The best Classic Christmas Cartoons
Cartoons have always been an essential part of christmas in my book. I remember in my childhood in Denmark, where we only got one hour of Walt Disneys great cartoons at christmas on TV the whole year. My parents also took me to the movies for a Disney cartoon show at a special cinema called Metropol. It was the highlight of the whole year and the only Disney cartoons we got. Nowadays you can buy almost every cartoon of the golden age from both Disney, Warner brothers, MGM and all the others on DVD. They also show them on TV all year long, but in the old days part of the waiting and anticipation for christmas was as much for the great cartoons as for the presents, at least I always felt that way. These old cartoons still have a big place in my heart, and I watch them with almost as much joy today, so here I have collected a list with as many of the short christmas cartoons as possible. Some of them I have only discovered in recent years, where other fans have posted their childhood favorites on Youtube and other sites, but most of them I remember from the christmas days of my own childhood.
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- DirectorJack HannahStarsDessie FlynnJames MacDonaldClarence NashChip and Dale sneak into Donald Duck's house to steal his walnuts. Donald dresses as Santa Claus to have fun with the two thieving chipmunks, but ends up using the war toys underneath the Christmas tree to do battle with them.The best and most violent of all christmas cartoons. In a time of "peace on earth and good will to men", you can trust Donald and Chip & Dale to start world war 3 in the living room among the presents.
- DirectorWilfred JacksonStarsPinto ColvigWalt DisneyHarriette HaddonSanta's little helpers must hurry to finish the toys before Christmas Day.
- DirectorWilfred JacksonStarsAllan WatsonKenny BakerA narrator sings the opening stanzas of the classic poem while we see the house at rest. Santa lands on the roof, comes down the chimney, and opens his bag. The toys march out and decorate the tree, with the toy soldiers shooting balls from their cannon, a toy airplane stringing a garland like skywriting, and the toy firemen applying snow. A blimp delivers the star to the top. Meanwhile, Santa fills the stockings. His laughter awakens the children, who sneak out. The toys rush to their places, and Santa escapes up the chimney just in time. The closing verse is sung.
- DirectorHamilton LuskeStarsFrances LangfordBuddy ClarkA short segment of the feature film Melody Time (1948), re-released as a separate entity five years afterwards.
- DirectorJack HannahStarsRuth CliffordPinto ColvigDessie FlynnThe tree that Mickey and Pluto chop down to bring home for Christmas is the tree that Chip 'n Dale live in.
- DirectorJack KingStarsClarence NashDonald Duck, in a battleship made of ice, goes to war against his three nephews, who fight back from their ice fort.
- DirectorBurt GillettStarsPinto ColvigWalt DisneyMarcellite GarnerOn Christmas Eve, Mickey is forced to sell Pluto to a bratty rich kid in order to give some orphans presents.
- DirectorJoseph BarberaWilliam HannaRudolf IsingStarsThe Boswell SistersConnee BoswellMartha BoswellWell, a mouse *is* stirring... And he's having fun playing with the toys, until he mistakes Tom for a stuffed toy and wakes him up.
- DirectorChuck JonesStarsMargaret Hill-TalbotChristmas eve, and Sniffles is determined to stay awake to see Santa. Not an easy task.
- DirectorBen SharpsteenStarsAlyce ArdellSara BernerTommy BuppA sailor doll, thrown into a toy dump, rallies the demoralized dolls that were already there.
- DirectorBen SharpsteenStarsPinto ColvigThe Four BlackbirdsMarcellite GarnerCookies, cakes, and other desserts march in a parade. A gingerbread girl cries because she has nothing to wear; a gingerbread man dresses her up, and she is named cookie queen.
- DirectorBen SharpsteenStarsPinto ColvigWalt DisneyMarcellite GarnerMickey and friends have various levels of enjoyment skating on a frozen river. As Mickey and Minnie glide romantically, Donald plays tricks on Pluto and ends up in trouble himself with a kite, from which Mickey must save him.
- DirectorBurt GillettStarsGeorge MagrillBarbara BrewsterGloria BrewsterAt Christmastime, Mickey Mouse, Minnie and Pluto are beset by an enormous litter of bratty orphan cats.
- DirectorJack KinneyBill RobertsStarsJohn McLeishHannes SchrollAfter figuring out how to get dressed, Goofy hits the slopes to demonstrate the art of skiing. Through a series of gags and misadventures, Goofy demonstrates turns, skiing backwards and even the ski jump.
- DirectorJack HannahStarsDessie FlynnClarence NashNorma SwankAfter Donald tricks the chipmunks to shovel snow, they get things a-poppin' in the duck's house.
- DirectorRudolf IsingStarsBilly BletcherBeatrice HagenGeneva HallMrs. Mouse is reading "A Visit from St. Nicholas" to her brood when a cat tries to break in and have a feast. The cat overhears them arguing about the existence of Santa, so he dresses up accordingly, but his plans go awry.
- DirectorJoseph BarberaWilliam HannaStarsDaws ButlerSandy DescherThe Robert Mitchell Boy ChoirA group of young mice is in the ruins of a church, practicing singing for an upcoming service. After singing an adulterated version of "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," the mice wonder about the last line, "Good will to men." One of them asks the chorus master, an old mouse, "What are men?" The old mouse explains that they all killed each other off by building bigger and more destructive weapons, first guns, then missiles, then bombs.
- DirectorJameson BrewerRudolf IsingStarsSara BernerPinto ColvigKent RogersA trio of belfry-dwelling bats explain to us musically (and demonstrate) why they are associated with nuttiness. Especially the smallest.
- DirectorHugh HarmanStarsMel BlancJeanne DunneThe Hollywood Choir BoysTwo baby squirrels ask grandpa to explain what "men" are when they hear everyone singing of "peace on earth, goodwill to men". Grandpa tells the story of man's last war.
- DirectorSeymour KneitelMyron WaldmanStarsJack MercerMae QuestelFive children from around the world follow Santa home on Christmas Eve, and decide to give him some extra help around the workshop.
- DirectorRudolf IsingStarsJayne ShadduckBernice HansenLeone Le DouxChristmas morning, and two puppies (and their children) are up early. The pups are frightened by a large stuffed dog, a train set, a crying doll, a toy tank, and other toys. By the time the parents are up, the pups and the other toys have managed to break just about all the toys.
- DirectorMax FleischerStarsPaul WingSanta and his sleigh crash into some trees while attempting to deliver presents on a foggy Christmas Eve. Rudolph is enlisted to lead the sleigh and is hailed as a hero.
- DirectorDave FleischerSeymour KneitelStarsEverett ClarkJack MercerMae QuestelAt an orphanage, the children are sad because they received broken toys as gifts. Professor Grampy sees the children while passing by in his sled and has an idea on how to give them a merry Christmas.
- DirectorFrank MoserPaul Terry
- DirectorBill TytlaGeorge GermanettiStarsMae QuestelHector is a dog with an easy life and the run of the house when the lady of the house gives him a warning...one more mess and you're out. Hector would be okay if not for the fact that three little puppies have been left on their doorstep. Hector has a hectic time keeping them in line and cleaning up their messes without alerting the lady.
- DirectorJack HannahNorman FergusonStarsPinto ColvigKen DarbyLarry KeatingIn the South American jungle, the narrator introduces us to the various birds living there and to wildlife photographer Donald Duck intent on getting some pictures. Unfortunately, all his attempts to photograph birds are ruined by the "clown of the jungle", the Aracuan Bird. Example: when Donald attempts to photograph a chorus line of hummingbirds, the Aracuan Bird interrupts the picture with a Russian kick dance. Donald becomes aggravated to the point where he gives chase but the bird always manages to outsmart Donald and make short work of his sanity.
- DirectorBen SharpsteenStarsPinto ColvigWalt DisneyRichard EdwardsMickey and Donald ride in a trailer pulled by Goofy, who doesn't realize his car has separated from the trailer as they travel down a mountain.
- DirectorBert FelsteadSquirrel Ginger is the ringmaster for an animal circus. A parrot has snuck in using a weasel's ticket; the weasel keeps trying to enter as well, but keeps getting thrown out. The parrot heckles, and is also thrown out. The weasel prepares to clobber the parrot, but a mole pops up with a "Peace on Earth" sign which the weasel smashes on the parrot.
- DirectorWalter LantzManuel MorenoStarsDorothy ComptonBeatrice HagenBernice HansenA poor shoemaker and his wife have only a stale donut and a cup of coffee left to share. An elf drops by, and they offer to share with him. He teaches them (in song) to dunk the donut in the coffee. Later, as they sleep, he brings several other elves back, and they work through the night making shoes in humorous ways. The shoes are a success. Soon, the shoemaker and his wife are quite prosperous. They treat the elves to a feast of donuts and coffee, and the elves treat us to another chorus of "Dunk! Dunk! Dunk!".
- DirectorRudolf IsingStarsBernice HansenMartha WentworthLittle Cheeser is a young mouse who thinks he's more grown up than he is. Mama tells him to go to bed, calling him "Mama's little man"; he doesn't want to. His devil side emerges and guides him to the cheese in the pantry, where his angel side appears to stop him. The devil leads him on to the smoking supplies, where he lights a pipe, then to a racy magazine, and then to the booze. The soused Cheeser goes looking for the cat, but when he finds it, the reality sobers him up quickly. The devil, meanwhile, has been trapped in a copy of Dante's Inferno by the angel. The angel helps Cheeser escape, and he's all too happy to go to bed and be Mama's little man.
- DirectorTex AveryStarsTex AverySara BernerPinto ColvigA hungry wolf with ham in the shape of a pig kid stands in for Santa Claus.
- DirectorIzzy SparberAl EugsterStarsJackson BeckJack MercerMae QuestelChristmas eve; Popeye's nephews are staying over with Olive, and Popeye is helping trim the tree. Bluto dresses as Santa and horns in on Olive until a candle burns off his beard and reveals him.
- DirectorIzzy SparberMyron WaldmanStarsJack MercerMae QuestelSid RaymondVarious animals prepare for winter and enjoy a variety of winter sports. A hen invites us to follow her bouncing egg and sing along to Jingle Bells. Finally, a turtle dispenses hot coffee to a bird on her nest.
- DirectorDave FleischerSeymour KneitelStarsMae QuestelGus WickeIn their dreams, two poor and hungry tots enter a fantasy kingdom where there are more sweets than they can eat. But when they wake...
- DirectorFriz FrelengStarsCharles BennettMel BlancBilly BletcherThe Captain is playing Santa; John and his henchmen stick him up and take over, but John breaks all the toys. They go into town and sing, so badly that people throw things at them to get them to to stop.
- DirectorTex AveryStarsDaws ButlerA poor, sick cobbler, given the last crust of bread in the house by his wife, feeds it instead to some birds that are really shoemaker elves. They show their gratitude by finishing all his work while he and his wife are asleep. This provides Tex Avery a chance to show off lots of shoe gags.
- DirectorHugh HarmanRudolf IsingStarsRudolf IsingThe King's MenJohnny MurrayChristmas Eve. A poor orphan boy trudges through the snow, pathetically. He finally arrives at his miserable cabin. While he is crying, Santa arrives and, singing the title song, offers to take the boy to his workshop. They arrive, and the toys go wild (in the full version, they sing the title song, but this has been censored in some versions due to outdated stereotypes). He plays with a few toys. A candle falls off the tree and starts a fire. The toys try in vain to fight the fire; the boy hooks up a hose to a set of bagpipes and takes care of it.
- DirectorRudolf IsingStarsJohnny MurrayBrox SistersThe Four BlackbirdsStation ABC broadcasts the Toyland Revue, featuring music from baby-doll singers, a roly-poly bandleader, a jack-in-the-box crooner, a wind-up music box and more.
- DirectorJack KingStarsClarence NashDonald shows his nephews the moves that won him his hockey trophy. But the boys have a few moves of their own.
- DirectorOscar E. SoglowJames TyerOn Christmas Eve, the Little King sneaks two tramps into the castle. The next morning, the three men are thrilled by the presents Santa left behind.
- DirectorDon BluthJack CuttingWolfgang ReithermanStarsSean MarshallWilliam WoodsonOlan SouleOrdered by his father to sell his old, small donkey, named Small One, a boy in ancient Palestine takes the donkey to the Jerusalem market. Finding no buyers there, the boy is about to give up when he meets a kind man named Joseph.
- DirectorPyotr NosovStarsGalina IvanovaIrina PototskayaGilbert MackSanta Claus lends his sparkling sleigh-like Star Shooter to let a child in order to deliver a Christmas tree to his father in Antarctica.
- DirectorBurny MattinsonStarsAlan YoungWayne AllwineHal SmithThe classic Disney animated characters play the roles in this animated retelling of the Charles Dickens masterpiece.
- DirectorJack HannahClyde GeronimiStarsDessie FlynnPinto ColvigWalt DisneyChip 'n Dale have set up house in the wood stove of Mickey's cabin. Pluto knows they are there, but Mickey only knows his matches keep going out when he tries to light a fire.
- DirectorJack HannahJack CuttingStarsDessie FlynnFlorence GillMary LawrenceChip 'n' Dale are gathering nuts; the nuts fall into the chicken pen. When Dale is playing around with some eggs, one hatches. The chick leaves, and Dale has to pretend to be a chick to avoid the wrath of the rooster.
- DirectorGraham HeidStarsDivonna DoxieThree sleepy babies in a clog-boat sailing through the night sky attempt to fish with candy canes for very smart fish.