What to Watch Sunday: CNN documentary explores terrifying Chowchilla mass abduction in CA

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Here’s what’s on TV tonight.

CHOWCHILLA (9 p.m., CNN)

This is one of the most infamous and fascinating true crime cases in US history.

The new CNN documentary examines the terrifying kidnapping of 26 children and a school bus driver in Chowchilla, California, on July 15, 1976. The children and the bus driver, held captive by three masked men, were transferred to soundproofed vans then buried alive in underground chambers. The group managed to escape, thanks to the leadership of one kid in particular, but their struggle didn’t end there.

The documentary, directed by Paul Solet has exclusive interviews with survivors, with Solet’s goal being to give those who endured the event a platform to “tell their own stories in their own voices.” Solet goes beyond the events of the kidnapping to explore the struggle of those children to heal emotionally from the extreme trauma of that day.

How to stream: This will stream live for pay TV subscribers via CNN.com, CNN OTT and mobile apps the same day. It will be available on demand beginning Monday, Dec. 4, to pay TV subscribers via CNN.com and CNN apps.

Holiday programming on TV tonight

“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (7:10 p.m., Freeform)

In this beloved 1964 stop-motion classic, the reindeer with the shiny nose guides Santa’s sleigh through a bad storm on Christmas Eve. Narrated by Burl Ives. “Christmas With a Kiss” (8 p.m., Hallmark) - In this new movie, a woman returns home to help with her family’s Christmas Carnival and romance ignites. A photo journalist curates a surprise reunion.

“The Santa Clause” (8 p.m., ABC)

In this popular 1994 movie, an adman (Tim Allen) takes over for the bearded, big-bellied fellow after a rooftop mishap on Christmas Eve.

“Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas” (8 p.m., Disney)

In this holiday special, a pipe organ hatches an evil plan as Belle attempts to fill the Beast’s gloomy castle with holiday cheer.

“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” (8 & 10:15 p.m., AMC)

The Griswolds spend the holiday with relatives in this 1999 holiday comedy, including a country cousin who arrives in an RV. It stars Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo, Randy Quaid and Diane Ladd.

“Elf on the Shelf: Sweet Showdown” (8 p.m., Food Network)

The Elves want to play the 12 Days of Christmas at their concert, but they mixed up the lyrics. Duff Goldman tasks the teams with delivering a twisted-up 12 Days of Elfmas showpiece that will get judges Kardea Brown and Ashely Holt’s toes tapping.

“Tyler Perry’s A Madea’s Christmas” (9 p.m., BET)

Madea (Tyler Perry) accompanies her niece, Eileen (Anna Maria Horsford), to the small town of Buck Tussel to pay a surprise visit to Eileen’s daughter, Lacey (Tika Sumpter), who has refused to come home for Christmas. The real reason Lacey is avoiding her judgmental mother is that she has secretly married Connor (Chad Michael Murray), a white classmate from college.

“A Christmas Story Christmas” (8:30 p.m., TBS)

Ralphie reconnects with old friends when he returns to his childhood home in Cleveland to give his kids a magical Christmas like the one he had growing up. (Note: The 1983 movie “A Christmas Story” airs before this at 6:30 p.m.) “The Great Christmas Light Fight” (10 p.m., ABC) - The Hazard, Ward, Cirlin and Greene families compete.

Some programming descriptions are provided by networks.

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