Synopsis
Includes:
Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol (1962)
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
Cricket on the Hearth (1967)
The Little Drummer Boy (1968)
Frosty the Snowman (1969)
Santa Claus Is Coming to Town (1970)
Frosty Returns (1992)
Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol
Having made a bundle on their 130-episode package of Mr. Magoo TV cartoons, the folks at UPA studios decided to star Magoo in a 60-minute musical version of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. First telecast over the NBC network on December 18, 1962, Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol deftly uses the device of depicting Magoo as a famous Broadway star, returning to the stage to essay the role of Ebeneezer Scrooge. This "framing" device has, unfortunately, been eliminated from currently available TV and video versions of this hour-long animated special. Still, Magoo has plenty of time to shine as Scrooge, a role ideally suited for the character's crotchety demeanor and comic nearsightedness. The five original songs by Jules Styne and Bob Merrill are wonderful-far more so than the disposable score of the 1970 live-action Christmas Carol musical adaptation Scrooge. The principal voices are provided by Jim Backus as Magoo, Jack Cassidy as Bob Cratchit, Royal Dano as Marley's Ghost, and Joan Gardner, Morey Amsterdam and Paul Frees. Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol served as the pilot for the 1964 animated anthology series The Famous Adventures of Mr. Magoo, wherein Magoo essayed such literary roles as Friar Tuck, Gunga Din, and all seven of Snow White's dwarves. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
This stop-motion animagic version of the classic Christmas tale adds a bit of a twist when Rudolph encounters an abominable snowman. This was made for TV and features Burl Ives as the narrator. ~ Rovi
Cricket on the Hearth
The Cricket on the Hearth is based on one of Charles Dickens' lesser-known Christmas stories. Bertha, the toymaker's daughter, is the central character. She searches for love and understanding from her father Caleb, who just wants his family to be happy. With the appearance of a good luck cricket, fortunes seem to change. This release features the voices of real-life father and daughter Danny and Marlo Thomas and Roddy McDowell as the Cricket. As all ends well, The Cricket on the Hearth closes with a catchy tune, "The First Christmas." The animated seasonal program was a predecessor to better known fare. It now serves as godfather to Christmas tales told since. ~ Sarah Ing, Rovi
The Little Drummer Boy
The perennial Yuletide animated classic The Little Drummer Boy gets a new look on home video with this release. Actually, the program itself will be familiar to those who watch it every December; only the packaging has changed. This moving story, about a poor boy who can offer no gift to the baby Jesus other than his song, will entertain and inspire the entire family. The soundtrack was recorded by the Vienna Boys Choir. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi
Frosty the Snowman
Frosty the Snowman is an animated television special based on the classic song about a magic snowman who comes to life and befriends several children. Jimmy Durante narrates the special and sings the title song. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi
Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
The story of how Santa Claus came to be is brought to life through the magic of stop-motion animation in this Christmas-themed production for the family. A friendly postman (voiced by Fred Astaire) explains how friendly Kris Kringle (voice of Mickey Rooney), a foundling taken in by a family of toymakers, took it upon himself to bring some happiness to the children of Sombertown, despite the grumpy opposition of Burgermeister Meisterburger (voice of Paul Frees) and the Winter Warlock (voice of Keenan Wynn). Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town was directed and produced by Jules Bass and Arthur Rankin Jr., who created another popular animated story of the season, Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
Frosty Returns
In this sequel to the much-loved "Frosty the Snowman" cartoon special, Frosty reappears to befriend a girl named Holly and help save Christmas from the invention of an evil snow-exterminating chemical. ~ Iotis Erlewine, Rovi
