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grondficA further selection of eldritch Christmas fare:
Malory Towers (CBBC)
WARNING FOR SPOILERS if you intend to catch up on this one
A bit of a stretch here, since the 'ghost' turned out to be human; but nonetheless this short episode of the Anglo-Canadian adaptation of Blyton's massive school-saga had THE perfect setup for kid-friendly Christmas-creeps.
Daryl Rivers and her friends are unexpectedly confined in school after the rest of the pupils have departed for Christmas hols. The building is old; both adult carers (Headmistress Miss Grayling and Matron) have left the building and got delayed on their return-journey. Schoolgirl squabbling is constantly interrupted by weird sounds, moving shadows and windows inexplicably opening themselves. Oh Crikey!
Fortunately, all is ultimately well. The 'ghost' is revealed as an ancient, dementia-ridden retainer re-enacting her duties of long-ago. Bill and her trusty pony save the day; posh, angry Gwendoline is slightly comforted after her parents' divorce is revealed; and various resourceful pupils shine in ingenious (era-specific) ways. Mince pies all round, ladies! (And roll on the next series in 2023)
Ghosts Christmas Special (BBC1)
Ghosts has now run to four seasons, with a fifth promised. Conceived and written by the Horrible Histories gang (who also play most of the ghosts), this story of Alison (Charlotte Ritchie) and Mike (Kiell Smith-Bynoe) who inherit a decrepit, haunted mansion has developed considerably since its inception in 2019.
We have learned a lot about the various ghosts' backgrounds and the circumstances of their deaths. They are a motley crew, drawn from many ages since before Button House was even built (Robin the Caveman, Laurence Rickard) through to a corrupt, sex-obsessed politician who had a fatal heart attack during a convention held at the house in the 1990s (Julian, Simon Farnaby). By now, all of them are like old friends not only to Alison (who can see and speak to them) and Mike (who can't), but also to us - the viewers.
So this second Christmas special was awaited with great anticipation. It did not disappoint. The assembled ghosts decide (after Alison has left them all Christmas gifts before going to visit Mike's family) that they must do something for her in return. They decide on a pantomime - Cinderella.
The rehearsal process is a hoot. Various theatrical processes are ruthlessly lampooned. Tragic Regency poet Thomas Thorne (Matthew Baynton) asks for more pain in the panto during his stint as stand-in director. Kitty (Lolly Adefope) the eighteenth-century belle playing the title role, suffers from last-minute stage-fright and has to be consoled by the (WWII) Captain (Ben Willbond), partly in his panto role as Fairy Godmother.
While Mike happily spends his evening on his phone, Alison enjoys it all. Finally, the presents she's left for the ghosts include something very relevant to Pat the Scout Master with the arrow through his neck (Jim Howick). Though initially upset with it, he's helped by Robin to see things in a gentler, happier light.
That's the beauty of Ghosts - there's an undertow of thoughtful care for all the characters' absurdities; something that is life-affirming and hopeful for all these lost souls ... and by extension, all of us.
And all of this wondrousness took place in just 30 minutes!
BBC - don't ever THINK of cutting this series (at least, not until The Captain has come to terms with himself; and everyone has been sucked off* to heaven).
*this is a technical term, which graphically describes the moment when a ghost is drawn upwards into the light of a higher realm. It was originated by naive burned-witch Mary (Katy Wix), and naturally means exactly what she says without any other meaning! OK?
The Canterville Ghost (Channel 5)
This very expanded version of Oscar Wilde's short story turned out to be an unexpected delight. At least twice as long as the original (4 hours of telly in 2 2-hour episodes), it generates subplots galore, all sprouting from Wilde's central premise.
So, firstly the action takes place in the here-and-now, thus giving the title character a further 135 years of gruelling haunting to do. He's played by Anthony Head (enjoying himself immensely).
Naturally, he's not too happy when American tech billionaire Hiram Otis (James Lance), moves in with his energetic family - wife Lucy (Caroline Catz), eligible law-graduate daughter Virginia (Laurel Waghorn) and mini-powerhouse young twins Theodore and Franklin (Tom and Joe Graves). (Eldest son Washington, from Wilde's original story, doesn't feature in this version)
Equally, the local aristocracy, led by members of the displaced Canterville family, are not impressed by their new neighbours. A Romani family, the Lovells, however, are less frosty when the twin Otis boys save the twin Lovell girls (Harriette and Charlotte Robinson) and their dog from the rude attentions of some local thugs. From thereon, the interactions and intertwinings of these three families - Otis, Canterville and Lovell -form the basis of the plotlines.
Fortunately, we still get (in essence) Wilde's lovely ending; but not before we've encountered Haydn Gwynne's monstrous Lady Deborah de Canterville (also enjoying herself hugely); the adult Lovells - Django (Harry Taurasi) and Masilda (Cathy Tyson); and a great turn from Carolyn Pickles as housekeeper Mrs Umney.
There's also a judicial court presided over by the Angel of Death, a 200 year old rat-familiar, and a final happy ending for two young lovers and two VERY old ones.
Highly recommended.
Malory Towers (CBBC)
WARNING FOR SPOILERS if you intend to catch up on this one
A bit of a stretch here, since the 'ghost' turned out to be human; but nonetheless this short episode of the Anglo-Canadian adaptation of Blyton's massive school-saga had THE perfect setup for kid-friendly Christmas-creeps.
Daryl Rivers and her friends are unexpectedly confined in school after the rest of the pupils have departed for Christmas hols. The building is old; both adult carers (Headmistress Miss Grayling and Matron) have left the building and got delayed on their return-journey. Schoolgirl squabbling is constantly interrupted by weird sounds, moving shadows and windows inexplicably opening themselves. Oh Crikey!
Fortunately, all is ultimately well. The 'ghost' is revealed as an ancient, dementia-ridden retainer re-enacting her duties of long-ago. Bill and her trusty pony save the day; posh, angry Gwendoline is slightly comforted after her parents' divorce is revealed; and various resourceful pupils shine in ingenious (era-specific) ways. Mince pies all round, ladies! (And roll on the next series in 2023)
Ghosts Christmas Special (BBC1)
Ghosts has now run to four seasons, with a fifth promised. Conceived and written by the Horrible Histories gang (who also play most of the ghosts), this story of Alison (Charlotte Ritchie) and Mike (Kiell Smith-Bynoe) who inherit a decrepit, haunted mansion has developed considerably since its inception in 2019.
We have learned a lot about the various ghosts' backgrounds and the circumstances of their deaths. They are a motley crew, drawn from many ages since before Button House was even built (Robin the Caveman, Laurence Rickard) through to a corrupt, sex-obsessed politician who had a fatal heart attack during a convention held at the house in the 1990s (Julian, Simon Farnaby). By now, all of them are like old friends not only to Alison (who can see and speak to them) and Mike (who can't), but also to us - the viewers.
So this second Christmas special was awaited with great anticipation. It did not disappoint. The assembled ghosts decide (after Alison has left them all Christmas gifts before going to visit Mike's family) that they must do something for her in return. They decide on a pantomime - Cinderella.
The rehearsal process is a hoot. Various theatrical processes are ruthlessly lampooned. Tragic Regency poet Thomas Thorne (Matthew Baynton) asks for more pain in the panto during his stint as stand-in director. Kitty (Lolly Adefope) the eighteenth-century belle playing the title role, suffers from last-minute stage-fright and has to be consoled by the (WWII) Captain (Ben Willbond), partly in his panto role as Fairy Godmother.
While Mike happily spends his evening on his phone, Alison enjoys it all. Finally, the presents she's left for the ghosts include something very relevant to Pat the Scout Master with the arrow through his neck (Jim Howick). Though initially upset with it, he's helped by Robin to see things in a gentler, happier light.
That's the beauty of Ghosts - there's an undertow of thoughtful care for all the characters' absurdities; something that is life-affirming and hopeful for all these lost souls ... and by extension, all of us.
And all of this wondrousness took place in just 30 minutes!
BBC - don't ever THINK of cutting this series (at least, not until The Captain has come to terms with himself; and everyone has been sucked off* to heaven).
*this is a technical term, which graphically describes the moment when a ghost is drawn upwards into the light of a higher realm. It was originated by naive burned-witch Mary (Katy Wix), and naturally means exactly what she says without any other meaning! OK?
The Canterville Ghost (Channel 5)
This very expanded version of Oscar Wilde's short story turned out to be an unexpected delight. At least twice as long as the original (4 hours of telly in 2 2-hour episodes), it generates subplots galore, all sprouting from Wilde's central premise.
So, firstly the action takes place in the here-and-now, thus giving the title character a further 135 years of gruelling haunting to do. He's played by Anthony Head (enjoying himself immensely).
Naturally, he's not too happy when American tech billionaire Hiram Otis (James Lance), moves in with his energetic family - wife Lucy (Caroline Catz), eligible law-graduate daughter Virginia (Laurel Waghorn) and mini-powerhouse young twins Theodore and Franklin (Tom and Joe Graves). (Eldest son Washington, from Wilde's original story, doesn't feature in this version)
Equally, the local aristocracy, led by members of the displaced Canterville family, are not impressed by their new neighbours. A Romani family, the Lovells, however, are less frosty when the twin Otis boys save the twin Lovell girls (Harriette and Charlotte Robinson) and their dog from the rude attentions of some local thugs. From thereon, the interactions and intertwinings of these three families - Otis, Canterville and Lovell -form the basis of the plotlines.
Fortunately, we still get (in essence) Wilde's lovely ending; but not before we've encountered Haydn Gwynne's monstrous Lady Deborah de Canterville (also enjoying herself hugely); the adult Lovells - Django (Harry Taurasi) and Masilda (Cathy Tyson); and a great turn from Carolyn Pickles as housekeeper Mrs Umney.
There's also a judicial court presided over by the Angel of Death, a 200 year old rat-familiar, and a final happy ending for two young lovers and two VERY old ones.
Highly recommended.
