THAT WHICH FOLLOWS is a tribute to a most short little film that has been a very big part of the lives of the kids of the Boomer generation. Here in Chicago, it appears to have been a sort of exclusive presentation of WGN TV, Channel; where it was shown primarily on the GARFIELD GOOSE AND FRIENDS kiddie show.
IT SEEMS THAT this one reeler stop action short has been around forever. In this particular case, 'forever' = 64v years; as it was made in 1951 and it's now 2015 and counting.
THE PLEASANT LITTLE Christmastime gives us about six minutes of storytelling of some heretofore unheralded elves who assist Santa Claus on his faithful rounds on Christmas. The names are puzzlingly non elf-like; although hardly anyone seems to have given this enough thought to come to this conclusion.
OF THE THREESOME of little men, both Hardrock and Coco are said to have specific functions in helping out the jolly sleigh-master; with Joe being taken along as official kibitzer. This would seem to make him a rather common sort; as wherever you go, there are always do-nothings who offer their unneeded and totally unwanted advice.
AS FOR THE stop motion animation, it's certainly not in the same league as that of a George Pal or Ray Harryhausen. There is no question about this. But on the other hand, the character design and facial expressions more than compensate for any shortcomings that may be present. The brief story told in song is a sincere attempt at bringing us a modern day, mid-20th century counterpart to Clement Clarke Moore's A VISIT FROM ST. NICHOLAS aka THE NIGHT BEFORE Christmas.
AND SPEAKING OF the narrative, we didn't even notice until just this evening that there is no musical accompaniment to the singers.
NOT ONLY THAT, but Schultz has pointed out that it is sung aca-pella! .