Truly Dreadful Film

An action-packed slog

It's fun, it's light, [but] it has a hard time when its tries to get heavy.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

Back when I was a kid, there were T.V. specials and movies our family waited for every year to come on during the holiday season. Like millions of others, we watched this, "Rudolph", "The Grinch" and other holiday specials every year. I was only seven when this was first shown, so I must have seen the original broadcast. For some reason, I thought it was older than that, so its original airdate comes as a total delightful surprise to me.If somebody could put together a stage version of this, I would definitely go to see it, because this has "musical theater" written all over it. The songs by Maury Laws and Jules Bass are all quite memorable and have Broadway influence written all over it. The character of Jessica (Robie Lester), the small town school teacher, reminds me totally of Marion Paroo, the librarian from "The Music Man", while Mickey Rooney's Kris Kringle is definitely a variation of Harold Hill. The comical villain, Burgermeister Meisterburger, is so delightfully over the top, and I could definitely see the actor in that part stealing every scene they are in. Paul Frees is very funny, especially when he all of a sudden reverts to childhood glee when he is given a yo-yo even though taking a present breaks his own stupid law.As narrator, Fred Astaire is outstanding, the puppet made up to look exactly like him. He even comes into the story a bit. At over 70, Astaire still had "it", and even six years later, the opportunity to see him dance on film one more time in "That's Entertainent II" was a joy to behold. Joan Gardner provides the voice of wisdom as the portly and lovable Tantee Kringle who adopts Kris, and she is definitely the prototype for what we think Mrs. Klaus should look like. It's no surprise that when Jessica ages, she looks exactly like Tantee.Character veteran Keenan Wynn also gets to resemble himself here, providing the voice of the Winter Warlock. Just imagine two Broadway hoofers stealing the scene with "Put One Foot in Front of the Other". Audiences would be on their feet even before the number was over! They might consider altering the lyrics of "If You Sit on my Lap Today" which even in context of the cartoon seems a bit perverse. "My World is Beginning Today", Jessica's solo, is just as gorgeous as any of Marion's songs in "The Music Man", and could serve a Broadway leading lady very well if they cast it right. Calling Kelli O'Hara! However, the most touching moment is Astaire's solo, "What Better Way to Tell You" where he explains the real meaning of Christmas which isn't presents, cookies, trees or even Santa Claus himself. The fact that Santa and the baby Jesus can be utilized in the same story is really the type of Christmas I grew up with, not the hyped-up shopping frenzy that causes injuries on "black Friday" and misrepresents why the holiday was put on the calendar in the first place. So my Christmas wish is that some Broadway producer opens their eyes to what could really express the holiday spirit while making themselves some money at the same time.

Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass are known for their classic Christmas special musicals so it didn't surprise me when I discovered that they made a film on the origins of Santa as well. Neither did I find it any less entertaining. Even if the story is fiction, the possibilities to why Santa Claus climbs down chimneys and puts toys in stockings is rather interesting to know about.The teleplay, written by Romeo Muller, includes a lot of nice trivia that the usual Christmas celebrator won't know of about, for example why we say Santa does all these different actions on Christmas Eve. Narrating this story is actor Fred Astaire who tells us how Santa came to be. Voicing Santa Claus is Mickey Rooney who if you didn't know who he was, you'd almost never guess he was the funny looking security guard from Night at the Museum (2006).Maybe one of the goofiest characters in this film is the villain named Burgermeister Meisterburger. A grumpy town mayor with the ego the size of the Mt. Everest. And let's not forget The Winter Warlock, the evil wizard who lives high up in the hills. All these characters, no matter what role they play are fun to watch and listen too. The animation recalls that of Rankin and Bass' other Christmas special, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964). The songs are still catchy even though Johnny Marks did not write them. Altogether, it's a good eye-opener to the background of Santa Claus.Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town has catchy music and good cast of voice actors. Plus, its informative background on Santa Claus is a cool history lesson.

Mirok's comments concerning "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" were incredibly insightful. I was surprised no mention was made of the toy burnings, since they would reflect the book burnings in Nazi Germany in the 1930s.Beyond that, this is ABC's best Christmas special, and is one that is edgier than the 1964 Rudolph special. Made during the height of the Vietnam turmoil, this show also has a LOT of heart, and is a deeply affecting production. It offers a lot of lessons concerning good will and compassion, something so sorely lacking in 21st Century American society.And the producers did all of us a favour by bringing on Fred Astaire, Mickey Rooney, Paul Frees and Keenan Wynn for this production! The music is world class, and even Jessica's solo number is fantastic! Hers is a case of a 1970 trippy song that has become a classic! Gotta love it!!

A mailman relates the story of how Santa Claus came to be. A small baby is left on the doorstep of the house where the Kringle family lives. They name him Kris. Kris (excellently voiced by Mickey Rooney) grows up to be a fine young man who decides to deliver toys to the children of the dreary small hamlet of Sombertown. But both the evil Winter Warlock (given a splendidly deep, rumbling voice by Keenan Wynn) and the mean Burgermeister Meisterburger (legendary voice actor supreme Paul Frees in top grouchy form) try to stop him. During the course of the tale we find out about the origins of Santa's red suit, his trademark heart laugh, stockings by the fireplace, why Santa goes down the chimney, presents under the Christmas, and the flying reindeer. The pleasant, good-natured tone, endearing characters (Topper the Penguin is absolutely adorable), a jaunty, merry score by Maury Laws, sweetly innocuous humor, snazzy stop-motion animation, catchy, uplifting songs, cute black and white newsreel opening, and charmingly simple story all ensure that this vintage early 70's holiday TV special from the ever reliable Jules Bass and Arthur Rankin, Jr. is a hugely enjoyable affair from start to finish. Fred Astaire as the singing and dancing mailman makes for a wonderfully warm and amiable narrator. A lovely little jewel.