About Christmas TV History

Friday, July 20, 2012

George and the Christmas Star (1985)

I couldn't let SCI-FI Christmas in July go by without mentioning one of my favorite animated TV specials from 1985.  I don't remember seeing this in the 1980s but it's one of those gems I found when researching for the encyclopedia I compiled, Tis the Season TV.  This adorable special is one of those rare treats that makes my work the best job in the world.  Have you seen this before?

George and the Christmas Star
by Joanna Wilson

Hhmmm...could be better.

George has a paper star for the top of his Christmas tree but decides he wants something better.

George builds a rocket ship to find the perfect Christmas star.

So he builds a rocket ship to go into space to get the one he spots in his telescope.

Ralph's dream is to be a piano player.

In space, he meets Ralph an alien robot who runs a hotel.  Ralph decides to join his new friend George on his search for the perfect star.

"Aarrggh! We want your fuel for our ship."

Along the way, they are attacked by space pirates and taken hostage aboard their ship where they meet Barbara, another hostage.

George and Ralph meet Barbara, another hostage of the space pirates.


Space police rangers come and free the three new friends, but run into more trouble with outlaw space bikers, called the Bells Angels.

Outlaw space bikers--this is too cute!

They escape and eventually find George’s star in the night sky and place it in a box. 

The three friends finally find their Christmas star in space.
 But another obstacle arises: they don’t have enough fuel to get home!

St. Nick in Space to the rescue!

Luckily, Santa Claus passes nearby and agrees to help them home.  Now back at home, George, Ralph and Barbara put the star on top of his tree only to find it floats back up into space!

Was their space journey all for naught?

George comes to realize that a paper star for his tree top is good enough when he has two good friends to spend Christmas with him.

The best Christmas is one spent with the people you love.

This charming Canadian-made, half-hour animated special also includes two songs written and performed by music legend Paul Anka.  Check out the video for "Anyone Can Reach a Star," a song by Paul Anka from George and the Christmas Star that was never released as a single or on any album.



If you're not familiar with Anka, you should know he started his career as a teen idol in the late 1950s with the hit songs "Diana" and "Put Your Head on My Shoulder."  He's had a very long and successful career as both a singer and songwriter.  More recently, he's had an exciting comeback releasing lounge-y, swing versions of popular music on two albums "Rock Swings" and "Classic Songs, My Way." My favorites are his cover of The Cure's "Lovecats," Duran Duran's "Ordinary World" and Van Halen's "Jump."  Another great one--check out Paul Anka's version of Billy Idol's "Eyes Without a Face."  Yes, I have these albums--and they're awesome.


8 comments:

  1. Does anybody know where to find this. I would love to see it.
    Thanks

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  2. Here's a link to Part 1 on Youtube: http://youtu.be/PsqNKo2Hs5E

    But if you'd like a DVD copy of your own--I have a giveaway going on right NOW! Enter for your chance to win it--but the contest ends on Monday 7/23.

    I usually see copies for sale each December.

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  3. Thanks I was shying away from Youtube if I had to. Is this on a set? I just don't recall this one as a stand alone. I looked on Amazon and the VHS is going for $16. Crazy.

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  4. Not a set that I've seen. It has been released on a single DVD--usually a discount DVD. Check this week's giveaway on the blog--there's a photo of the cover. http://www.christmastvhistory.com/2012/07/sci-fi-christmas-in-july-giveaway-2.html

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  5. How interestingly weird! I have never heard of this, or, if I have, it is lost in the recesses of my pop culture-saturated brain! LOL

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  6. This sure did have the early 80's feel. The art was so different then.

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  7. Ok...a new entry on my christmas viewing list

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  8. My sisters and I watched this at least 5 times every Christmas - I'm the eldest, and was born in 1985......

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