Official Sponsor of the Santa Hustle 5k and Half Marathon

I'll be spreading holiday cheer--on foot--Sun. Dec. 16th at the Santa Hustle 5k.

As you know, I'm in training for the Santa Hustle 5k, a running race being held Sunday, December 16th, 2012 at Cedar Point, in Sandusky, Ohio.  Click HERE to see my first post about the Santa Hustle.  There are Santa Hustle races all over the country this holiday season including Chicago, Sevierville (TN), Indianapolis, Daytona Beach, Milwaukee, and Galveston.  For more information and dates, check out their website: SantaHustle.com.  You can also click on the Santa Hustle badge/link along the right-hand side of my blog for more information or for registration.

I'm not just running the event, but I'm also an official sponsor.  You can find me at the Post-Race Party in Sandusky, Ohio, congratulating all the participants.  Not only will I be spreading Christmas cheer, I'll be talking to runners and their guests about their favorite Christmas episodes, specials and movies.  If you'd like to check out my books, I'll have copies available at the party and I'll also be signing them, if you like.  Either of my three books would make a fun gift for the pop culture fanatic in your life.  Click HERE for the link to see the list of other official sponsors of the Santa Hustle.

I'm in the red t-shirt and tube socks. My first race--The Firecracker Run 2 miler--July 4th, 1981.

I haven't just been a Christmas TV fan my whole life, I've also been a runner.  My first race was a 2 mile run on the 4th of July in 1981.  I participated in 5ks and 10ks all through my high school years--even through college.  During my twenties, I had spent some time racing my mountain bike and participated in multi-sport races including duathlons.  By 1999, I began to realize the year 2000 was rapidly approaching--feeling "old," I decided to train for my first marathon.  So I completed my first marathon in October, 2000 and followed this with training for triathlon.

Pittsburgh Adventure Race 2002--2nd overall female.

I LOVE this photo!  I've just crossed the finish line of an ironman-length triathlon in 2003--I didn't have the tears to cry with joy.

In the transition area during a triathlon, I'm putting on socks in order to start the run course.  Sprint triathlon 2009.

I had watched triathlon races on TV over the years--the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii were my inspiration--and in 2001, I completed my first sprint distance triathlon.  This was followed by longer triathlons, and more off-road and multi-sport races.  In September 2003, I completed an ironman-length triathlon (2.4 mile swim--112 mile bike ride--26.2 mile run).

After the 2011 Warrior Dash--still dripping wet from rinsing off the mud.

After the Color Run, June 2012.

Since 2003, I have raced more for the fun of it.  I still do triathlons but mostly local races with friends along side me.  I've also caught the excitement in this new trend in racing:  I've completed the Warrior Dash, Color Run, and Run for Your Life zombie run.  When I first learned of the Santa Hustle which combines my love of Christmas AND running, I knew I wanted to be a part of it.

I'm getting zombie make-up professionally applied at the Run for Your Life zombie run this past summer.  After working as a zombie for three hours, I ran the 5k obstacle course.

For all the time I spend on the couch watching and writing about television programs, I'm glad I have an active lifestyle.  Even if you're not a runner, you can come and watch the runners in their Santa outfits (every participant receives a Santa hat, beard and t-shirt) to cheer and encourage them through the race.  But don't be surprised if you catch the holiday spirit.

I LOVE running in the snow! November 2008.

Andy Williams Christmas Shows

Andy (holding the reins) singing "Sleigh Ride" with his back-sup singers on the annual Christmas episode of The Andy Williams Show.

Although singer Andy Williams passed away in September, he left behind a wonderful legacy of holiday music and Christmas TV shows.  I'd like to honor him by remembering his contribution to Christmas entertainment.  Williams starred on TV in his own variety TV series, The Andy Williams Show from 1962 through 1971. This series was so well-known for its annual Christmas show that Williams returned to TV for several additional Christmas specials in the 1970s, a couple more in the '80s and '90s, and two retrospectives in 2001.  Williams' holiday shows were usually the highest-rated installments of each season--and included elaborate costumes, sets, and even special effects.

Victorian costumes, choreographed dancers, and elaborate sets fill the musical productions numbers during the Christmas shows.

While a typical episode of The Andy Williams Show included special celebrity guest stars, Andy's Christmas shows featured family.  Andy would include The Williams Brothers, his real-life older brothers--Bob, Don, and Dick--with whom Andy had started singing professionally when they were still children.

The Williams Brothers started their careers singing on the radio in the late 1930s.  After agreeing to leave show business in the early 1950s, Andy went on to a successful solo career.

The Williams Brothers wear matching outfits in each of the annual Christmas shows--I LOVE the detail of the matching green socks and shoes!

Andy's shows would also include his parents, his wife Claudine Longet, and eventually their three young children, Noelle, Christian, and Bobby.

Andy's Christmas shows meant family time together.

Andy's beautiful wife Claudine Longet sings "My Favorite Things" on one of his annual Christmas shows.

 The Christmas shows also included another family, The Osmond Brothers--Alan, Wayne, Merrill, and Jay.  Their four-part harmonies blended smoothly, much like voices of The Williams Brothers. Eventually the Osmond Brothers added young Donny for five-part harmony singing.

Williams with The Osmond Brothers in a Christmas show that features the boys singing while toasting marshmallows around an open fire.

The five Osmond Brothers (the youngest, Donny, is second from the left) sing along with the Williams Brothers, on the right.

Andy Williams has several signature Christmas songs.  The song "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year," written by George Wylie and Eddie Pola, was specifically written for Williams' Christmas TV show, which he first sang in 1963.



Another signature Andy Williams Christmas song is "Happy Holiday/The Holiday Season," a song originally composed by Irving Berlin with added contributions from Kay Thompson.  This swingin' holiday song is one of my personal favorites.  (The original Irving Berlin song "Happy Holiday" can also be seen performed by Bing Crosby in the 1942 movie Holiday Inn).

In the above video clip, the four Williams Brothers are joined by the five Osmond Brothers singing "Happy Holiday/The Holiday Season."

Another Christmas song closely associated with Andy Williams and his annual Christmas TV shows is "Kay Thompson's Jingle Bells" or a jazzy holiday medley that includes "Jingle Bells."  This song is featured on the original 1963 The Andy Williams Christmas Album.  They really don't make music like this anymore.




Though Williams can swing with the best of them, his annual Christmas shows also include very traditional songs of the season including reverent versions of "Silent Night," "Ave Maria," and "O Holy Night."

Williams is also known for his performances of traditional carols.

Though none of the original Andy Williams Christmas shows have been released on DVD, there have been two 'best of' compilations released.  Both include many of the same video clips of the best of the musical performances from the twelve Christmas TV shows.  I hope that complete versions of the Christmas shows will eventually be released on to DVD so that future generations can enjoy and appreciate Williams' outstanding holiday performances.

 

Joanna Wilson is a TV researcher and book author specializing in Christmas entertainment. More about the TV programs mentioned on this website can be found in her book "Tis the Season TV: the Encyclopedia of Christmas-themed Episodes, Specials, and Made-for-TV Movies." Her latest book "Triple Dog Dare: Watching--& Surviving--the 24-Hour Marathon of A Christmas Story" was released in 2016. She is currently updating and expanding the encyclopedia for a 2021 release. Her books can be found at the publisher's website: 1701 press.com

*Support this website and its research by purchasing the books at 1701 press.com

Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol comic book (2002)

I'm continuing my celebration of the 50th anniversary of the first animated Christmas TV special, Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol.  Did you see my original post on the animated TV special?  Click HERE for that link.  Yesterday, I posted a book review of Darrell Van Citters' book on the making of the animated TV classic.  Click HERE to see that post again.  Today, I'd like to share Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol: The Official Comic Adaptation. 

Cover of the graphic novelization

This 56 page, full color comic was created in 2002 to honor the 40th anniversary of the animated TV special.  Not only is it the complete story but there are added bonuses.  The comic book includes a recipe for razzleberry dressing--a delicious holiday food mentioned in the original TV special.  There are also additional story panels describing the action behind the curtain--between the acts--with the actors in the Broadway stage production of The Christmas Carol.  You can read about what Gerald McBoing Boing who plays Tiny Tim, actor Mr. Magoo, and the stage director are up to backstage between the acts of the play.  That's really a fun expansion of the original story!

Pardon my thumb!  Page on the left depicts the backstage antics of actors in the Broadway production.  Page on the right continues the story with Act II.

The comic book also includes a couple of Mr. Magoo bonus stories.  There is Falling For the Falls, reprinted from Mister Magoo #5, first created in 1963, about a trip the nearsighted Mr. Magoo takes to Niagara Falls.  There is also a second Christmas story entitled Mr. Magoo's Holiday Hi-Jinx! from 2002.  It is about Magoo's run-in with an elf that accidentally falls down his chimney on Christmas Eve.  And, in the middle of the book is a lengthy section on the history (in text) of the Mr. Magoo character.


Wish you had a copy of Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol: The Official Comic Adaptation?  I have a copy I'd like to give away to one of my readers.  Making this giveaway even more sweet:  this is a very limited edition signed copy--it includes the signatures of the four artists who created this book.  Inside the front cover, this copy includes the signatures of Chris Yambar-writer, George Broderick, Jr.-pencils, Ken Wheaton-inks, and Rich Maurizio-letters.  I got this copy directly from Chris Yambar, so you know it's authentic.  Check out his website: http://Yambar.com

To qualify for the prize giveaway:

--leave a comment below with the words "Happy 50th Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol"  You can enter again on Facebook and Twitter by commenting with the words "Happy 50th Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol" at the following locations:

Facebook page: Christmas TV History

Facebook page: Tis the Season TV

Facebook page: Christmas TV Companion

Twitter: @TistheSeasonTV

So you could enter up to five times by leaving one correct comment at all five locations.  This giveaway is for North American residents only.  This runs from today, Wed Nov.14th--Saturday, November 17th, noon (ET) 2012.  On Nov. 17th at noon, I'll use random.org to generate a number from the total number of qualifying entries to select a winner.  Tell all your friends about this fun giveaway.  Good luck!

This is what the artists' signatures look like in my own personal copy. The giveaway comic book remains in its plastic sleeve.

Book Review: Mister Magoo's Christmas Carol

If you're a fan of the 1962 animated TV special Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol, you must check out Darrell Van Citters' book Mister Magoo's Christmas Carol: The Making of the First Animated Christmas Special.  The 2009 hardbound book is not only filled with color stills from the original TV special but it includes photos of the original sketches and artwork from the production as well as photos of the creators, artists, staff, and the voice talent.  A fascinating read, the book gives the details behind the history of the Academy Award-winning, nearsighted Mr. Magoo character in theatrical animated shorts and the UPA studio in general.  I never connected that UPA was busy making the feature-length Gay Purr-ee at the same time they were making Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol.  I grew up watching Gay Purr-ee on TV in the 1970s--I'd love to see it again!  This history of UPA productions will also answer questions about why Tiny Tim looks just like the cartoon character Gerald McBoing Boing.

The animated feature Gay Purr-ee was made concurrently with Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol.

What also caught my attention was the author speculating about the unusual order of the visits by the Ghosts of Christmas.   In the 1962 animated version, the Ghost of Christmas Present visits Scrooge before the Ghost of Christmas Past--a change from the logical order established by Charles Dickens.

Have you ever noticed that Scrooge visits the Present before he visits the Past in this animated version?  In the above photo, Scrooge lays a comforting hand on his younger self during his journey to a Christmas past.

In addition to detailing the animation process, the animators and the evolution of the story, the book also covers the involvement of Jule Styne and Bob Merrill, the composer and lyricist for the musical numbers, the vocal talents, and the details behind the recording process.   You'll certainly come to appreciate the effort and love that went into creating the TV Christmas classic.  Another element I never quite connected before reading the book is the obvious influence of the musical Oliver! that was on the stage in London at the time.  Surely this successful musical of another Charles Dickens book, Oliver Twist, would have been a timely inspiration.  The book also mentions that Styne and Merrill collaborated again on the 1965 live action Christmas TV special The Dangerous Christmas of Red Riding Hood with Liza Minnelli--a TV musical that I've come to love.

The book also includes details about the many actors whose voices brought these Christmas Carol characters to life.  Did you know that Jane Kean, who performed the singing voice for Belle also played Trixie Norton in the later 1960s color episodes of The Honeymooners?

Considering the importance and the influence of Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol on the history of Christmas on television, this book is surely a must-read.  Have you seen my earlier post on the 50th anniversary of 1962 animated classic?  Click HERE for the link to that original post.  I'm so excited to see that NBC is going to air Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol in prime time on Dec. 22nd, 2012 at 8pm (ET).  Click HERE for the link to the NBC holiday specials listing.  Hopefully a younger generation will discover what some of us already know--that this animated Christmas Carol is an entertaining treat.

Santa Quiz #1

I'm so excited to be running the Santa Hustle 5k next month--where all the runners receive a Santa hat, beard and Santa race shirt!  There will be thousands of Santas at the starting line--I'm going to have to bring my camera!  You may want to come down to check out the Santa spectacle for yourself.  I'll be sticking around for the Post-Race Party at the Sandusky, OH race, so come, find me, and tell me your favorite Christmas TV special.  I'll also have my books for sale so this would be a great opportunity to get a signed copy to give as a gift to that pop culture junkie in your life.  If you're a runner and would like to join the Santa Hustle 5k or Half Marathon, click the link/badge on the right-hand side of the blog to find information about registering.

Let's play a little game:  how many of these Santas can your recognize?  For this first quiz, I made it a little easy -- all of these TV characters were previously featured in a blog post sometime earlier this year.  Did you know that I have a SEARCH box for my blog, along the right-hand side?  Comment below with your guesses on who each Santa is and the title of the episode, special or movie.  Show off your Christmas TV knowledge.  Good luck!

He-Man and She-Ra Christmas Special (1985)

Barney Fife from the Christmas episode of The Andy Griffith Show.

Roger Sterling on the 4th season Christmas episode of Mad Men.

Chandler Bing from the Friends holiday episode "The One With the Holiday Armadillo."

Bewitched Christmas episode "A Vision of Sugar Plums."

Golden Girls--1989's "Have Yourself a Very Little Christmas."

 Mr. Woodman from WELCOME BACK KOTTER's 1977 episode "A Sweathog Christmas Special"

Ernest Borgnine from McHale's Navy

Alf from 1987's "Alf's Special Christmas."

Fat Albert from 1977's Fat Albert's Christmas Special.

Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol (1962)

This hour-long animated TV special debuted on Dec. 18th, 1962 on NBC.

The year 2012 calls for many celebrations.  Not only is it the 200th anniversary of the birth of author Charles Dickens (February 7th, 1812) -- it is also the 50th anniversary of Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol.  Of course, Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol is important because it was the very first animated Christmas special made specifically for television.  Its importance should not be underestimated.  The 1962 special and its original ratings success would begin the golden age of animated Christmas TV specials, which would soon be followed by Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer in 1964, A Charlie Brown Christmas in 1965, How the Grinch Stole Christmas in 1966, and Frosty the Snowman in 1969.  And more would follow.  Let's remember this 1962 hour-long animated special again.

This animated musical TV special includes six original tunes.

The well-established and popular cartoon character Mr. Magoo appears in this TV special as an actor in a Broadway musical stage version of Dickens' A Christmas Carol.  The story begins with the nearsighted Magoo arriving at the theater and getting into costume.  Magoo is set to play the lead role of Ebenezer Scrooge in this show-within-a-show.

This animated TV special features a Broadway musical stage production of A Christmas Carol.

Magoo as Ebenezer Scrooge encountering the ghostly door knocker.

A translucent Marley warns Scrooge of the arrival of three more spirits.

You may already be familiar with Dickens' original story, however this animated version has a few changes.  Not only is the character of nephew Fred completely absent but the first ghost to visit Scrooge after Marley's warning is the Ghost of Christmas Present.  Clearly, this animated version of the familiar tale is shortened for economy, however the heart of the story remains.

The order of the appearances of the spirits is changed from Dickens' original book.  Here, the Ghost of Christmas Present is the first to visit Ebenezer.

Recognize Tiny Tim?  He's intended to resemble cartoon character Gerald McBoing Boing--another UPA property along with Mr. Magoo.

The Ghost of Christmas Present introduces Scrooge to the home of his employee Bob Crachit and his family.  Here, Scrooge learns that Cratchit's son Tiny Tim is sick.  The wealthy businessman is also surprised to discover that the Crachit family is happy at Christmas time despite their lack of money.

The Ghost of Christmas Past.

A young Ebenezer dances with his girlfriend Belle at Fezziwig's lavish Christmas party.

Next, the Ghost of Christmas Past escorts Ebenezer to re-visit the school where he spent the Christmases of his youth, feeling alone.  Then they move on to see Fezziwig's joyous Christmas party where Ebenezer worked as an apprentice.  Scrooge also re-lives the romance and the break-up of his relationship with Belle.  He's lost Belle's affection because he loves another: money.

"Say it isn't so, Spirit!"

The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come shows Scrooge a grim future.  None of the wealthy man's friends grieve his passing.  Thieves cash in what they steal from the Scrooge's death bed.  And, at the cemetery, Scrooge's awareness of his death reminds him he'll once again be alone.

"What day is it?"

Scrooge promises a raise in salary to Bob Crachit and showers the young Tiny Tim with affection.

Finally, on Christmas morning, Scrooge awakens to discover he has a change of heart.  He buys a turkey to be delivered to the Crachit family home and he goes there to celebrate Christmas with them.

The show-within-a-show includes a curtain call, reminding viewers that they were watching a stage production.  It also allows the familiar Mr. Magoo character to take on a role within the play, stepping outside of his nearsighted and bumbling persona.

This animated TV special features six original songs including "Back on Broadway," "Ringle Ringle," "The Lord's Bright Blessing," Alone in the World," "Winter Was Warm," and "We're Despicable."  The songs "Alone in the World," "Ringle Ringle," and "The Lord's Bright Blessing" are reprised for the ending.  These wonderful songs were created by the famed Broadway songwriters, composer Jule Styne and lyricist Bob Merrill.  They would team up again for the 1965 live action Christmas TV musical The Dangerous Christmas of Red Riding Hood starring Liza Minnelli, Cyril Ritchard, Vic Damone, and Eric Burdon and the Animals.


The voice cast includes Jim Backus as Mr. Magoo/Scrooge, the character he originated in the very first Mr. Magoo cartoon in 1949.  Broadway star Jack Cassidy voiced Bob Crachit and Dick Wilkens.  Cassidy made many TV appearances as well, most notably as Ted Baxter's brother on an episode of The Mary Tyler Moore Show.  I also recognize Cassidy as the real-life father of actor/singer David Cassidy (yes, I'm the hugest Partridge Family fan).  Actor/comedian Morey Amsterdam voiced Brady (Scrooge's friend that doesn't grieve his loss).  Amsterdam may be more recognizable from his role as Buddy Sorrell on The Dick Van Dyke Show.  And, Paul Frees voiced the stage director, the charity solicitor, Fezziwig, and more.  Frees has a very distinctive voice and also voiced the villain Boris Badenov on The Bullwinkle Show as well as Burgermeister Meister Burger in the Rankin/Bass classic Santa Claus is Comin' to Town.

The backgrounds are created with an attention to design detail.

In the segment with the Ghost of Christmas Future, the colorful creepy backgrounds do much to convey the dread and horror experienced by Scrooge.

Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol has a very stylized design and a bold use of color palette.   Yet the character design seems to leave the biggest impression.  Since this version of Dickens' story has often been an entire generation's first exposure to A Christmas Carol, it is these images of the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future that we often first imagine when recalling the story.  Aren't we lucky?  Though some may speculate that the Broadway show-within-a-show may be lost on most young kids, I believe this story element was probably lost on the youngest of children in the 1960s as well--and was a detail meant to appeal to adult viewers--as TV programming created in the 1960s was intended to entertain a wider audience including children, teens and adults.

"God bless us, everyone!"

This 1962 animated TV special was re-broadcast during prime time on NBC for five years and then went into syndication.  In the 1970s when I was growing up, I remember watching it in syndication on a Saturday or a Sunday afternoon every year.  Unfortunately, since then, Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol has become hard to find in the TV listings each Christmas.  Thankfully, it is available on DVD--and is currently streaming on Netflix.  Is watching Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol an annual tradition in your home?

Next up: a discussion of Darrell Van Citter's book Mister Magoo's Christmas Carol: The Making of the First Animated Christmas Special.

Santa Hustle--Training

I LOVE the crunching sound of dry leaves under each footstep while I run in the autumn months.

As you know, I'm training and preparing for the Santa Hustle 5k, a running race being held Sunday December 16th, 2012 at Cedar Point, in Sandusky, Ohio.  Click HERE to see my earlier post about the Santa Hustle.  There are Santa Hustle races all over the country this holiday season including Chicago, Sevierville (TN), Indianapolis, Daytona Beach, Milwaukee, and Galveston.  For more information and dates, check out their website: SantaHustle.com

Photo courtesy of Santa Hustle.

I'm very excited to be running with thousands of other people on race day, all dressed as Santa Claus.  This is going to be quite a spectacle--and I've got to remember to run with my camera!  But before December arrives, I have to put the time into making sure I'm ready and prepared to complete the 3.1 miles (5k distance).  I actually run year round so I'm already in good shape.  However, the change of seasons brings its own challenges.  So my training now is actually more focused on making sure I keep up my regular running schedule despite the daylight savings time change, and the extreme temperature changes that occur in Ohio during October and November.

I prefer to trail run but I didn't want to erode the trail during Hurricane Sandy by creating a muddy mess in the woods.

Another unexpected challenge arose last week as well: Hurricane Sandy.  It rained for days and days.  Though that's perfect weather to stay indoors and watch Christmas TV movies--my usual daily activity--it wasn't good running weather.  I don't usually mind running in the rain much but this was a very COLD and consistent rain that caused flooding in many places.  But I'm finally back to my regular running schedule and staying dry.

THIS is why I love to trail run--it's always a gorgeous experience!  I also love all the wildlife I regularly see, including deer, owls, crows, chipmunks, squirrels, foxes, raccoons, ground hogs, frogs, turtles, ducks, geese, and cranes.

Not only am I running the Santa Hustle 5k race but I'll be at the Post-Race Party in Sandusky, OH signing copies of my book, and talking to people about their favorite Christmas entertainments.  Even if you're not a runner, come on down to the race, cheer on the runners and look for me at the Post-Race Party.  This will be a great opportunity to meet me, and maybe even get a signed book to give as a gift.  See you then!

Come to the Post-Race Party on Dec. 16th in Ohio and meet the author of Tis the Season TV and The Christmas TV Companion.  Photo courtesy of Santa Hustle.