so many felt in the late '50s; the threat of nuclear war, disease, juvenile delinquency, Communism. That episode doesn't appear to exist, at least on YouTube; why not watch this one instead? The message is still a powerful one. TV