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This Week on Christmas Television

© Jael Mehr

It's Christmastime on Canadian airwaves, which means it's time, once again, for a multitude of Christmas specials made to warm the heart. CBC and CTV are loaded down with holiday cheer, specials just right for the pickings. Here's a look at the Christmas line-up for the week of December 19 - December 25.

Sunday

Home for Christmas (CTV, 4:00 PM): In this 1990 Christmas movie, Mickey Rooney plays a thief with no where to go who is lucky enough to be taken pity on by the child of a wealthy family. She invites him into their home, which almost turns out to be a mistake.

Oliver Twist (CBC, 8:00 PM) (1 of 4): In this installment, a wealthy widow and her son strive to ensure that her husband's as-yet-unborn illegitimate child receive no money from him. (Features Lindsay Duncan, Sophia Myles, and Annette Crosbie.)

Miracle on 34th Street (CTV, 9:00 PM): This is the original 1947 version with Maureen O'Hara and John Payne (well, the original "colorized" version) of the Christmas classic with a cynical adwoman, her Santa-defending boyfriend, and the little girl of "Yes, Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus!" fame.

Monday

Oliver Twist (CBC, 8:00 PM) (2 of 4): In this installment, with no trace of his inheritance to be found, poor Oliver is forced to live as a pauper. (Features Lindsay Duncan, Sophia Myles, and Annette Crosbie.)

Ally McBeal (CTV, 9:00 PM): Elaine finds an abandoned baby in a Christmas creche, and does her best to keep the child with her.

Tuesday

Oliver Twist (CBC, 8:00 PM) (3 of 4): In this installment, when a man catches Oliver stealing, he decides to take the boy in as his ward rather than press charges against him. (Features Lindsay Duncan, Sophia Myles, and Annette Crosbie.)

Rita MacNeil: A Celtic Celebration (CTV, 10:00 PM): The annual Celtic Christmas special by Canadian songstress Rita MacNeil.

Wednesday

Oliver Twist (CBC, 8:00 PM) (4 of 4): Oliver manages to unravel the mystery of his past, and finally is rewarded for his years of good service. (Features Lindsay Duncan, Sophia Myles, and Annette Crosbie.)

Buster & Chauncey's Silent Night (CTV, 8:00 PM): The late Canadian actor Phil Hartman lends his voice to this animated tale about two church mice in the 19th century who make a miracle happen.

Christmas in Connecticut (CTV, 9:00 PM): This 1945 comedy features Barbara Stanwyck and Dennis Morgan. A newspaper publisher forces a columnist to play the host to a Navy war hero.

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