The Year Without a Santa Claus (1976)

At the North Pole the Christmas rush is on. Everyone from elves to reindeer are merrily preparing for Santa Claus's yearly sleigh ride. Everyone except Santa! Feeling forgotten by the children of the world old St. Nick decides to skip his gift-giving journey and take a vacation. Eager to help Mrs. Claus and two spunky little elves set out to see to where all the season's cheer has disappeared. Aided by a magical snowfall they reawaken the spirit of Christmas in children's hearts and put Santa back in action.Running Time: 125 min.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: CHRISTMAS/CHRISTMAS UPC: 085391162629 Manufacturer No: 116262 Product Description

Ho good

Ho yeah. Just as good at I remember it when I was a wee one. Ho yeahhhhh. February 5, 2008

Year Without A Santa Claus

One of my favorite Christmas specials. My co-workers and I sing all of the songs in the office during the Holidays! I've started collecting the older movies so my nephews and neices can share in the fun! January 7, 2008

"Deluxe Edition" ("remastered"?) No Improvement In Either Picture Or Sound

First, let me say that I own this movie because it still retains it's charm more than three decades later, and still get a kick out of it. I can recall watching it on TV when I was a kid, and would sing the catchy Miser's songs. So having it on hand to watch it every year at Christmastime is a pleasure.

I was looking forward to upgrade from my older DVD of YWASC to this "Deluxe Edition" since I was keen on seeing a couple of documentaries and noted the product being advertised as "Newly Remastered". Well, in looking at the ORIGINAL 2000 DVD release, I realized that it is quite sharp in picture, as well as having a decent mono audio track. I noticed there were scarcely any grain or dirt on this print. So maybe I could not see a need to upgrade after all, and, as it turns out, I was correct in my assumption. I rather like to make picture comparisons with different DVD releases of a favorite movie, and I did the same with YWASC. Much to my surprise, the image is not only NOT an improvement, but to my eyes, in some instances has less sharpness and is duller in the colors! Again, in the first DVD release, one can see the finest details in say the puppet's hairs. Great clarity. With this new edition, there are periodic (though admittedly minor) inconsistancies in image. It is indeed puzzling that such a reduction in clarity (and I do know that the overwhelming majority of folks wouldn't know of them--and further, would not detract from their viewing enjoyment).

Sorry, I know I could get flack for what might be considered a minor quibble, but I feel that, apart from two (fairly interesting) documentaries, one could just as well not bother to invest in this repackaging of what was an already very adequate DVD release.

But either way, by all means enjoy and share with the family. Along with Rankin and Bass' other, earlier classic, Rudolph, The Red-nosed Reindeer, Year Without A Santa Claus is a gem that will charm for generations. So let me make very clear that the two-star rating is for this DVD release, of which the content is a decent four star. December 12, 2007

100% classics

All three videos are classics from my 30 something childhood - 100% worth the memories relived and the new ones with my kids - go, heat miser! October 30, 2007

FINALLY! A RANKIN/BASS Documentary!

I was gald to help SPARKHILL with the documentary that is on this DVD! Finally, you will hear from the creators. While I applaud WARNER BROTHERS for including this, I wish their legal dept. would have let the RANKIN/BASS archives flourish in this doc as well BUT they did not. At least the interviews are here and you get to hear from the creators themselves! Maybe now, WB will do a RANKIN/BASS DVD box set and include what fans have been asking for: THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF SANTA CLAUS, THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY, BOOK 2, PINOCCHIO'S CHRISTMAS, THE LEAPRECHAUN'S CHRISTMAS GOLD, etc. There also needs to be a deluxe edition of THE FLIGHT OF DRAGONS. If WB owns THE BERMUDA DEPTHS, that needs to come out too. HAPPY HOLIDAYS 2007! September 30, 2007

More reviews at Amazon.com ...