5 comments about Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town.

1. This movie gives you the history of santa in a fun and enjoyable way, by having random outbursts of song and dance. Dont be fooled by the cover anyone of any age can enjoy this clay animation film. Not only does this movie teach us about christmas but it also teaches us how to care for others by sharing. If your a fan of christmas movies than this is a must have classic!



2. The kids don't know who the characters are, but what the heck...they love it. Maybe, just maybe some kid will want to see some other work of these guys.



3. This is a special, touching Christmas video. Wonderful for the kids and to add to your Christmas collection



4. Just like I remembered it when I was a kid. My son (11) also enjoyed it alot! The figures are still a great way to do animation.



5. I loved this as a kid. So I figured I'd get it for my kids. And they liked it too, despite the hilariously hokey special effects (hokey to them), so that's why I gave it 3 stars.
   
   But for me, for all the christmas specials, this is the worst.
   
   I couldn't believe the "Sit on my lap" song. Really. Some strange creep comes to town and trades kisses and lap sitting for toys - he should have been arrested for that alone.
   
   And then the way they tied everything to the song was really irritating. Plus, why did the young man have an old man's voice? Annoying.

No comments about Johnson Family Christmas Dinner.

No comments about Yorkshire From The Air.

5 comments about Jack Frost (Animated).

1. This was the first of many Rankin/Bass holiday specials I saw on TV (the only ones I owned on video being the popular "Rudolph" and "Peter Cottontail.") I was pleased by this one too. In fact, I recall seeing part of it once last year on TV too--it also seems to be one of the more popular ones. Anyway, the idea that a girl is in love with "Jack Frost" and then Jack Frost, who's lonely, becomes human because he thinks she really loves him, was, I thought, quite adorable. So "Jack Snip" the tailor moves in with the girl's family. I liked the song they sang while unwrapping an empty box and pretending it was "just what they'd always wanted." It was sad, yet cute. Snip, the snowflake-maker, followed Jack to Earth to help him reach his human-like goals by spring and remain a human, and also to keep out of trouble. The story only began to drag a little when the "k-nights" came into it, and the snowed-in castle. In the end, the girl marries the man she truly loves, her "knight in golden armor." And of course, Jack Frost is present at her wedding. It's really a very nice tale.



2. The title doesn't mean I was let down by the movie, I just always remember watching this show after the holiday season. It doesn't really have anything to do with the Christmas holiday and instead with the renewing of life at springtime. I love this show but was always suffering from post Christmas blues.
   
   ATTENTION!!! If you are thinking about purchasing this movie I would suggest that you purchase a "Christmas Classic" set that includes this movie. With the combined packaging and the ability to be able to buy several classics in one package it more than pays for itself. Usually they cost no more than $30 and you get at least five more Christmas specials with it. Just a thought!



3. In this movie, a girl named Elisa told her parents that she wasn't in love with anybody except for Jack Frost, but ended up marrying someone else. I would of given it a five if Jack and Elisa married each other, instead of the hero in the movie letting her girlfriend marry that other guy.
   I think it's stupid that Jack transformed into a human for nothing!!!!!!! My stepsister cried whenm she saw this movie.



4. One thing I wanted to note off the bat about this release. The version of this WB VHS, dated 1992 on the copyright physically printed on the box, I viewed did not have complete closing credits. I do not know if this common on all printings, but, on this one, the source material was not complete. However, it was only missing part of the closing credits, and is far more complete than Disney and ABC airings which remove things like the entire Kubla Kraus musical number.
   
   
   Romeo Muller wrote the scripts for nearly all of the Rankin Bass stop motion animated holiday themed specials, as well as some other kids fare such as the Puff The Magic Dragon cartoons. For Jack Frost, he combined two unrelated elements, the holiday of Groundhog's Day, with the idea of a spirit, Jack Frost, who helps to create the winter season. While most would probably first think of Christmas when they hear of Jack Frost due to the holiday song, Muller successfully tacks on Groundhog's Day, providing an origin for that holiday. A surprisingly complex story results.
   
   
   Muller's script focuses less on a story element, going from Point A to B and onwards to describe how X holiday came to be, and more on the emotional context. While he completely satisfies the prerequisites for explaining how Groundhog's Day came to be by story's end, it is the internal character study that really stands out in this tale. Jack Frost is a "man" who is known but never seen. His actions are all he has to speak for himself: he helps Father Winter create winter. In particular, as his name implies, the frosts that appear, but, he can also work with Winter and others to create the snows that fall. He can never be just a simple man, because as he sings, it's lonely being one of a kind. He is given a brief chance to be human, and tries to win the love of a woman who has always known him, even though she's never seen him.
   
   
   Jack's quest, though, is cut short when he decides to sacrifice his own chance at happiness, to give up being human, and regain his powers to save the town and the friends he has made in his brief time with them. The ending is not a happy one, though, as Jack discovers that people can only love other people; his intended love has moved on beyond what was, basically, a fantasy infatuation. Yet, she will never forget him, even though she never even knew he had visited her in real life. Jack can only return to the task he has done ever since he can remember, and, apparently, will do for the rest of time. While it hurts, it has to be enough for him, and, he eventually accepts it.
   
   
   This is one of the lesser known Rankin Bass stories. While it will not achieve the status of a Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, it does not disappoint. Each musical number is a charm, easily remembered, and easily repeated. Two unexpected and unrelated source materials end up generating a highly recommended story with a strong emotional base.



5. It is so great to get a fine dvd treatment of the classic 1979 Jack Frost. Man, this just takes me back to my childhood.
   
   The story is: Jack who falls in love the beautiful Elisa. He decided to turn human in order to be with his love, but unfortunately he loses Elisa to the evil of Kubla Kraus. I'll stop there....will Jack regain his lady love. Buy it and see.....(and see if you recognize the voice of the groundhog, too.)
   
   Nice dvd remaster that includes extras: Singalong and a Kid's crafts feature. Run time is 49 minutes.
   
   Pick it up and enjoy Jack Frost.

4 comments about Lady Day Sings The Blues.

1. I would like to have diana ross in Mahagony. please send me a pre-order email so that i can place my order before November.



2. Diana Ross totally blew me away in this movie. I remember seeing this movie as a young child with my parents. I was so disappointed when I saw and heard the real Billie Holiday because in my mind, Diana Ross was Billie Holiday. I know jazz purists and those who know Billie Holiday's 'true story' will have a problem with the fictional embellishments of Lady Day's life; however, it doesn't take anything away from Billie Holiday's legacy. If anything, the film probably inspired folks who were/are unfamiliar with Holiday to search out her music and learn more about her short and somewhat tragic life. I highly recommend this movie...it has great acting, great costumes, great photography, and most importantly -- great music.



3. I fell in love with this movie the 1st time I saw it. Will never tire of seeing it again and again. Diana Ross made the story of Billie Holiday come alive for those who did not know that one of the greatest artists of her time battled with so many problems.



4. First off, this is NOT the DVD of the Diana Ross movie "Lady Sings The Blues". It's a compilation of rare performance footage by the amazingly gifted jazz legend Billie Holiday herself. There are rare clips from various (unidentified) TV appearances, plus clips from the few films she appeared in. That's the good news. The bad news is that this DVD is absolutely the WORST quality DVD I've ever seen. We're talking really, really poor footage, worse than a bootleg. I own third or fourth generation VHS tapes that look better than this. I'm not sure what the people who created this mess had in mind, but a good-looking picture is obviously at the bottom of their list! Here's Billie singing in a film short very early in her career, with videotape "tracking" all through the song. Here's Billie in the film "New Orleans", with FRENCH subtitles all through the footage. Here's Billie singing "My Man" on some TV show, but they cut out the first few lines of the song. Oh wait, it doesn't matter, because they also cut out the last two minutes of the song!!!!!. Here's black & white footage that's so yellowed it looks as if Billie and her musicians all have Hepatitis! And on and on. Granted, there are a few performances on this DVD that I've never seen before, and some of them are indeed complete and watchable. But if you are expecting even anything remotely resembling a professional quality product, boy are you in for a letdown. I've got 99 cent Public Domain DVD's that look like "Blade Runner" compared to this! If you're a diehard Billie fan you might want this just for the rare footage. But if you are mildly curious to see performance clips of Billie, you'd be way better off purchasing the Universal compilation "Billie Holiday: The Ultimate Collection" DVD.

5 comments about Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas.

1. This is great for children I think. However, my daughter 26 years of age raved about it so thought I had to have it. I was pretty disappointed from an adult's point of view but like I said, the grandkids love it.



2. My son and I have had the Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas for a couple of years now and he loves to watch it at Christmas time. I wanted to get the first one so that we would have both of them. My son and I love it. He's 3 years old and he loves Disney characters, especially Mickey Mouse, as I do. It was just such a cute movie. We really like it.



3. I love this movie! My kids do too. You can't have christmas without a good christmas movie and this one is at the top of our list every year!



4. Good condition when it arrived. I'm very happy with the results of my buying experience with this seller.



5. The term classic is apparently meaningless? I would appreciate it if you would define your categories, or at least prominantly display the date of the original issue of a work so that those of us who enjoy only vintage Disney animation could quickly eliminate those of no interest, especially those with tacky, boring computer animation.

5 comments about Dream for Christmas.

1. "A Dream for Christmas" is a hidden holiday treasure from the halcyon days when made for television movies were actually worth watching. Written by Earl Hamner, it is the story of a Baptist minister (Hari Rhodes) who relocates his family from Sweet Clover, Arkansas to Los Angeles in the 1950s. When the family, which includes his wife (Lynn Hamilton), his mother (the astounding Beah Richards), and four children, arrives at the church, they find that the congregation has dwindled and that the church is about to be demolished by a developer. In the weeks that follow, the family begins to adjust to a life very far removed from Sweet Clover, while the pastor struggles to build up his congregation and prevent the church's demolition.

   The intriguing part about this film is that although nearly the entire cast is African-American, it is not as much about that as about being a family, and building a faith community. We see people of all classes, from the successful developer to the women (including the pastor's wife) who clean for the "rich folk" in Beverly Hills. The children's adjustment is particularly hard, especially for Emmaree, the older daughter who must face adolesence and the cruelty of urban teens at the same time. The older son's struggle to take on a more manly role in the family is realistic and not mawkish.

   The lead actors in this film are among the greatest unsung performers of their time, often taking almost journeyman roles again and again, always turning in their best work. Given the time in which this film was made, it is amazing to see all of these great actors in one great film, yet sad to think that it has been so rarely seen.

   I heartily recommend this film for your holiday collection, especially for those looking for positive films about the African-American experience. I wish that this had been made into a series, but, alas, there was no way America was ready for a series about a black family in 1973. That this film was made at all is a great tribute to everyone involved and particularly ABC, which presented it as part of its "Movie of the Week."

   GET THIS MOVIE!




2. How this movie has somehow fallen through the cracks and has not become an annual holiday classic is a mystery. I remember watching this movie two years in a row (1973-74?) on ABC during the Christmas season. I was only about 10 or 11 the first time I saw it, but I have never forgotten this movie; it is that moving. Hopefully, some show business mogul will happen across this movie and begin showing it annually. This one deserves to be every bit as well-known and loved as "It's a Wonderful Life".



3. A simple story of love, true values, and miracles.



4. I too watched this movie back in 1973 & 1974 with my younger brother when I was young and still living at home. I looked forward to it. This movie has been on my mind the last 2 years. I finally decided to search the internet until I found it. It's a great Christmas tradition starter. It brings back fond memories of when I was a child - wonderful memories. It's a great movie with great African-American actors. It's a GREAT family movie.



5. It's a Wonderful Life Part of our Christmas celebration are the Christmas movies. We start about Thanksgiving and watch one a night. A tradition that we love. This year as I was ordering some new ones and looking at what I already have I remembered "A Dream for Christmas." Other reviewers have given you the story. I think the most important lesson in this movie and one kids need to get is that life cannot be lived without hope and that Christmas can be a celebration with very few gifts. This movie should be on DVD and should be considered a classic as it gives a similar message as It's a Wonderful Life. It is a wonderful life and should be lived to the fullest.

No comments about Shari's Christmas Concert.

1 comments about The Dog Who Stopped the War.

1. The product description said the languages available were English and French.We could not view it in its original version - French/Canadian. We could only view it in dubbed English. My toddler is bilingual and we are trying to expose here to as much French as possible.

5 comments about Jack Frost.

1. Since when were you not a child Zack, this past Christmas? But to more substantive pursuits... Rankin & Bass are undoubtedly Genius's but I've always felt the Japanese artists who MADE the actual puppets were never given sufficient credit, only recently with Rick Goldschmidt's fine books on these subjects have they been acknowledged. Arthur Rankin Jr was always on good terms with these craftspeople from the same country were Bunraku is an art.



2. I first saw it this Christmas but it's already my favorite Rankin/Bass stop motion film. Jack Frost is SOOOOOOOO cute. ... That Sir Ravinald what's his face would have been better thrown in as a villian working for Kubla Kraus. Well,no humans or animals would live with Kubla Kraus but still. Anyway,I was surprised the DVD didn't have any special features but that didn't matter much. ... I'm glad I got a copy of Jack Frost ... I was caught by surprise by the "Rub-a-Dub" song sung by Kubla Kraus because it wasn't featured on the television airing. It skipped it to the part where Pardon-Me-Pete explains that "Jack Frost learned that no humans or animals would live with Kubla Kraus,so the mean and evil ol' Cossack King had to make artificial ones out of iron."
   Well,anyway it was a great movie and I recommend it to anyone who likes wintery films.



3. A bit darker than the average Rankin/Bass holiday special, this moving entry is almost up there with "Rudolph" and "The Year Without a Santa Claus" - and perhaps has the most beautiful script of the lot.

   Jack, the gentle personification of the better aspects of winter, is going about his business when he overhears Elisa, a pretty villager of January Junction trying to get her parents to stop nagging her about marriage, joke that she'll only marry Jack Frost. Shaken to the core, Jack - who doesn't really fit in with the less earthy winter sprites in charge of snow, sleet and hail but who also remains distant from the humans among whom he carries out his duties, realizes as if for the first time how lonely he really is. He asks for - and is granted - a winter of humanity that may change to permanent status if he can earn his way in the world and win a wife by spring. The gracefully awkward Jack is befriended by Elisa and her parents, all of whom he comes to love.

   Jack, however, has two strikes against him - a good-guy noble knight who turns Elisa's head and the evil Kubla Kraus, who forces Jack to make a heartwrenching but inevitable decision for the sake of his loved ones.

   This classic also has legs beyond Christmas, being appropriate anytime between first frost and Groundhog Day.




4. JACK FROST is one of the Rankin-Bass productions that makes you warm hearted and smile every time you see it. This is a Puppet-Mation which is the form of live-action puppetry done with stop motion animation. Where the sequences are shot one frame at a time. A long process and when completely brings these inanimate objects to life with song and dance.

   It's the story of Mr. Cold Chill himself - Jack Frost - who at one time actually became human. Why? Because he over hears that his one true love from affair claims that she loves him - but in a nature and imaginary sort of way. Because of this he speaks to Father Winter as is granted his request to remain human if he can find a House, Horse and a Wife.

   Kubla Krause - "there's the rub" is the one evil Kossack who keep him from marring Jack's Girl and defeating Sir. Ravinaw. The voice talents include Robert Morse (City Of Angeles) as Jack Frost, Debra Clinger (Midnight Madman) as girlfriend and the incredible multi talents and voices of character voice actor Paul Fries ( The Last Unicorn, The Hobbit).

   Did I mention this whole story is told from the perspective of a ground hog called Pardon-Me-Pete? He is the narrator of the whole film and is voiced by the incredible Buddy Hacket ( The Little Mermaid, Hey Babe)

   It would have been nice to add some commentary, behind the scenes stuff or some rough footage of the original production - but this is still a really good film for kids and adults. You really should have this to play for every Holiday Season. (12-22-02)




5. This movie, "Jack Frost" has been a family favorite for decades now.
   It is yet another classic from the Rankin/Bass team that created other Holiday classics such as "Rudolph the red nosed reindeer", and "Frosty the snowman".
   It is about Jack Frost, that unique individual who creates the snowstorms during the Holidays and how he makes a big sacrifice for a special person that he meets.
   This special is filled with snow, fun, and songs, and it will be a favorite for your family as well as the millions of others families who enjoy it every year.