The Angry Projectionist pays respect to christmas cartoon legends.
Saturday, December 27th, 2008
Now I know it’s already past Christmas and everyone is already bored of all the stuff they got. In fact, in Canada, yesterday was a designated holiday for returning gifts that you hate (Boxing Day.) But I spent my Boxing Day watching old animated Christmas movies. You know, those low budget made-for-TV cartoons that you see during holiday “specials.”
About the fourth one in I noticed something weird. Just about every one of them was directed by the same two guys. Naturally I immediately went to IMDB.com (the film student’s cliff notes.) Apparently, Jules Bass and Arthur Rankin Jr. are responsible for about 99 percent of the world’s taped-off-of-TV VHS tapes full of cartoons.
Between them they have either directed or produced countless films such as: Rudolf the red nosed reindeer, Frosty the snow man, Santa clause is coming to town, just to name a few.
The only animated Christmas film I can think that they haven’t done is “How The Grinch Stole Christmas.” (Which is my second favorite Chuck Jones film… second to “what’s opera doc.”) Also, all of the stuff that Disney has made over the years (but that’s another post).
Jules Bass and Arthur Rankin Jr. are also responsible for a number of fantasy cartoon films. The either produced or directed each one of the animated “lord of the rings” films.
I feel like everyone in the world has seen “Rudolf” or “Frosty” at lest a dozen times over, but no one ever talks about Jules Bass or Arthur Rankin Jr. I think it’s time to give them the recognition they deserve. Their works are timeless, and will be part of holiday public access programming forever. This is why I’m giving Jules Bass and Arthur Rankin Jr. the first ever, Angry Projectionist, Underrated Filmmaker Award. Merry Christmas and happy Boxing Day, everyone!
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Yeah I think I knew that all these were directed by the same guy, could be wrong, it might just be myself being cocky… My fav out of all of them is definately Rudolph… Which begs an interesting question… Rudolph was a song before it was a movie, right?
Song first. Same with Frosty. I was confused by that as well for a long time.
As an animator myself, I am very familiar with Arthur Rankin and Jules Bass. Some of their stuff is great (Rudolph, The Hobbit), and some of their stuff is not (Lord of the Rings), but they definitely made their impact on the animation world.
I just wanted to say that the crappiness of the animated Lord of the Rings is actually the fault of Ralph Bakshi. I believe Rankin and Bass were only involved in the Return of the King cartoon made after that.
Wow I had always hear dof Rankin and Bass as a team, but I honestly never kn ew what they where famouse for. Being in australia and havign christmas be an excuse for a family meal and gift givings probly helped me not know these guys but the names seem to be globally known.
fun bit of triva. the woman who did the voice of Rudolph, also did the voice of Tender Heart on the 80’s/90’s Care Bears Series.
and the guy who sings the Grinch song is Tony the TIger.
HUGE fan of Rankin/Bass. I always loved the voice of Frosty. He could say the most horrible things and it would sound pleasant.
Favorite Frosty Line: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” what a weird first ever thing to say.
Also I think Rankin/Bass are also at least a little bit responsible for “The Last Unicorn” as well.. could be wrong tho… also never saw “The Last Unicorn.”
I always went around saying the “Haaaaaaaappy Birthday” line to people. They gave me weird looks. I always have to explain it. Bizarre, given how popular it is.
I have no knowledge of any of these apart from the grinch & LOTR cartoons… I don’t think they were ever played over here.