Yuletide Rankin/Bass Narrators of Enchantment

Season's greetings to you. Hope you're having an astounding advent. For December, I've assembled a conglomerate of Rankin/Bass Christmas special narrators. I'll discuss their fabulousness.

Tom Bosley (B.A.H. Humbug)-The Stingiest Man in Town

Bosley effectively forwarded the story of this distinctively Dickensian project. Per the norm, Tom was an amiable host. He possessed timing, demonstrated his singing voice and acefully interacted with the audience. His performance was totally Christmasy.

Jimmy Durante (The Narrator)-Frosty the Snowman

The Schnozzolla earnestly narrated this classical special. Jimmy influenced Paul Coker, Jr. I laud Jimmy's gravelly, New Yorky speaking voice. Durante could carry a tune. He was a surprisingly peerless choice to narrate and an entertaining performer.

George Gobel (Father Mouse)/Joel Grey (Joshua Trundle)-'Twas the Night Before Christmas

This endearing retelling had 2 festive narrators. I'm thrilled George stirred in this special! His Father Mouse is impassioned, personable and upstanding. Joel peerlessly recites Clement C. Moore's poetry. Grey's kindhearted clockmaker is a departure from his ubiquitous musical role.

Roddy McDowall (Cricket Crockett)-Cricket on the Hearth

McDowall was an engaging narrator in this underrecognized gem. Roddy's vocalizations possessed Cricket-esque inflections. He infused an abundance of personality into the character. His acting's exuberant. Even prior to the DCAU, Roddy excelled in front of a mic.

Angela Lansbury (Sister Theresa)-The Story of the First Christmas Special

Lansbury's stupendous in this quaint special. Angela incorporates gravitas, warm-heartedness and elegance. She demonstrated her knack for Christmas-affiliated songs. She's a contrast to Cyril Ritchard's curmudgeonly father. The special pavedway for Angela's Mommy Fortuna role in The Last Unicorn.

Fred Astaire (S.D. Kluger)-Santa Claus is Comin' to Town

Fred's a tour de force in the dexterous special. He is one of the grandest aspects and demonstrated his acting/singing abilities. Astaire efficiently progressed the plot. His performance was spry, genuine and charismatic. Unsurprisingly, Arthur Rankin, Jr. and Jules Bass obtained Fred for an Easter special, too.

Burl Ives (Sam the Snowman)-Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

This endurable special possessed a skillful Canada-based cast, minus the glorious Burl. Ives was a meritorious belated-addition. His renditions for the Johnny Marks-penned, Maury Laws-arranged songs were folkish. Burl's portrayal had likeability. Incidentally, speaking as a Rudolph fan, it was surprising spectating Ives' Big Daddy performance. Burl had range!

Shirley Booth (Mrs. Claus)-The Year Without a Santa Clause

Shirley's a beguiling Mrs. Claus in this divine special. She is immensely grandmotherly. Shirley sang/told the story grandly, complimented Mickey Rooney's Santa and managed to standout amongst the scenestealing Miser Brothers. This was Booth's wondrous swan song performance.

Miss Greer Garson (Our Storyteller)-The Little Drummer Boy

Greer and Jose Ferrer's antagonist dominated in the magnificent special. Greer's performance is unadulterated tremendous acting. She had a regal, staturesque, respectable voice. Garson advanced the plotline and repeatedly heightened the onscreen goings-on. Greer and Zero Mostel thrived in Book II.

Thank ya for reading. I wish you the happiest holiday imaginable. Incidentally, this is dedicated to the blog's most supportive supporter.