TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

“Let up a little on the wonder why and give your heart a try.”

If you grew up in the 80s, you undoubtedly remember gluing yourself to the television (most likely with tape rolling in your VCR) to see the Rankin Bass holiday special Twas The Night Before Christmas.  Like all of their quirky holiday renderings, this classic story is given a new twist when Junctionville finds itself on the outs with Santa.  With their letters to the North Pole being “returned to sender”, the residents of this tiny town aren’t counting on a visit from Old St. Nick, but why?

Turns out the brainy and pragmatic Albert Mouse penned the offending letter, inadvertently sucking the magic out of Christmas for everyone.  Indeed there are plenty of mice stirring in this holiday special, leading parallel lives in their mouse world as the humans try to figure out what to do about Santa.  The town’s clock maker constructed a beautiful clock in Santa’s honor, but it seems Albert managed to ruin that too, while poking around to see how it worked.  Ridden with guilt, Albert confesses to his father and the two do their best to set things right.  Luckily Albert’s dad is voiced by Joel Grey, who treats us to a delightful musical montage which advises us to “let up a little on the wonder why and give your heart a try.”

Though only 25 minutes long, this memorable holiday special holds up well.  Whether you’re revisiting a childhood memory or introducing it to your children, Twas the Night Before Christmas deserves a spot in your Christmas library.

DVD NOTES

Extra features include an animated featurette on Christmas traditions around the world.  The production values are low, but it’s still cute and informative for kids.