Film choice
(1964) BBC ONE, 3.45PM ★★★★★
This is the popular story of a magical nanny (Julie Andrews) who takes over a London home, transforming the lives of its inhabitants. Dick Van Dyke may affect the worst cockney accent ever heard on film, but the combination of the catchy songs, sumptuous live action and colourful animation makes this one of the most enduring children’s films, and a staple of the festive schedules. Deservedly, it was nominated for 13 Oscars. CHANNEL 4, 4.20PM ★★★★ (1989)
This vivacious retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale began a rich vein of form for Disney animations (Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and The Lion King followed). A combination of unforgettable characters, including Sebastian the singing Jamaican crab and the delightfully evil baddie Ursula (based on drag queen Divine), and catchy songs makes Ariel’s journey to dry land a magical thing. ITV, 6.40PM ★★★★ (2015)
Can modern audiences still be wowed by computer-generated dinosaurs? This long-awaited fourth Jurassic Park instalment (the third film was released in 2001) proves that they can. A new attraction at the dinosaur theme park, created to re-spark visitor interest, gravely backfires and it’s left to Chris Pratt’s raptor trainer and Bryce Dallas Howard’s scientist to save the day. Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom is out next year.