The Pen in Hand's Guide to a Vintage TV Christmas

Photo by Geoff Carter

By Geoff Carter

“Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer”
Rankin Bass, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

(Originally published December 2019)

Well, it’s that time of year again—Christmas time. It seemed to sneak up on us, but we shouldn’t be surprised; we’ve been seeing toy commercials since Halloween. Getting ready for this holiday season, however, is going to be a little bit different from our traditional yuletide preparations. We’ll still trim the tree, hang the lights, deck the halls, and wrap the presents, but, because of the new COVID variant, we still must be sensible and careful about other cherished traditions, like attending the holiday get-togethers, enduring the family dinners, embarrassing ourselves at the office parties, and shopping the malls to point of exhaustion.

Thankfully, one of our greatest traditions will remain unaffected by the pandemic. The Pen in Hand is, of course, referring to grand institution of the Christmas television special. For as long as many of us (mostly boomers) can remember, these programs have been part of Christmas. The season would be incomplete without seeing the animated classics A Charlie Brown Christmas, Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, or Santa Claus is Coming to Town. And of course, we can’t forget the holiday variety shows hosted by the likes of Bing Crosby, Judy Garland, and Andy Williams.

And who can forget special shows from series like the The Dick Van Dyke Show Christmas or Pee-wee’s Playhouse Christmas, A Very Brady Christmas, and countless others. Because of the bounty of programming choices available to the viewer during the holiday season, this particular Couch Potato column will focus on Christmas specials made specifically for TV and that have been around long enough to become a holiday tradition. Feature films like It’s A Wonderful Life, White Christmas, and Elf will be addressed in a separate Couch Potato column.

So, for now, please enjoy this wish list of The Couch Potato’s very special TV holiday specials.

The Couch Potato’s Ten Best TV Christmas Specials

A Charlie Brown Christmas: The timeless classic of how our hard-luck hero Charlie Brown tries to navigate his way through the glitz, glamor, and commercialism of the season in order to discover the true meaning of Christmas. Linus’ classic monologue explaining simply and cogently what the season is all about is one of the most season’s most memorable moments. While the production values are simple—and perhaps because of that fact—the story shines through as brightly as the star of Bethlehem. Also notable for Vince Guaraldi’s superb soundtrack.

Produced by Lee Mendelson and directed by Pete Melendez.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966): The original animated production of the classic Dr. Seuss story is by far the best. Produced by Chuck Jones (known for the Looney Toons cartoons) and Ted Geisel (Dr. Seuss), this special managed to tell Seuss’s story simply and clearly without the glitzy and extraneous trappings of the later productions (including Ron Howard’s version, the 2018 production, or the musical.) Notable for Boris Karloff’s narration and voicing of the Grinch and Thurl Ravenscroft’s rendition of the Grinch song.

Starring: Boris Karloff, June Foray, and Dallas McKennon.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964): The first of the Rankin-Bass studio Christmas special productions featuring their distinctive brand of puppet animation, Rudolph has run annually since its inception, making it the longest-running Christmas TV special ever. As told by a North Pole snowman (voiced by Burl Ives), this is the tale of Rudolph—and other misfits—struggling to find their place in the world. Notable for its charming songs that include “Silver and Gold”, “Island of Misfit Toys”, and “Holly Jolly Christmas”.

Starring: Burl Ives, Billy Richards, Larry Mann, Paul Soles, and Janis Orenstein. Directed by Larry Roemer and Kizo Nagashima. Written by Romeo Muller.

Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town (1970): Another in the series of Rankin-Bass Studios stop-action animated Christmas classics. This story, narrated by the North Pole postmaster (as voiced by Fred Astaire), tells the story of how the legend of how Santa Claus came to be, incorporating a family of toymakers, a reformed Winter Warlock, a disillusioned schoolteacher, and an evil burgemeister. Notable for Miss Jessica’s song “My World is Beginning Today”, that contains production values delightfully reminiscent of sixties psychedelic hippie culture.

Starring: Fred Astaire, Mickey Rooney, Keenan Wynn, Paul Frees, Robie Lester, and Joan Gardner. Directed by Arthur Rankin, Jr., and Jules Bass. Written by Romeo Muller. Music by Maury Laws and Jules Bass.

Frosty the Snowman (1969): Yet another animated Rankin/Bass feature about the snowman who magically comes to life during Christmas. Like “Rudolph” and “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town”, “Frosty” has been shown every holiday season since its premiere. Unlike other Rankin/Bass productions, however, Frosty was made with more traditional cell animation instead of the stop-action techniques used by Rankin/Bass. Notable for Jimmy Durante’s final performance as the narrator.

Starring: (voices) Jimmy Durante, Billy DeWolfe, Jack Vernon, Paul Frees, and June Foray. Directed by Arthur Rankin, Jr., and Jules Bass. Written by Romeo Muller.

Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol (1962): An animated version of the Dickens classic featuring Mr. Magoo (Jim Backus) as Ebenezer Scrooge, the irascible English miser. Framed (God knows why) as a Broadway production of the original story, the program is entertaining for adults and children alike, while still managing to preserve the moral essence of this classic tale. Notable for outstanding songs by Walter Scharf.

Starring: (voices) Jim Backus, Morey Amsterdam, Paul Frees, Jack Cassiday, and Royal Dano. Directed by Abe Levitow. Written by Barbara Chain.

The Judy Garland Holiday Special (1963): One of the numerous holiday variety specials of the early sixties. The special took place in Garland’s home and featured performances by her friends and children, including a very young Liza Minelli, Joe and Lorna Luft. Two of Judy’s close friends, Mel Torme and Jack Jones, just happen to drop by. Despite the contrived hominess of the program, the music is spectacular. Garland and Torme especially shine. Notable for a spectacular duet of “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” by Torme and Jones.

Starring: Judy Garland, Mel Torme, Jack Jones, Liza Minelli, and Joe and Lorna Luft. Directed by Dean Whitmore and written by Johnny Bradford.

Pee-wee’s Playhouse Christmas Special (1988): Pee Wee Herman and the gang get together to celebrate the season in their typical uproarious fashion. Besides the usual crew of Pee Wee, Magic Screen, Miss Yvonne, Cowboy Curtis, and The King of Cartoons, Pee Wee welcomes k. d. lang, Whoopi Goldberg, Magic Johnson, and Oprah Winfrey. Notable for the appearances of very youthful Laurence Fishburne and S. Epatha Merkeson.

Starring: Paul Reubens, Laurence Fishburne, S. Epatha Merkeson, Frankie Avalon, Annette Funnicello, Charo, and more. Directed by Paul Reubens. Written by Richard Paragon and Paul Reubens.

Fay Wray’s Twelve Days of Christmas (2006): The indomitable William Wegman and his famous Weimaraner family of Fay Wray, Crooky, Batty, and Chundo work their way through the twelve days before Christmas until that fateful night when Santa finally arrives. The hounds make cookies, tell stories, trim the tree, and even visit Santa’s workshop. Notable for Wegman’s subtle humor and use of his imperturbable pack of actors.

Starring: Fay Wray and family. Written and directed by William Wegman.

A Christmas Carol (1984): This CBS production of the Dickens’ classic boasted an extraordinary cast and lush production that—to the Potato’s mind—is the best adaptation of this story ever. George C. Scott is an understated but caustic presence as Ebenezer Scrooge while Roger Rees, David Warner, and Susannah York provide fantastic supporting performances. Notable for Frank Finlay’s delightful performance as Marley.

Starring: George C. Scott, Roger Rees, Frank Finlay, Edward Woodward, Angela Pleasance, David Warner, and Susannah York. Directed by Clive Donner. Written by Roger O. Hirson.