ultramatt2000-1

I remember this stop-motion Rankin-Bass classic since childhood. I enjoyed it. The stop-motion animation was wonderful and the moments were memorable! How can you ever forget the Snow Miser and Heat Miser having a duel and those musical numbers about them? They are catchy. How can you ever forget the heart-wrenching song, "Blue Christmas"? Why they are still remembered for 50 years. That's right! This cartoon has been around since 1974. I enjoyed it. There are big-name celebrities like Mickey Rooney as the voice of Santa. Oh, I forgot, there is a Charlie Chaplin cameo in this one. What scene is that? You got to see it. "A Year Without Santa Claus" was shown on TBS, AMC, an Cartoon Network early this month! I recommend that this is the kind of Christmas special that is still charming and enough to put this in front of the kids without getting worried.

Merry Christmas, this has been another "Matthew Praises."

I know this special premiered in 1984, but I saw this sometime in the early 90s. And let me tell you, seeing these cute characters in those dark and scary situations is too contrasting. Sure there are some funny moments like the fantasy sequences the Garfield goes through, as Garfield tries to impress a girl. There is an Italian-themed one, a Mexican-temed one, and a Hawaiian-themed one. They are funny and something of what I call, the saving graces. However, it is time to peel the band-aid off the skin. It has come to my attention that the panther on the loose is the one that makes it all dark and scary. Was I sacred when I first saw it in lower school? Yes, I was. I felt so sorry for the poor characters. It was dark. Dark in 1984, dark in 1991, dark in 2007, dark in 2012, dark today! How could they put this on national television?! The other good part was the ending. Where you know what happened. It is a feel-good one too, so I won't spoil it for you. You have to see it. I bet you were sacred by the panther in this cartoon. Let me tell you that this is suitable for kids seven and up. However, there are some scenes that can frighten not only younger viewers, but sensitive viewers too. This cartoon can teach kids about courage and learn to stand up for themselves.

Give it a watch at your own risk.