The Year Without a Santa Claus (TV 1974)

Mrs. Claus tells us about the time Santa had a bad cold and decided to take a vacation from Christmas. Two of his elves, Jingle Bells and Jangle Bells decided to go out (with Vixen) to find... See full summary »

Directors:

Jules Bass, Arthur Rankin Jr.

Writers:

William J. Keenan (teleplay), Phyllis McGinley (novel)

Stars:

Shirley Booth, Mickey Rooney, Dick Shawn

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Shirley Booth	...	Mrs. Santa (voice)
Mickey Rooney	...	Santa Claus (voice)
Dick Shawn	...	Snow Miser (voice)
George S. Irving	...	Heat Miser (voice)
Bob McFadden	...	Jingle Bells (voice)
Rhoda Mann	...	Mother Nature (voice)
Bradley Bolke	...	Jangle Bells (voice)
Ron Marshall	...	Mr. Thistlewhite (voice)
Colin Duffy	...	Ignatius Thistlewhite (voice)
Christine Winter	...	Blue Christmas girl (voice)
The Wee Winter Singers	...	Chorus (voice)

Storyline

Mrs. Claus tells us about the time Santa had a bad cold and decided to take a vacation from Christmas. Two of his elves, Jingle Bells and Jangle Bells decided to go out (with Vixen) to find children to convince Santa that the Christmas spirit is still important to everybody else. But they have to get past Heat Miser and Snow Miser, first, before they land in Southtown, USA, where it never snows for Christmas. But the Miser Brothers can't agree to let it snow in Southtown. But Mrs. Santa knows their mom--Mother Nature.

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Plot Keywords:

snow | miser | christmas | vacation | mrs. claus | 

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Genres:

Animation | Family | Fantasy | Musical

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 December 1974 (USA)

Also Known As:

Mikulás szabadságon

Company Credits

Production Co:

Rankin/Bass Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

51 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Shirley Booth's last filmed acting project.

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Goofs

When Heat Miser is singing, he touches the moon and it melts, however it melts first away from his finger/hand; it rightly should melt where his finger/hand first touch it then melt bit by bit further away from him.

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Quotes

Dr. Bobbin: And for what? Just to deliver presents to a bunch of folks who don't give a hoot in the first place.
Mrs. Santa: Now, now, Doctor. It's not just presents and you know it. What about all that Christmas spirit and good will?
Dr. Bobbin: If you had any sense, you'd give it up as a bad job and stay home in bed this year.
Mrs. Santa: Oh come now, if Santa stayed home, why there would be no Christmas.
Dr. Bobbin: Who cares? Nobody cares about Christmas anymore.
Santa Claus: They don't?
Dr. Bobbin: Of course not. Wouldn't surprise me none if nobody even believed in you ...
[...]

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Connections

Featured in Veronica Mars: An Echolls Family Christmas (2004)

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Soundtracks

"Snow Miser"
Performed by Dick Shawn

User Reviews

Snow Miser and Heat Miser Steal the Show

Why has THE YEAR WITHOUT A SANTA CLAUS endured for so many years? I don't believe it's because of its scenario. The concept of an ailing Santa Claus, convinced the world doesn't care for him, deciding not to ride his sleigh one Christmas is promising. However, its execution is too low-key to provide conflict or pathos. There's a touching rendition of "Blue Christmas" by a child writing a letter to Santa, but the other characters' reactions to Santa's decision seem too mild to generate real drama. Most of the other songs are pleasant but unmemorable. The plot's resolution is too contrived to be affecting.

The two real reasons for THE YEAR WITHOUT A SANTA CLAUS's popularity are Snow Miser and Heat Miser. They are minor characters with limited onscreen time, but they blow away the other characters. Those quarreling siblings provide the special with some much needed brio. As the voice of Snow Miser, Dick Shawn oozes with self-satisfied smarm. Yet he conveys such gleeful humor in his delivery that his oiliness endears viewers. As the voice of Heat Miser, George S. Irving is hilariously irascible, an overgrown brat who fumes over everything associated with snow. It is this very childishness that makes Heat Miser so amusing. Of course, their musical numbers stop the show not because of their lyrics, which are repetitive, but their snappy deliveries.

The Miser brothers are so delightful that their absence creates a void in THE YEAR WITHOUT SANTA CLAUS. One wishes that Rankin Bass, which produced this special, had produced a special focusing on them. It is too late now, at least with the voice of Dick Shawn, who has long passed on. One can still appreciate the fact these characters were devised at all. Without them, THE YEAR WITHOUT SANTA CLAUS would probably be forgotten by now.