Besides all of the Holiday greats they made animated feature films.
I loved their work growing up, my kids love them, and now my grand kids love them, especially Rudolph, Herbie, Hocus Pocus and Frosty
Posted on 10/26/2022 7:40:59 AM PDT by lowbridge
Jules Bass, the producer behind one of the most nostalgic holiday TV movies of all time, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, has passed away.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Bass passed away Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2022 at the age of 87.
In 1960, Bass began working with art director Arthur Rankin Jr. for a new film production company called Videocraft International, according to Deadline.
Four years after inception, the pair found major success with what is considered a classic stop-motion holiday movie called Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. The TV movie was based on the Gene Autry song from 1949 with the same name.
Though Rudolph had major success, it wasn't the only holiday production Bass became known for. Also in the stop-motion category was the 1968 TV movie The Little Drummer Boy. In 1969, the Frosty the Snowman holiday special debuted, and has since graced millions of television screens. The special can still be seen several times a year today.
His successful pieces surrounding the holidays didn't stop at Frosty. Bass also produced the 1970 TV movie Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town, the 1971 Easter movie Here Comes Peter Cottontail, the 1974 short 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, and the TV movie The Year Without a Santa Claus in 1974. The 1967 Halloween film Mad Monster Party? with Boris Karloff and Phyllis Diller stood in the shadow of other holiday Rankin/Bass productions for years, but has since gained a cult following.
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The Heat Miser ruled! RIP, Mr. Bass.
We have the Christmas videos and really enjoy them.
I have the fondest memories of each, from my youth.
May he be with God.
As a four year old the abominable snowman scared the crap out of me.
Our family has a DVD collection of a whole bunch of Rankin/Bass Christmas hows. Though my kids are mostly grown up, they still like those shows. I certainly remember watching them when I was a kid.
RIP Jules Bass.
The Bumble still haunts my nightmares. Well done, sir!
RIP and thanks for the wonderful memories given to generations (three generations, in our family).
It was a highlight of every holiday season in the pre-VCR/DVD era to watch those shows on network TV - which would happily pause their regular programming to accommodate them.
Rest in Peace, Mr. Bass, Thanks for the memories..................
Grew up on those shows. RIP Mr. Bass.
Ditto!
RIP, and thank you for so many fond memories.
Yep, back in the days before VHS and Streaming, every holiday season, you’d check the TV Guide to see when your favorite Christmas shows would come on. You knew which day Rudolph was and when A Charlie Brown Christmas were, because if you missed it, you’d have to wait a year to see it again.
A lasting contribution to the culture. RIP Mr. Bass
Bumbles Bounce. RIP Mr Bass.
Growing up, we watched those Christmas movies every year. RIP, Mr. Bass.
I too remember the Christmas shows mentioned here. I also remember the New Adventures of Pinocchio and The Wizard of Oz shows that were produced by Videocraft and were a staple of Saturday mornings when I was a kid. Kind of fun to watch those on YouTube every now and then, lol.
Thanks for the wonderful childhood memories, Mr. Bass.
L
RIP.... forever classics.
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