1985 - The Rankin-Bass production company, who brought you such timeless holiday specials such as Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty The Snowman and Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, using their 'Animagic' stop-motion animation, returns this year with their final Christmas special, and boy, did they go out on a limb with this one. Described as "the most Pagan Christmas special you'll ever see", The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus is based on L. Frank Baum's 1902 book. The plot lets you know this is NOT going to be your typical Christmas tale: "In this story, the Great Ak (voiced by Alfred Drake) summons a council of the Immortals to bestow upon a dying Claus (voiced by Earl Hammond, with J.D. Roth voicing the young Claus) the Mantle of Immortality. To make his case,
the Great Ak tells Claus's life story, from his discovery as a foundling
in the magical forest and his raising by Immortals, through his
education by the Great Ak in the harsh realities of the human world, and
his acceptance of his destiny to struggle to bring joy to children." (Wikipedia)
It's a fascinating tale and a beautifully done production, but audiences of the '80s were having none of it, as it scored very low when it was originally broadcast and, unlike its more traditional holiday brethren, it did not go into heavy viewing rotation year after year. You can still see it, though, on various streaming services and DVD. Below are two articles on it - if you're looking for something new to view this holiday season, I highly recommend it!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Life_and_Adventures_of_Santa_Claus_(1985_film)
https://fitfordragoncon.com/2013/11/13/the-most-pagan-christmas-special-you-will-ever-see/
Here's a last-minute photo I just found, too late for our Khristmas Kuties Kwiz. You don't have to do any heavy lifting for this one. Those of you who attended our Conjure Cinema showing of The Bacchantes remember Taina Elg as Queen Dirce, who fell in love with Pierre Brice's Dionysus and abandoned her throne to become a Maenad, leading the women of Thebes in revolt against her husband, King Pentheus. Here she is celebrating a different kind of ecstasy for the upcoming holiday. How about a new thyrsus, Santa? Her old one's all worn out ...
Last and ABSOLUTELY least, repeat after me ... 'Meat Clown'! If you're still stuck on what to provide your guests at your holiday shindig, look no further - there's happiness in every slice (or not). 'The
sandwich that smiles back! Billy Roll (aka meat clown or Billy the
smiling sausage) is a processed meat like mortadella that is steamed
and sliced. It is typically served like bologna in sandwiches.
Originally produced in Germany but was sold mainly in Ireland.' (June Cleavers Vintage Closet) And that's a wrap (in a bulkie roll) for another day at the K.A.C. We'll be back tomorrow, just as soon as we find the Pepto.
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