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| num_episodes = 7
| num_episodes = 7
| list_episodes =
| list_episodes =
| followed_by = 2006 revival
| followed_by = 2005 revival
| related = "Whistle and I'll Come to You
| related = ''Whistle and I'll Come to You'' (1968)
| website =
| website =
| imdb_id =
| imdb_id =
| tv_com_id =
| tv_com_id =
}}
}}
'''''A Ghost Story for Christmas''''' is a series of yearly short [[television film]]s originally shown on [[BBC One]] from 1971 to 1978, and later revived in 2006 on [[BBC Four]]. The original series were all directed by [[Lawrence Gordon Clark]] and shot on [[16 mm film|16mm film]].
'''''A Ghost Story for Christmas''''' is a series of yearly short [[television film]]s originally shown on [[BBC One]] from 1971 to 1978, and later revived in 2005 on [[BBC Four]]. The original series were all directed by [[Lawrence Gordon Clark]] and shot on [[16 mm film|16mm film]].


Each were separate tales of 40-50 minutes duration, often featuring well-known actors such as [[Robert Hardy]], [[Peter Vaughan]] and [[Denholm Eliot]]. The first five were adaptations of [[Ghost story|ghost stories]] by [[M. R. James]] by the director, the sixth was based on a short story by [[Charles Dickens]] (adapted by [[Andrew Davies]]) and the two final installments were original screenplays by [[Clive Exton]] and [[John Griffith Bowen|John Bowen]] respectively.
Each were separate tales of 40-50 minutes duration, often featuring well-known actors such as [[Robert Hardy]], [[Peter Vaughan]] and [[Denholm Eliot]]. The first five were adaptations of [[Ghost story|ghost stories]] by [[M. R. James]], the sixth was based on a short story by [[Charles Dickens]] and the two final installments were original screenplays by [[Clive Exton]] and [[John Griffith Bowen|John Bowen]] respectively.


An earlier black and white 1968 ''[[Omnibus (TV series)|Omnibus]]'' adaptation of M.R. James's ''Whistle and I'll Come to You'' directed by Jonathan Miller is often cited as an influence upon the production of the yearly films, and is sometimes included in the [[canon]].<ref>{{Screenonline TV title|id=1154975|title=Ghost Stories}}</ref> The series was revived by [[BBC Four]] in 2006 with a new series of annual adaptations.<ref>''[http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/cinema/features/view-from-a-hill.shtml A View from the Hill]'' at [[bbc.co.uk]]</ref>
An earlier black and white 1968 ''[[Omnibus (TV series)|Omnibus]]'' adaptation of M.R. James's ''Whistle and I'll Come to You'' directed by Jonathan Miller is often cited as an influence upon the production of the yearly films, and is sometimes included in the [[canon]].<ref>{{Screenonline TV title|id=1154975|title=Ghost Stories}}</ref> The series was revived by [[BBC Four]] in 2005 with a new series of annual adaptations.<ref>''[http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/cinema/features/view-from-a-hill.shtml A View from the Hill]'' at [[bbc.co.uk]]</ref>


==Episode list==
==Episode list==
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| '''Title''' || '''Author''' || '''UK Broadcast Date''' || '''Description'''
| '''Title''' || '''Author''' || '''UK Broadcast Date''' || '''Description'''
|-
|-
|''The Stalls of Barchester'' || [[M. R. James]] || 24 December 1971 || An ambitious cleric murders an aged Archdeacon at Barchester Cathedral. However, he is soon being stalked by a sinister [[black cat]] and by a hooded figure both of whom seem to be embodiments of carvings on the cathedral's [[Misericord|choir stalls]].
|''The Stalls of Barchester'' || [[M. R. James]], adapted by [[Lawrence Gordon Clark]]|| 24 December 1971 || An ambitious cleric murders an aged Archdeacon at Barchester Cathedral. However, he is soon being stalked by a sinister [[black cat]] and by a hooded figure both of whom seem to be embodiments of carvings on the cathedral's [[Misericord|choir stalls]].
|-
|-
|''A Warning to the Curious'' || M. R. James || 24 December 1972 || An amateur archaeologist travels to a remote seaside town in Norfolk to search for the lost crown of [[East Anglia|Anglia]], but after unearthing it is haunted by a mysterious black figure.
|''A Warning to the Curious'' || M. R. James, adapted by Lawrence Gordon Clark || 24 December 1972 || An amateur archaeologist travels to a remote seaside town in Norfolk to search for the lost crown of [[East Anglia|Anglia]], but after unearthing it is haunted by a mysterious black figure.
|-
|-
|''Lost Hearts'' || M. R. James || 25 December 1973 || An orphan moves into the house of his uncle, but is disturbed by visions of a pair of ghostly children. Is their message a warning to be fearful of his uncle's obsession with immortality?
|''Lost Hearts'' || M. R. James, adapted by [[Robin Chapman]] || 25 December 1973 || An orphan moves into the house of his uncle, but is disturbed by visions of a pair of ghostly children. Is their message a warning to be fearful of his uncle's obsession with immortality?
|-
|-
|''The Treasure of Abbot Thomas'' || M. R. James || 23 December 1974 || A respected theologian and his protege unearth clues to find the hidden treasure of a disgraced monk in an abbey library. Should he have heeded his own advice not to go treasure hunting?
|''The Treasure of Abbot Thomas'' || M. R. James, adapted by [[John Griffith Bowen|John Bowen]] || 23 December 1974 || A respected theologian and his protege unearth clues to find the hidden treasure of a disgraced monk in an abbey library. Should he have heeded his own advice not to go treasure hunting?
|-
|-
|''The Ash Tree'' || M. R. James || 23 December 1975 || An aristocrat inherits his family estate and is haunted by visions of his ancestor's role in a [[witchcraft]] trial.
|''The Ash Tree'' || M. R. James, adapted by [[David Rudkin]] || 23 December 1975 || An aristocrat inherits his family estate and is haunted by visions of his ancestor's role in a [[witchcraft]] trial.
|-
|-
|''[[The Signal-Man]]'' || [[Charles Dickens]] || 22 December 1976 || A [[Signalman (rail)|railway signalman]] tells a curious traveller how he is being troubled by a ghostly spectre that seems to predict calamity.
|''[[The Signal-Man]]'' || [[Charles Dickens]], adapted by [[Andrew Davies]] || 22 December 1976 || A [[Signalman (rail)|railway signalman]] tells a curious traveller how he is being troubled by a ghostly spectre that seems to predict calamity.
|-
|-
|''Stigma'' || [[Clive Exton]] || 28 December 1977 || After a young couple move into a remote country house, workmen accidentally disturb an ancient [[menhir]], unleashing a supernatural force.
|''Stigma'' || [[Clive Exton]] || 28 December 1977 || After a young couple move into a remote country house, workmen accidentally disturb an ancient [[menhir]], unleashing a supernatural force.
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|}
|}


==2006 revival==
==2005 revival==
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
| '''Title''' || '''Author''' || '''UK Broadcast Date''' || '''Description'''
| '''Title''' || '''Author''' || '''UK Broadcast Date''' || '''Description'''
|-
|-
|''Number 13'' || M. R. James || 22 December 2006 || An academic researcher repudiates local superstitions surrounding a devilish house. However, repeated visions and noises during the night suggest he may be proved wrong.
|''A View from the Hill'' || M. R. James, adapted by [[Peter Harness]] || 23 December 2005 || A man has an disturbing experience after borrowing a friend's pair of binoculars and venturing up a notorious landmark.
|-
|-
|''A View from the Hill'' || M. R. James || 16 December 2007 || A man has an disturbing experience after borrowing a friend's pair of binoculars and venturing up a notorious landmark.
|''Number 13'' || M. R. James || 22 December 2006 || An academic researcher repudiates local superstitions surrounding a devilish house. However, repeated visions and noises during the night suggest he may be proved wrong.
|}
|}


Revision as of 01:14, 9 February 2009

A Ghost Story for Christmas
Created byLawrence Gordon Clark
Country of origin United Kingdom
No. of episodes7
Production
Running time40-50 minutes
Original release
NetworkBBC1
Release24 December 1971 –
25 December 1978
Related
Whistle and I'll Come to You (1968)

A Ghost Story for Christmas is a series of yearly short television films originally shown on BBC One from 1971 to 1978, and later revived in 2005 on BBC Four. The original series were all directed by Lawrence Gordon Clark and shot on 16mm film.

Each were separate tales of 40-50 minutes duration, often featuring well-known actors such as Robert Hardy, Peter Vaughan and Denholm Eliot. The first five were adaptations of ghost stories by M. R. James, the sixth was based on a short story by Charles Dickens and the two final installments were original screenplays by Clive Exton and John Bowen respectively.

An earlier black and white 1968 Omnibus adaptation of M.R. James's Whistle and I'll Come to You directed by Jonathan Miller is often cited as an influence upon the production of the yearly films, and is sometimes included in the canon.[1] The series was revived by BBC Four in 2005 with a new series of annual adaptations.[2]

Episode list

Title Author UK Broadcast Date Description
The Stalls of Barchester M. R. James, adapted by Lawrence Gordon Clark 24 December 1971 An ambitious cleric murders an aged Archdeacon at Barchester Cathedral. However, he is soon being stalked by a sinister black cat and by a hooded figure both of whom seem to be embodiments of carvings on the cathedral's choir stalls.
A Warning to the Curious M. R. James, adapted by Lawrence Gordon Clark 24 December 1972 An amateur archaeologist travels to a remote seaside town in Norfolk to search for the lost crown of Anglia, but after unearthing it is haunted by a mysterious black figure.
Lost Hearts M. R. James, adapted by Robin Chapman 25 December 1973 An orphan moves into the house of his uncle, but is disturbed by visions of a pair of ghostly children. Is their message a warning to be fearful of his uncle's obsession with immortality?
The Treasure of Abbot Thomas M. R. James, adapted by John Bowen 23 December 1974 A respected theologian and his protege unearth clues to find the hidden treasure of a disgraced monk in an abbey library. Should he have heeded his own advice not to go treasure hunting?
The Ash Tree M. R. James, adapted by David Rudkin 23 December 1975 An aristocrat inherits his family estate and is haunted by visions of his ancestor's role in a witchcraft trial.
The Signal-Man Charles Dickens, adapted by Andrew Davies 22 December 1976 A railway signalman tells a curious traveller how he is being troubled by a ghostly spectre that seems to predict calamity.
Stigma Clive Exton 28 December 1977 After a young couple move into a remote country house, workmen accidentally disturb an ancient menhir, unleashing a supernatural force.
The Ice House John Bowen 25 December 1978 Residents at a health spa begin to suspect a strange flower growing in an old ice house in the grounds may be the cause of a series of misfortunes.

2005 revival

Title Author UK Broadcast Date Description
A View from the Hill M. R. James, adapted by Peter Harness 23 December 2005 A man has an disturbing experience after borrowing a friend's pair of binoculars and venturing up a notorious landmark.
Number 13 M. R. James 22 December 2006 An academic researcher repudiates local superstitions surrounding a devilish house. However, repeated visions and noises during the night suggest he may be proved wrong.

The new adaptations have been shown along with repeats of episodes from the original series. Repeats of the series on BBC Four at Christmas 2007 also included The Haunted Airman, a new adaptation of Dennis Wheatley's novel The Haunting of Toby Jugg, athough the film was originally screened on 31 October 2006.[3] For Christmas 2008, an original three-part ghost story by Mark Gatiss entitled Crooked House was produced instead, with the writer citing the original 1970s adaptations as a key influence.[4] Several of the 1970s series have been released on DVD by the British Film Institute, along with Whistle and I'll Come to You.[5]

References

  1. ^ Ghost Stories at the BFI's Screenonline
  2. ^ A View from the Hill at bbc.co.uk
  3. ^ The Haunted Airman at bbc.co.uk
  4. ^ Hussey, Bill (18 December 2008). "Interview with Mark Gatiss: Part One". Horror Reanimated. Retrieved 2008-12-30.
  5. ^ Whistle and I'll Come To You at the BFI's Screenonline
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