“One Foot in Heaven” — 6-8 a.m. Dec. 22 on TCM. Heartwarming 1941 tale of a Methodist minister (Fredric March) and his devoted, self-sacrificing wife (Martha Scott) from their first parsonage in 1904 Iowa, through a military chaplaincy in World War I, to serving a divisive congregation in 1920s Denver. Directed by Irving Rapper with the Rev. Norman Vincent Peale as technical adviser, the picture succeeds in blending the spiritual with the temporal in good-humored fashion, including the minister’s unexpected reaction to seeing his first movie, a silent Western with William S. Hart.
The Catholic News Service classification of the theatrical version was A-I — general patronage. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association of America.
Christmas in Norway With the St. Olaf Choir — 7-8 p.m. Dec. 23 on PBS. A holiday concert in Trondheim, Norway’s Nidaros Cathedral by the a cappella St. Olaf Choir (TV-G, general audience). More info.
“The Bells of St. Mary’s” — 8-10:15 p.m. Dec. 23 on TCM. Director Leo McCarey’s 1945 sequel to “Going My Way” (1944) pulls out all the emotional stops in a sugary confection that takes happy-go-lucky Father O’Malley (Bing Crosby) to a poor parish with a crumbling school run by overworked Sister Benedict (Ingrid Bergman). Though their conflicting views on education have less to do with the plot than the chasm between their personal relations, Bergman’s shining performance as the idealistic nun is still worth watching. Sentimental yet warm picture of Catholic life in an age of innocence.
The Catholic News Service classification of the theatrical version was A-I — general patronage. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association of America.
Solemn Mass of Christmas Eve in Rome — 2:20-4:30 p.m. Dec. 24 on EWTN and online. Live broadcast of the eucharistic liturgy for Christmas Eve with Pope Francis from Rome’s St. Peter’s Basilica.
Repeated 6-8 a.m. Dec. 25 and 5-7 p.m.
Better Arizona — 6:30 p.m. Dec. 24 and noon Dec. 25 on CBS 5. Arizona’s CBS affiliate is telling the stories of people who are making the Grand Canyon state better. A segment that anchor Catherine Anaya did on St. Joseph the Worker will be included in it.
Solemn Mass of Christmas Eve — 8:30-10 p.m. Dec. 24 on EWTN and online. Live broadcast of Christmas Eve Mass from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington.
Urbi et Orbi: Message and Blessing — 4-5 a.m. Dec. 25 on EWTN and online. Pope Francis gives his Christmas blessing, “urbi et orbi,” to the city of Rome and the world.
Live broadcast repeated 8-9 p.m.
Solemn Mass of Christmas Day — 10 a.m.-noon Dec. 25 on EWTN and online. Live broadcast as Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl of Washington celebrates Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
