Tag: Mickey Rooney

Top 10 Rankin/Bass Christmas Specials

Although everyone has their own family traditions, there is one that most share. That tradition? The annual viewing of the Rankin / Bass Christmas Specials.

We all have our favorites. We all have different criteria for what makes a Christmas show a favorite. For me, it comes down to three things.

The emotions I can still get when watching.
The memories that get stirred up when watching.
Great songs/s.

Sure, story, plot, character matter, but in the end, we all want to feel and remember at the holidays. Rankin/Bass certainly bring the memories.

Here is MY list of the top 10 Rankin/Bass Christmas Specials

10. The Leprechauns Christmas Gold
Art Carney, Ireland, and Old Mag the Hag. It is a winner.

9. The Stingiest Man in Town
Based on a Christmas Carol, musical.

8. T’was the Night Before Christmas
Sort of a Fievel does Christmas. If you know, you know.

7. Nester, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey.
Biblical overtones featuring a donkey with Rudolph-like characteristics.

6. Jack Frost
This is perfect for those that want their Hallmark Holiday Movies in stop-motion.

5. The Little Drummer Boy
A tad serious. The most biblical. A case can be made that it is depressing.

4. Frosty the Snowman
There are continuity issues, but Jimmy Durante keeps it top 4.

3. Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer
Read my post on Rudolph. I am kind to keep it in the top 3. I just know how much it means to so many.

2. The Year without Santa Claus
Heat Miser and Snow Miser win the day. Although the rest is a bit of a slog.

And the Number 1 Rankin and Bass Christmas Special

1. Santa Claus is Coming to Town
No better songs in any other B/R production. There’s Always Tomorrow For Dreams To Come True and Put One Foot in Front of the Other leaves a mark. Plus, Burgermeister Meisterburger. For the cherry on top, Mickey Rooney, Fred Astaire.

Do you not like my list? Share yours!