The Christmas Toy

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?!

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.

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!

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.

A stuffed tiger named Rugby was a little girl's Christmas toy last year. Wanting to relive that experience, he intends to sneak into the box of this year's Christmas toy and replace it. His toy friends try to stop him before he's seen by a person. If people see the toys when they're moving around, the toys will be frozen forever.

This is a delightful Christmas special from Jim Henson with Kermit appearing at the beginning and end. Some good songs (and one not so good near the beginning) with absolutely charming characters and a lovely story. As other reviewers have mentioned, there's an obvious similarity between this and Toy Story. This is something Muppets fans or fans of great old Christmas TV specials will certainly appreciate.