repost: you betcha virginia

Today we present a repost in our continuing 2009 Shelf Christmas Party, and for our Weekly Christmas Cartoon special. It's an old favorite, and much beloved special that seems to be inline for a remake (and, I am afraid, will lack the charm of the original). I continue to hope that it will be released on DVD.

One of my favorite Holiday specials that has never made it to DVD and is very difficult to find on VHS is Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus. It's a charming early 70's holiday animated special from Bill Melendez and narrated by Mr.Magoo/Mr. Howell himself, Jim Backus. One of the things I love about it, besides the animation (fans of Peanuts specials will, of course recognize the style) - is the message and story which really tackles the spirit of hope and goodwill of the season no matter what you believe. It is based on a true story (which you can read more about here) and set in 1890's New York City- and reflects the ethnic melting pot that America was becoming. In fact it's spirit of coming together to me is so much at odds with today's imputus to label and separate ourselves into categories, that I wish it was shown regularly like it was when I was younger.
So without further ado- our first entry, in what we hope will be a series, of Holiday Specials you don't see anymore on TV: Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus.

Part 1:



Part 2:



Part 3:



Enjoy!



The older you get, the less there is to believe in.

another great master is gone

Like many of you, I grew up...heck, I thrived on Peanuts and Charlie Brown specials as a kid. I continue to collect Peanuts memorabilia, books and DVDs. It's an easy "get" for dad at the Loophole household to find a Peanuts gift for Father's Dad, etc. When Charles Schulz passed away, it felt like a part of my childhood died- even though it still lives everytime I read "good old Charlie Brown" and the gang. Still... even though I never met him, he was- is my childhood hero. My very first flesh and bone hero outside of my family members and Snoopy himself. So maybe, you might understand why this news strikes me very hard.

News comes that Bill Melendez has passed away. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Melendez "died Tuesday at St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica. He was 91." I don't have to recite his great impact on animation and American culture- you can read this great article about him by Jerry Beck at Cartoon Brew, who does a better job than I could hope to muster.

Bill, with producing partner Lee Mendelson, was the only guy who Charles Schulz would trust to animate his iconic characters. Over 75 Peanuts specials and animated televisions shows demonstrate the staying power and love. Bill was even the voice of Snoopy. The story goes that he filled in, so the child voice actors could have something to work off of, and it was so perfect- they just went with it. Bill also animated another of my favorite non-Peanuts Christmas specials: Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus, which is sadly not available on DVD (a crime if you ask me).

If you've watched, like so many millions of others, the iconic Peanuts Holiday specials- It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and A Charlie Brown Christmas- you've been touched by Melendez's talent and work.

I know it's a big political night. I'll have to catch up with all of that tomorrow. Right now, I need to visit with Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Linus, Charles Schulz and Bill Melendez and remember some simpler, yet very special times. Maybe some Great Pumpkin...

Goodbye, Bill. Thank you for everything...Tell Sparky we miss him.



Nothing but sincerity reaching out as far as the eye can see.