Reviews & Ratings for
The Christmas Toy (TV) More at IMDbPro »

6 out of 6 people found the following review useful:
A Christmas classic!, 8 October 2002
Author: AllisonLVenezio from Jersey shore, USA

Imagine being the light of someone's life, the favorite plaything of a child, only to feel rejected when a new plaything gets in the way?

"The Christmas Toy" is a 1986 made-for-TV Christmas special that aired on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC-TV) in December 1986, and centers around a playroom full of toys, including Rugby, a self-centered tiger, Apple, a sweet-natured curly-haired doll, Balthazar, an aged teddy-bear, and Mew, a catnip toy mouse, among others. The toys come alive when no one is around. On Christmas Eve, Rugby learns that he will be "replaced" by a new favorite toy, and is determined to get inside the box of the new toy. Rugby and Mew go on an adventure to the living room, where Rugby opens the box of Meteora, a She-Ra-esque doll that causes havock. When Rugby and Mew go back to the playroom, Mew lags behind, and becomes frozen, just like the cute little clown doll, Ding-a-Ling. Can Rugby still compete for his owner's heart?

This was a great program that, according to my mom, never aired again. It took forever to be released on video, but those of us who saw it in 1986, and even have it on tape, remember it fondly. I have mine on a tape my parents made in 1986, and it has the old "Kraft" recipe commercials, and my best friend and I thought the recipes were disgusting looking. I love how Kermit hosts the program, and the characters are the same voices as the great Muppets we all know and love.

My favorite parts are when Rubgy opens the box to find Meteora, the introduction with Kermit (I LOVE KERMIT!), and the ending, which I won't give away!

This was well-done and beautiful to watch, and a great Christmas story that teaches viewers not to be conceited, and that you're never forgotten. Definitely watch this at Christmas time this year, and remember an undying classic for all ages.

5 out of 6 people found the following review useful:
Christmas Favourite, 12 August 2001

Author: Cylex from England

I watch this Henson film every Christmas & it never fails to move me. It has that essential combination of tears, laughter, story, great characters & song.

Rugby, a conceited, cuddly tiger & Mew, a sweet, loyal cat toy lead an irresistable cast. Their friends include a doll, a ride-on horse, an old teddy, a robot & every kind of toy you can imagine. Will capture the hearts of adults & children alike. 10/10

1 out of 1 people found the following review useful:
Before Toy Story Technology...!, 11 December 2001
Author: (robocoptng986127@aol.com) from U.S.A

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

[CONTAINS SPOILERS]

Ever wonder what your toys do when you leave the room? This special shows what does. This was made before CGI technology for Toy Story. This one features toys belonging to Jesse and Jamie Jones. There's Mr. and Mrs. Jones, eldest daughter Molly and Weegee the cat. Kermit the Frog hosts, and the special features Rugby, a self-centered and somewhat naive cuddly stuffed tiger, Apple, a Cabbage Patch Kids look-alike, Mew, a catnip toy for the cat, Balthazaar, an elderly teddy bear, and more! Rugby was Jamie's Christmas present the previous year and when he learns Christmas is here again, he thinks he will be the present again, so he ventures out of the playroom and into the hall to go downstairs to the tree. Now toys must never be caught out of position or they will be caught and frozen forever, which adds a dark setting to our story. Balthazaar tries to explain all about Christmas, so he climbs atop a doll house to be seen, but he keeps falling off. Ditz the clown tried to call Rugby back but was caught and frozen forever.

Now everyone has forgotten about Rugby, so Mew decides to venture out after him. Now Mew, much like Rodney Dangerfield, "don't get no respect!" None of the other toys think much of him. He and Rugby don't get along much either, so the odd couple ventures down the dark hallway and dodge into a closet when Mr. and Mrs. Jones are doing late laundry. Back in the playroom, Apple makes a plan to go on a rescue mission to rescue their friends. Belmont the ride-on horse is doubtfut, but the other toys teach him to try the impossible, so now convinced, he joins them. Also along are Bleep the robot, and Cruiser a toy taxicab; down in the living room, Rugby finds Jamie's Christmas present, opens it and finds a Meteora doll inside. Rugby is confused. Just then, Apple and the gang arrive. Belmont and Bleep stay upstairs while Apple and Cruiser go down. Apple also tells Rugby how jealous she was when Jamie got Rugby on Christmas, but the tiger was determined to relive last Christmas but before they got any further, Meteora came to life and was under the delusion of being queen of the asteroids rather than a toy. She also begins knocking over chess pieces, which arouse the suspicion of the Joneses, so just as Dad goes to investigate, Mew impersonates the cat and everyone was saved. Then they convince Meteora that being a toy is better than Queen of the Asteroids, so she goes back in her box and the toys head back to the playroom, but Mew is captured and frozen! Rugby is saddened about the freezing of his new friend, so he brings him back to life with a heart-warming friendship song (which is usually the best medicine). Mew "thaws" and all the toys are rejoiced. Next morning, the toys meet the new toys and even though Jamie is overjoyed with Meteora, she still loves Apple and Rugby.

Do you think it's tough being a toy? It probably is. The genius of Jim Henson is once again brought to life in this great Christmas special. Listen for the voice of Dave Goelz who does the voice of Gonzo, here he does Rugby. Mew is done by Steve Whitmire who has been Kermit and Ernie since Henson's passing. Richard Hunt is Belmont and Jerry Nelson is Balthazaar. It's sad that Jim Henson and Richard Hunt are no longer with us. They were very good! I recommend this for Christmas! It's a classic right along with Charlie Brown, Rudolph, Frosty, and Ernest Saves Christmas. --

A timeless Christmas jewel for all ages to enjoy, 19 December 2011

Author: TheLittleSongbird from United Kingdom

Fans of Jim Henson, like me, will simply love The Christmas Toy. I love Christmas, toys and Jim Henson's work so The Christmas Toy was a perfect treat.

The visuals are splendid, right from the camera work, the toys themselves, the set design and the colours. The music delights too, with hummable melodies and lyrics that really sparkle with wit, freshness and poignancy.

Story-wise, The Christmas Toy has lots of charm and heart, and succeeds in appealing to children and adults. The writing has a perfect balance of humour and sentiment without overdoing either.

Might I also mention how adorable the characters are and how consistently good the voice work is from everybody? Overall, a jewel that anybody would love, albeit sadly underrated. 10/10 Bethany Cox

perfect, 24 January 2007
Author: tiffy_haha from United States

This is a great movie I always enjoyed as a kid watching every Christmas. I was only four when the movie came out but my parents taped it and we watched it every year after that point. My sister now has my parents copy and she watches it with her children. My niece loves it. It is a great Christmas movie for all ages. I wish they would re-release it on DVD. I love the movie and want a new copy of it. I looked for it on amazon and someone was trying to sell a used VHS copy for $100. I could not believe it. I would prefer it on DVD due to VHS tape not working after time. I would even enjoy seeing it on TV again. This is a movie to share with generations to come. Animation of the past shared with the future.

The Christmas Toy, 21 December 2005

Author: borrowt from United States

As the mother of two females, I would recommend this movie, even to the young of heart. We first saw this movie when my youngest, must have been around 2 1/2. Her older sister, who is now an elementary educator was around 9 1/2. We loved this movie. I had taped this to a VHS tape that no longer works. I have been looking for it for quite some time and watching for it on TV. I was afraid I had the title incorrect. As we are about to become grandparents, for the first time, I would love to obtain a DVD for our future generations to enjoy. I would love to have my (soon to be) grandchildren see this "classic" when they are visiting their grandparents. What a wonderful tradition we can start. It's a wonderful movie and I am so glad I finally found it. Thank you Jim Henson!

Toy Story inspiration, 22 October 2004

Author: Richard Booth from Ohio

Two reviewers have already mentioned 'Toy Story'. I can't help but wonder if John Lassetter had seen this special before he made that movie. This isn't in any way to take away from the genius of either Henson or Lassetter, both of whom have been named as latter day Disneys, a sentiment I agree with.

There are some intriguing similarities:

1 - The overall idea of toys coming alive.

2 - The theme of a toy being replaced in a child's affections and how the toy might feel.

3 - Toys to the rescue!

4 - A science-fictional toy believing they are real. Can't you just see Meteora and Buzz Lightyear hooking up?!

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