Christmas Classics Movies
Classic Christmas Animated Movies - Christmas Classics Stop-Motion and Claymation Movies
There's nothing like Christmas Classics movies, to get you in the holiday spirit. Christmas Classics are a series of Christmas claymation, stop-motion and animated movies that were originally created in the 1960s. The majority of these Classic Christmas movies were created by Rankins-Bass, a pair of well-known directors who were famous for these types of movies.
Originally, the Christmas Classics movies were filmed in claymation, followed by stop-motion, and then finally produced in cartoon animation.
The Original Christmas Classics were some of the first animated movies of any kind to be produced. In fact, the Christmas Classics Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol, was the first animated Christmas movie to ever be created specifically for television. Shortly after, came Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, The Little Drummer Boy, Frosty the Snowman and Santa Claus is Comin' to Town. A few more were created over the next decade before a new wave of television began and the creation claymation and stop-motion movies quickly declined.
Even in 2012, the claymation and stop-motion movies are still extremely popular even though more than 50 years has passed since the original airing of Christmas Classics. Children and adults around the world still look forward to Thankgiving Evening, when these movies start to play on local channels.
Image Source: The Original Television Christmas Classics
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
The Christmas Classics Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer movie from 1964 tells the original story of Rudolph and how came to be the lead reindeer for Santa's sleigh. Sam the snowman narrates this classic tale of Rudolph, the Abominable Snowman, and the night Christmas almost didn't happen.
The Original Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer movie in stop-motion is now available with the same animated scenes that have been digitally remastered in high definition for a clearer picture, vivid colors and more defined details. Enjoy the same Christmas Classic you watched as a child with your own children.
Santa Claus Is
Comin' to Town
Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town is one of the most well-known Christmas Classics, stop-motion movies by Rankin-Bass. This classic Christmas movie is based on the Christmas song Santa Claus is Comin' to Town written by Eddie Cantor in 1934.
The Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town movie from 1970 tells how the tradition of Santa Claus began many years ago in a small town called Sombertown. The town is ruled by a mean old man named Burgermeister Meisterburger who does not like children. One day a baby is delivered to his door andhe quickly orders for the infant to be taken to the local orphanage. On the way to the orphanage a strong winter wind blows the baby and the sled far away to Whispering Winds mountains, home of Winter Warlock. The mountain animals quickly rush the baby across the land to an elf family named Kringle who spend their days making toys. The toys are made for children around the world but can't be delivered due to the Winter Warlock blocking their path. The Kringle family adopts the orphaned baby and names him Kris. Many years later, Kris sets on a quest to deliver the toys to Sombertown. Burgermeister has banned any and all toys from Sombertown and threatens to arrest anyone found playing with them. After Kris barely escapes t being tossed into the dungeon, his frantic path home takes him right into the mountains where he comes face to face with Winter Warlock. His only hope of escaping the wrath of the warlock is to offer him a toy in hopes he will be satisfied. To everyone's surprise, Winter Warlock loves the toy and instantly dismisses his evil ways and transforms into a human. The instant friendship and the love for toys continues on as the entire story of Santa Claus, the reindeer, elves and North Pole, is skillfully mastered in stop-motion. Film stars Fred Astaire and Mickey Rooney both play lead parts in the movie as the voices of the narrator and Santa Claus.
Which Christmas Classics Movie Is Your Favorite?
Jack Frost
(Remastered Deluxe Edition)
Watch the original Jack Frost animated movie by Bass-Rankin on the Jack Frost Remastered Deluxe Edition DVD. This Jack Frost claymation movie from 1979 is one of the Christmas Classics that many people still watch today and share with their own children.
Jack Frost by Jules Bass and Arthur Rankin, tells the story of young boy, Jack Frost, who's duty is to deliver cold weather around the world. With the direction of Father Winter, Jack Frost is felt but never seen. Just a lonely boy, who is doesn't exist in any form other than cold, snow, and freezing temperatures, Jack begs Father Winter to make him human after he falls in love with a beautiful girl named Elisa, who lives in January Junction. Against his better judgement, Father Winter grants Jack Frost his wish to be human for just one winter. Father Winter tells Jack Frost that if he wants to stay with Elisa and remain human forever he must acquire four humanly essentials; a home, gold, a horse and wife that he has to marry before the warm springtime weather arrives. It all sounds simple until he has to defeat the King of the Cossacks Kubla Kraus! While his ability to defeat the king is possible, he has to make a personal sacrifice in order to save Elisa that could mean the difference between being human and just another cold weather storm.
The Little Drummer Boy
CRICKET ON THE HEARTH
tells the story of a poor toymaker and his daughter whom a helpful Cricket named Crocket befriends on Christmas morning. When tragedy strikes the family, it's Crocket who comes to the rescue and restores peace and happiness. On Christmas morning the little girl meets a tiny cricket named Crocket. When the family is faced with a sudden tragedy, it is Crocket the Cricket who saves the day and brings peace back into the family.
This Cricket On the Hearth was produced in 1967 by Rankin-Bass as a classic, Christmas musical of the original version produced by Charles Dickens.
Which Type of Animated Movie Do You Prefer?
Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol
This classic animated movie is a treasured holiday musical that tells the story of a mean old man, much like Ebenezer Scrooge, who is faced head on with the truth about Christmas. Try as he may, Mr. Magoo can't escape all the festivities and holiday cheer for long.
Frosty the Snowman
& Frosty Returns
While outside the group of children decide to build a snowman to pass the time. A gust of wind blows through playground, bringing the magicians hat to where the children were playing. The hat is placed on top of the snowman for decoration and suddenly the snowman is filled with magic and comes to life. The children name him Frosty and in an instant, a magical friendship is formed.
Frosty the Snowman was created in 1969 by Rankin-Bass, and was their first attempt at a full-length Christmas cartoon.
The Original Television Christmas Classics
The Original Christmas Classics Gift Set Includes:
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
Santa Claus is Comin' to Town
Frosty the Snowman
Frosty Returns
The Little Drummer Boy
The Original Christmas Classics DVD Collection
2007
The Original Christmas Classics Gift Set was published in 2012 and includes all 7 of the popular Christmas Classics clay animated movies. This gift set also includes a Bonus Holiday CD that includes your favorite Christmas songs from the movie.
The Original Christmas Classics Gift Set Includes:
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
Santa Claus is Comin' to Town
Frosty the Snowman
Frosty Returns
The Little Drummer Boy
Cricket On the Hearth
Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol
The Original Christmas Classics Gift Set
2012
The Bonus Holiday CD Includes:
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer by Burl Ives
Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree by Bobby Rydell
Holly Jolly Christmas by Burl Ives
Merry Christmas Baby by Otis Redding
Silver & Gold by Burl Ives
Winter Wonderland by Jewel
Let it Snow by Chicago
Do You Like to Watch the Christmas Classics Christmas Movies?
Do You Like to Watch the Christmas Classics Christmas Movies?
More Stuff About Christmas Classics Original Movies
- Christmas Classics Official Website
Christmas Classics, Official Home of Rudolph, Frosty, Little Drummer Boy, Cricket & Mr. Magoo - Christmas Classics on Amazon.com
Complete list of Christmas Classics movies in DVD, VHS, Instant Videos and more. - Rankin/Bass - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
More information and bio on Rankin-Bass, the creators of Christmas Classics claymation and stop-motion movies.
Share your thoughts on the Original Christmas Classics movies?