CHRISTMAS IN JULY-DAY 9

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AnnieClaus

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Nov 6, 2007
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Today I will talk about the made for television movies that used to come on once a year.
A favorite memory I have: My Mom would find out when our movies would come on and we would be sure
to all sit together and watch. If you missed it that year, you would have to wait another whole year.
It was special.

Here are some of the classics:

Stop Motion Movies:
These are ones such as:
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
Frosty the Snowman (1969)
Santa Claus Is Comin to Town (1970)
The Year Without A Santa Claus (1974)

All of these were made by Rankin/Bass Productions.
The studio did hand-drawn animation that they turned into tiny, doll-like figures that moved through hand-crafted wonderlands.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas
This classic came out in 1966.
It is based on the 1957 Dr. Seuss book.
Narrated by Boris Karloss
It also features the song, "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch," sung by Thurl Ravenscroft.
Did you now he was also the voice of Tony the Tiger for Kellogg's Frosted Flakes?

A Charlie Brown Christmas
Released in 1965, this is the first TV special that was based on the Charles M. Schulz comic strip.
Airing it was considered a big gamble because:
* It featured voices of children instead of trained adults
* Had Jazz Music- Thank you Vince Guaraldi!
* A Bible Passage
* No laugh track
The program had the backing of an advertising firm, McCann-Erickson, who also represented Coca-Cola.
The Coke and Pepsi advertising wars of the 1960s took to the television airwaves and Coca-Cola sponsored the airing
of A Charlie Brown Christmas.
CBS was hesitant to release it- viewing by executives deemed it, "Slow." But when the network saw the success that NBC had the previous year with Rudolph, they decided to go for it.


Do you have any of these classics on your "must watch" list every year?
Any others you would like to list?
I remember watching Amahl and the Night Visitors but it wasn't an every year, "Must watch" like others were.
Any special memory you have watching them?
Post below.
 
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Lori K

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Nov 13, 2018
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Love them all and watch most of them every year -- now as a senior citizen and living alone. Break out the microwave popcorn and settle in for the evening! This year, I'll need to find out where they're streaming, since I no longer have cable TV and won't see advertisements for them.
 

DebbiGall

Santa's Elves
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Love them all and watch most of them every year -- now as a senior citizen and living alone. Break out the microwave popcorn and settle in for the evening! This year, I'll need to find out where they're streaming, since I no longer have cable TV and won't see advertisements for them.
YouTube has all of them
 

jampss

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Oct 24, 2007
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Love them all! And have them on DVD.

The Little Drummer Boy
 

sweetpumkinpye

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Apr 23, 2008
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Thanks Annie. You have put me in the mood to watch a movie or two this weekend.
 

Holiday_Mom

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All of those were favorites growing up. The next day after those shows aired, everyone at school would quote the show or sing the songs. We own them on DVD now. I will watch them by myself since my family isn't into Christmas like I am. :)
 
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