Being born in the 1960s, I grew up watching a number of holiday-related movies and specials on television. These programs have become as much a part of my own holiday tradition as roast turkey and family gatherings. Thanks to the home video revolution, many of these same programs are now available for rent and/or purchase at your local video store.
As the Contributing Editor of the U.S. Television Section at Suite101.Com, I surveyed dozens of the holiday related television programs and specials to be broadcast this fall. What follows is a listing of the "cream of the crop." Each is suitable for family viewing and would make a fine addition to any video library. Prices are listed for those programs which are also available on home video. All of the following programs will be broadcast at least once in the upcoming weeks - some even more often than that. Enjoy.
RUDOLPH THE RED NOSED REINDEER is the Rankin/Bass animated puppet production of the classic Christmas song. Famed folk singer Burl Ives lent his vocal talents to the part of the snowman/storyteller in this musical tale. Available from Broadway Video, it is priced at $14.95. Length: 53 minutes.
MERRY CHRISTMAS, CHARLIE BROWN finds the Peanuts gang, and Charlie Brown in particular, in search of the true meaning of Christmas. Written by the late Peanuts creator Charles Schultz, this is my personal favorite Peanuts special. Available from Hi-tops Video, it is priced at $9.95. Length: 30 minutes.
HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS finds the nasty Grinch trying to stop Christmas from coming to Whoville. The late, great Boris Karloff is perfectly cast as the voice of the Grinch in this animated classic written by Dr. Seuss (real name Theodore Geisel). Warner Brothers and Buggs Bunny cartoon alumni Chuck Jones co-produced this classic animated special. Available from MGM/UA Home Video, it is priced at $14.95.
Everyone has a few of what I call "guilty pleasure films." These are films that are so bad they are actually good - films you are of ten embarrassed to tell others that you enjoy. One such film for me is the 1964 film entitled, SANTA CLAUS CONQUERS THE MARTIANS. The plot, such as it is, concerns two earth children who are captured, along with Santa Claus, to help Mars stop it's kids from watching too much television (honest!). It's notable for the fact that a young Pia Zadora portrays one of the young Martian children - but I still like it anyway. This film is not yet available on home video. Length: 80 minutes.
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