Santa Claus is Comin' to Town/The Little Drummer Boy/Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer/Frosty the Snowman/Frosty Returns (3-DVD Gift Collection)

This 3 disc set is a winner. I had fairly new copies of the VHS versions of all of the shows in this DVD set, and what a difference the DVD made. The new sound is clean and full; the colors are deep and rich with no signs of static or dirt. Thank you to the wonderful people who worked so hard to fully restore these classic treasures of childhood. We can now finally see these the way they were meant to be seen. So much care went into this new set. The shows are not in wide screen since that is the way they were originally made, being "made for TV". This set has no less than 5 classic TV specials, placed on 3 discs and each of the discs has its own clamshell case. The artwork on each of the DVD covers is the original photos and title art from the films. I remember that some of the VHS copies had cheap aftermarket art. There is a slipcover box to hold the 3 cases together.The 1st disc is "Frosty the Snowman" a traditionally animated cartoon, and the story is driven by the unforgettable song. There is a nice introduction by Arthur Rankin on this DVD, describing the process of creating this gem and what the film meant to the producers and creative staff. There is also an animator's pencil test of the film, which shows how the cartoon is made. Unfortunately they did not include the original Frosty sequel, "Frosty's Winter Wonderland". For some strange reason the disc instead includes "Frosty Returns" that was actuall made by another studio and does not look anything like the Rankin/Bass work. It's really poor quality compared to everything else in this set.The 2nd disc has "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer", the Animagic blockbuster champion of Rankin/Bass TV specials. One of the best family holiday films of all time, with great music, action, suspense, comedy, and adventure. The snow monster scared the heck out of me as a kid. What other show dealt with a monster by having a dentist elf pull his teeth? At 40 years old the story holds up very well. This disc is special since it returns the missing scenes and footage that the TV network had cut out over the years, to make more room for commercials. The disc has great supplemental extras too, such as a music video of the alternate song "Fame and Fortune", the original TV trailer, and a trivia game. Also has a neat caption reading alternate version you can use to help your kids with reading. The color and clarity of this disc is so good it looks like it is being played out in your living room. The stop-motion Animagic process predates the computer graphics we have today, and yet looks just as 3 dimensional. I prefer the Animagic; it gives the characters so much life and personality. And you can't help singing along with the wonderful songs; it is amazing how every word comes back to you. Tons of great songs like "Silver and Gold" by Burl Ives! The show is based on the title song that is much older than the show.The 3rd disc has two specials, "The Little Drummer Boy", & "Santa Claus is Coming to Town". Both are made in Animagic. If you have a copy of Drummer Boy in the vhs format, throw it away. I am not kidding; the difference in the quality of the color, picture, and sound is astounding! The newly remastered DVD looks like it was filmed yesterday. The Vienna Boys Choir performs the title song. This show is a tear-jerker, but well worth watching. By the way, this show had a sequel but it is not on this disc. Also on the 3rd disc is "Santa Claus is Coming to Town". This tells the history of Santa Claus, from when he was a baby up to beoming the jolly old elf we know today. And what an adventurous life he has had, battling the forces of evil to bring toys to the kids. Romance, comedy, mystery, it is all here. The Winter Warlock is still scary to me. And the cast includes Mickey Rooney, Fred Astaire, & Keenan Wynn. The musical score compliments the film perfectly, and the great songs help carry the storyline. The Westminster Childrens Choir sung in this film. This DVD version was also re-mastered to look like new, and it is beautiful indeed. This disc does not have extras.In closing, I was born in 1963, well before we had cable TV, satellite, VHS, etc. The Rankin/Bass studios made the best holiday specials. It was a time when kids and even whole families plopped down to the TV specials at Christmas and it was an EVENT! We only had kid shows on Saturday mornings back then, and you had to wait a whole year to see these great shows again. We are very lucky to be able to buy these now and to enjoy them without the tons of commercials. I remember rushing to get snacks or bathroom breaks during commercials too. Now my son is enthralled with these shows that have passed the 40 year test of time.If you want to see more treasure by this great studio, search for films by Arthur Rankin, or Jules Bass. Some are animated, some are Animagic but they all have great story, design, and music. Not all have made the jump to DVD yet, but buy the ones that have so they will be encouraged to release more of their library. I highly recommend:"Here Comes Peter Cottontail"; "The Easter Bunny is Coming to Town"; "The Hobbit"; "The Year Without a Santa Claus" this DVD also has a rare treat "Nestor the Long-Eared Donkey"; "The Flight of Dragons"; "The Mad Monster Party" (a 90 minute theatrical film); "The Daydreamer"; "The Wacky World of Mother Goose"; Little Drummer Boy Book 2"; "The Emperor's New Clothes"; "Rudolph's Shiny New Year"; "Mouse on the Mayflower"; "Twas the Night Before Christmas"; "The Stingiest Man in Town"; "The First Christmas"; "Jack Frost"; and more all available at Amazon.com.There are also 2 books sold here that I know of on this studio and their films, "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Making of The Rankin/Bass Holiday Classic", and "The Enchanted World of Rankin/Bass".

This wonderful, new DVD set, "The Ultimate DVD Christmas Pack" has all of the classic shows that have become so dear to us. These DVD's were released before, but this set has brand new packaging, plus a Holiday music CD is included! "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer", perhaps the greatest Christmas show of all-time is in my view, the best part of this set. A Puppet/Animated Snowman played by classic "Holly Jolly Christmas" Singer Burl Ives, tells us to "Pull up an Ice Block" and join him, as he tells us the classic story of how a Reindeer named Rudolph went from being a "misfit" to being the only one who could save Christmas from being canceled, due to the extraordinary Snowstorm. Only Rudolph's shiny Nose (you could even say it glows) can illuminate Santa's view of the houses of all of the Good Boys and Girls, so that Santa can make his annual Christmas visit! Lovable characters, and the classic moral story that all of us have importance combine to make Christmas magic! In "Santa Claus is coming to town", we learn how Kris Kringle becomes Santa Claus, and what he has to go through to bring happiness to children all around the world. We also see how Santa meets Mrs Claus! This is a wonderful story, told and sung by Fred Astaire, that adults and kids alike, will enjoy. Who could forget the most famous Snowman of all? I'll give you a hint....he had a special Hat that "magically" gave him life. That's right! Frosty The Snowman! This delightful cartoon, told and sung by Jimmy "Acha Cha Cha" Durante is considered by many to be right there with "Rudolph" as the most beloved Christmas show ever! This set also includes the already classic sequel to "Frosty", called "Frosty Returns". If you thought that the original Frosty special had beautiful animation, check out "Frosty returns"! Narrated by Jonathan Winters, Frosty (Voiced by John Goodman) befriends a young girl. Together Frosty and his new friend team up to save the magical Winter Snow from a new modern age snow melting spray! The color on this special is beautiful! And finally, also included in this set is the beautiful classic "The Little Drummer boy". Based on the song, this delightful puppet/animated show depicts how a little boy, who had no other gift to bring to the newborn Baby Jesus, brought his drum and played for Jesus. This special shows that we all have gifts. Even if we dont always consider them gifts. Someone else will. Be there, as the little drummer boy plays his drums as we see Baby Jesus, and we see how Joseph, The Blessed Mother Mary and Beautiful Animals all rejoice to celebrate the birth of the Savior of All Living Beings. Jesus. As good as the other shows on this DVD set are, "The Little Drummer Boy" captures the TRUE meaning of Christmas, and thus, must be considered possibly the most special puppet/Animated Christmas Show ever! Rudolph, Santa, Frosty, and of course the Bright Shining Star of Christmas, Jesus, are all gathered in your home, as you and your loved ones (including your Four Legged Family Members) can, over and over again, enjoy watching what truly is, "The Ultimate DVD Christmas Pack". Merry Christmas!

The product arrived in great shape.