Coming up next on this edition of TV Tuesday is a classic Christmas TV special. 1969's "Frosty The Snowman" tells the story of how Frosty came into existence and charmed his way into the hearts of millions.
The film's voice cast includes Jimmy Durante, Jackie Vernon, Billy De Wolfe, Suzanne Davidson, and June Foray.
Jimmy Durante is our narrator, and he tells us of what can happen when the first snow comes on Christmas Eve. "And as any child can tell you, there’s a certain
magic to the very first snow.Especially when it falls on the day
before Christmas.For when the first
snow is also a Christmas snow, well,
something wonderful is bound to happen."
A bunch of schoolchildren are "entertained" by a magician named Professor Hinkle, who is not very good at his job. When the school bell rings, they cannot wait to get outside and play in the snow.
They set about building a snowman. After trying to come up with a bunch of names, including Christopher Columbus and Oatmeal, the kids settle on Frosty.
A wintry wind blows Professor Hinkle's hat onto Frosty's head and he comes to life! Naturally, Professor Hinkle wants the hat back (he had previously thrown it away) because it is magic.
The kids are thrilled with Frosty, and he's happy to be alive. "What a neat thing to happen to a nice guy like me," he says.
Sadly for Frosty, the temperature is rising. He says he needs to get to the North Pole in order to stay a snowman. A little girl named Karen volunteers to help him.
Karen decides that the best (and most economical) way of getting Frosty to the North Pole is by taking a refrigerated boxcar. Professor Hinkle, still hoping to get his hands on his old hat, also sneaks aboard.
The boxcar becomes too cold for Karen. So they disembark, and Frosty has to now find someplace warm for the freezing little girl.
The forest creatures of a nearby glen take pity on Karen and build her a fire. Frosty stays well away from the flames.
Soon, however, Professor Hinkle catches up with them, and Frosty and Karen have to make a quick getaway.
They come to a nearby greenhouse filled with Christmas flowers. Frosty goes inside to get Karen warmed up. It's definitely too warm, though he jokes he could stand to lose a few pounds anyway.
Professor Hinkle, hot on their heels, arrives just in time to slam the door shut. He locks Frosty inside. Once Frosty is melted, Hinkle will be able to get the hat.
It doesn't take long for poor Frosty to melt. Karen is beside herself with grief. Now, there is only one person who can help Frosty.
Santa! Jolly old St. Nick arrives and lifts Karen's spirits, promising to put everything to rights.
Frosty is reformed. However, before they can put the hat back on him, Professor Hinkle steps in. Santa issues a stern reprimand. He also threatens to never give Hinkle another present. The magician admits defeat and decides that giving up presents is not worth it. He must also write "I am very sorry for what I did to Frosty" a hundred zillion times.
And with that, the hat is put back on Frosty and he is restored to his old-self. Everyone is happy.
Santa gives Karen a ride back to her home, and he also gives Frosty a lift to the North Pole. As Frosty says goodbye, he promises to be back the next year. Karen waves them off.
Cast rundown:
Jimmy Durante....................................Narrator
June Foray...........................................Teacher
And that's it for Frosty The Snowman. The TV film was very popular with audiences and spawned four sequels from 1976 to 2005. In the film, the children go to school on Christmas Eve. This was common practice in the USA until the mid-1960s.
You can watch the film in its entirety right here. It's one of my favorite Christmas classics.
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