Claymation Christmas Celebration

This show is a national treasure. I cannot fathom why it has not been remastered and put to stream on a major service. The dvd version is pretty bad audio and video - but it scratches the itch. The songs are all arranged in innovative ways that reflect a nice spectrum of cultural baselines that keep the heart of the classics alive and beating. The range of effects that are explored through the claymation is mind-boggling - taken to wonderful abstract beauty in Joy to the World. Its so good and super fun. It really needs to be cleaned up and brought back to the younger generation who aren't going to connect with the VHS feel of the current version. Please someone elevate this back to it's rightful place in our world!

And then finally found it on DVD! I recall watching this on T.V. often when I was young. Everything about it is produced well, from the clay animation to the restructured songs, it's a perfect and short holiday film for the entire family. Good humor with plenty of parts that will create future nostalgic memories.

'A Claymation Christmas Celebration' was one of the trio of seasonal TV specials created by clay animation expert Will Vinton, and deservedly won an Emmy. It's a good-natured, spirited production hosted by odd-couple dinosaurs Rex (voice of Johnny Counterfit) and Herb (voice of Tim Conner). They proceed to educate us on a series of perennial Christmas songs, enacted by a wonderful bunch of characters.

This viewer hopes that this particular art of clay animation never dies out. There is something so irresistible about it, especially when it comes to character design. The sequence with the ice skating walruses is particularly bright and amusing. The songs are all wonderfully performed, and some vibrant spins are put on the material, making them fresh (but without being disrespectful to tradition). The stylish visuals during the "Joy to the World" performance are a real treat. The "California Raisins", a popular bit of pop culture at the time, come in for a special appearance as they regale us with their rendition of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer".

The humour is disarming, and will appeal to viewers young and old. One main running gag is that Rex tries to take the proceedings seriously, and Herb just won't ignore that constant rumbling in his stomach. The "Carol of the Bells" sequence is hysterical (it's hard not to crack up when the dumb-bell quips, "I lost mine"). Of course, the brightest moments are derived from the inability of various characters to get a certain song right. Instead of "wassailing", they either sing "waffle-ing", "waddling", or "wallowing".

It's a shame these Vinton specials are rarely seen these days, so this viewer was happy when he found a DVD of Vintons' seasonal work.

All in all, upbeat fun.

10 out of 10.

I was lucky enough to have done all of the music for this production. It was one of the most fun and rewarding projects I have ever worked upon.

I am pleased to say that it was finally released on DVD. I am not thrilled to say that the audio quality of the DVD version is of very good quality. It sounds as if it was dubbed from an old mono soundtrack, and certainly does not hold up to even the original television dubs (and certainly not the original masters that I have).

But that said, I truly enjoy seeing the comments, and feel very gratified that so many continue to name this special as one of their favorites. As many of my family members (including my two daughters) sang parts on this project, it is especially fun to see and hear again.

There is talk of a 25th reunion of some of the cast, and perhaps even a concert of some of the music (including the record we did from this for Atlantic records). We'll see...

In any case- thanks again for the kind comments.

Patric J. Miller

When I was younger,"Claymation Christmas Celebration" was aired on TV. We would watch it, but as time wore on, years, the station that once showed the show stopped. Recently my father order "Claymation Christmas Celebration" on DVD and we watched it the other night. At first I could not remember any of it. But I was amazed at what I saw. Today we have the special effects done on computer, but the claymation was very impressive. Each song was beautifully represented as was the picture that went with it. The DVD came with the Halloween and Easter Claymation shows and we could not stop laughing at all three show. The best is the announcers and the various guests that come by as they are trying to introduce the songs. But each piece is very well done. My favorite is most likely the Carol of the Bells. The California Raisins are very funny and entertaining, well the whole thing is.