Of those, TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS may be the least known. While premiering on CBS and shown there regularly in the 70's and 80's, it hasn't appeared on the network in years. It does turn up on cable channels, but its showing isn't an event like it used to be.
It was always an odd sort of cartoon. When I first saw it in the 1970's, I couldn't quite understand what this cartoon about mice and clocks really had to do with the poem it is based on. Yet over the years, I have grown to love it.
Previously available on DVD as an extra with FROSTY'S WINTER WONDERLAND, it is now getting its own release. Warner Home Video is releasing it in a remastered version.
A Rankin / Bass production, the story is about a mouse who writes a letter that he doesn't believe in Santa. Because of this, all of the letters to Santa from Junctionville, the town where the letter writer was from, are returned. Can Christmas be saved? George Gobel voices Father Mouse and Joel Grey is the Father. The film does end with a retelling of the famous Clement Moore poem.
The music by Maury Laws features "Even A Miracle Needs A Hand" and "Christmas Chimes Are Calling", two songs which have stayed with me over the years. In fact, upon receiving the DVD, I have been unable to get "Even A Miracle" out of my head.
The only extra on the DVD is an animated feature on Christmas traditions from around the world.
If you have never seen this special, it may take a few viewings to really appreciate it. But if you are a fan, you will be happy with this release.
TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS is available on Warner Home Video.
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