Jack Frost

This is my FAVORITE stop-motion/claymation/whatever holiday special of all time. My entire family groans at me because I get so excited when these come on every year, and I LOVE Jack Frost. Why? Dummy is hilarious. Holly and the groundhog make me squeal with happiness, they're just so darn cute. The fact that the old couple uses an adorable dog and a duck to plow their fields. And call me a nerd, but I think this little cartoon is incredibly romantic. Moreso than How To Lose A Guy In Ten Days or any other crappy romantic films out there. The story is truly one that tugs at your heartstrings and makes you really empathize for Jack Frost. And the twist ending is the best, though it's quite sad. It almost makes me want to sigh.

And Jack Frost is kinda hot. There. I said it.

Among all the Rankin-Bass-Muller holiday treats, this one is an underappreciated gem. It's clearly not as well-known as several of the others, probably because it's only marginally a specifically Christmas story, is not associated with a popular Christmas carol, etc. However, in our family we like this one every bit as much as any of the others, if not more. The plot is more emotionally engrossing, the original songs are terrific, and there are some particularly appealing and fascinating characters developed. This story works successfully in different ways for different agegroups.

I love the Rankin/Bass holiday specials so much. The story here, told by groundhog Pardon-Me-Pete, is about the time Jack Frost became human after falling in love with a peasant girl named Elisa. It's a cute tale with a bittersweet ending. Love the snow gypsies, the Keh-Nights, and all the other little creative touches. The Rankin/Bass specials were so imaginative. The voicework is solid, with Buddy Hackett as Pete and Robert Morse as Jack. Paul Frees, who previously did the voice of Jack Frost in Frosty's Winter Wonderland, does the voices for Father Winter and villain Kubla Klaus. The songs are pleasant and fun. The stop-motion animation is gorgeous. Charming, delightful, and sweet. It's not the best Rankin/Bass made but it's very good.

I still cannot believe they do not play this movie on TV every year like they do Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. It is just as funny and even more beautiful. I love this movie to pieces and will treasure it forever.

Jack Frost (1979)

*** (out of 4)

Fun stop-motion animated film from the Rankin-Bass team has a groundhog telling the story of the one and only time that Jack Frost was human. We learn that Jack Frost, when he was the bitter winter, fell in love with a girl and was given permission from Father Winter to become human as long as he would be able to fit in with human life. JACK FROST is certainly another winner from the duo who by this time were already legends in their field. This film clocks in at 45-minutes but it not once feels like its running too long and this is due to the wonderful animation but story itself is also a very good one with memorable characters. I thought the Jack Frost character was truly a memorable one and especially the way he came from being nothing but winter to a human. I found the story to be fun to sit through but at the same time touching and especially the ending. What really makes the film so memorable is the actual animation that just jumps off the screen. I really loved the visuals, the colors and especially how the animation just really makes the characters and location come to life.