TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE

"The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" (2001), 5 p.m., TNT; "It's a Wonderful Life" (1946), 7 p.m., NBC; or "The Godfather" (1972), 7 p.m., Bravo. Here are sprawling classics. Each has eternal appeal; each had a strong-minded director.

Frank Capra had the knack for portraying deeply decent people. James Stewart leads the "Wonderful Life" cast, playing a small-town banker.

Francis Coppola and Peter Jackson realized something essential: No matter how dazzling or exciting a movie is, it should have people to care about.

Coppola gave us a mob family in "Godfather"; Jackson gave us tiny hobbits and giant monsters in "Rings." Through it all, they kept us immersed in individual quests and fears.

TONIGHT'S MIGHT-SEE

"Women's Murder Club," 8 p.m., ABC. This excellent rerun centers on a triple murder in a subway. Lindsay suspects that one person was the real target. Also, she accidentally meets her ex-husband's fiancee.

OF NOTE

"Jack and the Beanstalk" (2001), 6 p.m., Ion. Brian Henson directed the sort of miniseries his dad, Jim, would love. A modern mogul must confront what his ancestor did long ago, atop a beanstalk. Matthew Modine stars, with Oscar-winners Vanessa Redgrave, Jon Voight and Richard Attenborough.

"Men in Trees," 7 p.m., ABC. The little town of Elmo is stirred by news that Cash has a kidney disease. Meanwhile, Patrick's amnesia and alternate personality upset people.

"Ghost Whisperer," 7 p.m., CBS. A ghost insists he's Santa Claus. Melinda thinks not.

"To Catch a Thief" (1955), 3 p.m., Turner Classic Movies. Not every Alfred Hitchcock movie is dark and creepy. This one has Cary Grant, Grace Kelly, romance and the beauty of the French Riviera.

"Moonlight," 8 p.m., CBS. Someone with a 40-year grudge hired a hit man to kill Josef.

"Next Great American Band," 8 p.m., Fox. There are four bands left now. We'll learn which one viewers have ousted; the others perform, eyeing a spot in the finals.

"Silver Bells" (2005), 7 p.m., Hallmark Channel. Flip between seeing Anne Heche in "Men in Trees" to catch her in this well-made drama, which started on CBS, under the "Hallmark Hall of Fame" banner. She's a city person; Tate Donovan is a country guy who comes to town for his Christmas-tree lot. It's a stretch, but the actors make it work.

"Numb3rs," 9 p.m., CBS. Someone who used to do work for the FBI enters the headquarters, killing one person and holding another hostage.

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