User reviews

Mailman Special Delivery Kluger (Fred Astaire) introduces the tale of Santa Claus. In the sad city of Sombertown ruled by the grumpy Burgermeister Meisterburger (Paul Frees), a baby named "Claus" is left to him to raise but he sends him to the Orphan Asylum. While transporting there, a wind blows the sled with the baby to the mountain of Whispering Winds. The forest creatures hide him from the Winter Warlock (Keenan Wynn) and bring him to the Kringle elf family. They name him Kris. He wants the Kringles to be the royal toy makers again but they can't get pass the Winter Warlock to bring the toys to Sombertown.

The stop-motion animation is elementary which gives it a childish charm. They're almost like little toy figurines. Even the age adds to its charm. The story is a little weird but it's a good Santa Claus origin story. I'm not that impressed with most of the songs with the exception of the title song "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town". It is one of the classic Christmas TV specials and it still holds up.

Why have so many of the best and special Xmas cartoons been discarded for Xmas shows that are non existent.We couldn't wait when Xmas came around to watch this show, I feel so sad for kids today, who grow up with no real Xmas shows, like the ones of the 60's and 70's!Why can't our TV stations make a special Xmas night, where all the great Xmas shows are on TV.Xmas Eve is a special night, and so many stupid and meaningless program's are displayed. Santa Claus is coming to town should be brought back. along with the little drummer boy, frosty the snow man, and any other Xmas cartoon of that time.

I really hope someone does read this, and gives me some info on where I could buy all the good old Xmas cartoons.I ALSO hope someone out there feels like I do.How great Fred Astaire was as the postman, and MICKY ROONEY as Santa. You can't beat these or this show. please!!! won't someone bring them back? It's not too much to ask really!

thank you.

This is the best of the Rankin-Bass animated holiday specials, much more entertaining than Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, which is much better known. The songs are catchier, the invented story elements less silly and more pertinent, and the vocal performances more accomplished.

That's not to say it's perfect. The story is less silly than Rudolph, but it's still pretty silly in spots. Some of the appeal of this is a campy quality that applies to all of these shows. But the songs in this are catchy and memorable, much more so than the other shows. I think it's a shame that this has been relegated to minor cable showings while Rudolph still gets a network showcase every year.

This is my favorite of all the Rankin/Bass specials (and they are all excellent). Many people get all the "Animagic" cartoons confused...so I'll try to pinpoint this one. This is not the one with Rudolph ("...the Red-Nosed Reindeer") and not the one with the Heat Miser and Snow Miser ("Year Without A Santa Claus"). This is the one with the toy-hating Burgermeister Meisterburger and.....the Winter Warlock!!

We get to see Santa Claus go from an orphaned baby raised by elves to a groovy, red-haired hip young adult who is outlawed for delivering toys to finally becoming the toy making/giving king of Christmas! We also get to see Mrs Claus as a groovilicious babe in her own right and she finally gets a name, Jessica.

Some charmingly dated scenes only add to the warm innocence of this show: like when Jessica realizes "her own town has turned against her" and begins singing of her love for and desire to be with Kris Kringle....transcending into a cornucopia of hippy-trippy flowers, swirls and polka-dots and finally catching a glimpse of her paper cutout reflection in the water fountain in the center of town. Remarkable!!

But, the show's main message is one of love and the courage to follow your heart and do what you know is right regardless of the obstacles that come in your way. A wonderful Christmas special that no holiday season is complete without.

I love the Rankin'/Bass Christmas specials. They are so timeless and relaxing to watch, and make you feel so cosy and warm, which is lacking in most Christmas movies of today. As of now, Santa Claus is Comin' To Town is one of my favourites, along with Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman. There are so many things to like about this special, whether it is the animation, the music or the writing.

The animation is really lovely, perhaps a tad dated, but it does have this sophisticated look that adds to the special's innocence. The music is just gorgeous, the song that Jessica sings is just beautiful beyond words. As for the writing, I agree with anyone who says this one has the best writing out of the specials to come from Rankin'/Bass, a bit like I consider The Little Drummer Boy to be the most poignant. There are some sweet moments, but other parts are very funny, whether it is the interaction between the narrator and the children which was very entertaining, or the dialogue of the toy-hating Burgermeister Meisterburger such as "Ooooooouuu, I've been bamboozled". And anything Winter says borders on hysterical, like "you mustn't mind the tree monsters. Their bark is worse than their bite".

The characters are wonderful, with Santa really charming here, and Burgermeister Meisterburger a sophisticated enough villain and a funny one too. And then we have the narrator, a wonderful one with some truly entertaining lines. And the voice work is outstanding, particularly strong work from Paul Frees in multiple roles including the villain of the piece Burgermeister Meisterburger. Mickey Rooney is his charming self as Santa/Kris Kringle, so he was an ideal casting choice, and Keenan Wynn was superb as Winter. And Fred Astaire, all I can say is like Rooney an inspired choice, and he was note-perfect. All in all, I am running out of things to say to praise Santa Claus is Comin' To Town, so little more to add than a 10/10. Bethany Cox

I will be 33 in January 2002. I only mention this so that readers will be able to gauge my review of this classic based on my age. While I was growing up, prior vcr tapes and dvd players, I and my friends would wait all year to view the various Christmas specials that aired each year. I remember sitting glued to the tv taking in every second of the shows. Back then if you missed part of the show or even the whole show you were border line depressed because you knew you couldn't see it again for a whole year. In some ways anticipation made the viewing of Christmas specials that much better.

SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN' TO TOWN(SCICTT) is in my top five Rankin/Bass specials. Right along with RUDOLPH, FROSTY and The Year WITHOUT SANTA CLAUS. I enjoy the 1970's feel this classic has. The flowers that appear when Jessica sings, the simple toys the kids play with and the songs that are sung throughout this show. I can only imagine what a modern version of this show would sound like with its boy band sounding songs and electric toys and video games. Instead of watching Kris and Jessica court each other and wed we would probably see them live together while they consider marriage. This was a scary classic. The Winter Warlock was very scary when I viewed this as a kid. No matter how many times I saw this as a kid I would always wonder if Kris would make it past the warlock.

I suppose the best thing about this type of Christmas classic is that when people my age view it they can escape back to their innocent youth for a short while. Even though I now own the vhs of SCICTT and soon hope to purchase the DVD I make myself and my kids wait until Christmas season to watch it. It's not quite the same as when I was a kid but anticipation still increases the viewing pleasure once we do watch it.

Rankin & Bass will forever be tied to the spirit of Christmas, producing some of the most iconic holiday adventures. Santa Claus is Comin' to Town tells the story of Kris Kringle as he grows into his role as the big jolly man in the red suit. Giving an origin to every aspect of Santa, we see him acquire each and every piece that makes him who he is. While this is fun and silly, the length makes it drag a bit in parts. The musical numbers are memorable and fun to replay around the holiday season, but nothing that stands out as much as other songs from similar films. The iconic animation instantly makes this recognizable and brings childhood memories of wonderfully innocent Christmas's. Santa Claus is Comin' to Town gives all of the festive feeling for the holiday season and will be a classic, each and every year.

I am an adult, and probably shouldn't watch Christmas cartoons, but I love them anyway! "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" is my favorite of all Christmas cartoons. Anyone who knows me knows that I love this cartoon! (I was a kid in the 70's when all the Rankin/Bass cartoons were on during Christmas, so I remember and have most of them!) The mailman (Fred Astaire) is just adorable! Mickey Rooney as Santa was such a perfect choice! I love to settle in a comfy chair, knowing I won't be interrupted, and put this tape in my vcr.

I agree (a little bit) about the cartoon being dated. Yes, it has those tones mainly in the middle of the cartoon, but it can easily be dismissed. I would like to explain about the wedding celebration between Santa and Jessica in the forest. They got married in the forest because "no church would have them". This a wonderful, innocent Christmas cartoon - a joy for anyone to watch.

Just watched this on T.V. last night -- I didn't remember this one all that well from my childhood years.

So basically Santa became Santa because he was a revolutionary leader who had to go into hiding. O.k. who knew? He gets kudos from me for bagging Mrs. Claus though, who was exceptionally hot when younger, like a cross between Marian the Librarian and a brothel madame.

I probably enjoyed the character of Meisterburger Burgermeister the most, who declares a moratorium on toys and jails any offenders. Keenan Wynn also does nice work as the voice of the Winter Warlock, who requests that people just call him Winter after he gives up his warlock ways.

The nostalgia attached to these films are always going to make them special in a way that today's state-of-the-art animation will never match. Do you think any kids today have the patience for these creaky movies? I hope so....

Grade: B+

"Santa Claus is Coming to Town" is a 1970 Christmas stop motion animated television special produced by Rankin/Bass Productions. The film stars Fred Astaire as the narrator S.D. Kluger, Mickey Rooney as Kris Kringle/Santa Claus, Keenan Wynn as the Winter Warlock, and Paul Frees in various roles. The film tells the story of how Santa Claus and several Claus-related Christmas traditions came to be. It is based on the hit Christmas song of the same name, which was introduced on radio by Eddie Cantor in 1934, and the story of Saint Nicholas.

This special is a classic. Some images have now been cut because of various stupid reasons.

This is still a cartoon that everyone will enjoy. If you have not seen it in years you should.

This film is solid storytelling. There is never a dull moment. BUY the DVD. Its worth seeing the original unedited version.

Like Rudolph in the way it looks, this X-mas special would come out six years after Rudolph and while it looks good, it just is not as entertaining as Rudolph. Still somewhat good for a kid, but it lags a bit more so than does Rudolph. This one does not have the lively characters and takes itself way to seriously at times too. However, at least Santa Claus is never quite as mean spirited as he got at times during the Rudolph special. This one shows how Santa, became Santa. Basically his early days, before he was a tubby guy with white beard. No, here for the most part he is a red head who grows a red beard before finally becoming the Santa we all know and love, or loath a bit if we work retail. The animation is like that used in the 1964 Rudolph special, however it is a step or two better. The main drawback is the story just is not as fun as the previous story. There are no misfit toys, know crazy elf wanting to be a dentist or a Yeti who wants to attack then befriend the denizens of the north pole. Instead, you get a guy who bans all toys cause he is a clumsy idiot. Just not on par, but it is still good enough to be okay.

The 1977 TV movie "Santa Clause is Coming to Town" is by far the best Rankin/Bass movie and one of the best Christmas movies altogether. This family classic is about the early life of "Kris Kringle" and his road to becoming the man everyone knows as Santa Clause. Its humorous comprehensible plot and excellent character building make this movie a keeper. The catchy songs easily get stuck in your head and the brilliant animation style is fun to watch. All of the new Christmas movies so far have failed to impress me. The (Jim Carrey) Grinch was in my opinion a cheesy shallow take on what Christmas is all about and the Polar Express was too caught up in the special effects. However, Santa Clause is coming to Town takes you back to the true meaning of Christmas. So next time you're wondering how reindeer fly or why Santa goes down chimneys, watch Santa Clause is Coming to Town.\ Christmas Movie Score (8.5/10) Overall Movie Score (8/10) Recommended

Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town

Jesus would get more recognition at Christmas if he'd only allow children to sit on his lap at the local shopping mall.

Until then the holiday belongs to the urchin in this animated movie.

An orphan named Claus fortuitously finds his way into the home of a family of toy-making elves named Kringle.

Raised as one of their own, Kris (Mickey Rooney) vows to deliver elf-made toys to the kids of Sombertown - despite the Burgermeister's (Paul Frees) stringent laws against it.

For years, Kris, his wife (Robie Lester) and their woodland friends outwit the Burgermeister's men with what are now Clausian traits, i.e. sneaking down chimneys.

Narrated by Fred Astaire, this Rankin-Bass stop-motion origin tale maintains the company's reputation for quality holiday fair.

With memorable songs and oddball supporting characters, this is a believable beginning to an unbelievable legend.

Furthermore, it's more inspiring than Santa's real origins as a Coca-Cola mascot.

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This movie is insanely infuriating,all the lines are so over the top,annoying ,and pretty infuriating,the characters I really don't like,and the narrator with the kids in the background annoyed me so much,watch elf instead of this garbage

Great show. I loved it as a kid and my kids love it too. It's VERY early 70's from Santa's (or Kris Kringle's)Bobby Sherman-like haircut to the psychedelic song sung by Jessica (aka the future Mrs. Claus). I just saw it again last night and it was a trip. It's very cute and very innocent and I absolutely agree with the other posters here that this is from another time. I'm cynical also but I appreciate something that is done with the best intentions and with heart. Today's "holiday" fare has to be hip with lots of pop references and such. Nothing like that here. The animation here appears ancient by today's standards but the show believes in itself and it's overall very charming. But that song that Jessica sings. Whoo boy...right back to '70 alright.

It's something when you charm an old codger like me with a cartoon. But I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the 'real' story of the history of Santa Claus as told in animation. By a lantern jawed mailman telling the kids on his route how things came to be hundreds of years ago. Funny thing was that the mailman looked a whole lot like the man who supplied the voice, Fred Astaire.

The only other people you'll know as suppliers of voice are Mickey Rooney as the young foundling taken in by the Kringle family after he's abandoned and given the name of Kris. He does however as a baby had a medallion attached to him with the single name of Claus. But I really enjoyed how Keenan Wynn voiced the evil mountain king who was changed with a random act of kindness by young Kris Kringle.

All the traditions are explained and I won't mention how a lot of things came to be in the Santa Claus legend. But it all starts because an evil burgomeister voiced by that master of 10,000 voices Paul Frees decided that toys were to be abolished in one of his bad whims. Believe it or not Santa Claus starts out as an outlaw smuggler of toys.

Animation techniques will change and improve, but cartoons never go out of style. Neither will Christmas so you can't do much better than Santa Claus Is Coming To Town. And of course Fred Astaire sings the song.

Well you better not pout or cry cause Santa Claus is coming to town...

This animated classic that chronicles the birth and life of Santa Claus as he fights conformity in order to deliver toys to the children of the world. So will Santa overcome the dreaded Burgermiester or the Evil Warlock? Well now you should check it out.

This movie is really corny and the voice acting is pretty bad but at the same time this movie actually has a plot to it and entertaining sing along songs for the children. As movies go this belongs as a Christmas classic and therefore though my least favorite of the classic animated films I have to give it props and it is a million times the quality of some of the ones I've viewed. So if you have a family to watch this with you should definitely enjoy this film.

Is there anyone who hasn't seen Santa Claus is Comin' to Town? There are other origin stories out there, but there's none more endearing or more classic than the Rankin & Bass stop-action movie from the 1970s. Mickey Rooney voices Kris Kringle, and Fred Astaire narrates the delightful story as a friendly postman delivering letters to Santa. Just between you and me, I didn't know those actors were real people when I was a kid. When I finally saw Fred Astaire in a regular movie, I thought, "Gee, that guy looks like the cartoon!" Keenan Wynn costars as the Winter Warlock, Robie Lester is the love interest, and Paul Frees lends his many talents to several villainous voices.

The story itself is interesting enough, but the voices and the songs are what really make this a Christmas classic. As Fred opens letters and reads them aloud, he answers common questions from children. How did Santa Claus get his name? Why does he come down the chimney? How do reindeer fly? By answering the questions, he tells the story of an orphaned baby discovered by little toymaking elves who live in the snow. Fred's voice is so gentle and soothing, it makes you want to ask him every question you've ever had. You won't get to see him dance in this movie, but the cartoon version of him does a couple of twirls, and he serenades you with the beautiful romantic song, "What Better Way to Tell You." That song is one of the reasons I love the snow and flocked Christmas trees so much!

Mickey Rooney, whose husky, cheerful voice truly personifies Santa, is so perfect, you'll think twice before naming Edmund Gwenn as your favorite Santa. For me, Mickey, Teddy, and Jim Broadbent are in a three-way tie. When Mickey looks over his list and chuckles, "I guess they've all been pretty good," it's like you're eavesdropping at the North Pole. He's funny and sweet, with a really good heart and enough backbone to break the rules if it means a sick kid can hug a toy on Christmas morning.

Chances are you've seen this movie when you were a kid, but if it's been a few years since you've seen it, rent it again this holiday season. If you can't sing "Be Prepared to Pay" or "Put One Foot in Front of the Other" at the drop of a hat, it's been too long. This is such a delightful movie, and the good news is there's a sequel so you can hear Mickey Rooney voicing Santa again! There's no more Fred in The Year Without a Santa Claus but there is the best Mrs. Claus voice ever: Shirley Booth!

now, any stoner can point to a bizarre or avant-garde sequence in a film, especially an animated one, and make outlandish claims that the creators were smoking some serious weed when they came up with it. Usually, I would tend to disagree with this dramatic stereotype. But the creators of Santa Claus is Coming to Town must have been toking something righteous when they designed what is by far the most psychedelic christmas special ever. Beyond the confusing 30 second musical sequences and violent pupil dilations, santa claus is coming to town is an interesting look at a young Santa Claus' rise to fame over a toy-hating mayor burgermeiser meiserburger. Excluding camp value, for which i give this piece a 10, the plotline is thoroughly entertaining and the animation unique to its time period. The color schemes of the delightfully morbid town then meiserburger inhabits supposovely inspired none other than Mr. morbid himself, Tim Burton. particularly interesting to this non-denomonational piece are the portraits of Santa Claus as a Christ-like figure and the inclusion of a warlock whom Santa befriends, which i suppose adds to and detracts from the commercialization of Christmas as an all-religions afair.

Santa has always been a fascinating character in fantasy lore, despite a aura of mystery about him, he's fascinating because to me he's a representation of the good of mankind, what more it can be and do for the other. This Christmas film is another childhood relic of mine which as an adult I still watch to this day, just like Santa himself this film is timeless.

The animation as usual from the Ralkin and Bass company is great, I always love claymation because it all look real. Once again love the background animation which constructs a cold but beautiful fantasy atmosphere.

Music is also great the songs are memorable, from Fred Astare sing the end credit song which of course is the title. Though my favorite song is the one "My world is just Beginning" from the character Jessica. I just love the lyrics and the psychedelic animation that went with the song which gave it a 70's vibe. But most importantly I just think it's a beautiful song since it's one about awakening, change and new beginning, it perfectly reflected the 70's era since that was part of what that decade was about.

I kinda like how Santa's story has a bit of influence from the story of Moses, Christ, as well as Robin Hood, which I feel makes sense and all three characters were people that contributed to the well being of mankind. I really love how the film utilizes the cause and effect element because it has suttlety and reason that actually feels logical , from the reason he wears a red suit, how the reindeer had the ability to fly, the beard and many others. It's fascinating seeing how it all comes together like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle forming a picture.

The characters are all well designed, diverse and the voice cast are great.

The late great Fred Astre as the Post Man narrator tells the story well, even like how the claymation character looks like the actor.

Paul Frees whom you probably know as the voice of Boris from "Rocky and Bullwinkle" is great as the Burgermeister. The Burgermeister is a good villain you love to dislike or plain dislike, let alone has a strange name that sounds like the name of a fast food chain. Anyway, this guy he is just a complete blowhole that just power crazy, miserable and want to make life miserable for everyone for no particular reason. The guy really does cross the line as we see one really dark scene where he has a pile of toys and creates a bonfire, which is disturbing reminiscent of the book burning party the Nazi's held. It really shows the evil of being fully selfish, contributing solely to ones self all the time will bear no fruit and will make life darker and miserable not just for others but yourself.

Mickey Rooney his voice just fits like a glove for Santa, believe it or not that was how I imagined would Santa would sound like. I really like how Santa is portrayed which make him all the more lovable. He's energetic, charitable, cheerful, charismatic, soicalble as he makes friends with fantasy characters, some humans, and animals. I love how his motive isn't just to delivery toys just for the sake of it, but really it's to bring joy and hope to people that very much need it or in short supply of it. But what I love most about his is that his spirit can never be broken, despite how hard things get for him as the film goes further, he never loses hope, he keeps going and grows as time goes on and become whom we all know and love him as.

This film has a good message about the importance of giving, how making a contribution in life either big or small can make the world a lot friendlier and people kinder to one another. But also to always have hope and faith, as long and you hold on to them both you and them will grow stronger.

The legend of Santa just like the Christmas season will live on forever as long as hope, faith, and kindness exist.

Rating: 4 stars

Of all the Christmas specials I've seen in the past, this is my second-favorite of them with the 1980s version of The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus being my first.

It wasn't until recently that I became aware of this one but I did enjoy it immensely. You have your unforgettable characters, some shady villains as well as funny, if a little eccentric, supporting characters, and a central figure whose destiny is helping the weak and the poor. Aside from that, you have the late, great Mickey Rooney leading a good cast. It wasn't until a few years ago that I got this one on Apple TV and maybe I'll watch it during the holiday season in the years to come.

Of all the Christmas specials, this is the best!

Now fifty years old, this disturbing WWII concentration camp version of the story of Santa Clause's origins doesn't stand the test of time. It is surprisingly bigoted towards German people. The bad guy wears traditional Bavarian clothes and has a thick accent. It's quite disturbing and ready for an update.

Watch with caution and prepare to educate your children on the social commentary in this film. It's a piece of history itself now too. To be appreciated for the time in which it was created. But it also reveals how our attitudes and perceptions change and grow over the course of many decades.