Much like Rudolph, this was inspired from an original story (a children's book) of the same name by Phyllis McGinley in 1956. It would later be made into a special for ABC in 1974, being released two weeks before Christmas itself. There isn't too much else about the history for the special, aside from it being changed in places, but that's adaptions for you.
(These guys? Yes, they were adapted into the special and I'll get to them)
Anyway, the story is actually told by Mrs. Claus herself, explaining how her husband has been feeling under the weather after the Thanksgiving holidays (who wouldn't be?). With advice from the doctor to stay in, as well as the notion that many people may not appreciate Christmas anymore, Santa Claus decides to take his own holiday to avoid the trip.
Not wanting to let her husband become disillusioned enough to let Christmas being permanently canceled, Mrs. Claus enlists the help of two elves, Jingle and Jangle. She wants the pair to head out into the world to find people who still believe in Santa Claus and his work. Riding the reindeer Vixen, the pair end up getting in between a fight by the Misers, Snow Miser and Heat Miser.
You can probably figure out who is which.
Anyway, the elves and the reindeer get shot down and end up in South Town in the Southern United States (which one? don't know. wasn't brought up in the special). It isn't too long afterwards that the sunny town turns against them, with meeting a kid who says he doesn't believe in Santa Claus and the police who has the elves arrested and the reindeer put into jail. For the local law enforcement, they believe them to be strange criminals.
(Then again, they do stick out oddly)
Mrs. Clause gets a hold of things by freeing the elves from prison, while Santa takes care of Vixen due to the reindeer getting a fever in hot weather. When the mayor of South Town puts the Mrs and the elves to the challenge of making it snow in South Town (which has never happened before), the group decides to take it up to bring back faith in Santa Claus while the titular man rests himself.
This requires seeing both of the misers, Snow and Heat. The former controls the actual snow, while the latter has South Town under his domain. This requires the Mrs. to see with the misers' mother instead. Mother Nature, to be more precise.
However, the real highlight of those visits are the songs.
However, the real highlight of those visits are the songs.
(Really, no other explanation is needed)
Quicker than you can say, "Well, that was easy", Mother Nature has the misers agree to the plan: have Snow Miser bring the snow to South Town, while Heat Miser can bring some sunshine to the North Pole.
Eventually, news spread across the world of Santa Claus taking a break from Christmas this year. Santa himself ends up getting letters and even presents from children wishing for the best of the red suited man. Santa, touched by the kindness and generosity from the people of Earth, recovers and manages to perform his yearly flight, even stopping by South Town before the end credits roll.
Final Thoughts:
This was actually a chore to get through. It wasn't necessarily bad, but certainly was boring. Most of the character designs seemed to be standard fare for the Rankin/Bass stop motion, aside from a few. The story itself, while had some touchy moments, seemed to fly about in its mood. What could count as a climax to the Miser Bros subplot got wrapped up pretty quickly, far more quickly than some would like.
Actually, the Miser Bros may be the only saving grace of the special. Their designs were so out there, people immediately latched on to them for it. Not to mention they were sort of relocatable by being bickering siblings. Add in a catchy song between the pair and you've got some popular extras in an otherwise decent special.
Final Thoughts:
This was actually a chore to get through. It wasn't necessarily bad, but certainly was boring. Most of the character designs seemed to be standard fare for the Rankin/Bass stop motion, aside from a few. The story itself, while had some touchy moments, seemed to fly about in its mood. What could count as a climax to the Miser Bros subplot got wrapped up pretty quickly, far more quickly than some would like.
Actually, the Miser Bros may be the only saving grace of the special. Their designs were so out there, people immediately latched on to them for it. Not to mention they were sort of relocatable by being bickering siblings. Add in a catchy song between the pair and you've got some popular extras in an otherwise decent special.
(The ability to carry their own movie...I might tackle that later)
I'll be wrapping up the holiday with another origin story for Santa Claus, brought to you by the creator of the 'Wizard of Oz'.
Until next time...
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