TONIGHT'S MUST-SEES

"The Shell Seekers," 6 p.m., Hallmark Channel. Several levels above most Hallmark Channel films (which teeter near adequacy), here is a movie worth catching. There's a deep story, beautiful settings and an A-level cast. The result is even better than the 1989 "Hallmark Hall of Fame" version that starred Angela Lansbury. Vanessa Redgrave plays the daughter of a famed artist (Maximilian Schell in flashbacks). She's surrounded by schemers who want her paintings, by good people who want her joy and by mixed memories. Beautifully directed by Piers Haggard, this offers rich, emotional filmmaking.

"The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," 7 p.m., ABC. C.S. Lewis' novel is turned into a special-effects movie that is big, lush and well-meaning. It's also a bit too episodic.

OF NOTE

"E.T." (1982), 4 p.m., TV Land. Here is one of the great films of all time. The slender story of a boy and his alien was directed with uncommon grace and skill by Steven Spielberg. The result is alternately warm, funny and exciting.

"CSI: Miami," 7 p.m., CBS. In this rerun, a baby sitter's parents have been killed.

"Medium," 7 p.m., NBC. This is a rerun of the episode in which David Arquette directed his sister, Patricia. She plays Allison, who turns deaf after dreaming of a deaf girl who has been kidnapped.

"Law & Order: Criminal Intent," 8 p.m., NBC. Probing a murder in this rerun, Goren goes undercover as a prisoner.

"Robin Hood," 3 p.m., BBC America/KHON digital 341, preceded by rerun at 2. One part of this story — raiding a booby-trapped room filled with treasure — strains credibility beyond repair. But the other part, with Maid Marian expected to entertain a rich gambler, has clever surprises.

"Saturday Night Live," 10:29 p.m., NBC. Jonah Hill ("Superbad") hosts, with music by Mariah Carey.