The Little Drummer Boy (1968) (TV)

Directors:

Jules Bass
Arthur Rankin Jr.

Writer:

Romeo Muller (written by)

Release Date:

19 December 1968 (USA)

Genre:

Family | Short | Animation

Plot:

An orphan drummer boy who hated humanity finds his life changed forever when he meets three wise men on route to Bethlehem.

Plot Keywords:

Orphan | Stop Motion | Redemption | Christmas | Based On Song

Cast

José Ferrer	...	Ben Haramed (voice) (as Jose Ferrer)
Paul Frees	...	Aaron's Father, the Magi (voice)
June Foray	...	Aaron's Mother (voice)
Ted Eccles	...	Aaron (voice) (as Teddy Eccles)
Greer Garson	...	Our Story Teller (voice) (as Miss Greer Garson)
Die Wiener Sängerknaben	...	Themselves (voice) (as The Vienna Boys Choir)

Runtime:

25 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Company:

Rankin/Bass Productions

Goofs:

Continuity: In some copies of the video, the narration switches from Greer Garson to Paul Frees. At the very end, where the narration begins "and as Aaron looked at the babe..." the voice is inexplicably that of Paul Frees.

Quotes:

Our Story Teller: Aaron's heart was filled with joy and love. And he knew at last that the hate he had carried there was wrong. As ALL hatred will ever be wrong. For more powerful, more beautiful by far than all the eons of sadness and cruelty and desolation which had come before, was that one tiny, crystalline second of laughter. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "That '70s Show: The Best Christmas Ever (#1.12)" (1998)

Soundtrack:

The Little Drummer Boy

A Christmas "Animagic" Classic For The Ages...

Although less highly regarded by many than the masterful "animagic" hour of "Rudolph", this 27-minute gem throbs with the joy and heartache of living that is timelessly captured by Rankin/Bass and the brilliant detail of the Dentsu Company miniature sets and artistic direction (so often overlooked in these productions). A hearty and rich score, especially the underscoring of the tragic death of the boy's parents, is unforgettable. Ferrer, Frees, and Eccles are delightful and the often cloying "Miss" Greer Garson delivers the narration with a gentle stroke that is soothing and sincere. The nativity scene is overwhelmingly moving and the film ends on a perfect note. There was a pointless and meandering sequel years later,"Little Drummer Boy-Book II" which is best left unopened- a lifeless and repetitive tale justly obscure. The original, common on video but shown infrequently now during the Christmas season, showcases that deep color film tone that NBC employed so effectively in the mid-60's, which today adds to the nostalgia. Children's prime-time specials once heralded a great era in the success of the medium. All that remains are these video souvenirs.

****out of ****