Since Casey Kasem died a few weeks ago, I've been watching some stuff he did-whether live action movies or animated cartoons-made in chronological order on the internet. So I'm now in 1974 with another animated cartoon for Christmas he did after "The Bear Who Slept Through Christmas". For this one, he voices a frustrated father and a henchman for a grumpy mayor (voiced by Charles Nelson Reilly). The mayor is a character in a story told by a grandfatherly figure who also resembles another elderly person in the story named Matthew who comes to this town to help its people discover Christmas since the mayor doesn't allow it to be celebrated. Let me now say that while its a bit heavy-handed and the visual slapstick scenes are visually clumsy, its still a pretty heartfelt story worthy to be seen by any child who stumbles into this one. So on that note, The City That Forgot About Christmas is worth a look.
10 Reviews
A fine low cost production
PrimeMogul20 December 2008
This is a film by the Lutheran Church, so its purpose is to present Christmas from a Christian perspective. The animation is rather low cost (they repeat motions and images, mouths do not synchronize with the words...), but my family has always enjoyed the humor in the well written story--so we watch this show most every year. My boys especially like the simple minded men who follow the mayor about. These three often repeat the same phrases with the third giving a humorous twist. The songs are also simple, but nicely done, clear and memorable: "you can't stop Christmas no matter how you try" and "chip, chip, chip away." Other than the odd animation (which probably matters most to adults anyway), this is an excellent show for children.
An animated short with familiar voices of the day
SimonJack20 November 2022
"The City that Forgot Christmas" is a 1974 animated TV short. It's one of a series made by Lutheran Television with a young boy, Benji, and his big sheepdog, Waldo. In this film, Benji and siblings get reprimanded by parents about being careful with Christmas ornaments. So, they decide that they don't want Christmas anymore. Well, when they go see what grandpa is working on, Matthew tells them a tale about a city that forgot about Christmas.
The town had forgotten about Christmas and the mayor and his cronies are all nay-sayers and an unhappy and a nasty lot. Then a carpenter comes to the town one day - it's Matthew, and he starts helping people, fixing things, and telling the kids about Christmas. So, the town turns around, and then Benji and other kids decide they want Christmas after all.
This short has some prominent personalities of the day doing voices. They include Sebastian Cabot, Louis Nye and Casey Kasem.
The town had forgotten about Christmas and the mayor and his cronies are all nay-sayers and an unhappy and a nasty lot. Then a carpenter comes to the town one day - it's Matthew, and he starts helping people, fixing things, and telling the kids about Christmas. So, the town turns around, and then Benji and other kids decide they want Christmas after all.
This short has some prominent personalities of the day doing voices. They include Sebastian Cabot, Louis Nye and Casey Kasem.
This was cute
rockhopper10r14 May 2005
I remember this from when I was a kid. It was a tie-in with cartoons featuring a boy named Benjy (sp?). They were produced by one denomination or another (Lutheran, I think). I believe the others were _Christmas Is_ and _Easter Is_, but those titles aren't in IMDb. Anyhoo, the story is about this little town, none of whose inhabitants know anything about Christmas. The carpenter arrives in town in the kids see him whittling, and they all sing a song that went "Chip, chip, chip away". (Don't ask me how I remember that!). The man tells the kids about Christmas and about the birth of Jesus. One little girl says something to the effect of "What's so great about a baby being born? We have a baby at our house and he's no fun!" A bit heavy-handed, but not a complete waste of time, either.
Decent Holiday Dpecial
abbazabakyleman-988341 January 2019
This was the third of four animated TV specials produced by Lutheran Television in the 1970s starring the duo of Benji and his faithful sheepdog Waldo. As stated before, these specials were notorious due to its limited animation style and poor writing, but this one is sort of an improvement thanks to a good premise and some witty dialogue.
This special basically tells the story of Matthew, a lonely carpenter who comes to set up shop in a city that is run by a greedy, mean-spirited mayor, who is constantly tagged along by his three annoying aides. Apparently, the city has forgotten the true meaning of Christmas and Matthew tries to spread it to the townsfolk, much to the disdain of the mayor, who thinks Matthew is trouble and wants him gone.
Again, the production company was able to secure big-name voice talent for these specials. This one contains voices by Sebastian Cabot, Casey Kasem, Charles Nelson Reilly, and Louis Nye. It's just too bad these specials have fallen into obscurity due to the technical limitations.
This special basically tells the story of Matthew, a lonely carpenter who comes to set up shop in a city that is run by a greedy, mean-spirited mayor, who is constantly tagged along by his three annoying aides. Apparently, the city has forgotten the true meaning of Christmas and Matthew tries to spread it to the townsfolk, much to the disdain of the mayor, who thinks Matthew is trouble and wants him gone.
Again, the production company was able to secure big-name voice talent for these specials. This one contains voices by Sebastian Cabot, Casey Kasem, Charles Nelson Reilly, and Louis Nye. It's just too bad these specials have fallen into obscurity due to the technical limitations.
You can't stop Christmas, and you can't stop the real meaning of it!
mark.waltz20 December 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Thanks to the Lutheran Church, TV viewers and some church goers got to see this sweet, meaningful animated short that while done in simple terms is direct and only agenda driven in its desire to bring a reminder of the real Christmas story. Sebastian Cabot, Casey Kasem, Charles Nelson Reilly, and Louis Nye are all familiar names, with Reilly's voice instantly recognizable as the stuffed shirt mayor unwelcoming of strangers.
The basic story has newcomer Matthew (an aging carpenter) determined to share the story of Jesus's birth with the children of the town as well as anybody else open to listening. Those familiar with the classic cartoon voices of the 1970's will recognize many of the archetypes used on Saturday morning TV staples, here in a sweet religious set up. I instantly recognized the character of Benji and his dog Waldo from, so it was very nostalgic as well as refreshing for its beautiful message that still stands the test of time.
The basic story has newcomer Matthew (an aging carpenter) determined to share the story of Jesus's birth with the children of the town as well as anybody else open to listening. Those familiar with the classic cartoon voices of the 1970's will recognize many of the archetypes used on Saturday morning TV staples, here in a sweet religious set up. I instantly recognized the character of Benji and his dog Waldo from, so it was very nostalgic as well as refreshing for its beautiful message that still stands the test of time.
Well worth Watching
Christmas-Reviewer21 April 2017
BEWARE OF FALSE REVIEWS & REVIEWERS. SOME REVIEWERS HAVE ONLY ONE REVIEW TO THEIR NAME. NOW WHEN ITS A POSITIVE REVIEW THAT TELLS ME THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE MOVIE. IF ITS A NEGATIVE REVIEW THEN THEY MIGHT HAVE A GRUDGE AGAINST THE FILM . NOW I HAVE REVIEWED OVER 200 HOLIDAY FILMS. I HAVE NO AGENDA. I AM HONEST
In this cartoon two children wish there wasn't a Christmas. Their parents seems stressed and the children just wish "Christmas Would Just Go Away".
When one of the children talks to his grandfather about his wish about "Christmas going away" his grandfather tell him the story about what "Christmas Is" and "Why it is important".
This special is intended for small children. Older children will not be entertained. Adults however should watch it with their children. It is worth watching once
In this cartoon two children wish there wasn't a Christmas. Their parents seems stressed and the children just wish "Christmas Would Just Go Away".
When one of the children talks to his grandfather about his wish about "Christmas going away" his grandfather tell him the story about what "Christmas Is" and "Why it is important".
This special is intended for small children. Older children will not be entertained. Adults however should watch it with their children. It is worth watching once
Brings Christ back into Christmas.
ginnygray2 March 2006
Warning: Spoilers
There once was a city that forgotten about God. The people were selfish and mean. The healthy people did not take care of the sick. The children fought. The grown-ups scowled and shouted. Nobody smiled any more. Worst of all, because the people in this city had forgotten the meaning of love, they had also forgotten the meaning of Christmas.
And then... a woodcarver named Matthew came to town. He was a kind, loving man who wore a smile and did kind and thoughtful things for others. His attitude spread and soon the townspeople were smiling once again and doing things for one another.
But Matthew was saddened because nobody could remember the Christmas story. The children gathered at his workshop and he shared the Christmas story with them as he began to carve figurines that belonged to the Christmas story. Hecarved the angel Gabriel, and Mary and Joseph. He told the children that he wanted to carve the donkey, the cows, the sheep, the shepherds, the wise men, the manger, and the baby Jesus but he didn't have time. The children knew that they had to have all the statues done so they came and helped him and then they went and got their parents and brought them to help carve and paint. The whole town worked together to complete the nativity scene.
By Christmas Eve they were done with all of the statues except the baby Jesus but Matthew promised that the baby would be in the manger by Christmas.
But... on Christmas morning when all the people gathered to see the manger scene, Matthew was no where to be found. Where had he gone? And why? Why wasn't Baby Jesus in the manger? The people waited... and waited.. and waited. By evening they were very disheartened... HOW could they have Christmas without The Baby??? And then.... something very special happened... the city that had forgotten about Christmas discovered what Matthew meant when he had said, "the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us" Watch the movie... and bring Christ back into your Christmas.
And then... a woodcarver named Matthew came to town. He was a kind, loving man who wore a smile and did kind and thoughtful things for others. His attitude spread and soon the townspeople were smiling once again and doing things for one another.
But Matthew was saddened because nobody could remember the Christmas story. The children gathered at his workshop and he shared the Christmas story with them as he began to carve figurines that belonged to the Christmas story. Hecarved the angel Gabriel, and Mary and Joseph. He told the children that he wanted to carve the donkey, the cows, the sheep, the shepherds, the wise men, the manger, and the baby Jesus but he didn't have time. The children knew that they had to have all the statues done so they came and helped him and then they went and got their parents and brought them to help carve and paint. The whole town worked together to complete the nativity scene.
By Christmas Eve they were done with all of the statues except the baby Jesus but Matthew promised that the baby would be in the manger by Christmas.
But... on Christmas morning when all the people gathered to see the manger scene, Matthew was no where to be found. Where had he gone? And why? Why wasn't Baby Jesus in the manger? The people waited... and waited.. and waited. By evening they were very disheartened... HOW could they have Christmas without The Baby??? And then.... something very special happened... the city that had forgotten about Christmas discovered what Matthew meant when he had said, "the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us" Watch the movie... and bring Christ back into your Christmas.
🎄Wonderful story & cast🎄
northernpine25 December 2019
A classic for all viewers
gundam_hotsho6128 November 2008
I saw this around Christmas 2007. I know it's dated, but I found it to be an entertaining story and a great choice for younger viewers. It begins with a boy depressed over the coming Christmas. All he's seen is the season making everyone around grumpy. His grandfather then tells a story of a similar situation. The story he tells is of a gloomy city that has forgotten Christmas and where nearly everyone is nasty towards one another. One day a man named Matthew, a carpenter, arrives in town. Matthew shares with the children what makes him different and what makes Christmas very special, the birth of Jesus Christ. Soon everyone in the city begins planning a big Christmas celebration, the first in many years. But the Mayor and his henchmen plan to stop the celebration.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
