K.A.C. 2020 - T - 15 ...

     

     Our next Movie Mistletoe was originally featured on December 12th, 2010. Made in 1933 by the Harmon-Ising Studios, it's called The Shanty Where Santy Claus Lives. My original writeup on this piece said, "Today we go waaaay back, all the way to 1933 for our next entry in the '13 Strangest Christmas Shorts' contest. Film # 9 is a Harmon-Ising Merrie Melodies cartoon called The Shanty Where Santa Claus Lives, and is a fascinating look at a little boy from 'the other side of the tracks' during Depression-Era America who feels left out and forgotten by everyone (even Santa Claus) at Christmas-time. 

     He returns to his bare, cold shack to cry himself to sleep until he hears the sounds of familiar jingle bells and Santa appears to ask him if he'd like to see the titular shack at the North Pole. Rapidly agreeing (anything to get away from his own miserable life), he is whisked away to Santa's Toy Workshop, where the toys seem to have all gotten into the espresso while SC was out ... and are in a hyperactive frenzy.

     If you're asking yourself "Why haven't I ever seen this charming cartoon before?", just continue to watch - I have confidence you'll figure out why soon enough! :) Also keep in mind when this was made (1933) - this was a reality for many boys and girls of the time. Many were the families who struggled just to have food and a roof over their heads during this era, so the idea of Christmas toys was an extravagance and cost that they could not afford and this cartoon reflected a real-life fantasy for many children of the 1930s. So without further ado,  enjoy The Shanty Where Santa Claus Lives!"

     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1HA-J0Io4k

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     That poor tyke isn't the only one who's soured over this whole Christmas jag. Take a look at THESE less-than-pleased pups and pusses who've had to endure the annual indignity of having 'festive' gear foisted upon them! Does any of this scream 'Happy Holidays' to you? For the whole angry lot, click here!

     https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/13422674/peeved-pets-dress-up-christmas-outfits/ 

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     Guess what? Our next 2020 Grotty Grotto just popped up in the UK! This 'Winter Wonderland' has it all - misleading ads, expensive prices, tatty reindeer and suspicious Santas, a MISERABLE drive-through experience for the whole family and "foam snow" (seen below) trying to pass itself off as the real thing! Read about the whole horrifying experience and sigh that YOU can't experience it in person!  

          https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/uknews/13424381/winter-wonderland-drive-thru-skinny-father-christmas-reindeer/ 

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     NOW I'm feeling the holiday spirit! P.S. I know I promised more UK Chirstmas ads - we'll get back to them in a bit. The stories are now ramping up, so I'm putting them on the pages as they come in. More tomorrow!