Search - Frosty's Winter Wonderland/Twas the Night Before Christmas on DVD

Marla W. (disneyprincess) from MARSHFIELD, MA
Reviewed on 10/13/2009...

This is one of my all-time favorite Christmas specials. It contains the elements of the first Frosty the Snowman movie and mixes it with a love story about Frosty and his snow wife. Even the Parson is made of snow! Just wonderful.

This DVD also contains 'Twas the Night Before Christmas about the mouse family whose son does not believe in Santa and almost ruins it for the rest of the town of Junctionville. The mice and the humans have to work together to fix things. Classic Christmas at its best!!

Ruth S. from PLANTSVILLE, CT
Reviewed on 8/26/2009...

I love both frosty and the night before Christmas. I watch Christmas stories in the summer even

0 of 4 member(s) found this review helpful.

Two great specials for the price of one, and on DVD!

microjoe | 12/06/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What a deal, two rare Rankin/Bass hoiday specials available for the first time on DCD, and we get 2 for the price of 1.

FROSTYS WINTER WONDERLAND: Just like the song says, Frosty comes back again someday. Frosty returns to play with the children, but Jack Frost is envious of him. He tries to steal Frosty's magic hat to take his powers. The children build Frosty a wife named Crystal according to magic instructions from Frosty. When Jack Frost finally gets Frosty, it's his wife that must save him with love.

The studio that made the first hour long cel animated Frosty special that first aired on CBS television in 1969 is Rankin/Bass Productions, the kings of holiday specials. That show was based on the original song written in 1951 by Steve Nelson and Jack Rollins. The studio made a terrific half hour sequel in 1976 for ABC television titled "Frosty's Winter Wonderland". That special starts right where the first one left off. The character design was by Paul Coker Jr., who did the same work for the first special, so the visual continuity works very well and the characters have that classic Rankin/Bass 'look'. He also did the unique lettering for the credits in both specials. The famous voice actor Paul Frees stars as Jack Frost, and the policeman. Frees was a regular in studio productions and had also voiced the policeman, ticket seller, and Santa Claus in the original. Jackie Vernon voiced Frosty just like he did before, and Selly Winters is his new wife. The writer for both Rankin/Bass shows was Romeo Muller, and Maury Laws returned as the musical director. Interestingly, while Rankin/Bassis known for the high quality of their original songs, they used Christmas standards in their sequel. While the first show was narrated and sung by Jimmy Durante, the second time we had the voice talents of Andy Griffith. Nothing against Andy, but it is a big change.


'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS: The story of two families, one human family of Joshua Trundel the clockmaker, the other a mouse family that lives in their house. In Junctionville, all letters to Santa have been returned and the townsfolk are worried. Turns out that Santa is upset at a letter from "all of us" to the editor in the paper, saying that he didn't exist. A young genius mouse named Albert turns out to be the culprit. The town starts the Joshua will build a special clock to encourage Santa to come by singing a song "Calling Santa" at midnight on Christmas Eve. But the clock breaks down too. The people turn against Joshua, and he starts losing customers. Soon enough, his family is starving, and so in turn is the mouse family. It is eventually found that Albert is responsible for the clocks malfunction but did not do it on purpose. He is sorry, but his dad encourages him that sorry is not enough, you must fix what you did wrong. If Albert can fix the clock in time, then Christmas may be saved yet, along with the reputation of Joshua.

Rankin/Bass Studio created this wonderful traditional cel animated special for CBS televison. It first aired on December 8, 1974 in a half hour format on CBS television. The screenplay was by Jerome Coopersmith, inspired by the Clement Moore poem, it does not literally follow the lines of the poem until near the end. The memorable song "Calling Santa" is one of best songs to come from the studio. Also has the songs "Even a Miracle Needs a Hand" (really good), and "Give Your Heart a Try". Character design was by Paul Coker, Jr. who designed the characters appearance for nearly every holiday special from the studio. With musical direction by Maury Laws... Yes, he was the musical genius behind the Rudolph special and it shows. The songs are really good in this special. Lyrics were written by Jules Bass. The actual songs and narration are performed by Joel Gray, and he voices the character of the human father Joshua. Tammy Grimes stars as Albert Mouse, and George Gobel as Father Mouse. John McGiver as the Mayor.
"

Overlooked Christmas Classic

M. Ray | USA | 11/28/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Twas the Night Before Christmas was one of my favorite Christmas specials when I was a kid and it still is.

The story begins with a reading of Clement's The Night Before Christmas but creatures are stirring because they have learned that Santa is upset with their town and he isn't stopping to bring toys this year. The story is told jointly from a mouse/human perspective through a flashback to reveal why Santa is upset and how they hope to remedy the situation.

Other Christmas shows (such as Rudolph and Charlie Brown) have received more attention over the years but, in my estimation, Twas the Night Before Christmas belongs in the same lofty company. It's a great story and we got the DVD so our kids could enjoy the show too.

"

Skip Frosty, watch Twas the Night Before Christmas

Rob E. | NH | 11/27/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Forget the Frosty show. If you want to see the best Frosty show, get the original "Frosty The Snowman" narrated by the late, great Jimmy Durante.
The true gem in this DVD is getting to see "Twas The Night Before Christmas". This is one of my all time Xmas favorites. It ranks up there with the original Frosty, Rudolph the Ned Rosed Reindeer, Santa Claus Is Coming to Town, Year Without A Santa Claus, and Mr. Magoo's Christmas.
Like those other shows, Twas the Night Before Christmas has some memorable songs like: "You wish and I'll worry, you play while I plan, we'll all do what's necessary, cause even a miracle needs a hand".
Also, "Give up a little on the wonder why and give your heart a try". Lastly, "Christams chimes are calling Santa, Santa, every heart is calling Santa, Santa. Come on Kris Kringle, down the Milky Way." Enjoy this one and all the others."