The Doris Day Show Christmas (1970)

This review is part of A Very Merry MeTV Blogathon hosted by the Classic TV Blog Association.  Click here to see the blogathon's complete schedule.  Please be sure to check out all the other participating blog posts. And, click here for the 2015 holiday programming schedule on MeTV.

Who doesn't love a Christmas party? Cranky neighbor Mr. Jarvis says he doesn't, that's who! This is the problem facing lead character Doris Martin (Doris Day) in the 3rd season holiday episode of The Doris Day Show.

Mr. Jarvis not only hates noise--he also hates Christmas!

In the 1970 episode “It’s Christmas Time in the City,” Doris throws a party on Christmas Eve for her family and friends at her apartment. Although her fussy neighbor Mr. Jarvis is difficult to get along with, Doris invites him to the party to extend a hand of friendship.  Jarvis turns down her invitation and warns her about making too much noise!

Is THIS the face of a noisy troublemaker?

Actors Kay Ballard and Bernie Koppell play the landlords/Italian restaurant owners Angie and Louie Pallucci.

Doris decides to move forward with her Christmas party anyway. Her guests include her sons Billy and Toby, her sons' grandfather Buck, her boss Mr. Nicholson, her co-workers Ron and Myrna, and Billy and Toby's babysitter Ethel.  If you don't regularly watch this series, you may be surprised to see its amazing cast--it's a virtual who's who of television actors.

Actor Denver Pyle plays Buck.  Pyle directs many episodes of this series--including this one.

Look who else is here! Rose Marie plays Myrna, Paul Smith as Ron, and McLean Stevenson as the boss Mr. Nicholson.

Does this party look out of control?

Wouldn't you know it, Mr. Jarvis drops by several times threatening everyone’s fun with numerous noise complaints.  When Ron entertains the party guests by playing his trumpet, Jarvis complains.  After the guests begin to dance, Jarvis threatens to call the police! Doris is beyond frustrated.

What do you do with an impossible neighbor?

Knowing whatever they do will upset Jarvis, the party guests decide to begin caroling.  They gather around the piano and sing "Jingle Bells." The gang gets through the first song and there's no complaint.  Her friends suggest that Doris should sing "Silver Bells."

When Doris sings "Silver Bells," the most frozen of hearts warms.

Even though Mr. Jarvis has made it clear that he hates Christmas, after hearing his neighbors caroling, he warms to the idea of celebrating with Doris’ gathering. By herself, Day sings a heart warming version of “Silver Bells” with just the simple piano accompaniment. The performance convinces Mr. Jarvis to change his attitude. When the carolers move on to sing “Silent Night,” Mr. Jarvis finally joins the party.

The ascot and leopard-print smoking jacket suggest he's in a party mood!

Professor Hinkle from 1969's Frosty the Snowman.

Character actor Billy DeWolfe plays the grumpy, mean neighbor Mr. Jarvis.  If he sounds familiar, it may be because his voice was used for the character Professor Hinkle, the magician who entertains at the children’s school in the 1969 Rankin/Bass animated classic Frosty the Snowman. It is Professor Hinkle’s magical top hat that charms the snowman into life.  The nasty disposition displayed by Mr. Jarvis is the same one expressed by Professor Hinkle as he follows Frosty on his journey to the North Pole in an effort to reclaim his magical hat from the top of the snowman’s head.

What would Christmas be like without watching Frosty the Snowman? I don't want to know.

Doris Day breaks the fourth wall at the story's end to express her holiday greetings to TV viewers.

While this episode's story may be a bit predictable, it actually affirms what we all want to see. We want to think that mean people can be redeemed at Christmas time. We want to think that Christmas carols have the power to transform and move us all.  The best Christmas stories aren't always about something new--many times they seem more concerned with returning to the comfortably familiar.  And, I return to my original question: who doesn't love a Christmas party? By story's end, even Mr. Jarvis does.

This series regularly gives the middle-aged (in 1970) Doris Day a soft focus when she's alone in shots. This camera technique to hide her aging was probably less noticeable until high-definition TV screens.

What about the music that soothed Jarvis' savage breast?  We all know Doris Day's vocal talents have many charms.  This episode takes its title from the lyrics of the popular carol "Silver Bells" written by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans.  Livingston and Evans originally wrote "Silver Bells" for a movie adapted from a Damon Runyon short story--1951's The Lemon Drop Kid starring Bob Hope and Marilyn Maxwell. 

The Doris Day Show closing credits.

  

What you may not know is that Livingston and Evans also wrote the song “Que Será Será (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)” which grew in popularity to become the biggest hit song of Doris Day’s career.  This tune was originally written for the 1956 Alfred Hitchcock film The Man Who Knew Too Much, and it won the Academy Award for Best Song that year.  "Que Será Será" went on to become Day’s signature tune, and was used as the theme song to her TV series The Doris Day Show.  Remarkably, Livingston and Evans also wrote the TV theme tunes for Mister Ed and Bonanza.
 

The holiday standard “Silver Bells” is also a very popular track on her 1964 Christmas LP The Doris Day Christmas Album. The song is the first track on side A.  Another song off that album, Day’s version of “The Christmas Waltz” can be heard in the fifth season Christmas episode of Mad Men also titled "Christmas Waltz."  The song can be heard playing in the background in the scene in which office manager Joan Harris and ad exec Don Draper escape the office to grab a drink in a nearby bar to console each other about love and loss.  It’s a classy, elegant but also melancholic, and mature holiday moment on Mad Men.

Don Draper and Joan Harris skipping work on Mad Men.

You never expected me to link Doris Day to Frosty the Snowman, Alfred Hitchcock, Damon Runyon, and Don Draper, did you?

If you're curious to read more of my particular viewpoint on holiday episodes found on A Very Merry MeTV programming schedule this holiday season, click on the following links to previous posts on my blog: That Girl, The Brady Bunch, The Andy Griffith Show,
The Honeymooners, Dragnet, Family Affair,  
Gunsmoke, Rawhide, Wanted: Dead or Alive, 
Dobie Gillis, The Donna Reed Show, Gilligan's Island, Car 54 Where Are You?,  
Welcome Back Kotter, Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley (1976), Laverne & Shirley (1978), The Odd Couple,
ChiPs, and The Man from U.N.C.L.E.

And, don't forget to check out the other essays in A Very Merry MeTV Blogathon.  Click here for the link to the complete list of participating blogs.

A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the first airing of the animated TV special A Charlie Brown Christmas. It's hard to imagine celebrating the holidays without watching this animated classic. As soon as I see the opening shot of the Peanuts gang ice skating on the pond and hear the first few bars of "Christmas Time is Here," it feels like Christmas to me. This animated special really puts me in the holiday mood and I know I'm not alone.  

A Charlie Brown Christmas is so popular that it has been broadcast every year in prime time on a major network since its debut in 1965. It has also been honored with an Emmy award for Outstanding Children’s Program. It was the first of many more animated TV specials featuring the Peanuts comic strip characters by artist Charles Schulz (there were a couple feature-length theatrical release movies too).  And, A Charlie Brown Christmas is the first of four more Christmas/New Year's animated Peanuts TV specials.

We all know the awkward line reading/edited speech during Sally's dialogue: "All I want is what I have coming to me. All I want is my fair share."

 
A Charlie Brown Christmas has grown so popular and has been watched for so many decades that viewers may not recognize how truly different this program was from the other Christmas television specials produced in the 1960s.  For one thing, it used actual children to record the voices for the young characters--several of which were without any professional experience. This is out of the ordinary for animation made back then as it is now. Recall the context: the first original animated Christmas TV special Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol (1962) proudly featured a celebrity voice cast as did Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964) and the animated classics that followed, including How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966), and Frosty the Snowman (1969). When celebrities weren't used, professional actors with experience working in animation were hired.  To choose to step outside this tradition to use unknown actors and children at that, was unorthodox.

Making jokes about a child seeking guidance for his depression seems daring--even if it was already a part of Schulz' newspaper comic strips.

Also unorthodox was the use of a jazz score--a very uncommon style of music for children’s entertainment.  In 1965, jazz was still considered nightclub entertainment of an adult nature (jazz musicians were known to smoke illegal cigarettes!?--or worse).  Musician Vince Guaraldi was already a Grammy winner (for the song "Cast Your Fate to the Wind") when he was asked to write the music for this holiday special. However jazz was considered by many people in the mainstream at that time to be inappropriate and perhaps even poor taste for children's entertainment.  Its use in A Charlie Brown Christmas should be seen as cutting edge. Now, it's impossible to imagine this Christmas special without its one-of-a-kind soundtrack and its sassy attitude.  A side note: the composition "Linus & Lucy" by Guaraldi was introduced in A Charlie Brown Christmas and became the signature Peanuts theme song incorporated again and again in many of the later Peanuts animated TV specials.

Just what is the music the children dance to while on stage? It's "Linus & Lucy."

But perhaps even more controversial, A Charlie Brown Christmas includes the story of the Nativity recited by Linus as a response to a question about the meaning of the holiday.  Linus quotes the book of Luke, chapter 2, verses 8-14 of the King James version of the Bible.  It isn’t just a humanist or spiritual message but a religious one.  And, this religious message was spoken by a child in a cartoon--not by a religious leader or an authority figure.  The power of this moment comes to us delivered out of the mouth of a babe--as if this child doesn't quite know to restrain his speech or to hold himself back from speaking the truth. Peanuts fans know Linus as the wise philosopher character among the other children.  This religious message was quite daring for the creators of this TV special. The unconventional delivery of a sensitive message on prime time television was not only risky but unusual. 

"Lights please!"

The message is made even more complex as Linus’ response is given as the antidote to Charlie Brown’s frustration and disappointment with the commercialization of the holiday.  The TV special challenges the commercial nature of the very medium of which it is a part.  This rebellious message combined with the jazz soundtrack results in a far more irreverent and provocative holiday program than one expects for the 1960s.  Remember--this is decades before David Letterman and The Simpsons made TV industry bashing a common sport on television. What could easily have been a forgettable children’s cartoon turns out to be thought-provoking animation.  I believe it also explains a significant part of A Charlie Brown Christmas' lasting legacy.

"I KILLED it!"

Which are your favorite moments? The opening sequence with the melancholy song "Christmas Time is Here" while the children ice skate on the frozen pond--Charlie Brown assisting his little sister Sally in writing her letter to Santa Claus--Snoopy’s prize winning display of Christmas decorations on his dog house--the children dancing before the Christmas stage play rehearsal--the gorgeous, stylized Christmas trees at the tree lot that are pink, yellow, polka-dotted and even plaid--Lucy’s inability to recognize the song "Jingle Bells" played on Schroeder’s toy piano--Charlie Brown’s little tree that droops over when he places a red ornament on its branch--the children singing "Hark! the Herald Angels Sing" in the snow at the end.

"Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown!"

The original program was edited for subsequent broadcasts.  Several scenes were slightly altered to remove the original images of Coca-Cola, the first sponsor of the TV special.  More cuts have been made over the years to allow for more commercials.  However, in recent years the network ABC has restored the full length version and on occasion will broadcast it as the unedited version.  But be careful--they also broadcast the shorter version too.

I was destined to play Peppermint Patty in my school play.

 
I've written about my personal connection to A Charlie Brown Christmas before.  I've had an obsession with Peppermint Patty ever since I was cast in a second grade stage production of A Charlie Brown Christmas in 1975.  This experience was certainly an important step toward my pop culture fanaticism.

 

from Your 50th Christmas, Charlie Brown TV special airing this year.

A Charlie Brown Christmas airs twice on ABC this year--on Nov. 30th and again on Christmas Eve. It is being paired with a new hour-long musical tribute hosted by Kristen Bell.  If you're looking for more to watch, dig up the 2001 half-hour documentary hosted by Whoopi Goldberg which gives more commentary and history of the animated Christmas classic.

Won't you join me in watching it again this year? I hope to be watching it for the next 50 years as well. Enjoy!

Mr. Krueger's Christmas (1980)

#Stewartselfie

This past summer when I visited the Jimmy Stewart Museum in Indiana, Pennsylvania, I was pleased to purchase a DVD copy of the 1980 TV special Mr. Krueger's Christmas in their gift shop. I own it on VHS tape but a digital copy is preferred. I know Jakki loves this TV special--anyone else love this one as much as we do?  Let me remind you about it.

The half-hour special is a simple yet heartwarming story starring James Stewart as Willie Krueger, an elderly custodian of an apartment building spending Christmas Eve alone.

After work on Christmas Eve sweeping floors, Krueger walks home. He passes a men's shop and looking through the storefront windows, Krueger fantasizes about buying a new suit. Continuing on his way, Krueger buys a small tabletop Christmas tree. Arriving home, Krueger greets his cat George and settles in for the evening.

The lonely man puts a record on his turntable and sits to enjoy the music.  Listening to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sing "White Christmas," Krueger closes his eyes and dreams he's conducting the singers.

The fantasy continues as the choir sings "Sleigh Ride" and Krueger dreams he's enjoying a sleigh ride with the choir and their children. As the music continues so does the fun as Krueger sees himself frolicking in the snow, building a snowman, sledding, and throwing snowballs with his new friends.

Krueger is startled from his imagination when he hears carolers outside the windows of his modest basement apartment. Excited by his visitors, Krueger invites the group to step inside his home for a minute to warm themselves. The leader agrees to a brief stopover and the singers enter.  Krueger imagines welcoming his guests inside a luxurious mansion staffed by servants.

The youngest of the visiting carolers waves goodbye.

After his visitors leave, he flips the record over and Krueger's fantasy continues as he listens to more music by the world famous choir. Now he imagines decorating a tall tree for Christmas. As the song "Winter Wonderland" continues, Willie dreams of dancers spinning gracefully around the tree.  Mr. Krueger may be alone this Christmas Eve but his spirit is filled with joy.

While decorating his own tiny tree, Willie imagines trimming a larger tree in a city square with others.

Next, Mr. Krueger arranges the miniature Nativity set on the end table in his living room.  As he hears the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sing "What Child Is This?' he imagines himself in Bethlehem greeting the newborn baby Jesus.

The story doesn't incorporate much dialogue--the dream sequences take place against a musical backdrop.  But the longest piece of spoken dialogue occurs in this scene where Willie thanks Jesus for being an important part of his life.  It's a very tender and sweet moment that shows off Stewart's on-screen charisma.

In the end, the youngest caroler returns to Krueger's apartment to retrieve her forgotten gloves.  The precious little girl invites the lonely man to join the carolers as they continue walking the streets singing.  With a little encouragement, the old man grabs his hat and coat to join the group in going door-to-door to raise the spirits of others.  This story is simple but powerful and emotionally satisfying.

This 1980 TV special was produced by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and features the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. The dancers are the BYU Dance Ensemble. And of course, at its center is Jimmy Stewart whose charm makes this rare TV special unforgettable.

Do you remember this TV classic?  What's your favorite Jimmy Stewart holiday movie?

Christmas TV Movie Schedule 2015

The Christmas TV marathons have already begun airing.  I've started my tweets (@TisTheSeasonTV) and daily postings on the Facebook page Tis The Season TV making suggestions for viewing--calling them SET YOUR DVRs.  The viewing options during November and December each year can get a little overwhelming.  A few years ago, I wrote an essay about which TV networks generally broadcast new Christmas TV movies and older classics.  You can read that post again HERE.  Let me update you with 2015 specifics.

For many Christmas TV movie fans, the Hallmark Channel is the location to start.  With good reason, in 2015, Hallmark will be airing 17 new Christmas TV movies alongside many classics from their archives.  If you didn't already know--the movie marathon has already begun--it started Saturday, October 31--and continues all day and all night through the end of December.  They typically debut their new holiday movies on Saturday and Sunday nights.  HERE'S a link to their new Christmas TV movie schedule. The daily schedule of their holiday movies can be found on their website HERE.

Hallmark's sister channel--Hallmark Movies and Mysteries also runs new Christmas TV movies and older classics.  In fact, the older holiday movies they broadcast are pulled from a deeper archive--so this is the place to see some of your older Hallmark Christmas TV movie favorites.

This is the third year that HMM is premiering their own new Christmas TV movies--this year they have four new movies.  Click HERE for those titles and dates. And, just like the Hallmark Channel, HMM has already begun their holiday programming--which will continue through the end of the holidays.  Click HERE for the link to the complete schedule.

ABC Family Channel is another major source of holiday programming every year.  But I didn't need to tell you that, right?  We're all familiar with their marathons of Christmas animation, Christmas movies, and family-friendly entertainment.  ABC Family's 25 Days of Christmas programming marathon begin Dec. 1st.  In 2015, I don't see any new Christmas TV movies on the schedule. Their schedule does include older Christmas movie favorites--but not new movies.  That's okay.  So far, I can only find their complete holiday schedule listed on a social networking site--I'm sure it'll be on their website closer to December.  Until then, HERE'S the link to the 25 Days of Christmas Facebook page.  What I'm most excited to see on their schedule this year is the 1988 TV movie A Very Brady Christmas, the holiday episode of Fraggle Rock, and the two animated specials Nestor the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey and Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas.  I can hardly wait!

UP network also debuts new Christmas TV movies--as well as showing older ones.  This year, the schedule looks exciting. Of these movies--seven are brand new ones.  I'm excited to see A Baby for Christmas--the third movie in the series that started with Marry Me for Christmas and Marry Us for Christmas. For the UP network Christmas programming highlights schedule, click HERE.

Jim Henson's Turkey Hollow is coming to Lifetime.

 
Lifetime is another source for original Christmas TV movies.  As far as I can tell, they haven't posted their Christmas TV movie schedule yet. Last year they didn't post their schedule early either.  Lifetime does hold a large catalog of older Christmas TV movies--check out this long list. I see the network is premiering a new Thanksgiving special Jim Henson's Turkey Hollow. The fantasy creatures are eye-catching!

INSP is already sharing their new Christmas TV movie Christmas in the Smokies coming the weekend after Thanksgiving. I'm sure they'll have more holiday listings on their website later in the month HERE.

Other networks known to schedule Christmas and holiday movies during November and December each year include Turner Classic Movies (TCM), Ion Television, Comedy Central, and Syfy.  I'm still waiting for Christmas movie schedules from these networks. Perhaps closer to December, they'll post one. I know Ion likes to debut their holiday movies on Sunday evenings so that schedule is coming I'm sure.  In the meantime, I'll do my best to wait patiently--sort of.

One of the most anticipated Christmas TV events this year is debuting on Netflix.  Yup, I'm referring to A Very Murray Christmas with Bill Murray. Check out the trailer:




If you're interested in my suggestions for Christmas TV movies available for viewing on DVD, click HERE to see that essay again.

If you'd like reminders of the new Christmas TV movie debuts and other exciting holiday TV  programming, don't forget to follow my Facebook page Tis The Season TV and/or my tweets at @TisTheSeasonTV.   Where on the metaphorical television dial do you watch your favorite Christmas movies?  Feel free to share in the comments below.