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A spiraling cluster of news & events from distant decades
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Santa Claus is Comin' To Town!
From the makers of the popular "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" Animagic Television Special 6 years ago, comes a brand new holiday special destined to become another family favorite.
This is the story of the origin of Santa Claus brought to life through the magic of stop-motion animation in this Christmas production for the whole family. A friendly postman (voice of 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).
Aurthur Rankin, Jr. and Jules Bass have now produced 10 television specials to date since forming Rankin/Bass Productions in 1961. Last year's conventional cel-animated "Frosty the Snowman" airing on the CBS network and starring Jimmy Durante was well received. "Santa Claus" has all the earmarks of another Rankin/Bass hit.
Astaire, Rooney, and Wynn are nothing short of entertaining as usual, but Paul Frees just about steals the show with his fabulous performance of the Burgermeister Meisterburger. All of the musical numbers are suberb. This is a production that will delight children and adults alike!
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Here's a great book that is the definitive, authorized history and celebration of Rankin / Bass animation. It documents every one of their productions with rare photographs, production stills, concept drawings and memorabilia, along with extensive commentary by Arthur Rankin and dozens of the artists, actors and animators with whom he worked. The Enchanted World of Rankin/Bass, by Rick Goldschmidt.
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