Friday, December 18, 2009

Gilligan's Island - Christmas Episode (1964)

Beat the Clock - Christmas Episode (1952)

Animated Christmas Specials of The Seventies


Charlie Brown, The Grinch and the Rankin-Bass productions gratefully remain in heavy rotation this time of year on network television. Whether we make a point to sit down and watch them on commercial TV or not is irrelevant - we're glad they're still there. However, up til perhaps ten years ago, there were several more specials that reran regularly - but haven't seen the light of day recently. You can go over here and watch a bunch of these charming specials that feature the always wonderful and familiar voices of Paul Frees, Hal Smith, June Foray and many others. Many notable animators also are responsible for much of the work - including Chuck Jones and Bill Melendez. Check out Santa & The Three Bears (1970), The Bear Who Slept Through Christmas (1972), A Very Merry Cricket (1973), The City That Almost Forgot About Christmas (1974), Yes Virginia There is a Santa Claus (1974), The Tiny Tree (1975), Raggedy Ann & The Great Santa Claus Caper (1978) and a couple others over here.

Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas (1977)




Bonus - Original Commercial Spots from Network Airing:


Double Bonus - Outtakes!

Frosty the Snowman starring the voices of Jackie Vernon, Jimmy Durante, June Foray and Paul Frees (1969)

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Christmas Tweets


If you're interested, I'm linking to all kinds of Christmas themed TV Episodes over on Twitter. Lots of it is stuff from the archives here, but lots is also to sites that I can't embed on Classic Television Showbiz. Feel free to follow: http://twitter.com/ClassicShowbiz

Green Acres - Christmas Episode (1966)

WHBQ - Memphis Wrestling Christmas Special (1976)

Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol (1962)

The Stars Wars Holiday Special with special guest stars Bea Arthur, Harvey Korman, Jefferson Starship and Art Carney (1978)







BONUS -

The Original Commercial Spots that aired during the special:

Sunday, December 13, 2009

A Charlie Brown Christmas Soundtrack


Yes, you should go to itunes and spend the $10 it costs to get the soundtrack to A Charlie Brown Christmas. If you're too poor for itunes - then you can find it here.

Hi Mom starring Shari Lewis - Christmas Episode (1958) - Footage Offline - 12/11/10



Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus (1974)

Thunderbirds - Christmas Episode (1966)


The Davey & Goliath Christmas Special (1965)


Christmas Lost & Found by DwightFrye

Astro Boy - Christmas Episode (1960)