Rankin/Bass Christmas specials are a treasured tradition for many people during the holiday season. The stop-motion animated films take viewers back to childhood memories of characters like Rudolph, Frosty, and Santa Claus. Although Rankin/Bass did much more than the famous seasonal specials, they are particularly known for their Christmas films, which are full of fantastic music from the likes of Maury Laws, Jules Bass, and other talented writers.
However, if the public had to choose which song is their favorite, which one would make the number one slot? Or better yet, out of all the delightful specials, what Rankin/Bass song would be considered a top ten contender?
The Year Without A Santa Claus
This song is the title track for The Year Without a Santa Claus. The premise of the movie is that Santa and Mrs. Claus.
While the song is memorable and well done, its story is a sad one. Thankfully, Santa pulls it together and manages to rise to his Christmas responsibilities.
Have A Happy New Year
In Rudolph's Shiny New Year, Rudolph has a special mission. He's already lit up the pathway for Santa's sleigh, but the New Year can't commence without a baby named Happy. The concept of a Baby New Year is actually a longstanding tradition, and it's interesting to see it in a stop-motion depiction from the 1970s.
With the help of a few other new friends, like a caveman, a whale, a camel, and a personified clock, Rudolph saves Happy from an evil bird named Aeon. Happy ran away because everyone made fun of his big ears, and Rudolph knows a little something about being made fun of.
The Island Of Misfit Toys
Speaking of Rudolph being made fun of, his first story in 1964 has a legendary soundtrack. "The Island of Misfit Toys" is a hauntingly beautiful tune that is sung by the toys who live on the island. Rudolph and his pal, Hermey the elf, have decided that they are misfits.
With prospector Yukon Cornelius, Rudolph and Hermey enter the whimsical world of the Misfit Toys, and the song makes the scene all the more magical.
My World Is Beginning Today
Santa Claus is Comin' to Town gives Kris Kringle an origin story and introduces him to the love of his life, Jessica (voiced by Robie Lester). Before she eventually becomes Mrs. Claus, Jessica frowns upon Kris delivering forbidden toys to Sombertown.
When Kris gives the woman a beautiful doll that she always dreamed of, she has a change of heart and decides to sing about it. "My World is Beginning Today" is a gorgeous celebration of that change.
I Believe In Santa Claus
This is a touching duet from The Year Without a Santa Claus, sung by Mickey Rooney as Santa and Ron Marshall as Mr. Thistlewhite. Mr. Thistlewhite's son, Ignatius, is starting to doubt Santa's existence.
In disguise, Santa sings this song all about believing, and he stirs up the same sentiment in Ignatius' father. The duet sweeps the listeners away, reminding them that they're never too old for Santa Claus.
The Snow Miser/Heat Miser Song
Snow Miser (Dick Shawn) and Heat Miser (George S. Irving) are the warring sons of Mother Nature. In The Year Without a Santa Claus, these brothers control the temperature of the whole world. The problem is, they are quite possessive of their jurisdictions.
Heat Miser is in charge of the South, and he never singing about their characteristics, and the theatrical numbers add such a fun element to the story.
Holly Jolly Christmas
Sam the Snowman (Burl Ives) sings and tells the legendary history of Rudolph. The handsome snowman is known for "Silver and Gold," a slower ballad that makes everyone want "silver and gold decorations" on their Christmas trees.
Sam also sings a much peppier song that has become an annual Christmas favorite, "Holly Jolly Christmas." The festive tune resounds as Christmases go by, all thanks to Rudolph.
Frosty The Snowman
Jackie Vernon is the friendly voice of Frosty the Snowman, but his adoring fan club brings Frosty's theme song to life. With the help of the children, Jimmy Durante tells and sings the story in the animated movie, explaining how Frosty came to life with "a corncob pipe, a button nose, and two eyes made out of coal."
The song and the movie are synonymous, and it's nice to have wintry lyrics that can mostly extend past Christmastime.
Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town
"Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" is one of the most sung Christmas songs of all time. As it is in the 1970 movie, Kris Kringle uses the song to motivate the children of Sombertown to be good in order to receive their presents. Fred Astaire also offers his signature touch to the song in his role as S.D. Kluger, the narrator.
The sad children are encouraged not to cry or pout. Unlike most of the modern-day covers, the movie's version keeps that part about the "rooty-toot-toots and rummy-tum-tums."
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
Rudolph's theme song has to be the best in the bunch. The music lends itself to marvelous storytelling, explaining Rudolph's cruel beginnings where he is laughed at as well as his triumphant rise to the head of Santa's sleigh.
That red nose lives on because of a brilliant movie and a remarkable song, livened up by Burl Ives as Sam the Snowman. Who knew that a tale written for a department store in the 1930s would become such a popular part of Christmas?
