R.I.P. Jules Bass, one half of the iconic Rankin/Bass team that brought us 'Rudolph', 'Frosty', 'Mad Monster Party?' and more

MeTV ^ | October 25, 2022

[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.

[KobraKai]

The left has been trying to cancel these Christmas classics for awhile now. I have no doubt they will succeed, they never give up.

[SamAdams76]

I'm old enough to remember when the annual broadcasting of these shows was a major event in my house as a child. This would have been late 1960s/early 1970s. We would all gather around the TV with hot chocolate and other treats with the Christmas tree in the corner.

It wasn't the same when my own children was growing up because we had it all on VHS tapes and could watch whenever we wanted. But in those days, that was your only chance to see it.

The "stop-motion" form of animation is very fascinating. Not many people realize that everything you see on "Rudolph" is real. Puppets were created and placed on a mini-stage set and then moved around in tiny increments and then photographed to create the "action" you see in the film. All the stills were played together rapidly to achieve the motion picture effect.

Below is the Rudolph puppet close up with the scenery in the background. The snow was essentially a white tablecloth.

[Dan in Wichita]

He brought so much joy to millions of kids. I was one of them.

RIP Mr. Bass.

[Brookhaven]

Don't forget their version of "The Hobbit".

Their "Lord of the Rings" version was not very good (only covered the last book and limited to 1.5 hours by TV studio; it just didn't work out), but "The Hobbit" is good. Followed the book; included the songs from the book. I prefer it to Peter Jackson's Hobbit trilogy.

[Brookhaven]

Their “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” is arguably the greatest holiday TV show of all time.

“It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” might edge it out, but it’s close.

[Zionist Conspirator]

And don't forget the 1977 version of The Hobbit, or the 1970 NBC cartoon series "The Tomfoolery Show."

[Ingtar]

I remember the Norelco commercials using the same animations that would run during Rudolph. Of course, the original commercials were by GE. (At least the first ones I was old enough to remember.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QovoRux3EbA == 1964 commercials.

[Boogieman]

“The 1967 Halloween film Mad Monster Party?...”

Why is the title a question?

[No name given]

He also produced the 1977 version of “The Hobbit” and the 1980 version of “The return of the king”. I enjoy those two from time to time, even though they’re not as good as the Peter Jackson trilogies.

[hoosierham]

Great shows.

I miss the traditional holiday times.

[Tired of Taxes]

I remember it well. What you described was every Christmas of my childhood, too, in the same time period. We children would gather ‘round the TV to watch these movies every year. Then, my own children enjoyed the same Christmas movies on video.

[Dan in Wichita]

I miss the traditional holiday times.

Me too. Very much so.

[BlueLancer]

Also, the original "The Hobbit" ...

... with the great voice work of Richard Boone as "Smaug"

[reed13k]

A Charlie Brown Christmas, is by far the best holiday TV show of all time.

Linus’ monologue is perhaps the most important TV speech of all time - holiday or otherwise.

Still get chills when Linus walks up to Chuck later and says “and that’s what Christmas is all about.”

I love the Rankin/Bass shows and have all of them and the Peanuts holiday movies on DVD and even though my kids are all grown up and out of the house I still watch them every year.

My name is xxx miser whatever I touch....

[Ezekiel]

RIP.

Happy memories:

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.

Original release December 7, 1969

Inspiring!

There must have been some magic
In that yarmulke they found
For when they placed it on his head
He began to dance around.

Oh, Frosty the Golem
Was alive as he could be
And the children say he could laugh and play
Just the same as you and me

His successful pieces surrounding the holidays didn't stop at Frosty. Bass also produced the 1970 TV movie Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town...

Talk about Parable Town:

It all starts with a bunch of questions "Why?":

Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town - The Full Movie

Worth it for even the first 8 min. From the letter:

He will be exceptional if only given the love he needs...

He came with an ID necklace that only said, "CLAUS". Claus [קלאוס] = 197.

"Well, that strange wind blew the little sleigh right up to the Mountain of the Whispering Winds.."

At the beginning, Fred Esther er A-stair the mailman said,

"So you want to know all about Santa, eh? The best place to start is at the very beginning..."

Makes sense. The account of the first day of Creation is Genesis 1:1-5, which is 197... letters.

You never will get where you're going
If you never get up on your feet
Come on, there's a good tail wind blowin'
A fast walking man is hard to beat.

Put One Foot in Front of the Other

Real time, since Christmas 1970:

Toys! Refrigerator magnets. Those letters just keep on coming. Don't miss the excellent permutation of "Claus":

Sol 101 [סול ק"א] 🌞

Let there be light.

[Red in Blue PA]

Great memories.

RIP

[Brookhaven]

The Charlie Brown Halloween show features BOTH the Great Pumpkin and the Red Barron. Plus, Lucy gets kissed by Snoopy and Charlie Brown gets a rock.

How can anything compare to that?

I understand the attraction of the Christmas show, because it actually presents the story of Jesus. Something you never see in Christmas specials, but from end to end it’s not as good as the Halloween special.

[CtBigPat]

I've heard Big Bad Voodoo Daddy play Snowmiser/Heatmiser live, in JUNE! I'm pretty sure it was the inspiration for the band.

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy - Mr. Heatmiser

[CtBigPat]

And I have this shirt:

[Bruce Campbells Chin]

That was awesome! Thanks.