While the production company Rankin/Bass produced their best known animated work Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer in the Sixties, it was the Seventies that saw some of their more bizarre Holiday specials. I’m particularly fond of The Year Without a Santa Claus. In my opinion The Year (as it’s known in Rankin/Bass fan communities) is the culmination of the Rankin/Bass oeuvre. I’m happy to debate that point. But before you protest, I will submit this:
If it reminds you of the hit musical Chicago (yes that’s fucking Jerry Orbach performing choreography from Bob Fosse), well I’m not surprised. That’s how “on the tip” the Rankin/Bass team was.
Until, of course, their unfortunate late Seventies burnout with the Buddy Hackett driven snooze fest Jack Frost, featuring a depiction of the worst Christmas ever. But we’ll just forget that one.
Thank you for giving us Tom Bosley, Rankin/Bass.
They eventually went on to be the basis for the founding of Studio Ghibli, and they also led directly to Matlock by introducing Andy Griffith to Dean Hargrove.
MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOCK.
Man, I got stuck watching Jack Frost at my grandma’s nursing home a couple of years ago. That movie blows. And it has some of the most horribly catchy musical numbers ever. They still get stuck in my head on an unbelievably regular basis.
The Heatmiser will always rule. Johnny Rotten stole his whole act!