Released as a half hour TV Christmas special for children. Another Rankin/Bass production, like Rudolph the Red Nosed reindeer, it is based on the 1950’s children’s song Frosty the Snowman. This cartoon brings to life the song’s lyrics like the magic hat brought Frosty to life. It even gives a back story to the magical hat by providing an antagonist in the form of an unskilled children’s entertainer, who threw away his top hat in a fit of frustration.

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This TV special has bright colors, and a light heart spirit, interlaced with slightly slapstick comedy. Frosty the Snowman, quizzically speaks in full sentences, but can’t count past 5, yet somehow he knows that he must go to the North Pole to stay cold! As a very logical child 6 year old, I remember questioning the juxtaposition of innate knowledge and ignorance, even before I knew the word to describe it. Still the cartoon was one of my favorites for the magical Christmas theme and simple comedy. I even spent the winter I was 10 doing belly wops like Frosty the Snowman, to toboggan down my grade school snow-hill. I gradually ruined my snowsuit in the process, but what a way to go!

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Rankin/Bass went on to produce two of the four sequels to this original cartoon. In 1976, Frosty’s Winter Wonderland was based on the Christmas song Winter Wonderland. It was followed by Rudolph and Frosty’s Christmas in July in 1979. Then in 1992, Bill Melendez Productions made a new world for our hero. The result was Frosty Returns, with Johnathon Winters narrating and John Goodman taking over the voice of Frosty. The last edition of this song inspired, cartoon character came out in 2005, titled the Legend of Frosty the Snowman, but it went direct to video.

You can also watch Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer or An American Christmas Carol

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There have been countless renditions of Charles Dickens’ classic story A Christmas Carol. Mostly these films or cartoon adaptions follow a simple formula about a greedy archetype who finds redemption one Christmas eve. Usually these versions of a Christmas Carol try to the do one of three things, stay true to the original Victorian tale, simplify story through comedy or cartoon adaption, or change everything but the archetype for a woke version of Dickens’ story. An American Christmas Carol released in 1979, does the rewrite differently. Sticking to the original premise, it changes the story by moving from Victorian era England to depression era USA. The same societal problems are present, but the change makes the story more relevant and timeless to American audiences, and because of this it is my very favorite rendition.

An American Christmas Carol stars Henry Winkler as Benedict Slade, once a lowly orphan struggling to fit in, who turns an apprenticeship opportunity into a quest for wealth and influence. Somewhere along the way, his fear of failure and lust for success drive him away from the love of his life, and he pours himself more into his work as his heart heartens. Finally in his old age, when the people around him struggle incessantly, he is visited by three spirits who show him the effect his misery business practice is having on people, including himself. Eyes opened, he vows to change his ways and immediately starts bringing joy to everyone he has been indifferent too

Don’t be like Benedict Slade in An American Christmas Carol ! Instead bring a little joy to the lives of those around you with a purchase from Ebay. Not only are new items available,like electronics and household items but Ebay is a great source for nostalgia, buy classic LPs and other vintage items Whatever you are into hobby, past-time or religious affiliation Ebay has something for you.

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