TCM later:
5:30 PM -- The Lion in Winter (1968)
2h 14m | Drama | TV-14
England's Henry II and his estranged queen battle over the choice of an heir.
Director: Anthony Harvey
Cast: Peter O'Toole, Katharine Hepburn, Anthony Hopkins
Winner of Oscars for Best Actress in a Leading Role -- Katharine Hepburn (Tied with Barbra Streisand for Funny Girl (1968). Hepburn became the third performer to win consecutive awards, and the first to win three awards for lead roles. Anthony Harvey, the film's director, accepted the award on her behalf.), Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium -- James Goldman, and Best Music, Original Score for a Motion Picture (not a Musical) -- John Barry
Nominee for Oscars for Best Actor in a Leading Role -- Peter O'Toole, Best Director -- Anthony Harvey, Best Costume Design -- Margaret Furse, and Best Picture
Yule decorations in the time of Henry and Eleanor would not have included what came to be known as the Christmas tree. Boughs of greens and holly garlands (ancient pagan traditions associated with winter solstice) were brought indoors and a large Yule log would burn in the great hall the entire twelve days of Christmas. There would have been much feasting, religious ceremony, entertainment and general merriment, but the holiday was quite different to what it came to be in the future.
10:15 PM -- The Man Who Came to Dinner (1942)
1h 52m | Comedy | TV-G
An acerbic critic wreaks havoc when a hip injury forces him to move in with a Midwestern family.
Director: William Keighley
Cast: Bette Davis, Ann Sheridan, Monty Woolley
Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman, authors of the play from which this film was adapted, were good friends with Alexander Woollcott, a famous critic, radio personality, and lecturer at the time. Woollcott requested that they write a play FOR him, but they never came up with a plot. One day Woollcott came to visit Hart unexpectedly and turned his house upside down, taking over the master bedroom, ordering Hart's staff around and making a general nuisance of himself. When Hart told Kaufman of the visit, he asked, "Imagine what would have happened if he broke his leg and had to stay?" They looked at each other and knew they had a play.
12:15 AM -- Fitzwilly (1967)
1h 42m | Comedy | TV-PG
When an aging philanthropist goes broke, her butler robs from the rich so she can give to the poor.
Director: Delbert Mann
Cast: Dick Van Dyke, Barbara Feldon, Edith Evans
Fitzwilly's thrift store is named for St. Dismas, the "good thief," in Christian tradition.