This delightful Christmas story traces its origin to a 1956 book by Phyllis McGinley, with the same title. As an animated stop-action special film it first aired in December 1974. As I recall, my children really enjoyed "The Year Without a Santa Claus." Maybe especially because of all the hijinks in the story.
The North Pole doubtful doctor tells Santa to stay in bed over Christmas because he has a cold. Mrs. Claus hatches a plan to convince the old gent that people still believe in him and kids need him. So, she dispatches two elves, Jingle Bells and Jangle Bells, as spies to Southtown. The young reindeer, Vixen, will be their transport and companion.
All kinds of problems occur, with Vixen falling ill from the heat and being sent to a dog pound - disguised as a dog. But a young boy, Iggy, who was skeptical at first, becomes a key to Santa's recovery. Mrs. Claus has to go to their aid, and the jolly old gent himself has to get involved. A couple of natural characters, Snow Miser and Heat Miser get involved, and Mother Nature herself has to intervene.
It's quite a hodgepodge but a lot of fun for the kids. We all enjoyed it back then, and have seen it a few more times over the years. The voices are done very well. Shirley Booth is Mrs. Claus, Mickey Rooney is Santa, Dick Shawn is the Snow Miser, George Irving is the Heat Miser, Bob McFadden is Jingle Bells and Bradley Bolke is Jangle Bells.
The North Pole doubtful doctor tells Santa to stay in bed over Christmas because he has a cold. Mrs. Claus hatches a plan to convince the old gent that people still believe in him and kids need him. So, she dispatches two elves, Jingle Bells and Jangle Bells, as spies to Southtown. The young reindeer, Vixen, will be their transport and companion.
All kinds of problems occur, with Vixen falling ill from the heat and being sent to a dog pound - disguised as a dog. But a young boy, Iggy, who was skeptical at first, becomes a key to Santa's recovery. Mrs. Claus has to go to their aid, and the jolly old gent himself has to get involved. A couple of natural characters, Snow Miser and Heat Miser get involved, and Mother Nature herself has to intervene.
It's quite a hodgepodge but a lot of fun for the kids. We all enjoyed it back then, and have seen it a few more times over the years. The voices are done very well. Shirley Booth is Mrs. Claus, Mickey Rooney is Santa, Dick Shawn is the Snow Miser, George Irving is the Heat Miser, Bob McFadden is Jingle Bells and Bradley Bolke is Jangle Bells.