Pooh’s Christmas Adventure

Rabbit, Eeyore, Tigger, Piglet, and Christopher Robin draw up a Christmas list and send it to Santa Claus. They left out one little detail though -- they forgot to ask Pooh what he wants. Since Christmas is tomorrow, poor Pooh must rush to get the letter back, add his gifts to the list, and go to the North Pole to give the letter to Santa personally. While Pooh is away, his friends decide that the best present in the world is to spend the holidays all together.

Title: Winnie the Pooh and Christmas Too
Release: December 14, 1991
Genre: Animation- TV Christmas Special
MPAA Rating: G
Writer: Karl Geurs & Mark Zaslove
Director: Jamie Mitchell
Distributed By: Walt Disney Company/ ABC
Run Time: 40 minutes

In the early 90’s the Disney Channel produced quite a few animated TV shows but none were as popular as The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. Re-runs were shown as recently as 2006 after the original show was cancelled. Because of the huge audience response, quite a few holiday specials have been made in recent years. Especially for Halloween and Christmas! One of the best ones was Winnie the Pooh and Christmas Too although you can only find it now on DVD edited and released as A Very Merry Pooh Year.

Who could resist “silly ol’ Winnie the Pooh” ? Certainly not me! I just adored this cartoon as a kid and I actually still have the coloring book based on this Christmas special. ABC decided to show it this year along with several other wonderful Christmas specials but unfortunately, they showed the edited version that cuts a few minor scenes to fit the required 30 minute length.

I just love how big-hearted Pooh is! He’s not even worried about his present once he realizes that his friends won’t get what they asked for and although it takes everyone else to realize the true meaning of Christmas, they eventually come around too. Hopefully next year we’ll get to see the whole thing on TV!

If you would like more information on Winnie the Pooh and Christmas Too please check out the Wikipedia article and imdb.com as well.

This is Definitely Not Going Anywhere!

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).

Title: Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Release: December 14, 1970
Genre: Animation- TV Christmas Special
MPAA Rating: G
Writer: Romeo Muller
Director: Jules Bass & Arthur Rankin Jr.
Distributed by: Rankin/ Bass Production
Run Time: 53 minutes

You better watch out, you better not cry, and I’ll tell you why: Santa Claus is Coming to Town! Everyone knows that when Christmas comes to town, so do the Christmas specials and none so good (or as many!) as those by Rankin/Bass. When it comes to the tale about Santa and how he became who he is today though not one film has ever come close to being as good as this certain one.

As you may have noticed, the Rankin/Bass producers sometimes got famous actors at the time to voice a few of their main characters in their specials but in this particular Christmas special, they had not one but two distinguished actors! The brilliant Mickey Rooney voiced Kris Kringle, later known of course as Santa Claus (a role he was to reprise in two other Rankin/ Bass features) and the legendary Fred Astaire as the narrator S. D. Kluger.

Oh and you can’t get any better than Put One Foot in Front of the Other and such other great songs like Fred Astaire singing the classic Santa Claus is Coming to Town title song. I also love how the stop-motion animation is still able to hold it’s own against newer films almost 40 years later.

If you would like more information on this classic Christmas special the Christmas special Wikia has an entry and so does Wikipedia (both have little known trivia). Of course the Rankin/Bass website also has a page on this film as well.

This is an often deleted sequence from the original film:

Pull Up an Ice Block and Watch!

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer recounts the tale of a shy, young reindeer whose Christmas spirit is dampened because his shiny red nose has made him the laughing stock of all Christmastown. Frustrated by their inability to fit in, Rudolph and his friend Hermey, the Elf who wants to be a dentist, set out on their own. However, they soon find themselves pursued by the Abominable Snowmonster. They flee to the island of Misfit Toys in the Arctic wilderness where Yukon Cornelius, a prospector they meet along the way, comes to their rescue. Returning to Christmastown, they learn that bad weather may cause Christmas to be canceled. But Rudolph's headlight--his illuminated nose--saves Christmas by serving as a beacon to guide Santa's sleigh.

Title: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Release: December 6, 1964
Genre: Animated- TV Christmas Special
MPAA Rating: G
Writer: Robert May (story), Romeo Muller
Director: Larry Roemer & Kizo Nagashima
Produced by: Rankin/Bass
Run Time: 51 minutes
“Official Site”

Rankin/ Bass has produced most of the world’s most beloved Christmas specials but none of them are as loved as Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Not only is it one of the world’s longest running Christmas specials but its actually inspired several sequels too. This is simply a must for everyone of any age that has ever felt like a misfit.

I’m just amazed at how well Rudolph has withstood the test of time! Most older cartoons look so fake nowadays compared to what we’re used to seeing that it’s hard to let yourself get completely lost within the movie but not Rudolph! There are even parody commercials for Aflac insurance that mimic this beautiful film made this year.

I could continue going on and on about the stop-motion animation that Rankin/Bass are best-known for but I’d much rather talk about how wonderful the songs are. Burl Ives, who plays the Snowman Sam sings what have now become Christmas staples, Have a Holly Jolly Christmas and Silver and Gold but there are also other good songs like We’re a Couple of Misfits and The Most Wonderful Day of the Year which is sung by the inhabitants of The Island of Misfit Toys.

For more information on this great film check out these links: the Wikipedia articles on this TV special and Rudolph himself, the Rankin/Bass Rudolph website (which includes tons of interesting photos), and the Wikia Christmas Special article too. Also for a great download of the soundtrack go to Children’s Records and More and a recent podcast with the cast.

Trailer:


Aflac Commercial:


There's Always Tomorrow:

Chomping All the Way!

Santa Claus and his reindeer crash land in PacLand on Christmas Eve and lose all the gifts they were going to deliver all over the world. The Pac-Family help them recuperate and Santa tells them the meaning of Christmas. Pac-Man and Chomp-Chomp search for the gifts, only to see the Ghost Monsters have found them first. Will they get the presents on time for Santa to deliver them?

Title: Christmas Comes to Pacland
Release: 1982
Genre: Animation- TV Christmas Special
MPAA Rating: N/A (G)
Writer: Jeffrey Scott
Director: Ray Patterson
Produced By: Hannah-Barbera Production
Run Time: 25 minutes

Most people know about the Pacman video game (unless they live under a rock) but did you know that it was a cartoon TV series in the early 80s? It only ran for two years before it was cancelled but it still managed to get it’s own Christmas special called Christmas Comes to Pacland.

The Pac-man cartoons were a bit before my time so I had never even heard of them, much less knew that there was a Christmas special but to be honest it wasn’t that great nor something I would probably watch again.

The animation is probably this Pac-man’s only redeeming quality. I just loved Pac-man’s dog Chomp-Chomp and Pac-Baby was pretty cute too. I usually enjoy anything by Hannah-Barbera but this time I have to say that they should have just left the Christmas specials to Rankin/Bass.
There isn’t too much information available about Christmas Comes to Pacland but Wikipedia has an entry about the Pac-man TV series and mentions it. There is a complete plot synopsis on the Christmas special wikia site too but it includes spoilers.

Have a Yabba-Dabba Merry Christmas!

The Flintstones, the first animated family to find prime time television success, celebrate Christmas in this made-for-TV special, which originally aired on NBC December 7, 1977. Betty and Wilma nag Fred to dress up like Santa for the company party, but only his boss Mr. Slate is able to convince him. However, when the real Santa gets hurt, Fred and Barney take over his duties for the evening. Lacking Santa's expertise, they make time-costing errors that make yet another example of Fred's perpetual tardiness when he's late for the party. Fred and Barney then must prove that their hearts were in the right place, despite taking so long to show up.

Title: A Flintstone Christmas
Release: 1977
Genre: Animation- TV Christmas Special
MPAA Rating: N/A (G)
Writer: Duane Pool & Dick Robbins
Director: Charles A. Nichols
Produced By: Hannah-Barbara Productions
Run Time: 45 minutes

Despite the fact that the Flintstones takes place before Christmas was ever even thought up (or before Christ was born, depends on your religion) it didn’t stop the Christmas specials! Matter of fact if I’m not mistaken, I think there were at least three if not more and although A Flintstone Christmas isn’t the best one it’s still really good.

This is another one of those Christmas specials where an average Joe (in this case Fred Flintstone) has to take over Santa’s job delivering presents because Santa is sick (or hurt). At least Barney gets to come along for the ride as “Santa’s” little helper, complete with a cute elf costume!

As I said before, there are many other Flintstone holiday specials (one of the most popular being The Flintstone Christmas Carol) and as a consequence, A Flintstone Christmas has been almost forgotten. Luckily, AOL has gotten into the Christmas spirit and started hosting these great old cartoons so you can watch the entire cartoon online now.

~ More information:
Wikipedia Entry & Big Cartoon Database Entry

Very, Very Sooney, Christmas Will Be Here!

Frustrated by the havoc of directing the Acme Looniversity Christmas play, Buster Bunny reaches his wit's end, and in a moment of despair, decides to quit "Tiny Toon Adventures." A visit by a guardian angel rabbit named Harvey helps Buster change his mind by showing him what Acme Acres would have been like without him.

Title: It’s a Wonderful Tiny Toons Christmas Special
Release: 1992
Genre: Animated-TV Christmas Special
MPAA Rating: N/A
Writer: Sherri Stoner & Deanna Oliver
Director: Tom McClenahan
Produced By: Warner Bros. Television
Run Time: 23 minutes


It’s a Wonderful Tiny Toons Christmas Special is a parody of one of the best Christmas movies ever made called It’s a Wonderful Life (starring James Stewart). Like all of the Tiny Toon cartoons there are tons of allusions to other films and Christmas specials including How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (look for the snowman who bears a striking resemblance to the snowman voiced by Burl Ives) and also “guest” appearances by famous celebrities like Cher and Whoopie Goldberg.

Steven Spielberg Presents Tiny Toons Adventures (that ran from 1990 to 1992) was one of my favorite cartoon shows when I was a kid . I may not have always understood some of the humor but I still enjoyed it. I‘m surprised to learn that during all that time only one Christmas special was made but at least it was a good one. They even revised the original theme song for it!

This will never be a Christmas special classic but it was funny and not a bad way to spend some time. Tiny Toons was a great show that will probably never be matched in wit and animation ever again so watch Buster, Babs, Plucky and the rest do what they do best in the way only cartoons from the early 90s can do it.

~There isn’t too much information on this Tiny Toons cartoon but Wikipedia and imdb.com both have entries on it.

A Perfect Match

Identical twin 9-year-old girls, one a poor orphan, the other a rich heiress, cause confusion when they decide to meddle in their caretakers' love lives in this family-oriented comedy. Amanda (Mary Kate Olsen) is the orphan, a scrappy young girl with no family, relying on the support of her caring social worker, Diane (Kirstie Alley). When Diane brings Amanda to a summer camp, she first encounters Alyssa (Ashley Olsen), the wealthy daughter of the camp's sponsor, Roger Callaway (Steve Guttenberg). The girls immediately bond and decide to switch places for the fun of it. They soon conclude that their lives would be improved if Roger and Diane were to get together and form a family, and they set out to bring the adults together.

Title: It Takes Two
Release: 1995
Genre: Comedy/ Family-Kids
Rating: PG
Writer: Deborah Dean Davis

Director: Andy Tennant
Produced by: Warner Bros.
Run Time: 101 minutes

There are a few twin celebrities but none so popular as Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. Ever since they were little kids they have starred in films and TV shows that cash in on their cuteness and the fact that they are twins, it didn’t hurt that they were extremely talented either. The film It Takes Two is a variation of the Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain and the movie The Parent Trap.

I love movies from the early 90's because they seem so much more real and I grew up in that era. There are several movies starring the Olsen twins’ but It Takes Two was always a favorite. Even if the film is lighthearted fluff (not many kids would sit through it if it wasn’t), I think it was actually one of the last good movies the girls made together.

The story is cute, funny, and a great film to watch with the family (especially if you have mischievous little girls) but it is rather predictable. The humor is what pulls the whole thing through especially the many clever one liners ( “...Yeah right, and Santa Claus lives with the Tooth Fairy in Queens”) so although you know that the fairy tale ending pulls through in the end, you’ll have fun on the journey!

For more information on It Takes Two: Wikipedia entry and imdb.com

Trailer:

visit videodetective.com for more info

You're a Great One Mr. Grinch

"Every Who down in Whoville liked Christmas a lot." And every family likes How The Grinch Stole Christmas! a lot! This joyous, heart-tickling holiday event based on Dr. Seuss' beloved book and featuring the voice of Boris Karloff has delighted viewers of all ages since its 1966 debut. The fun begins when the grumpy, grouchy, Yule-hating Grinch plots to ruin the Who's Christmas. Can he steal their holiday spirit by stealing their holiday treats? Or does Christmas...perhaps...mean a little bit more?

Theodor Suess Geisel, better known as Dr. Suess created many books in his day that have not only withstood the test of time, they’re still read and loved by millions of children the whole world over. Several of his more popular books were even made into movies but none of them are as wonderful as How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

There are just so many things I love about this film! The wonderful voice talent, the utterly unique nonsense songs, and Chuck Jones’ animation makes this fabulous Christmas special something that I simply have to watch every year!

Can you imagine anyone else but the gravely voice of Boris Karloff as the Grinch or Thurl Ravenscroft (most famous as the Frosted Flakes mascot Tony the Tiger) as the narrator and singer? Of course you can’t! These two men are just as an essential part of what makes How the Grinch Stole Christmas as the wonderful songs such as my favorite, You’re a Mean One Mr. Grinch are.

Every year families gather around the TV to see and hear time and time again this animated classic, (myself included) and I can’t properly explain why this little cartoon has lasted more than 40 years but maybe the fact most of us start feeling a little Grinchy ourselves right before Christmas gets here may have something to do with it! We may not be eating Roast Beast when the 25th rolls around but hopefully everyone’s Christmas isn’t just from a store.... hopefully it’s “a little bit more”.

~ If you would like more information on How the Grinch Stole Christmas there are Wikipedia entries on the animated movie, the live-action movie, and the book too.

The Grinch Documentary is also available online.

Here is the link if you would like to read the original Dr. Suess story.

Trailer:

visit videodetective.com for more info

Complete Film:

Ebenezer Shrek?

Just when Shrek thought he could finally sit back, relax and enjoy his happily ever after with his new family, the most joyous of all holidays arrives. It's Christmas Eve and everyone is filled with holiday cheer -- except for Shrek. He isn't exactly the picture of yuletide joy, but for the sake of Fiona and the kids, he tries to get into the spirit of things as only an ogre can. Unfortunately, everyone seems to have their own ideas about what Christmas is all about, so when Donkey, Puss In Boots, Gingerbread Man and the whole gang try to join in on the fun, Shrek's plans for a cozy family celebration end up spiraling into one truly unforgettable Christmas.

Debuting this year is the latest in the Shrek franchise: Shrek the Halls. It’s a 30 minute Christmas special that stars the originally voices from the movies and almost everyone shows up from Shrek and Donkey to the Gingerbread Man. Unfortunately, that’s the best thing I can say about it. Even the soundtrack was a disappointment!

I never really got into the whole Shrek thing myself (I haven’t even seen the third one yet) but I did think the first one was pretty good. I really did try to enjoy Shrek the Halls but in my opinion, it was just too loud and too much chaos. It’s almost like Dreamworks said, “Slap Shrek into a Christmas special then terrorize and annoy him until almost the very end.”

Even though I didn’t care for it, I did like how it tried to come across as a nutty family Christmas. Hopefully it will cause new (and better!) Christmas specials to be made and for that I’m grateful. If you’re still hankering for some green for the holidays, just stick with the Grinch. Now there’s a fellow that can make a mean Christmas special!

~ For more on Shrek the Halls there is of course the Wikipedia entry.

A Magical Adventure

Five adventurous humanoid dogs are trying to find their way home via a magical key that creates portals when they arrive on Earth and are mistaken as real dogs and taken to the animal shelter. They are soon separated when the leader Stanley is taken home as a birthday present for a boy named Jaime. Jaime is enlisted in helping get the rest of the gang out by any means necessary. However, a mean and wealthy collector of rare animals named J. J. Wagstaff becomes aware of the talking “dogs” and is after them. Will the Fluppies make it home?

In 1985 the Disney Channel ran two animated fantasy cartoons, hoping at least one of them would be successful. They were The Adventures of the Gummi Bears and The Wuzzles. The latter only ran for 3 months so when 1986 rolled around there was a space open for a new animated TV series. This time the new show was presented in a one hour pilot episode so the company could claim it was just a Disney channel movie if it didn’t pan out. Making the Fluppy Dogs the first ever Disney Channel Original Movie.

Unfortunately, even with all of the puzzles, books, and stuffed animals out there the Fluppy Dogs never did catch on and the TV series was cancelled before it even got off the ground. If it wasn’t for those stuffed animals then no one would be able to remember the Fluppies, me included. Thankfully they did exist (matter of fact the yellow one was my first stuffed animal) and some people do still remember.

Thanks to Mystic Orca I finally got to see this forgotten film and I thought it was wonderful. You can tell that a lot of creative effort went into the Fluppies and their story, it’s just a shame that you can’t find stuff like this anymore.

~The Wuzzles was the first thing I ever posted about on this blog.

For more information about the Fluppy Dogs:
Wikipedia Entry, Retro Junk Entry, & Fan-Listing

To buy Fluppy Dogs and related items:
Ebay.com & Ioffer.com

Fluppy Dogs Intro:


Commercial: