Christmas Specials Archive 2019
I wasn't planning to individually isolate many of Archive Christmas Classic Specials beyond the few I posted already. I'll dump a bunch of the IMDb reviews for blog archival here.
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The Little Drummer Boy (1968)
Although maybe non-religious, non-Christian viewers might not embrace it, I think this Rankin/Bass stop motion animation special does have a nice little message about how poisonous hate can be and how enlightenment can come from losing it when you have love in its place. Orphan boy, Aaron (Eccles), lost his home and parents to cruel bandits, which has brewed a hatred for all humans. His drum present from his beloved parents and sticks to pound them rhythmically have enabled him to develop a magic relationship with a camel, sheep, and lamb that follow him across the lonely desert of Israel during the Virgin Mary's pregnancy with Christ. The Star of David in the sky, Aaron encounters a no-good, greedy showman, Ben Haramed (Ferrer) and his clumsy, obedient partner as they force them to perform in the hopes of a hefty payday. But Aaron isn't wearing any smile and his attitude regarding mankind doesn't endear him to crowds. Soon they meet kings who are following the Star as it guides them to the birthplace of Christ where Joseph and Mary are, the manger scene in its entirety, and Aaron will see, after his sheep is trampled by the hire of a Roman soldier, under stampeding chariot, that desperate love for his pet can conquer hate. It is Christian in tone and presentation so those not in favor of its story and conclusion at the manger, when the light of baby Jesus offers assistance to the dying sheep, might not take to this one. I thought it had good animation and fun voicework with Haramed quite a villain, snatching Aaron and his pets, expecting them to entertain so he can line his pockets. Narrated with rich voice by Greer Garson. This will most likely be rewarding to those of faith. There is also a message about Aaron letting go of hate and bitterness, lifted by his experience at the manger and the healing of his sheep. Short and sweet. |December 13/2016|
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Mr. Magoo's A Christmas Carol (1962)
What a wonderful surprise! Unlike a lot of Magoo fans, I actually didn't grow up with "Mister Magoo's Christmas Carol", and so this was a delightful special to be experiencing for the first time. I picked up a set of Christmas specials (Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty, the Snowman, etc.) that had this featured as an extra, but it could easily be a headlining cartoon instead of an additional feature. With that wonderfully distinctive voice of Gilligan Island's Jim Backus as Magoo, and the character being transplanted into the Dickens' classic so familiar to those of us who watch all the different versions of "A Christmas Carol" (well, Magoo is performing the role on Broadway; it opens with Magoo driving haphazardly through NYC and entering the wrong building instead of the theater for which he was to perform), I now fully understand why this is heralded as a classic to be enjoyed and revered. If you enjoy the cartoon animation of the period of Hanna-Barbara, then this should be a real treat.
Oddly, the version has Scrooge visited by Ghost of Christmas Present first, then Christmas Past afterward; I wonder if this was intentional. It certainly changes things up a bit. Besides that, this Christmas Carol adaptation (with even songs performed; my favorite is "We're Despicable (Plunderer's March)") is surprisingly faithful. While not covering the sister he lost (and not acknowledging his nephew), it does follow Cratchet and his family's plight, Scrooge's lonely Christmas childhood abandonment, Fezziwig's dance on Christmas Eve where Scrooge fell in love with Belle (and Belle's leaving him because she knew he loved profit more), Tiny Tim and Scrooge's death, and Scrooge's transformation after realizing the error of his ways. Interestingly, the bitter reaction of Mrs. Cratchet's wife regarding her husband thanking "the founder of their feast" and Scrooge's "raising of Bob's salary" after startling him with his character change are side-by-side with Scrooge actually coming to Bob's house (the wife complaining actually appears during the visit of Christmas Present & typically Scrooge startles Bob with his transformation at the cold business establishment), but little tweaks on the familiar are commonplace when it comes to "A Christmas Carol". Every adaptation sort of leaves a little out or adds a little to "A Christmas Carol". The finale has a curtain call that goes badly wrong when a nearly-blind Magoo winds up trying to do a good thing (allow the theater audience to see the director of their stage production; he's wrapped in bandages thanks to Magoo's clumsiness), destroying the sets on the stage in the process!!! The "We're Despicable" musical number has the laundress, undertaker, and maid celebrating how terrible they are when bringing taken items of Scrooge (after his death!) to a black-market buyer/seller! The animation of Grim Reaper is another cool presentation of the Ghost of Christmas Future. Apparently there's a scene cut from this version that I watched involving Belle...this is a disappointment since I was hoping this was an unedited version considering its good quality and rather new release. |December 23/2013|
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The Leprechaun's Christmas Gold (1981)
Cute, lesser known Rankin/Bass animated Christmas special has Art Carney narrating the tale of a sailor sent to fetch a pine tree from an Irish island which broke apart from its native country thanks to an earthquake. It has a leprechaun named Blarney Kilakilarney (voiced also by Carney) who has been away from his wife for far too long due to his insistence on keeping his gold stash from the clutches of a hideous witch (called a banshee) that shrieks and always cries tears. She must get her hands on the gold before Christmas day or turn into tears and through whatever tricks or spells she can muster will attempt to do so. Dinty Doyle, the boy sailor (voiced by Ken Jennings), is told he is in possession of all the gold when Blarney is able to outsmart Old Mag, the Hag's (Christine Mitchell) enchantment (a "generosity spell" she calls it)…she intended for him to give it all to her but Dinty thankfully was in the same vicinity. So Mag sets her sights on tricking Dinty and might just get the gold she has so coveted…like she did against Faye (Peggy Cass), the wife of Blarney (causing their estrangement), through the transformation into an angel, Mag will turn into a shipwrecked girl in the hopes of fooling Dinty into granting her his gold for a special Christmas island celebration. Good natured and sweet, The Leprechaun's Christmas Gold should be a perfect addition to the many Christmas animated specials that makes the cut during the holiday season. A few songs, the typically fine stop motion you are accustomed to for a Bass/Rankin production, and some memorable voiceovers provide a nice little short to enjoy each December. Dinty was responsible for accidentally releasing Mag from a trap concocted by Blarney and a wizard using the aforementioned pine tree, noticed by Dinty's captain on board their ship, adding a bit of irony to the entire short. Will Dinty be able to help stop her from seizing upon the gold? |December 22/2014|
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Pinocchio's Christmas (1980)
Delightful Rankin/Bass animated short incorporates wooden "boy", Pinocchio, made from wood in the "haunted" enchanted forest, and his "father"/maker, Papa Geppeto (voiced by George S Irving) into a splendid Christmas setting, with other memorable characters including the sly, conniving Fox (expertly voiced by Allen Swift who made a living doing voices for a variety of characters in the 70s) and his put-upon partner in crime, Feline (Patricia Bright), as well as, grumpy puppeteer Maestro Fire-Eater (hilariously essayed to us through the crackling roughly-hewn voice of Alan King) and Cricket (Bob McFadden; another master voice-over specialist). Fox and Feline trick Pinocchio into burying his little bit of change for a supposed huge payday (stealing it from him in the process when he's away), and Maestro Fire-Eater convinces Pinocchio to be the star marionette in his comic showcase for villagers for money he could use to help his poor father. But when Pinocchio is told by Maestro that girl puppet, Juliette, will be turned into an animal, he snatches her away and heads for the enchanted forest. Meanwhile Maestro tosses away a puppet he crafted in the form of Pinocchio, and Geppeto believes his son is no more once he finds him abandoned on a cold street sidewalk. Pinocchio is then manipulated by Fox and Feline to join a cohort of theirs (believing it is a trip to the North Pole), learning he is to be a "toy" for a wealthy man's children. Being a living toy is a novelty, but Pinocchio tries to talk sense into the father who seems perfectly fine with taking him from his home and leaving his children on a business trip. This Christmas special even has Pinocchio getting a ride with Santa in his sleigh, led by his reindeer, back home, and we are introduced to the fairy that gave him life in the Enchanted Forest and could very well bring to life, Juliette, the girl puppet he rescued from being turned into another character by Maestro. With some excellent animation, and a clever means for including a storybook classic literary and Disney character into the Christmas season, "Pinocchio's Christmas" is a real treat that I think will surprise fans of Rankin/Bass. This is a real find if you come across it in a Christmas Classics set. Prepare to be surprised. Some really good voice-over work only adds to the value of this fun gem. This is framed as a series of adventures and lessons for Pinocchio (who misbehaves, a lot instigated by Fox and Feline who are always up to something to benefit themselves)during Christmastime and that framework keeps it from ever getting boring. Kids (and adults who grew up during this time) should really love it. |December 22/2014|
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Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey (1977)
Roger Miller's vocal narration and singing makes "Nestor…" a real treat! This Rankin & Bass stop motion animation special is short and sweet. It is a Christian-themed story, though, so be warned if you have no interest in such themes as the travel of Mary (carrying Jesus) and Joseph to Bethlehem with help from a disregarded, mistreated, put-upon, victimized long-eared donkey named Nestor, and an angel sent by God to encourage Nestor's journey towards Bethlehem on an important mission. The story is told by a donkey that does chores and helps out the elves for Santa while the reindeer and Ole Saint Nick take off to spread gifts to kids everywhere on Christmas Eve. Nestor was born into a bad situation, improperly abused verbally and physically by his brutish owner (with a wolf that laughs at Nestor's mistreatment), while his mother tries to keep him fed and safe as much as possible. When Roman soldiers demand animals to help their empire, Nestor is used as bait but his long ears enrage them (the owner put socks on the donkey's ears to try and trick them!). Not getting paid anything for his attempted deceit, the owner gets rid of Nestor, hurling him into the cold, wintry night to die. In her efforts to protect Nestor, his mother perishes as the snow covers her. Nestor is alone and left to fend for himself, until an angel (voiced by Brenda Vaccaro) arrives to provide him with details on a mission he is to perform for God…the donkey will earn a respect and adoration from the very animals that tormented and ridiculed him.
Again, there's a very Christian presence throughout the television special but I do think the message of "rebounding from alienation and bullying because you are different than others" is universal. I think anyone who has ever felt inadequate or different, considered insignificant or ugly, could very well feel a kinship with Nestor. That he is accepted when it is confirmed that Nestor isn't worthless (God saw significance in Nestor, why shouldn't others?) provides a lesson in not judging book by its cover…we all have a chance, regardless of what we look like and despite the handicaps we might have, to be something special. Celebrated voice artist, Paul Frees, is the vocals for the nasty owner of Nestor and the cruel donkey dealer Joseph and Mary receive Nestor. |December 22/2015|
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The Year Without Santa Claus (1974)
Another stop motion animated Yuletide treat from Rankin & Bass gives perspective to the importance of Santa Claus as Ole Saint Nick (Mickey Rooney, perfectly cast as the voice of Kris Kringle) decides to take a break from Christmas due to sickness, exhaustion, and disenchantment, believing the kids are tired of him. Mrs. Claus (voiced wonderfully by Hazel's own Shirley Booth) will take it upon herself to make sure Christmas isn't ruined, perhaps even motivating Santa to re-think his decision. To get kids to embrace Santa, she sets her sights on seeing a Dixie town called Southtown receives snow during Christmas (having to negotiate a "weather barter trade" between Heat Miser (responsible for sun and warmth) and Snow Miser (responsible for snow and cold), getting "mom" involved because of their bitter rivalry)). Meanwhile, Santa will need proof that kids still care about him ("Blue Christmas" cleverly used in a musical number) in order to take back the reins and return to doing what he does so well. The voice-work, animation, use of oft-neglected characters involved with Christmas animation (Vixen, winding up accidentally in an animal shelter (!), Mrs. Claus, unabated by her hubby's loss of desire, stirs up the base in order to see that kids receive a Christmas to be remembered, Jingle and Jangle Bells (elves in Santa's workshop) helping Mrs. Claus put together a gameplan to rescue Christmas), and inventive story all make "The Year Without Santa Claus" quite a special addition to your Holiday Season line-up. Santa gets to be a bit more relevant, instead of just a secondary character who shows up to drive the sleigh during Christmas Eve. The message of not losing a grip on one of the important reasons of the season is loud and clear. Just wholesome family fun. |December 24/2015|
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The Little Drummer Boy (1968)
Although maybe non-religious, non-Christian viewers might not embrace it, I think this Rankin/Bass stop motion animation special does have a nice little message about how poisonous hate can be and how enlightenment can come from losing it when you have love in its place. Orphan boy, Aaron (Eccles), lost his home and parents to cruel bandits, which has brewed a hatred for all humans. His drum present from his beloved parents and sticks to pound them rhythmically have enabled him to develop a magic relationship with a camel, sheep, and lamb that follow him across the lonely desert of Israel during the Virgin Mary's pregnancy with Christ. The Star of David in the sky, Aaron encounters a no-good, greedy showman, Ben Haramed (Ferrer) and his clumsy, obedient partner as they force them to perform in the hopes of a hefty payday. But Aaron isn't wearing any smile and his attitude regarding mankind doesn't endear him to crowds. Soon they meet kings who are following the Star as it guides them to the birthplace of Christ where Joseph and Mary are, the manger scene in its entirety, and Aaron will see, after his sheep is trampled by the hire of a Roman soldier, under stampeding chariot, that desperate love for his pet can conquer hate. It is Christian in tone and presentation so those not in favor of its story and conclusion at the manger, when the light of baby Jesus offers assistance to the dying sheep, might not take to this one. I thought it had good animation and fun voicework with Haramed quite a villain, snatching Aaron and his pets, expecting them to entertain so he can line his pockets. Narrated with rich voice by Greer Garson. This will most likely be rewarding to those of faith. There is also a message about Aaron letting go of hate and bitterness, lifted by his experience at the manger and the healing of his sheep. Short and sweet. |December 13/2016|
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Mr. Magoo's A Christmas Carol (1962)
What a wonderful surprise! Unlike a lot of Magoo fans, I actually didn't grow up with "Mister Magoo's Christmas Carol", and so this was a delightful special to be experiencing for the first time. I picked up a set of Christmas specials (Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty, the Snowman, etc.) that had this featured as an extra, but it could easily be a headlining cartoon instead of an additional feature. With that wonderfully distinctive voice of Gilligan Island's Jim Backus as Magoo, and the character being transplanted into the Dickens' classic so familiar to those of us who watch all the different versions of "A Christmas Carol" (well, Magoo is performing the role on Broadway; it opens with Magoo driving haphazardly through NYC and entering the wrong building instead of the theater for which he was to perform), I now fully understand why this is heralded as a classic to be enjoyed and revered. If you enjoy the cartoon animation of the period of Hanna-Barbara, then this should be a real treat.
Oddly, the version has Scrooge visited by Ghost of Christmas Present first, then Christmas Past afterward; I wonder if this was intentional. It certainly changes things up a bit. Besides that, this Christmas Carol adaptation (with even songs performed; my favorite is "We're Despicable (Plunderer's March)") is surprisingly faithful. While not covering the sister he lost (and not acknowledging his nephew), it does follow Cratchet and his family's plight, Scrooge's lonely Christmas childhood abandonment, Fezziwig's dance on Christmas Eve where Scrooge fell in love with Belle (and Belle's leaving him because she knew he loved profit more), Tiny Tim and Scrooge's death, and Scrooge's transformation after realizing the error of his ways. Interestingly, the bitter reaction of Mrs. Cratchet's wife regarding her husband thanking "the founder of their feast" and Scrooge's "raising of Bob's salary" after startling him with his character change are side-by-side with Scrooge actually coming to Bob's house (the wife complaining actually appears during the visit of Christmas Present & typically Scrooge startles Bob with his transformation at the cold business establishment), but little tweaks on the familiar are commonplace when it comes to "A Christmas Carol". Every adaptation sort of leaves a little out or adds a little to "A Christmas Carol". The finale has a curtain call that goes badly wrong when a nearly-blind Magoo winds up trying to do a good thing (allow the theater audience to see the director of their stage production; he's wrapped in bandages thanks to Magoo's clumsiness), destroying the sets on the stage in the process!!! The "We're Despicable" musical number has the laundress, undertaker, and maid celebrating how terrible they are when bringing taken items of Scrooge (after his death!) to a black-market buyer/seller! The animation of Grim Reaper is another cool presentation of the Ghost of Christmas Future. Apparently there's a scene cut from this version that I watched involving Belle...this is a disappointment since I was hoping this was an unedited version considering its good quality and rather new release. |December 23/2013|
______________
The Leprechaun's Christmas Gold (1981)
Cute, lesser known Rankin/Bass animated Christmas special has Art Carney narrating the tale of a sailor sent to fetch a pine tree from an Irish island which broke apart from its native country thanks to an earthquake. It has a leprechaun named Blarney Kilakilarney (voiced also by Carney) who has been away from his wife for far too long due to his insistence on keeping his gold stash from the clutches of a hideous witch (called a banshee) that shrieks and always cries tears. She must get her hands on the gold before Christmas day or turn into tears and through whatever tricks or spells she can muster will attempt to do so. Dinty Doyle, the boy sailor (voiced by Ken Jennings), is told he is in possession of all the gold when Blarney is able to outsmart Old Mag, the Hag's (Christine Mitchell) enchantment (a "generosity spell" she calls it)…she intended for him to give it all to her but Dinty thankfully was in the same vicinity. So Mag sets her sights on tricking Dinty and might just get the gold she has so coveted…like she did against Faye (Peggy Cass), the wife of Blarney (causing their estrangement), through the transformation into an angel, Mag will turn into a shipwrecked girl in the hopes of fooling Dinty into granting her his gold for a special Christmas island celebration. Good natured and sweet, The Leprechaun's Christmas Gold should be a perfect addition to the many Christmas animated specials that makes the cut during the holiday season. A few songs, the typically fine stop motion you are accustomed to for a Bass/Rankin production, and some memorable voiceovers provide a nice little short to enjoy each December. Dinty was responsible for accidentally releasing Mag from a trap concocted by Blarney and a wizard using the aforementioned pine tree, noticed by Dinty's captain on board their ship, adding a bit of irony to the entire short. Will Dinty be able to help stop her from seizing upon the gold? |December 22/2014|
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Pinocchio's Christmas (1980)
Delightful Rankin/Bass animated short incorporates wooden "boy", Pinocchio, made from wood in the "haunted" enchanted forest, and his "father"/maker, Papa Geppeto (voiced by George S Irving) into a splendid Christmas setting, with other memorable characters including the sly, conniving Fox (expertly voiced by Allen Swift who made a living doing voices for a variety of characters in the 70s) and his put-upon partner in crime, Feline (Patricia Bright), as well as, grumpy puppeteer Maestro Fire-Eater (hilariously essayed to us through the crackling roughly-hewn voice of Alan King) and Cricket (Bob McFadden; another master voice-over specialist). Fox and Feline trick Pinocchio into burying his little bit of change for a supposed huge payday (stealing it from him in the process when he's away), and Maestro Fire-Eater convinces Pinocchio to be the star marionette in his comic showcase for villagers for money he could use to help his poor father. But when Pinocchio is told by Maestro that girl puppet, Juliette, will be turned into an animal, he snatches her away and heads for the enchanted forest. Meanwhile Maestro tosses away a puppet he crafted in the form of Pinocchio, and Geppeto believes his son is no more once he finds him abandoned on a cold street sidewalk. Pinocchio is then manipulated by Fox and Feline to join a cohort of theirs (believing it is a trip to the North Pole), learning he is to be a "toy" for a wealthy man's children. Being a living toy is a novelty, but Pinocchio tries to talk sense into the father who seems perfectly fine with taking him from his home and leaving his children on a business trip. This Christmas special even has Pinocchio getting a ride with Santa in his sleigh, led by his reindeer, back home, and we are introduced to the fairy that gave him life in the Enchanted Forest and could very well bring to life, Juliette, the girl puppet he rescued from being turned into another character by Maestro. With some excellent animation, and a clever means for including a storybook classic literary and Disney character into the Christmas season, "Pinocchio's Christmas" is a real treat that I think will surprise fans of Rankin/Bass. This is a real find if you come across it in a Christmas Classics set. Prepare to be surprised. Some really good voice-over work only adds to the value of this fun gem. This is framed as a series of adventures and lessons for Pinocchio (who misbehaves, a lot instigated by Fox and Feline who are always up to something to benefit themselves)during Christmastime and that framework keeps it from ever getting boring. Kids (and adults who grew up during this time) should really love it. |December 22/2014|
______________
Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey (1977)
Roger Miller's vocal narration and singing makes "Nestor…" a real treat! This Rankin & Bass stop motion animation special is short and sweet. It is a Christian-themed story, though, so be warned if you have no interest in such themes as the travel of Mary (carrying Jesus) and Joseph to Bethlehem with help from a disregarded, mistreated, put-upon, victimized long-eared donkey named Nestor, and an angel sent by God to encourage Nestor's journey towards Bethlehem on an important mission. The story is told by a donkey that does chores and helps out the elves for Santa while the reindeer and Ole Saint Nick take off to spread gifts to kids everywhere on Christmas Eve. Nestor was born into a bad situation, improperly abused verbally and physically by his brutish owner (with a wolf that laughs at Nestor's mistreatment), while his mother tries to keep him fed and safe as much as possible. When Roman soldiers demand animals to help their empire, Nestor is used as bait but his long ears enrage them (the owner put socks on the donkey's ears to try and trick them!). Not getting paid anything for his attempted deceit, the owner gets rid of Nestor, hurling him into the cold, wintry night to die. In her efforts to protect Nestor, his mother perishes as the snow covers her. Nestor is alone and left to fend for himself, until an angel (voiced by Brenda Vaccaro) arrives to provide him with details on a mission he is to perform for God…the donkey will earn a respect and adoration from the very animals that tormented and ridiculed him.
Again, there's a very Christian presence throughout the television special but I do think the message of "rebounding from alienation and bullying because you are different than others" is universal. I think anyone who has ever felt inadequate or different, considered insignificant or ugly, could very well feel a kinship with Nestor. That he is accepted when it is confirmed that Nestor isn't worthless (God saw significance in Nestor, why shouldn't others?) provides a lesson in not judging book by its cover…we all have a chance, regardless of what we look like and despite the handicaps we might have, to be something special. Celebrated voice artist, Paul Frees, is the vocals for the nasty owner of Nestor and the cruel donkey dealer Joseph and Mary receive Nestor. |December 22/2015|
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The Year Without Santa Claus (1974)
Another stop motion animated Yuletide treat from Rankin & Bass gives perspective to the importance of Santa Claus as Ole Saint Nick (Mickey Rooney, perfectly cast as the voice of Kris Kringle) decides to take a break from Christmas due to sickness, exhaustion, and disenchantment, believing the kids are tired of him. Mrs. Claus (voiced wonderfully by Hazel's own Shirley Booth) will take it upon herself to make sure Christmas isn't ruined, perhaps even motivating Santa to re-think his decision. To get kids to embrace Santa, she sets her sights on seeing a Dixie town called Southtown receives snow during Christmas (having to negotiate a "weather barter trade" between Heat Miser (responsible for sun and warmth) and Snow Miser (responsible for snow and cold), getting "mom" involved because of their bitter rivalry)). Meanwhile, Santa will need proof that kids still care about him ("Blue Christmas" cleverly used in a musical number) in order to take back the reins and return to doing what he does so well. The voice-work, animation, use of oft-neglected characters involved with Christmas animation (Vixen, winding up accidentally in an animal shelter (!), Mrs. Claus, unabated by her hubby's loss of desire, stirs up the base in order to see that kids receive a Christmas to be remembered, Jingle and Jangle Bells (elves in Santa's workshop) helping Mrs. Claus put together a gameplan to rescue Christmas), and inventive story all make "The Year Without Santa Claus" quite a special addition to your Holiday Season line-up. Santa gets to be a bit more relevant, instead of just a secondary character who shows up to drive the sleigh during Christmas Eve. The message of not losing a grip on one of the important reasons of the season is loud and clear. Just wholesome family fun. |December 24/2015|
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