December 22: Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July (Overture)
Sequel to: Rudolph's Shiny New Year (TV Special, 1976), Frosty's Winter Wonderland (TV Special, 1976)
Here we have the unique example of a TV Special being a sequel to two different other Christmas TV franchises at the same time. I guess the folks at Rankin & Bass felt they couldn't lose by combining two iconic Christmas characters… in a somewhat non-Christmas special.
Let's follow the chronology:
- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964) >> Rudolph's Shiny New Year (1976) >> Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July (1979)
- Frosty the Snowman (1968) >> Frosty's Winter Wonderland (1976) >> Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July (1979)
Here, Frosty makes the jump from traditional cell animation into Rudolph's world of stop-motion animation. We also learn that Frosty and his wife Crystal now have 2 kids, Millie and Chilly. Oh, and they now apparently consider their reindeer friend as "Uncle Rudolph." The villain from Frosty's Winter Wonderland, Jack Frost, makes an appearance, as does the whale Big Ben, who helped Rudolph in Rudolph's Shiny New Year. This is the crossover sequel to top all crossover sequels!
Today's song — Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July (Overture) — is the introduction to the special, where you will hear some dialogue between Frosty and Rudolph, as well as a variety of musical themes.
Originally designed to be a theatrical film, it debuted in the United States on ABC instead, on July 1, 1979. Talk about attempting to extend a Christmas franchise into the summer months!
Play The Song
Download The Song
- Rankin & Bass – Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July (Overture) (Released 1979, 3:51, 5.8 MB)
(Right-click and Save)
From the Archives: December 22
- 2002:
- Blue Christmas by Elvis Presley
- 'Zat You Santa Claus by Louis Armstrong
- 2003: Snow from White Christmas
- 2004: O Come All Ye Faithful by Jeff Victor
- 2005: There's A Hole In My Christmas Stocking by Caroleer Singers and Orchestra
- 2006: What Are You Doing New Year's Eve by Eric Reed
- 2007: Sleigh Bells by Gary Mann
- 2008:
- White Christmas by The World's Greatest Jazzband of Yank Lawson & Bob Haggart
- White Christmas by Arthur Fiedler & Boston Pops Orchestra
- 2009: Christmas Island by The Andrews Sisters
- 2010: Frosty the Snowman by Ella Fitzgerald
- 2011: Christmas Is For Children by Campbell
What's This All About?
New to Steve's 25 Days of Christmas Music? Take some time to read the explanation and introduction!
Source:
http://www.steveandamysly.com/2012/12/22/december-22-rudolph-and-frostys-christmas-in-july-overture-steves-25-days-of-christmas-music-2012-santas-sequel-sellouts/