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A double bill starring Frosty:
Frosty the Snowman
Jimmy Durante narrates this Christmas story that is based on the song of thesame name. To make up for the fact that her students are in school on ChristmasEve, the local schoolteacher hires the magician Professor Hinkle to entertainthe kids. Unfortunately, he's not a very good magician. Frustrated in his attempt to pull a rabbit out of his hat, he throws it away in anger. Outside, the kids build a snowman (what to call it? Harold? Oatmeal? Frosty!), and when the hat blows onto it--Happy Birthday!--it comes to life. Professor Hinkle decides he wants the hat back so he can make money off of its newfound magical properties, but the kids want to save Frosty. When the temperature starts to rise, a new problem threatens Frosty's existence. Karen, the leader of the children, comes up with a plan to save him: take him on a train to the North Pole, where it's always cold. With a cameo by Santa Claus, and the promise of Frosty's return every year, thisstory of life, death, and holiday cheer is glazed with the sweet frosting ofhope and happiness. A true holiday classic.

Frosty Returns
In the same way that many a Hollywood sequel has little to do with the first film, Frosty Returns has almost nothing in common with the original Frosty the Snowman, aside from a man made of snow. The biggest difference is that this Frosty doesn't need a magic hat to come to life. The story: In the town of Beansboro, old Mr. Twitchell has invented an aerosol spray that can remove snow without the hassle of shoveling or plows. This frightens Frosty, who enlists the help of amateur magician Holly and her friend Charles to stop the old coot. Made in 1992, Frosty Returns has an animation style that looks like a cross between the old Schoolhouse Rock and Peanuts cartoons, with voice talent that includes Jonathan Winters, Andrea Martin, Jan Hooks, Brian Doyle-Murray, and John Goodman as Frosty. The story may be divisive, pitting children against adults and a pro-snow contingent against anti-snow people, but the songs are catchy and the message is one that ultimately empowers kids. Like a hero from an old Western, this Frosty is a wanderer who leaves when his job is done so he can work his magic elsewhere. --Andy Spletzer ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Great Holiday Classic
For as long as I can remember, this movie came on TV every Thanksgiving. A few years ago, they stopped playing it. Unaware of that, I looked for it on TV every Thanksgiving. I was very upset when I was unable to find it. Finding it here was a blessing. It has been a few years since I have seen it, but the feelings it invokes in me are the same as they were when I was a child. There aren't very many Thanksgiving movies out there, and this has become a classic in my household. My sisters love it, I love it, and my 15 month old son loves it. I can't imagine a Thanksgiving without it!!

Thanksgiving Holiday fun
This 1 hour, on TV, Thanksgiving tale begins with the ship Mayflower being caught up in a big storm. A churchmouse named William tells the story from a mouses viewpoint. The tale is narrated by Tennessee Ernie Ford, and Captain Standish is the voice of Eddie Albert. More famous voices include Paul Frees. A disaster at sea threatens to sink the ship, but William has an idea to save the day. William also scuttles a plan to blame the Indians for an attack on the pilgrims. There are at least 3 songs. Kids love this film, and it has a wonderful ending.

This 1968 film was another televison animated hit from the holiday entertainers, of Rankin/Bass. Yes, these are the folks that brought us such beautiful holiday classics such as Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer, Year without a Santa Claus, Nestor the Long Eared Donkey, Mad Monster Party, The Little Drummer Boy, Frosty the Snowman, Santa Claus is coming to Town, Mouse on the Mayflower, Here Comes Peter Cottontail, Cricket on the Hearth, the Stingiest Man in Town, Jack Frost, 'Twas the night before Christams, Pinnochio's Christmas, Rudolph's Shiny New Year, the First Easter Bunny. They also made non-holiday films such as the Hobbit; Flight of Dragons; & the Last Unicorn. It is incredible that one company is responsible for all those TV specials, which are 95% of the ones broadcast every year. Their studio's work includes standard animation, stop-motion animagic, and live action.

I hope this comes out on a restored DVD soon, I have bought all the other Rankin/Bass that has been released on DVD.

BEST THANKSGIVING special out there!
This is the BEST THANKSGIVING special around...and I am not just saying that because I am the RANKIN/BASS Historian. The sound on this VHS is magnificent and it should be on DVD! I have the original GAS LP Soundtrack on CD. MAURY LAWS and JULES BASS did a wonderful job with the score. ELBOW ROOM, sung by TENN. ERNIE FORD was part of the RANKIN/BASS off-Broadway play A MONTH OF SUNDAYS, before it was put to GREAT use in this special! A GREAT Special! E-mail me with any questions: Rickgoldsc@aol.com

A holiday gem eliminated by the pc police
This is a lovely way for children to become acquainted with the
Thanksgiving story. It really conveys the peril that the pioneers faced in traveling to the new world and attempting to establish a new colony. There is a comical subplot that will appeal to the younger crowd. Any supposed racist content must only be in the mind of a certain type of viewer. As for "some love affair" between two of the pilgrims; well, the famous story of John Alden and Priscilla Mullins used to be a part of every grade schooler's education (ever heard of Longfellow?).

Don't Hide the Past
Simply put, this is a fun kids movie about Thanksgiving. The songs are (I feel) catchy, and act mostly to develop the characters, rather than to convey historical information.

The Indian characters are presented in no more buffoonish a manner than their European counterparts. In fact, great trouble is made to demonstrate that there are scoundrels on BOTH sides of the pond, and to show the nobility and desire for friendship in the native peoples of the area. It is no use hiding children from racism; it is far more constructive to allow them to confront it and recognize it for what it is--the discarded relic of those who lived 400 years ago. ... Read more