Holiday specials were made for color

[Carmine]

As long as we are discussing plot lines...

Does anyone remember the 60's Christmas special where it's obviously supposed to be set in Germany, and the mayor (burgermiester) is a short little guy who runs around yelling that Christmas toys should be banned? Then his uniformed guards go around bursting into peoples houses looking for "toys"? I think there might even bee a scene where they put all the toys in a pile and destroy them. I'm not quite sure how it ends...

I watched it last year (don't really remember this one as a kid) and not only thought it was a bit surreal, but was surprised it was being run in the PC 2006-era. I could really care less about banning it, but just wonder if anybody else remembers it? The 60s were crazy, lol.

[David Roper]

Burgermeister Meisterburger? I can't recall which show this is at the moment, but I'm sure the villian in question was voiced by Paul Frees.

[veg-o-matic]

Originally Posted by David Roper

...the original ending when Ukon Cornelius throws the pick in the air one final time (after Santa's sleigh takes off) and upon inspecting it discovers he's struck___________?

Peppermint!

I'm pretty sure this is the version where Rudolph's father tells his wife "This is man's work!"

Ah, memories.

All I did was email Rick Goldschmidt Rickgoldsc@aol.com and sent him 35 bucks via PayPal.

If you haven't read his book, there's a good article on tvparty.com: Linky

veg

[Indian Head]

Does anyone remember the 60's Christmas special where it's obviously supposed to be set in Germany, and the mayor (burgermiester) is a short little guy who runs around yelling that Christmas toys should be banned? Then his uniformed guards go around bursting into peoples houses looking for "toys"? I think there might even bee a scene where they put all the toys in a pile and destroy them. I'm not quite sure how it ends...

That's from Santa Claus Is Coming To Town. It was just on ABC Family channel last week. And yes, Paul Frees does the voice of the Burgermeister Meisterburger, as well as several others. Almost as good as "Rudolph."

[oldtvman]

The original broadcast of Rudolph the red nose reindeer was Christmas 1964 a full two years before CBS gave in to the color experience and went all color for it's nighttime programming.

[oldtvman]

Mr Magoo's Christmas carol premiered Christmas in color on NBC You can purchase that program on DVD

[Celt]

Originally Posted by kbmuri

To my memory, the Peanuts Christmas specials were sponsored by Dolly Madison (snack cakes).

Yep, Dolly Madison cakes, although Coca-Cola was the first sponsor. Shultz had to go back and edit out the original tag lines and omit Linus hitting the Coke can with his blanket, to a generic tin can.

[Indian Head]

Thanks to the heads up by Veg, we ordered the Rudolph DVD. It is totally worth it!

It starts out with a promo for the special as part of "GE Fantasy Theater" on NBC, making special not that it's in full color.

The GE commercials, in black and white, feature Santa's elves helping with suggestions for Christmas gifts. In the show itself, "Fame and Fortune" is nowhere to be heard, and restored is the "We're a Couple of Misfits" number. Part of the ending goes to black and white, but it's a minor concession in order to see the original continuity.

Included also is "The Little Drummer Boy," and "How The Grinch Stole Christmas," with original sponsor bumpers.

All that, PLUS, there are a couple of NBC Peacocks, the NBC color logo with the chimes on the soundtrack, and one I've never seen before, featuring a quick backlit shot of the TK-41 camera. Also, for "Grinch," there's a CBS Color bumper logo.

I figured I'd mention it now, because it is PERFECT to show on a roundie for Christmas, and this will give anyone interested plenty of time to get a copy.