Here's a list of my favorite holiday tv specials.
And no, I'm not talking about "Pokemon's Special Christmas Wish" or any crap like that.
I'm talking about Christmas CLASSICS, most of which you can now buy on DVD and watch any time you want.
Remember how time used to stop when those shows were on?
You waited all year to see Rudolph - and you had one shot. One night.
Heaven forbid you weren't home or your dad wanted to watch a football game. Yikes.
(Kudos to my sports-fanatic dad, who relinquished the tv and never let me miss those shows!)
*Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
Hands down my favorite holiday classic, this one holds a very special place in my heart.
When I was a child, my mom used a tape recorder (remember those?) and taped this show for me cause I loved it so much. I then (and my parents will attest to this) played it over and over again in my room, memorizing the lines - I loved it so much.
Another reason it is memorable to me is because my last name used to be Rudolph as a small child, and kids used to make fun of that come Christmastime - So I felt a special kinship with Rudolph, since he was called names too!
(I can still recite the show line for line)
A sequel, Rudolph's Shiny New Year, doesn't suck.
Special shout-out to Sam the Snowman!
*A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
Coming in a close second is Charlie Brown. All the Peanuts holiday shows are great, but this one really is in a class by itself.
The little Christmas tree gets me every time (sniff sniff..).
And who dances better than Chuck and his friends?
Rock on!
*How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)
It's back to Whoville every year for this annual fest of Karloff narration and roast beast.
"Fah Hoo Forres"!
That poor dog (Max) of the Grinch's had it rough, right? That stupid horn tied on his head.
And the lovably cruel Grinch, hater of all things holiday - until the Whos show him the real meaning of Christmas and he returns their loot... even to little Cindy-Lou-Who.
One of the best songs of the holidays: 'You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch' comes from this tale.
*The Year Without a Santa Claus (1974)
In this one, Santa decides he needs a holiday (maybe at a weight loss spa, eh?) and tells everyone to buzz off.
The main reason I like this is the Snow Miser and the Heat Miser. Everybody knows those songs and how can you not like them?
And me, with my compassion towards animals, always gets choked up when the sick little reindeer (disguised as a dog... don't ask) gets taken to the pound by the dogcatcher!
I'm a sap, what can I say?
*Santa Claus is Coming to Town (1970)
While I'm not entirely fond of the red haired Kris Kringle character, I do like it when he finally turns into the Santa we all know and love.
And that freakin' song: 'Put one foot.... in front of.. the other..." - Sticks in my head for days on end. And I could sooo smack the Burgermeister Meisterburger! I'm not crazy about kids either, but it's Christmas, you loser! No toys?!
But I love that wizard character, Winter Warlock... I almost start clapping when he gets his choo-choo!
*Frosty the Snowman (1969)
For all intents and purposes, Frosty is actually pretty silly. I can't say it's my favorite, and I just want to slap that stupid little girl silly for making Frosty melt cause he takes her in the warm greenhouse. Maybe that's what I'm mad about, I don't know. But the whole "Happy Birthday" thing is really dorky. But Frosty is a classic, and I still watch him every year.
The sequels about Frosty finding a wife and/or becoming a Carnival King or whatever... UGH.
*The Snowman (1982)
This is a newer addition to the list. And a much prettier snowman than Frosty, sorry.
It is based on a book by British author Raymond Briggs and was brought to life for the small screen in 1982. A little boy builds a snowman that comes to life. Kind of like Frosty, I guess - but so much classier.
Both the book and the film have no words spoken - the tale is told through pictures.
It is a gorgeous little cartoon, and has the beautifully sung 'Walking in the Air' as it's theme song.
Highly recommended.
*Mickey's Christmas Carol (1983)
The re-telling of the periennal favorite Dickens' A Christmas Carol, starring our favorite little rodent, Mickey.
Donald Duck makes a crusty old Scrooge, who makes life difficult for Bob Cratchit (Mickey of course).. and again learns his lesson about appreciating the holidays and making merry.
'A Christmas Carol' is one of my favorite stories in any capacity, and Mickey's my favorite mouse, so there you go.
*The Little Drummer Boy (1968)
To be fair, I can't remember seeing this special as much as the rest, so to give an honest opinion would be difficult.
But I do remember I loved that little lamb.
Naturally, it tells the same story that the popular song is based on.
So there you have it...
I'm sure I missed a few - but I cannot (and will not) include any more recent specials, as these are the ones from my childhood - back when Dora the Explorer and the Bratz didn't exist (back when the world was almost perfect...)
If you haven't seen any of the above, get your boots and hat on and go get the DVDs - they are on sale everywhere this time of year.
Or better yet, stay in your slippers and order them from Amazon.
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