First of all, this list is strictly old-school – literally so, as my feeling towards each Christmas special is based on my recollections of seeing it many grades ago as a kid (who I think is the best critic for this genre). Thus, you’ll see no mention of recent computer-animated specials or any number of ironic, post-reverent satires. I also disqualified variety-shows, because there were too many to count, and most fell under the same thematic mistletoe. Thus I’ve given them all the kiss-off. I do, however, have fond memories of Bing Crosby’s holiday special (I seem to remember a lot of skating), which positively defined the genre of on-air family celebrations. I could also mention Perry Como, but then I’d have to move on to Andy Williams. It’s a slippery slope, at the bottom of which is John Davidson. And he looks best behind TV snow – which, unfortunately, has melted into technological history. You’ll also notice that most of the following specials were based on – even named after – songs, which is a rare occurrence outside the realm of Christmas productions.
RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER
There has to be a reason that this is the most famous Christmas special of them all. Perhaps the character of Rudolph is a holiday icon that’s inoffensive to everyone, as his world never brushes up against religiosity. And the famous special does the song one better: it personifies the character of Rudolph. After all, the lyrics in the song only ask, “Rudolph, with your nose so bright/won’t you guide my sleigh tonight?” The young stag doesn’t actually answer. Certainly, the song alludes to other deer making fun of him (“used to laugh and call him names”); but they may be speaking a language that can only be picked up by antler, not antennae. (Of course, later in the song, they shout out with glee that he’ll go down in history – but even that I’ve always imagined was a translation from deer communication.) In this stop-motion animated classic, reindeer speak English and they don’t get caught in the headlights. Rudolph is the headlights. What’s more, every character is basically likeable – even the Abominable Snowman comes around eventually – and a few (Santa, Rudolph, Dennis, the Abominable Snowman) are practically lovable. The songs are pretty good, too; particularly the title track sung by Burl Ives, whose particular ilk of folk crooner is all but extinct. Best of all, Rudolph has legs: the silly plot never gets old no matter how many times you watch. The Rankin-Bass animation has a toy-ish magic CGI simply can’t touch. What makes Rudolph glow even more is the fact that it debuted the same year as the Beatles touched down on The Ed Sullivan Show. This is your father’s Christmas special.
A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS
All of the Peanuts specials have a jazzy pace, with the uniqueness of Charles Schultz’s drawings compensating for the not-very-animated animation. With perfectly drawn characters – in every sense – and the ethereal, haunting quality of Vince Guaraldi’s music, this 1965 special endures like few others. Ironically, while being accessible to those for whom Christmas is more pop-cultural than religious, it rips the wrapping paper right off the holiday’s over-commercialization.
HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS
Chuck Jones’ 1966 classic is perhaps most-remembered for the creepy theme song, Boris Karloff’s natty narration (and voice for the Grinch) and the animation’s faithfulness to the original book by Dr. Suess. Most impressively, the Grinch was one character who had nothing to do with real-life concepts like snowmen and reindeer; he was very much his own man – or his own whatever.
SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN
Though this Rankin-Bass stop-action special from 1970 hovers just above mediocrity – in no small part thanks to unexceptional songs – it’s pretty neat seeing the back story of how Santa met his bride.
FROSTY THE SNOWMAN
Except for the unmistakable voice of Jimmy Durante, as narrator, this dull Rankin-Bass cartoon has little to recommend it. Its source material is a catchy song with a fairly static plot, particularly compared to the compelling saga of Rudolph. And when measured against some of the stronger, more enduring, Christmas specials, Frosty the Snowman melts under scrutiny.
THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY
Another special based on a song – but in this case the dirge-like ballad, its strong religious content notwithstanding, is possibly the most tuneless of all Christmas ditties. The barely memorable special follows suit, and I can’t recall seeing it aired in many a year. Bad song, worse special. Drum and drummer.
Jordan Oakes is a local journalist who has written for publications such as St. Louis Magazine and the Christian Science Monitor. He has strong opinions that begin to atrophy if he doesn't exercise his right to express them. Tune in every Wednesday for another installment of Mediatribe - and if you missed last week's post, click here.
