Friday, December 18, 2009

More Offbeat and/or Obscure Christmas Animation

Well first off, I'm psyched to announce that two of my dinosaur sketches have been selected for the Art Evolved "Transitional Art Forms" gallery! I'm honored by this as I've been wanting to draw something specifically for their monthly galleries. (Unfortunately, while I do have a terrific idea for their upcoming Palaeo-Environment Gallery, it violates pretty much every stated rule for said gallery. Misplaced wildlife is a big no-no. Maybe I'll do it anyway just for fun...)
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More animated Christmas specials that time has seemingly forgotten!

"A Claymation Christmas Celebration"

Consider this Will Vinton's victory lap. He was at the top of his game when he made this special. It's finally available on DVD after languishing in obscurity for years. Here's the "Joy to the World" sequence, just to give you a taste:


"The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus"
The ultimate Christmastime "THAT'S what it was called!!!" I have already reviewed it at The Realm, but here's the commercial. This is probably why so many 80's kids were... surprised by what the special actually involved.


"Banjo the Woodpile Cat" I nearly forgot about this and that would have made me a sad Dan Bluth fangirl. I believe this was his first solo venture ever and was originally intended to be a Christmas special. It was released on DVD a while back but sadly, isn't available on Netflix. Here's a little taste of that ol' early Bluth cuteness overload:


"Christmas In Tattertown"

Sadly, the Internet has largely forgotten this oddity. It is a Ralph Bakshi Christmas Special (sort of; it's actually a hastily edited failed pilot). It aired on Nickelodeon from 1988-1992 and featured a spider character who'd later show up in "Cool World". There's rumors of a DVD release, so hopefully I can verify that I didn't dream this.

"Father Christmas"
I've only recently learned about this charming animated short film from the creator of the less-obscure-in-America The Snowman. Ever wonder what Santa Claus does on the day after Christmas? Here's a cute commercial that gives you a taste of the tone:

Bonus: And speaking of "The Snowman"...