Cricket on the Hearth

This is a type of TV show that was fairly common and generally liked by audiences in the 1950s and 1960s. A popular entertainer would host a special program that would include a number of performers. They might sing, dance, and act out short skits. Occasionally, someone would host a show with an animated story in which he or she and other performers would be the voices.

"Cricket on the Hearth" is such a film. What makes this somewhat special is that it is based on a children's fairy tale written by Charles Dickens. Dickens wrote "The Cricket on the Hearth" and it was first published Dec. 20, 1845. It was one of more than two-dozen Christmas stories he wrote.

The story is pleasant but not as engaging as are most Christmas tales. Danny Thomas hosts the show and produced it. He and daughter Margo are voices and sing a couple songs. Other characters are voiced by Hans Conreid, Ed Ames, and Roddy McDowell. The role of the cricket isn't very substantial except that he appears as the narrator within the animated story.

Young audiences of the 1960s generally enjoyed this and similar films and programs. Modern audiences decades later have much more variety at hand for entertainment, so even young ones might find this too slow or boring.

I have loved animation from Rankin/Bass ever since I first watched Rudolph and Frosty as a kid at Christmas. This is one of those Christmas specials that I have never even heard of or seen. I have recently bought it on DVD, and after I have watched it, I absolutely love it; it almost made me cry, like the romance between Bertha Plummer and Edward Belton and the tender moments between Bertha and her dad. Except when Crockett and his mates put stuff (walnuts and pepper) in Mr. Tackleton's tea to prevent him from proposing to Bertha; now that made me laugh.

Yes, with these beautifully animated specials and the film "The Last Unicorn," it makes me wish that Rankin/Bass would have been around longer, along with Fleischer's.

For those unaware, 'Pinocchio', by Carlo Collodi, was first published in 1883 while Charles Dickens' 'Cricket on the Hearth' was first published in 1845 - that's almost 40 years difference. Do not make the mistake in thinking this Rankin/Bass story is original and they ripped off Collodi's 'Pinocchio' - that is untrue.

This Dickens tale cannot hold a candle to his famous 'A Christmas Carol' but that doesn't mean 'Cricket on the Hearth' isn't worth watching. "Cricket" is worth watching but it doesn't have the same impact that "Carol" has story-wise.

"Cricket" is a rather nice tale of a young girl in-love with a man who goes away. She believes he's died and goes blind. Her father spends a lot of money to help his daughter and the father befriends a cricket along the way. The cricket does help out in the end.

6/10.

What an awful piece of Christmas special history. Songs are horribly depressing (as well as the storyline). Animation is the worst of all R/B creations (IMO).

Let's forget it was made, shall we?

The next time you see a cricket chirping around your house, LEAVE HIM BE! It is well known that cricket's bring good luck. And if you are lucky enough to have a cricket on your hearth, so much the better. In fact, if you are lucky enough to have seen "The Cricket on the Hearth" you're luckier than most.

This cell-animated special was released by Rankin/Bass right after their first big hit "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and, I think anyway, it's almost as good. It's a great shame that it's so hard to come by. Look for it on ABCFamily's "25 Days of Christmas."

Based on the Charles Dickens story (no, not THAT Dickens story) Roddy MacDowall plays the Cricket, who decides to grace the home of Caleb and his daughter, blinded after suffering tremendous grief. The highlight of this special is the wonderful vocal performance of Danny Thomas (joined by real life daughter, Marlo) and the wonderful song he sings.

I like this special, and if you aren't convinced, this entry didn't even EXIST on the database until I suggested it a few weeks ago. Merry Christmas one and all and may you be as lucky as a Cricket on the Hearth.