MONDAY, December 30 BBC ENTERTAINMENT

00.30 Loving Miss Hatto 02.00 Call the Midwife: Christmas Special 2017 02.45 Call the Midwife: Christmas Special 2017 03.30 Jonathan Creek: Daemons’ Roost 05.00 Still Open All Hours 05.30 Bargain Hunt 06.15 Bargain Hunt 07.00 Bargain Hunt 07.45 Still Open All Hours 08.15 Still Open All Hours 08.45 Call the Midwife 09.40 Still Open All Hours 10.10 Still Open All Hours 10.40 Doctors 11.05 Casualty 11.55 Call the Midwife 12.50 Father Brown 13.35 Still Open All Hours 14.05 Still Open All Hours 14.35 Bargain Hunt 15.20 Casualty 16.10 Call the Midwife 17.05 Father Brown 17.50 Still Open All Hours 18.20 Still Open All Hours 18.50 Doctors 19.20 Call the Midwife 20.15 Father Brown 21.00 Doctors 21.30 EastEnders 22.00 Call the Midwife: Christmas Special 2017 22.45 Fawlty Towers 23.20 Hunderby

(r) 09.30 Talking Movies (r) 10.00 BBC World News 10.10 Defending Afghanistan (r) 00.30 Dateline London (r) 11.00 BBC World News 11.10 History of Africa (r) 12.00 BBC World News 12.10 Mongolia: A Toxic Warning To The World (r) 12.30 Witness History (r) 13.00 BBC World News 13.10 Defending Afghanistan (r) 13.30 Bangladesh: The Forgotten Children (r) 14.00 BBC World News 14.30 The Travel Show (r) 15.00 BBC World News 15.30 Click (r) 16.00 BBC World News 16.15 Sport Today 16.30 Talking Books (r) 17.00 BBC World News 17.10 Secrets of Singapore (r)

MUCH to smile at in this offbeat buddy buddy movie. A retired jewel thief is given a robot companion to brighten up his declining years and persuades the automaton to become his partner in crime.

Frank Langella convinces as a cranky old cat burglar whose grown up kids give him a robot as a housekeeper, cook and companion for his old age.

Frank has become absent-minded as dementia beckons, but is wily enough to talk the ever calm droid into one last crime caper for old times sake. The robot has no moral dimension and Frank teaches his accomplice how to pick locks and crack safes.

They plan to relieve the diamond encrusted wife of Frank’s oily neighbour of some of her baubles.

The droid is played by Rachel Ma and voiced by Peter Sarsgaard. Susan Sarandon is a local librarian who adds a touch of romance to Frank’s solitary life.

The script by Christopher D Ford has some comic twists and turns, leading to a predictably bittersweet ending. Jake Schreier directed in 2012.

Radio Times called it: “An irresistible charmer and a genuine pleasure to watch. Frank Langella gives a magnificent performance in this engaging character study that accents compassion and humour.”

Death Stranding: Inside Kojima Productions (r) 22.00 BBC World News 22.30 Through The Lens (r) 23.00 BBC World News 23.30 Our World (r) 13.40 Pony With A Broken Wing 15.05 Trico Tri: Happy Halloween 16.35 Jonathan Livingston Seagull 18.35 Mamma Mia! 20.30 Early Man 21.55 Robot & Frank 23.20 Pony With A Broken Wing

Robot & Frank. 9.55pm beIN Movies Family