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Frosty the Snowman is a classic Christmas tale that has been told for over 45 years and still holds up today. Anyone who has heard the 1950 jingle, written by Walter "Jack" Rollins and Steve Nielson, knows of the:
"Jolly happy soul
With a corn cob pipe and a button nose
And two eyes made of coal"
The 1969 TV special is brilliantly executed and directed by Jules Bass and Arthur Rankin Jr. The story was developed and written by the ingenious and imaginative mind of Romeo Muller. Muller grew up in NYC during the Great Depression and wanted to liven people up through his knack for story telling. He wrote many of the Christmas tales we know and love today, including: Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Santa Claus is Comin' to Town and even Jack Frost. The same goes for Frosty the Snowman, as Frosty even says in the special that he doesn't want people to get "all slushy"
The film follows a three act structure where the audience follows Frosty and his elementary school friends on an adventure to the North Pole. The first act follows the lyrics of the song exactly as you would expect. The kid's build a snowman, he his brought to life by magic and they frolic around the town, singing and dancing. It is at the end of this act though that the clever writing, even for a 25 minute special, starts to show. Muller uses the last stanza in the song to transition the last section of the first act. The lyrics go:
"Frosty the snowman
Had to hurry on his way
But he waved goodbye sayin', Please don't cry
I'll be back again some day"
He is literally waving to all of the children, but Karen, who decides to help guide Frosty to the North Pole. The true genius of this is that the soundtrack not only tells the story, but actually progresses the story, that is my favorite part of this TV special. In addition to the great narration and likable characters, Muller manages to take a simple idea (song lyrics) and span it out into a 25 minute special that never gets boring.
The 1969 version of Frosty the Snowman will never melt from climate change, nor melt away from the hearts of young children with Christmas spirit, as the film is timeless.
December 2nd
Frosty the Snowman (1969)
Directed By: Jules Bass & Arthur Rankin Jr.
"Happy Birthday"
-Frosty the Snowman
-Frosty the Snowman
Frosty the Snowman is a classic Christmas tale that has been told for over 45 years and still holds up today. Anyone who has heard the 1950 jingle, written by Walter "Jack" Rollins and Steve Nielson, knows of the:
"Jolly happy soul
With a corn cob pipe and a button nose
And two eyes made of coal"
The 1969 TV special is brilliantly executed and directed by Jules Bass and Arthur Rankin Jr. The story was developed and written by the ingenious and imaginative mind of Romeo Muller. Muller grew up in NYC during the Great Depression and wanted to liven people up through his knack for story telling. He wrote many of the Christmas tales we know and love today, including: Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Santa Claus is Comin' to Town and even Jack Frost. The same goes for Frosty the Snowman, as Frosty even says in the special that he doesn't want people to get "all slushy"
The film follows a three act structure where the audience follows Frosty and his elementary school friends on an adventure to the North Pole. The first act follows the lyrics of the song exactly as you would expect. The kid's build a snowman, he his brought to life by magic and they frolic around the town, singing and dancing. It is at the end of this act though that the clever writing, even for a 25 minute special, starts to show. Muller uses the last stanza in the song to transition the last section of the first act. The lyrics go:
"Frosty the snowman
Had to hurry on his way
But he waved goodbye sayin', Please don't cry
I'll be back again some day"
He is literally waving to all of the children, but Karen, who decides to help guide Frosty to the North Pole. The true genius of this is that the soundtrack not only tells the story, but actually progresses the story, that is my favorite part of this TV special. In addition to the great narration and likable characters, Muller manages to take a simple idea (song lyrics) and span it out into a 25 minute special that never gets boring.
The 1969 version of Frosty the Snowman will never melt from climate change, nor melt away from the hearts of young children with Christmas spirit, as the film is timeless.