As the Times Union is currently running one of their NCAA-style “what’s the best” holiday movie or holiday song or holiday whatever, I am reminded of some holiday specials that didn’t make the cut. Here’s four that missed the list – that you should search out if you get a chance.
I remember that every year, around this time, any television station that had available airtime would bombard its viewers with hundreds and hundreds of Christmas and holiday specials. Some of them have been repeated over and over again every season, and they’ve become staples and icons of our viewing culture. The Grinch that Stole Christmas. A Charlie Brown Christmas. Frosty the Snowman. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. All of those.
But, in that time, there have been several television holiday specials that no longer air. They might have been shown a few times, and maybe once in a while you’ll catch the final minutes of the show if you’re channel surfing around December 24th or so. In this post, I want to share some of the great holiday specials that – unfortunately – haven’t aired in many years, sometimes decades.
HALLMARK HALL OF FAME: THE LITTLEST ANGEL
NBC, 1969
A cast of popular 1960’s television stars populate this musical based on Charles Tazewell’s classic children’s story. Johnnie Whittaker of “Family Affair” stars as the title character, a boy named Michael who becomes an angel – but finds the structured angelic life much more difficult to handle than he expected. It’s available on DVD; but as for television broadcasts, it hasn’t been seen on regular television in ages.
THE HOUSE WITHOUT A CHRISTMAS TREE
CBS, 1972
Jason Robards gives a fantastic performance as a single father, trying to raise his daughter in rural 1946 Nebraska. The relationship between Robards and his daughter builds over the entire episode, and the explanation of why the family has never celebrated the holidays will bring up tears in everybody’s eyes. This is also available on DVD. The opening credits, in which the daughter – now an adult – creates a scrapbook of her memories – is touching and poignant.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL – Animated by Richard Williams
ABC, 1971
Unlike nearly every televised broadcast of Charles Dickens’ classic story, this version of “A Christmas Carol” is dark and foreboding and scary. Very scary. Richard Williams, the legendary animator who worked on “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?” and “The Thief and the Cobbler,” collaborated with Warner Bros. director Chuck Jones on this deep masterpiece, arguably one of the greatest retellings of the Dickens classic. It’s not available on DVD, but there are still VHS copies available for purchase.
A WILL VINTON CLAYMATION CHRISTMAS
CBS, 1987
Will Vinton is one of the legends of stop-motion photography, and his works have turned into classic films and TV specials. He’s also the animator responsible for the California Raisins, the faux-R&B group that were a craze in the late 1980’s. In this special, Vinton creates several short films that center around Christmas songs and traditions, and finishes the special off with a California Raisins re-interpretation of the Temptations’ interpretation of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” Again, this special doesn’t exist on DVD, but there were VHS copies produced for the home rental market.
So are there any others that you wish you could see one more time?
Chuck The Writer 
I love The Littlest Angel and have the book in my Christmas collection. Thanks for reminding me about the special! In my house we also love Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol. Another sweet one – Prancer! Somehow I wasn’t turned on by the contest nominees. You can see why. lol.
LikeLike
Though it’s technically categorized as a TV movie, the 1977 drama “The Gathering” qualifies.
Made for ABC, then shown in syndication for years afterward, it rarely turns up now. That’s a true shame, since it’s both contemporary and timeless in its story of a widely scattered family coming back together — both physically and emotionally — at the holidays. (The script earned an Emmy.)
And it boasts gorgeous performances right down the line … by Edward Asner, Troy native Maureen Stapleton (full disclosure: My father knew her when they grew up there) and such other familiar faces as Bruce Davison, Stephanie Zimbalist, Lawrence Pressman, Veronica Hamel, Gail Strickland and Gregory Harrison.
The good news: It’s now available on DVD, but it has to be ordered through Warner Archive, a Web site that sells certain non-mass-marketed titles directly to consumers. (Unlike some others, it’s legit.)
LikeLike
Not a holiday TV special…but ’tis the season for Xmas at Kmart by the late great Root Boy Slim!
LikeLike
Mr Magoo’s Christmas Carol.Emmet Otter’s Jug Band Christmas.Christmas on Walton’s Mountain,(don’t groan). I think that was it’s title. It was the pilot for the TV series, I think. Also,waaaay back, there was a show called I Remember Mama. It had a Christmas episode I would like to see again.
LikeLike
Very pleased to see others mention “Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol,” but even now, I usually can’t bring myself to watch it on the chance it turns up.
After Tiny Tim sings “I’m All Alone in the World,” I am a wreck. Not for minutes. Not for hours. For days.
LikeLike
I have to second Jay’s suggestion – The Gathering. I’ve seen it many times and it’s one that will suck the life right out of you… so very touching, but well done.
LikeLike
Might want to try a mid-fifties flic called “All Mine to Give.”
This unabashed tear-jerker is supposedly based on a true story, and stars Cameron Mitchell and (I believe) Glynis Johns.
Take my marker–you will not soon forget it.
LikeLike