The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus: Privilege, Charity, and Lord of the Rings
There’s a lot of Oz in The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus. To the casual viewer, there’s also a lot of Narnia, and a good amount of Lord of the Rings.
Rudolph and Frosty’s Christmas in July: Legends, Spectacle, and Revisionist History
It started with humble beginnings. But look how far we’ve come. With ten specials under our belts, I think we’re finally ready for the
Nestor the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey: A Rankin Bass Bootleg By Rankin Bass
Like the ‘cool’ youth group pastor who sits backwards in his chair and tries to reach the teens, Nestor the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey is here to preach.
Rudolph’s Shiny New Year: History, Nostalgia, and Emotional Abuse
Okay. Full disclosure here. I straight up love Rudolph’s Shiny New Year. I love it probably just a little bit more than I should.
Frosty’s Winter Wonderland: Resurrection and the Creation of New Life
1976 was a year of sequels for Rankin-Bass. Three specials in one year might seem excessive, but when you consider that two of those
The First Christmas: Restraint and Denial in Heightened Anticipation
Rankin-Bass specials often feel grand and mythical. The First Christmas, by comparison, goes the opposite direction in every way.
The Year Without A Santa Claus: Where Feminine Energy Trumps Male Mediocrity
While Santa sniffles, Mrs. Claus moves the story forward. The Year Without a Santa Claus is the special where men bitch and whine while women get shit done.
Twas the Night Before Christmas: Time, Consequences, and Belief in God
Twas the Night Before Christmas is a masterclass in pulling plot points and themes seemingly out of thin air and developing them into a fully cohesive plot.
Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town: Fascism and the German Expressionist Movement
Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town is the wartime movie Rankin-Bass always wanted, the greatest hero to children directly confronting the fascist state.