There is something special about television holiday classics.  I loved planning ahead and getting permission to stay up late to watch Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman and the likes.  Of course, with our hectic lives and hectic schedules, I have found that I always seem to miss my favorite holiday TV specials.  When I saw the Original Television Classics on sale, I was so excited!  Not only would I not have to worry about missing the televised specials, but I could watch them any day of the year! 

Last year, my then three year old took advantage of the opportunity to watch these Christmas specials as much as she possibly could.  I quickly decided at the end of last year to put the special DVD collection away and bring it out for the holiday season only, thus giving it that special feeling once again.

Included in the set is my all time favorite, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, which is a great story familiar to many because of the popular song.  There are a few additional characters not named in the song, however, and they are what really make the show great.  First, there is Hermie (or Herbie, as some claim), a misfit elf who wants to be a dentist, rather than a toymaker like the rest of the elves.  Yukon Cornelius is a prospector looking for silver and gold.  Although he isn’t so much of a misfit, he accepts Rudolph and Hermie for who they really are.  Together the trio battle against the most loveable abominable snowman ever, Bumble.  All these extra characters sort of fill in around the traditional Rudolph story, that all the reindeer made fun of him for his bright red nose until one night, Santa Claus realized that the beacon of a nose was really a great thing.  Aside from being just a fun story with cool animation that may seem outdated to some, with it’s claymation like movements, there is a good moral to the story: being different can have its advantages!!

With the same animation techniques as Rudolph, two other classics are also included in this set, Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town and The Little Drummer Boy.  Just like to Christmas carols, both of these stories follow along with the well-known lyrics.  The story of Kris Kringle is retold, with a few dark moments, I may add.  This is a great story to share with little ones who question some of the old time holiday traditions that we take for granted, including why we have Christmas stockings, why Santa Claus lives in the North Pole and how he got his magical powers.  There is a pretty scary wizard, who Kris Kringle encounters during his adventures and the evil Burger Meister Meister Burger that may frighten young children, but overall, goodness prevails and the scary moments are resolved without too much drama.

I’ve always loved the song of the same name as the Christmas special (especially the Bob Seeger version!).  The story revolves around the plot of the song, how the Little Drummer Boy was a poor child, with no gift to offer the baby Jesus at his birth.  It was his music that was the gift and that all were able to appreciate.  This version goes back and creates a little history on the boy who became the well-known character.  The quality of the animation is lacking a bit, compared to the other classics in this collection, much less anything released by today’s standards!  We tend not to watch this story as much, but it’s good for a once a year viewing, reminding us of the true Christmas spirit.

Although the Frosty series has never been among my all time favorites like Rudolph, Frosty the Snowman is still enjoyable and my daughter loves it.  Of course, the popular Christmas song makes this story familiar to most people and this plot also follows the lyrics and explains how Frosty came to life one day by the aide of a magic hat.  The animated show is your basic 2D cartoon, there are no special effects or anything else to marvel at, although the music is okay.  Frosty’s voice, a New York sort of accent, is a little annoying, but overall,  Frosty the Snowman is fairly charming, especially for youngsters (even those jaded by today’s animating standards).

Frosty Returns is the sequel to Frosty the Snowman, with a change in voice from Jackie Vernon (the original voice) to John Goodman.  Although the sequel was made in 1992, it is still of the same animation quality as its 1969 predecessor.  This time, the story focuses on Frosty’s return, only to find that an inventor has discovered a way to do away with snow with the simple spray of an aerosol can.  This, of course, threatens Frosty’s life and together with the local misfit child, is able to save his life.  Quite dramatic, I know, but it is super appealing to my 4 year old and its good, clean fun, so I really don’t have any complaints- it’s just not my favorite, that’s all.

In addition to the videos included in the Original TV Classics collection, there is also a bonus CD, with music from all of the different shows.  Some of them are taken directly from the Specials, like Holly Jolly Christmas, immortalized by Burl Ives, and others are sung by the Silver and Gold Chorus.  I found all the songs fun enough to be played as background music when guests are over and anyone familiar with the tunes will recognize them immediately, even though they are remakes of the original versions.

The entire Original TV Classics collection is a must have for anyone growing up watching these holiday specials on television, especially those wanting to share these fun stories with children of their own, as I have been so fortunate to do.  The case the disks come in is a replica of an old bound book, which fits nicely in with its story-telling theme.  Guaranteed, adults and children alike will appreciate this set for years to come!

Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Better than Watching TV
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children up Ages 8