ABC Network - Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town - WLS-TV (Complete Broadcast, 12/19/1981) 📺

Here's a complete repeat of the stop-motion animation special Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town on WLS Channel 7. The original, where "Topper" was "Waddle".
This Rankin/Bass production first aired on December 14th 1970 and continues to air every Christmas on ABC Family (now Freeform).
Includes:
Animated 'Season's Greetings' WLS-TV ID - "Santa Skating"
Preemption notice for Open All Night and Making a Living (voiceover by Ernie Anderson)
Animated Closed-Captioned notice
Opening setup followed by title sequence
"We'll return" bumper (voiceover by Ed Jordan)
Commercial: Ivory Soap - Virginia Beach Fire Department Firemen
Commercial: Crest Toothpaste - Cavity Creeps
"We now continue" bumper (voiceover by Ed Jordan)
Act I
"We'll return" bumper (voiceover by Ed Jordan)
Commercial: Post Fruity & Cocoa Pebbles - Christmas themed
Commercial: Huggies diapers - "Happy Holidays"
Promo for Frosty's Winter Wonderland and Leprechauns' Christmas Gold for Wednesday (voiceover by Ernie Anderson) (ending voiceover by Wally Parker)
Animated ABC ID (no local lower-third)
"We now continue" bumper (voiceover by Ed Jordan)
Act II
"We'll return" bumper (voiceover by Ed Jordan)
Theatrical trailer for TV for Walt Disney's "Cinderella"
Commercial: Bubblicious bubble gum - "New Way Out Watermelon"
Bumper
Promo for Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas for Sunday (voiceover by Ernie Anderson) (ending voiceover by Wally Parker)
Brief lower-third station ID shown briefly over...
Commercial: Wendy's Holiday Spree game
Commercial: Chicago Sun-Times
Commercial: Evans World Class Furs
Promo for "Yakuza" for 10:30pm (voiceover by Ernie Anderson)
"We now continue" bumper (voiceover by Ed Jordan)
Act III
"We'll return" bumper (voiceover by Ed Jordan)
Commercial: Milk-Bone dog biscuits - "Crunch"
Commercial: Atari home video games - "Happy Holidays"
Promo for John Denver and The Muppets - A Christmas Together for Tuesday (voiceover by Ernie Anderson)
"Back to our story" bumper (voiceover by Ed Jordan)
Act IV
"We'll return" bumper (voiceover by Ed Jordan)
Commercial: Birds Eye Vegetables
Commercial: Sanka Coffee (with Robert Young) - "Enjoy your Holidays"
Promo for ABC Sports (with Star Trek movie theme)
"We now continue" bumper (voiceover by Ed Jordan)
Act V
"We'll return" bumper (voiceover by Ed Jordan)
Commercial: Lucky Charms cereal - "The Three Bears"
Commercial: Aqua-Fresh toothpaste
"We now continue" bumper (voiceover by Ed Jordan)
Epilogue, leading to end credits (and voiceover promos for Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July, Frosty's Winter Wonderland, Leprechauns' Christmas Gold, Fantasy Island and The Love Boat by Wally Parker):
Design by Paul Coker, Jr.
Continuity - Don Duga
Production Supervisor - Kizo Nagashima
Recording Engineers - Jim Harris, John Boyd, Phil Kaye
The Children - Andrea Sacino, Dina Lynn, Gary White, Greg Thomas
Editorial Supervision - Irwin Goldress
Orchestrations - Maury Laws
A Rankin/Bass Production
(C) Videocraft International Limited, MCMLXX
ABC Sports Update with Dick Schaap (opening voiceover by Allan Jefferys)
Commercial: Calvin Klein Jeans with Brooke Shields - "Reading Is..."
Ending of Sports Update (with Patrick Ewing as impressive Freshman)
Promo for Caspar Weinberger on This Week with David Brinkley for Sunday
Theatrical trailer for TV for "Heartbeeps" - "It's 1995!" (ending voiceover by Wayne Atkinson)
Commercial: Green Giant Hearty Homestyle Cooking
Station ID / Eyewitness News promo for 10:00pm with Jack Jones
Animated Closed-Captioned notice
Opening titles for The Love Boat - guests shown were in "That's My Dad/The Captain's Bird/Captive Audience" which first aired December 20th 1980, and of which this is a repeat (conveniently, tape cuts out after the opening titles fade out)
This aired on local Chicago TV on Saturday, December 19th 1981 during the 7:00pm to 8:02pm timeframe.
This was from a tape donated to The Museum of Classic Chicago Television as part of The Heather Bricker Collection.
About The Museum of Classic Chicago Television:
The Museum of Classic Chicago Television's primary mission is the preservation and display of off-air, early home videotape recordings (70s and early 80s, primarily) recorded off of any and all Chicago TV channels; footage which would likely be lost if not sought out and preserved digitally. Even though (mostly) short clips are displayed here, we preserve the entire broadcasts in our archives - the complete programs with breaks (or however much is present on the tape), for historical purposes. For information on how to help in our mission, to donate or lend tapes to be converted to DVD, and to view more of the 4,700+ (and counting) video clips available for viewing in our online archive, please visit us at:
www.fuzzymemori...

[@missp5050]

I'm 60 and I still watch all the shows when I was a kid, Christmas was and still is magical ♥️😊

[@andrewensign5830]

I'm 54, love this! commercials and all :D

[@julieanne5373]

Lol! I have you all beat! I’m 64 years young and I still make time for these holiday specials. Oh how I remember how excited I was as a child waiting to watch these shows in front of the Christmas tree. What memories. 😊🎅🎄🤶✝️

[@stephenmason5773]

great memories for sure, the nostalgia is awesome!

[@frankcirrito6550]

I'm 61 and I remember this premier broadcast. We grew up on standard definition pixel quality...oh well.

[@DavidGalich77]

They are!

[@joannclinedinst2729]

Almost 70 yrs old but love to watch this movie good times MERRY Christmas to all

[@edge918]

Joann I'm almost 60. I love these Christmas classics💗 I passed them all down to my children and grandbaby girl ❤️💚

[@annettesjoy]

When I was a child, this was my favorite Christmas show.

[@Bezzle.]

70? I thought this came out in the 70s.

[@SmackWaterJack001]

I turned 60 this year, and I'm an Atheist, and I love all of the Christmas Classics, and now, owning them all on DVD, I watch them every year without fail. I love the old classics like this one, and all of the others... My #1 favorite is a bit newer though, called The Northern Express with Tom Hanks... Happy Holidays .... 🦃🌲🥳

[@yolandalemus6705]

Am in SAME age level! I watch every year and still have that kid in me. Including with my grown sons.

[@shirleyharting405]

I love these Christmas movies makes me feel so good takes me back to good, happy times I kept them going with my children.

[@jkrenz77]

Oh, me too!!!🎉

[@kennyhuskisson2684]

Totally agree, that's why I still watch them at 58, lol, I'm still a kid at heart👍✌️

[@jeffreydavis9794]

Me too brings back memories of a much better world the best Christmas cartoons ever

[@teresaalbrecht2283]

Me too! Takes me back to when I was young and didn’t know how rotten the world could be. Ignorance was bliss!

[@allenjones3130]

A Sanka ad with Robert Young! And a special cameo by a certain red-nosed reindeer whose name I need not mention!

[@WhatsCookingTime]

I'm 49 and I still make a point of watching these every year.. it's really cool that the commercials are included . Such an added touch of niceness to the whole thing

[@hanschristophercharles6981]

Yeah, the commercials do seem to bring it all back to life.😎👍

[@missmollyfohgerty8734]

MEE TOO!!!!! I STILL HAVE ALL FILMS ON VHS TAPES. CHRISTMAS WAS MY ABSOLUTE FAV, BUT LAST YEAR IN 2021.,MY BABY DIED. OR I CALL HER THST BUT SHE WAS A HUSKY ,SIBERIAN AND LIKE AS IF SHE WAS MY BABY BABY ETC ETC.....I DONT KNOW WHAT ILL DO MYSELF MEH....

[@janicetillman6044]

Same here I love these Christmas cartoons and I'm 47 and last year my son bought a a DVD with All of these movies I watch it before Christmas and a Christmas story is my favorite Christmas movie

[@lorisewsstuff1607]

I just saw the Atari commercial and it brought a tear to my eye. I remember getting one for Christmas. Kids nowadays, being surrounded by computers and smart phones, have no idea what a special time it was when gaming consoles were new. Kids now would probably make rude comments about the graphics and how simple the games were. I loved every minute of playing on mine. It was a special time indeed.

[@nanali7245]

I like the commercials almost as much as I like the movie. I remember being a little girl watching this & wrapping Christmas presents while my Mom & Dad were in the kitchen making Tamales 🫔. R.I.P Mom & Dad

[@pieluvr7362]

How's the tamales

[@nanali7245]

@@pieluvr7362Not bad lol No one had to visit the E. R. 😅

[@joaquinalexander9]

Great memories. Every Christmas it was the same for us too. Mom, tamales and these great specials. Miss you mom!

[@ilovebeinagirl]

@@joaquinalexander9 We didn't eat tamales but I'm sure my parents were making something delicious while I watched this too.

[@scoobameru2458]

My Mom Made An Italian Christmas Dinner Every Year 💚🇮🇹

[@13thwho]

R.I.P. Jules Bass.

[@larrybarela8676]

I'm 60 and still find a place in my heart to watch the oldies, times were better for a child comparied to today.

[@karenhall4645]

I love how Fred Astaire is telling this story to a bag of Christmas letters. 😊🎅

[@MisfitsFiendClub138]

Yep, opening mail that's not his 🤣

[@ilovebeinagirl]

@@MisfitsFiendClub138 Fred Astaire: The First Porch Pirate 😛

[@jewelofthesouth27]

@@MisfitsFiendClub138 🤣

[@gh9111]

Me too. Loved his snow mail truck also.

[@WarrenWebber]

Happy 50th anniversary, Rankin Bass’ Santa Claus 🎅! Released 12/14/1970

[@terencewilliammckenna6121]

And happy centenary to Mickey Rooney and Paul Frees

[@StukInBuf]

I was born the day before the original airing.

[@jilldahlen5457]

@@StukInBuf You mean like We are Santa's Elves and We're a Couple of Misfits re-aired on NBC in 1965, Jingle Jingle Jingle, There's Always Tomorrow, Silver and Gold, The Most Wonderful Day of the Year, and A Holly Jolly Christmas re-aired on NBC in 1966, and Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer re-aired on CBS in 1969?

[@miguelfresse1506]

I love love this so many great memories , even the commercials ❤️

[@tomciura8360]

Yeah me to this is Thomas from Illinois and like 👍you said so many great memories and I'm 49 years old I love this show when I was a kid and I watched it all the way through I love Christmas 🎄shows like 👍this and I would still watch it on TV still this day!

[@mikehughes4969]

I'm from Chicago, and I know I watched this when it first aired, because I watched it every year when it came on. And I still do. Merry Christmas everybody.

[@billy1673]

Having been a kid in the 70’s living just outside Chicago, this brings back the greatest memories!🎅🏻🎄❤️

[@oliviaT928]

Me too!

[@hippychikforever]

As a child of the 70's, I love all the Rankin-Bass Christmas specials, but this one stays with me all year. Whenever I have a big job that seems overwhelming, I sing to myself "Put one foot in front of the other, and soon you'll be walking across the floor. Put one foot in front of the other, and soon you'll be walking out the door." And you know what? It helps.

[@robincrowflies]

♥

[@judithgillette144]

Ya....that's cost quite a few uncomfortable conversations with "The Man" at my jobs!

[@Diana-gf9tk]

You took every word right out if my mouth fr supern Rankin Bass to the song I'm crazy about also 🎅👍🥰☃️❄️🌲⛄🎅☕ This is in fact on ABC TONIGHT AT 800 AND The GRINCH is on at 800 on NbC I'll figure out a way to watch em both.‼️🥰☃️‼️ I still get chills just as I did in later 60 s thru 70s + right thru this very minute! Merry Christmas! This IS truly the MOST💥🥰 wonderful time of the year !😃 Hope u are all watching along w/ me tonight!! Can't Wait for 8:00 💥🎅☕ Cocoa ,the greatest shows + pure comfy coziness ! Mery Christmas to You and yours🌲⛄☃️🎅☕

[@robincrowflies]

@@Diana-gf9tk Thank you. Merry Christmas!

[@mayukurasaka5344]

Can’t thumbs up this comment enough Merry Christmas, Hippy Chick! 🎄

[@stevenj9970]

At Age 64, I sit here and over several nights watch ALL the old time TV Christmas specials, Rudolph, Frosty the Snowman, The Little Drummer Boy etc...just like I did when I was a kid, however now with tears in my eyes at times since so MANY of the siblings are no longer alive to do the same......Enjoy your family's folks, they nor you will be here forever...

[@lindaeasley5606]

Things were so good when we were kids

[@shirleyharting405]

I agree ..

[@hungryjerk7872]

Your right Linda

[@jehudavis5422]

When America was America!

[@BrandiOnTheMic]

@@jehudavis5422 what does that mean?

[@jehudavis5422]

@@BrandiOnTheMic before the left and the media started beating our front doors down, wokeness, a crash test dummy president who works for china,closed borders!

[@stebaer]

This feature does always return memories of my childhood.It's very cute too.

[@jasonniles9270]

This one is one of the classic and good Christmas movies

[@sallykohorst8803]

After Halloween is thanks giving and Christmas! Very soon! RIP MR. BASS!

[@luisreyes1963]

Dedicated to the memory of Jules Bass (1935-2022).

[@jessewestsd4668]

Love the old school commercials, was definitely great growing up in the 80's

[@knight9k]

Aaahhhhh the memories of the 70's, and 80's...

[@chocolatethunda0177]

I love that the commercials are included! Seeing the Cavity Creeps made me so happy 🤣🤣

[@alexd0617]

Yeah, and I almost forgot about that dog Cresty.

[@MisfitsFiendClub138]

Cavity Creeps . . .talk about a flashback 😂

[@natureboy1313]

Wow, the Cavity Creeps. Hey thanx for that comment.

[@karenhall4645]

Doesn't it seem like older commercials were better than the ones today.

[@sarahpeters6116]

@ Snake Jazz Pianist : the cavity creeps made you happy .. omg .. lol #🤣

[@KathrineJKozachok]

My Childhood!! How lucky are we who remember . . .

[@fdd1033]

loved this as a child in the 70's, i would get my bath and be ready for when it came on usually at 7:30 pm with another following it.

[@marvindevon6417]

I miss my momma and brother so much. The Holidays are not the same anymore.

[@redwandennaoui4508]

I remember this TV special, sweet memories ❤️

[@jilldahlen5457]

You mean like the girl elves sing, "We are Santa's Elves!" and Hanks the Elf sing, "We don't like to brag!" re-airing on NBC in 1965?

[@Outlaw-Josey-Wales]

I think about all of our family sitting together in a warm living room eating hot chocolate chip cookies dipped in cold milk snow outside our Christmas tree up and the feeling of love to the whole house

[@tdw7886]

Yes, we watched this every year when we were young and it never seemed to get old or lose its luster and charm. The characters seemed very real and alive to me when I was 4. I also vaguely, but fondly remember the fat Burl Ives snowman riding over the snowbanks on his Norelco electric razor!! Hahaha. MERRY CHRISTMAS, Y'ALL!

[@melissamassie5408]

I love the Christmas movies since I was a kid.

[@PhillyGirl-pt3vq]

I loved these Christmas shows so much growing up in Philly. Those were the days! Thanks so much for airing this on KZbin. 🥰🙏🏻🎄🎅🏻✨

[@johncook8720]

You are so right Philly Girl! Philly Guy here, we grew up watching and loving these Christmas specials too..theyre timeless! And they dont make em like this anymore thats for sure

[@elizabethmencia6027]

I feel so lucky to be a 64 baby and one of the first generations to have all these Christmas specials!! Rudolph, Santa Claus, Frosty Charlie Brown Christmas and Mr Rogers Sesame Street too!! A huge part of our childhood!! They are all on Amazon prime video now. But these with the commercials are fun too!! These are such a huge part of our holidays!! (Year without a Santa Claus and the one with Jack Frost ❄️❄️⛄⛄)

[@johncook8720]

You're so right Elizabeth, I just turned 64 and know exactly what you mean. A lot of water has gone under the bridge since this show first aired, but you're so right, we were very lucky to grow up then, and the feelings watching this (and the other specials you mentioned) was magical! In more recent years other specials have come along here n there, but nothing will match these classics!!

[@elizabethmencia6027]

@@johncook8720 I was born in 64.….hope to make it to 124😂

[@mr.salvatorejpluchino8467]

THEY WERE SPECIAL TIMES FOR ME, WATCH THIS EVERY SEASON, BUT THIS VIDEO BRINGS ME BACK WHEN , WITH OLD COMERCIAL AS WELL 😊😊

[@SandraLily2]

This takes me back to before I experienced heartbreak and disappointment. My mom is still alive and my whole life is ahead of me. Thank you.

[@shonseibert48]

Ah yes when days were good n life was better....... Merry Christmas 🎅🎄

[@moonytheloony6516]

Merry Xmas!

[@mikeappie2122]

U got that right my friend i feel the Same way I miss those days this brings me back 2 the days makes me feel good young again merry Christmas 2u take care now my friend.

[@terriemckenney1657]

I'm 53 and I just love the commercials it brings back memories of my childhood and my children childhood thanks R. I.H Daddy

[@rutrowraggy4044]

This makes me feel warm inside.

[@MyownpersonKeta]

Me too

[@crazy8skml]

Remember watching these on my dad’s portable B&W tv as a child.

[@martinmoore2468]

One of my favorite Christmas specials.

[@sonnyreid5449]

Martin Moore : Mine Too But isn't Strange Years ago Back in The 1970's & Early 80's Kris Kringle (Mickey Rooney's) Penguin was Originally Named Waddles with His Sound Effects Then Years Later it Got Changed to Topper with No Sound Effects and Not Only ABC But The Family Channel/Freeform & AMC Have Shown Scenes that was Edited Years ago...

[@Musicradio77Network]

sonny reid I don’t know if the FHE version had this special which was uncut, but I’m not 100% sure about this one.

[@superjackster0165]

Thankfully they changed it back to Topper.

[@kwebster62]

@@sonnyreid5449 He was Topper originally, they changed it to Waddles in some later versions. Later changed it back to Topper. It was not originally Waddles.

[@67nairb]

@@kwebster62 WAS TOPPER VOICED BY PAUL FREES?

[@christmastree5496]

Back in the days,you miss one of these shows,you had no choice but wait another year.

[@canttouchthis6439]

Good grief i love this movie

[@EdsterIII]

I'd like to say THANK YOU FOR THIS WONDERFUL MEMORY! This show brings back so many wonderful childhood memories that are now long past. But seeing this awesome show brings it all back. I can't thank you enough for this opportunity to remember so many people, so many incredible days and nights of anticipation and joy. Those days growing up in the 70's were so different than now. We didn't have nearly 1% of the technology that kids have now. Phones outside of your home? Payphones! Food delivery? 🍕🍕Pizza!🍕🍕 400+ TV channels 24 hours a day? Nope we had ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, and a couple of UHF stations. For us we had channel 18 WVTV and channel 24 WCGV(they came later). Also at 1am-2am they went off the air until 5am or 6am the following day. We had far less technology, far less television and "entertainment" but what we lacked in technology we made up for in imagination and thought. We played outside with other kids, not on a TV playing Minecraft with people you never met. We played 🏈🏉football🏉🏈🏀🏀basketball🏀🏀⚾️⚾️Baseball⚾️⚾️🏒🥅hockey🥅🏒 and other games. We played Army, tag, hide and seek, kick the can, as well as many others. Inside we had family nights.....board games like Trouble, Headache, Yahtzee, Sorry, Parchesei, and again many others. We did have Pong and later the Atari 2600 came out to the delight of me and millions of other kids. We built forts, we built snow forts. In Wisconsin like Illinois, as kids we prayed for snow days.❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄ We loved playing football in the snow. I can remember coming home soaked, my snowpants drenched, my shirt and jackets completely waterlogged. My Mom standing there shaking her head. Her exact words, "Are you trying to get sick?"? I wasn't trying but IF it so happened that I did get a cold and had to stay ho,home, from school? Well oh DARN! LOL! As I mentioned we didn't have the technological power kids have now. But again we had our minds, our imaginations, and our friends and our toys. Combined they became everything we needed for epic fun and adventures. From the beginning of the 70's I was three years old. By 1971 I hit 4 and I began Nursery school and then Kindergarten. I went to St.James who at the time had a pet monkey 🐒 and he bit me. The kids hated me because they thought I was going to have him taken away. I don't remember what happened after all that. I do know I ended up at a different school. NOT sure where the monkey went. My first time I was scared and picked on. Aside from that where this church and school was located was off 27th Street a little past Rawson Avenue in Franklin, Wisconsin. Down the road from that was a great little Go-Kart track, a Mini-Golf course, big caged swings, and one of those massive slides with hills. You'd sit on a "mat" and fly down the hills. It was okay when you were 6-12 years old. Down past Puetz Road was my FAVORITE place for fun. The 41-Twin Drive-in! Initially they started with one massive screen, well before I was born. This screen had two sides and two massive lots you could watch movies from. Below the screens there was a park type playground. They had bouncy rides, cartoony looking things like🐎🎠Horses🐎🎠,🦁Lions🦁, 🦛Hippopotamus🦛🦓zebras🦓🐖pigs🐖🐘elephants🐘 etc. that you sat on and you could bounce BOINGY BOINGY BOINGY BOINGY back and forth. There were Swingsets, teetertotters, and sandboxes. If you were a young child it was an EPIC DAY when your parents took you to the Drive-in! Then there was the food, the snacks, the sodas, and the POPCORN!!🍿😋 🌭🌭🍔🍔🍟🍟🍕🍕🌯🌮🍿🍿🍦🍦🍫🍬🍭🍫🍬🍭🥤🥤🥤🥤🧃🧃🧃🧃🍩🍪🍩🍪🍟🍿🧈🧂🍿🧈🧂🍿🧈🧂Yummy, Mmm, but later after all that food settles! 💩🚽🧻💩🚽🧻💩🚽🧻💩🚽🧻🪠😬🥴🤭🥴😯🥵🤢🤢🤢🤮🚽🧻🚽💩🚽 Sorry....... the 70's had some incredible things going on that as kids we absolutely loved them! We had a shopping mall, Mayfair was the name. They had a Ice Rink smack in the middle of the mall! You could rent ice ⛸skates⛸ and spend the morning, afternoon, or evening⛸ice⛸skating.⛸ Or if your parents wanted to do some shopping for you without you peeking over their shoulders, they could get the Grandparents to sit with you while you⛸Ice⛸Skated⛸and while they shopped. So you had a blast, they shopped without you again peeking over their shoulders, and your grandparents got some time with you! A win-win across the board! The 70's had less tech, but so much more family oriented things to do. We had 🎳🎳Red🎳🎳Carpet🎳🎳Lanes🎳🎳Bowling🎳🎳Alley🎳🎳 right down the road and later when we moved if you went across the park, over the fence, up the hill...........poof you were there! We had so many different activities we did, or could do. We had many different parks that had swimming pools. I can remember being maybe 6 or 7 yrs old. My Grandma packing up a picnic basket 🥪🥪🥪🥪🍎🍌🍉🍊🍪🍩🍭🍬 and my Grandpa sneaking in a chocolate🍫candy bar🍫, a couple chocolate chip🍪cookies🍪or a 🍩doughnut🍩 or two🍩🍩! LOL! The main place was down by lake Michigan. Since it was cooler by the lake and my Grandparents weren't exactly young and spry. For example in 1975 I was 7 going on 8. They were both 77 going to 78. They were married in 1915 when they turned 18. They remained married until my Grandfather passed away in 1982. So for 67 years they stayed married. That still is amazing to me years, decades later. They helped raise me and I ADORED THEM! They'd take me on these picnics to parks that had a swimming 🏊‍♂️ pool. Sheridan park was the main park we'd go to. Wilson Park was number 2. They also had a nice pond for fish as well, for 🎣fishing🎣 and relaxing. We just loved the outdoors. I loved spending time outside as much as possible. Swimming, fishing, skating, or biking it was all about the outdoors and fun! And the Toys! OMG the toys! My favorites were the Mego Superheroes action figures and the playsets that went with them. From Superman【S】to 🦇🦇Batman🦇🦇 and Robin, the 🃏Joker🃏, 🕷🕸Spider-Man🕸🕷 and his villains like the Green Goblin and the🦎Lizard🦎, they were all awesome! Add G.I.Joe, Planet of the Apes, S.W.A.T., and the Black Knight. AFX and Tyco slot car🏁Racing🏎 !! And of course HOT WHEELS!! 🔥HOT🔥WHEELS🔥were a child's best toy! Once the Christmas season hit, it was pure bliss! The biggest and most exciting time other than Christmas itself, when the JC Penny's Christmas🎄Catalog🎄and the Sears Wish Book came out! Those were awesome to get! Paging through every single page! It was pure bliss! Now those days were EPIC! So many good people, so many great memories and adventures, memories of those adventures! Dreams and anticipation! And most of all LOVE AND FAMILY! THANK YOU! GOD BLESS YOU ALL! TAKE CARE AND BE SAFE!

[@jewelofthesouth27]

Agree 💯. Thanks for taking the time to name so very many memories from our former youth which are a joy to recall 🦃🍗🎄✝️🍿🇺🇲⛪🧑‍🎄

[@warmlantern0000]

Woooow nice

[@bd764]

Thank you for sharing all of this.I can identify with many of those memories.Godbless.

[@johnkelly7757]

Wow, what remembrance!

[@britzel71]

51 and I love these oldies the most!!!

[@StukInBuf]

December 19, 1981... earlier that day, my folks and I moved from the duplex in Amherst to a house in Cheektowaga; the only thing I remember TV-wise was WGR TV2 airing the Bills-at-Dolphins regular season finale in which Miami won by a 16-6 score.

[@carolv2161]

NICE!!

[@shaner743]

Such an enjoyable Christmas special, brings back a lot of memories, but what is really interesting is we all complained back then that there were to many commercials and now their are just as many comments on the commercials and how nostalgic it is to see them. Really creates a time machine of a different time and place.

[@Charlee2015]

Brings back the good old days.

[@AndrewAmbrose]

This aired about 11 years after the original special’s debut

[@AndrewAmbrose]

it sure did bro it sure did

[@67nairb]

@@AndrewAmbrose and didn't come back to ABC on primetime until about 20 years later. SCICTT did appear in syndication and of course on vhs and DVD however.

[@amandabowman1699]

Oh, my goodness! I am loving these old commercials!

[@sherrymainquist1638]

I'm 68 and love these timeless shows...thank you all for sharing.

[@shanepalmer528]

Rankin/ Bass animation entertainment is truly timeless and has such heart warming memories to so many. I’m fixing to be 51 and I watch them every Christmas Season. ❤️

[@jessecoffey4737]

To summarize the whole hour, this was an outstanding discovery of that delightful Museum of Classic Chicago Television. This is one of those Christmas specials that no one in their right mind would ever seem to tire of, year in and year out, with many pleasures and delights, and also tension in the form of conflict between the sweet, caring nature of Santa Claus and the vile, mean demeanor of Burgermeister Meisterburger. I'd like to thank Rick Klein, curator of the aforementioned museum, for uploading this particular broadcast of the special.

[@charlestaylor725]

7.35pm eastern time, I’m 65 and I truly remember this when I was about 7or 8. Thank you so very much for taking me back in time. God bless everyone and merry Christmas to all. Chuck.

[@GoddessOfLightMagee]

I’m 56 and I still watch this show every Christmas if I can..It’s like being a child all over again! Merry Christmas Happy New Year everyone❤️🎄☃️🧑🏾‍🎄

[@clyde642006]

I remember seeing this for the first time in 1970. I was a bright-eyed 6 year old and couldn’t wait to get my bath so I could watch the yearly Christmas specials each night. Seeing this really makes me miss my folks.😢 R.I.P. mom & pop.

[@jackg.2780]

We were so lucky to have shows like that, and you waited all we to see it.

[@BOLLOCKS1968]

I love these! I seem to remember an Easter one as well where they were flying in something and kept landing in different holidays ie. Valentines, St Patricks Day, Halloween. Wish I could find it. Cheers!

[@ceasarandrepont1243]

I remember watching this program as a child. I even remember the commercials. It still makes me feel good, lol. Merry Christmas to all the American patriots. 🙏🗽🎅🎄

[@courtneymagnuson3756]

I was born Oct 27 1970! My family has been watching since I was a newborn!! ❤Absolutely love all these classics!!! 😊

[@norahnewman7600]

I'm so grateful to Classic Museum Of Chicago for showing so many of my all time favorite classic holiday animations, TV shows and commercials and relive fun times with family and childhood friends that allow me to momentarily forget my troubles as I relive growing up in 1970s Chicago. Thank you so much. ☺️❤️❤️❤️

[@robinshepard4571]

I am 58 , and I still love it ❤️ it brings me to my happy 😊😁 place.

[@thinkbolt]

What a beautiful piece of work!

[@Launchpad05]

RIP: Jules Bass.

[@brendawiley4967]

I'm 53 years old and I love this cartoon! I look forward to these cartoons every year!

[@atlantic_love]

It wasn't a cartoon. It was a stop animation. Big difference.

[@jamalbenthall151]

The songs brings back wonderful memories. I'm smiling and remembering my parents the whole episode. Thanks for posting this 👍.

[@toyman81]

My Dad had passed only 6 months earlier, Was a hard Christmas for my mom and me.

[@DjGuanacOfficial1-L.A]

Love me these classics!!! Takes me back to my school days!! Thanks for sharing!! 49yrs old here 🙏🙏👐👐

[@AlastorAltruistGaming]

I’m 24 years old & enjoy classics such as these! It brings out the old man in me, and truthfully, it’s movies like this, A Christmas Carol starring George C. Scott, Polar Express, Rudolph & A Christmas Story that tells me Christmas miracles do exist & are still ongoing. How can anyone pass that up?

[@FabulouslyFeminine1217]

i am 43 and still love watching all these!! brings back so many memories!!

[@ChrisS9993]

I’ve watched this special annually for most of my life and I’ve never heard the penguin ever called Waddles. He was always Topper.

[@57buickcentury]

I noticed that too - My guess is that it was re-dubbed at some point in the '70s; perhaps in a conflict with Topper Toys?

[@tomperkins4965]

Like that when Rankin Bass Animagic holiday specials are uncut

[@jilldahlen5457]

You mean like the original 1964 version of Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer with the 1965 ending was on NBC from 1968-1971 and on CBS from 1972-1987?

[@debfarr5568]

I loved this as a kid as an adult too

[@andrcerda7040]

I love these old Christmas movies bring back a lot of memories

[@norahnewman7600]

Here's another favorite classic gem from my childhood. I watch this repeatedly no matter what time of year. Thanks for the joyful memories ❤☺️

[@andrcerda7040]

I love these old Christmas movies back good memories when I was a kid I still love watching this before Christmas and after Christmas these are my favorite Christmas movies when I was a kid I love Christmas Christmas is my favorite holiday of the year it's because my youngest daughter's birthday is in December and she's my Christmas baby she's my Christmas 🎄 gift!

[@lillianperez3480]

I grew with this show and still watch it and all the other ones my favorite holiday

[@andrcerda7040]

I love these old Christmas movies that remember these Christian movies when I was a kid I always used to watch these on Christmas! 🎄

[@ryoko65]

You know... I grew up watching this special at Christmas time, and never once did I question why the Special Delivery guy was opening and reading Santa's mail. And yeah.... the presence of the letters enabled the disembodied voices of the children talk to him? I know... suspend your skepticism and just enjoy the show! Lol Despite my nitpicking, I do really love this special as it's fun and represents happier times for me and my sister. Thank you so much for posting this wonderful special. ❤️

[@roxyabrooks864]

I watched all of these vintage Christmas specials every single year! Thank you for the memories ☃️✨❄️

[@kathrynvaughn6223]

It is so wonderful to watch this movie. It brings back great memories.

[@edge918]

I have every Christmas classic on DVD and VCR tapes lol

[@bd764]

Its so nice to see tv how it WAS,without all the incessant miserable commercials for medical plans and med lawsuits.Its sickening. Thanks for posting this bit of history.

[@TheVCRTimeMachine]

This is a solid gold find. An entire Christmas special with commercials and intro/outro bumpers

[@win14ww76]

Memories ❤

[@dionyritalopezsalgado5347]

Era tan pequeña y con estos especiales de navidad muy feliz esos tiempos no volverán, de familia, felicidad e inocencia

[@livingwaters7841]

You got to love this. Excellent work

[@orlandopellerin269]

I remember waiting all year for these night time Christmas specials.

[@susanfaulkner2304]

I'm 62 and I still watch these shows. They are sincere and are from a time that was a bit less in your face. Where did the time go? Our children grew up on these shows as well. To watch these shows again through our children's eyes was just as wonderful!

[@miyagi_draws]

I was 11 back when this aired. The commercials really brought me back to those days.

[@normanjefferychester882]

Thank you for taking me back in time,things were good and innocent

[@Musicradio77Network]

This special was aired back in 1981 and it was also shown on WABC-TV (channel 7) here in New York City, and it has national ads as it was presented here, except the local ads are not from NYC, they’re from Chicago. This special was never released on home video until 1989 when Family Home Entertainment (FHE) released this (without commercials) as part of the “Christmas Classics” series along with “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer”, “Frosty the Snowman” and “The Little Drummer Boy” all from Rankin/Bass, and they’re great classics, and it was the beginning of the four Christmas classics on VHS.

[@Naminski1a]

It was re-released by Universal Studios Home Entertainment.

[@jilldahlen5457]

@@Naminski1a You mean like Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer re-aired on CBS in 1969, Frosty the Snowman re-aired on CBS in 1970, and The Little Drummer Boy re-aired on CTV Television Network and NBC in 1969?

[@joniaq6372]

Always have enjoyed these movies when young, then with my kids, and now grandchildren. Nothing quite like the classics. Enjoyed all the commercials, too 🤗. Thanks for putting it up…. J

[@timst1966]

This transports me back in time to the 70s when I was a child. The emotions I had during Christmas were revived, at least for a little while. I think back to the friends and family members I had who are now long gone. We spend our time in our youth looking ahead, not realizing that we were living the best times of our lives.

[@ColeWalker]

14:10 notice how Kris calls Topper “Waddles”. This was his alternate name in later broadcasts before being changed back to Topper.

[@kwebster62]

I never understood why he named him "Topper" to begin with.

[@terencewilliammckenna6121]

@@kwebster62 I wish alternate scenes were on DVD

[@lchambers56]

Thank you for clarifying that. I thought I was losing my damn mind. 🤣

[@Grover1234]

All I ever remember was Topper. I don't ever remember hearing the name Waddles. When I saw someone had asked why they changed it I thought...."What does he mean changed It?".....but yeah. Pretty neat to know but I think Toppers is a much better name then Waddles. Yes the word waddle is what all penguins do but I think Topper sounds much better coming out of Mickey Rooney's voice then how Waddles doesn't even sounds like Mickey's voice at all. Sounds nothing like his voice.

[@domenicvaiasicca2497]

I grew up watching it early 1970s...it was waddles.

[@WalterDWormack214]

These Rankin Bass Christmas Specials, definitely warmed up the Holidays, when I was a youngster. I keep meaning to buy every single one of them now that they've been put out on DVD. But it always seems to slip my senile noggin, DARNIT!

[@eddiemunster2196]

As Pam said Well, I am 58 & all of these Christmas specials are more than special. I remember every year watching them with my mom. Well, I can't do that any, more. That makes, them all that much, more special. So, I can't, Thank You enough. I am a grown man, but watching this, makes me want to, cry. All the years of, mom, my sister,& I, never missed them, Together.. Either, I call my, sister to tell her when it's on ? Or I call her.... So, thank you, once again... With a early Merry Christmas, To You & Yours....

[@MissCalLowe]

Remembering the commercials was a joy for me❣️

[@shari4375]

I love this!! 💖 Thank you so much. 🎄🎅🤶🎄

[@Nrvsmum73]

Great! Thank you for sharing! It was a real treat. I recognized most of the commercials :)

[@bettymarrow4461]

I remember watching this when I was a kid I still get excited when I'm watching these Christmas is is the best day of the year and it's beautiful and magical

[@LATVERIAN1]

In a way I feel bad for kids today. I mean, they can watch these Christmas specials 365 days a year. Part of the magic was waiting to see them but "once" a year as Christmas came closer. You watched it with your family. You missed it, and then you'd have to wait a whole nother year before seeing it again. That was part of the magic that kids today will never know.

[@obadel5092]

Tv from 1981 so many nice memories

[@jilldahlen5457]

You mean like Santa Clause was afraid of the snowstorm that Rudolph with his nose so bright to go to the Island of Misfit Toys?