Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July |
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DVD cover depicting Rudolph, Winterbolt, Frosty and Crystal
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| Screenplay by | Romeo Muller |
| Directed by | Arthur Rankin Jr. Jules Bass |
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| Country of origin | United States Japan |
| Original language(s) | English |
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| Running time | 98 minutes |
| Production company(s) | Rankin/Bass Productions |
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| Original network | ABC |
| Original release | November 25, 1979 |
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Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July is a special animated TV movie. It was made by Rankin/Bass Productions in the United States and Japan. This movie brings together characters from two famous holiday specials: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (from 1964) and Frosty the Snowman (from 1969).
The film uses a special animation style called "Animagic," which is a type of stop-motion animation. It first aired in the US on November 25, 1979, on ABC. This was the last Rankin/Bass special to feature Billie Mae Richards as Rudolph and Jackie Vernon as Frosty. Mickey Rooney returned as Santa Claus.
Contents
Story of the Special
The Evil Wizard Winterbolt
The story begins with Winterbolt, a powerful and evil snow wizard. He caused a lot of trouble until Lady Boreal, the Queen of the Northern Lights, put him to sleep. Many years later, Winterbolt wakes up. In her last magical act, Lady Boreal gives her power to Rudolph's red nose when he is born. This power will stop glowing if Rudolph ever uses it for bad things.
Winterbolt learns about Rudolph's special nose from his Genie of the Ice Scepter. He plans to get rid of Rudolph, who is the only one strong enough to stop him. Winterbolt also wants to take back his territory from Santa Claus.
Joining the Circus
Meanwhile, an ice cream seller named Milton arrives from Lily Loraine's Circus by the Sea. He tells Rudolph and Frosty the Snowman that he wants to marry Lily's daughter, Lainie. Milton says they will get married if Rudolph and Frosty agree to star in the circus.
Winterbolt offers Frosty and his family special magic amulets. These amulets will stop them from melting. The magic will last until the very last firework on the Fourth of July. Santa Claus agrees to pick them up before the magic wears off.
Winterbolt's Tricks
Winterbolt's ice dragons create a big snowstorm. This blizzard stops Santa and Mrs. Claus from arriving on time. Winterbolt then goes to the Cave of Lost Rejections. There, he finds a mean reindeer named Scratcher. Scratcher is jealous of Rudolph because he wanted to be one of Santa's reindeer but was fired.
Winterbolt convinces Scratcher to make Rudolph seem evil to his friends. The blizzard keeps Santa from reaching the circus, making Frosty's family worried. Scratcher then teams up with a man named Sam Spangles during a parade.
Scratcher tricks Rudolph into stealing money from the circus. He tells Rudolph to give the money to Sam. Rudolph agrees to take the blame for the theft. He makes a deal with Winterbolt to make the amulets' power last longer. Frosty's family and friends, and Lily, are upset when Rudolph says he stole the money. His nose even stops glowing. But Frosty still believes Rudolph would not lie.
Rudolph's Fight for Good
Rudolph walks sadly along the seashore. Big Ben the Clockwork Whale arrives, and Rudolph tells him his problems. Frosty soon finds out about Sam and Scratcher's plan. He wants to help Rudolph.
Winterbolt also tricks Frosty. He lies and says he will help Rudolph if Frosty gives him his hat. Winterbolt wants the hat's magic to create an army of evil snowmen. But Rudolph manages to defeat Winterbolt. He gets Frosty's hat back, and his own nose starts glowing again.
Happy Ending
Rudolph returns to the circus with a policeman. The policeman tells everyone that Rudolph is innocent. He also returns Frosty's hat and the circus money. Frosty comes back to life when he gets his hat. Everyone apologizes to Rudolph.
Winterbolt arrives and tries to attack everyone. But Lily throws something at his scepter, breaking it. This causes Winterbolt to turn into a tree. After this, Sam is arrested, and Scratcher disappears. All of Winterbolt's spells wear off. Frosty and his family melt because their amulets are no longer active.
However, Jack Frost arrives from South America on Big Ben. He brings Frosty and his family back to life with his cold breath. Santa and Mrs. Claus take them back to the North Pole. Rudolph stays behind, and Lily lets him lead the flying circus parade. This is her way of thanking him for saving the circus from debt.
Who Are the Voices?
Many talented actors lent their voices to the characters in this special:
- Billie Mae Richards as Rudolph
- Jackie Vernon as Frosty
- Mickey Rooney as Santa Claus
- Red Buttons as Milton
- Alan Sues as Scratcher
- Darlene Conley as Mrs. Claus
- Shelby Flint as Laine Loraine
- Ethel Merman as Lilly Loraine
- Paul Frees as Winterbolt, Keeper of the Cave, Jack Frost and Officer Kelly
- Thurl Ravenscroft as the Genie of the Ice Scepter
- Don Messick as Sam Spangles, Donner, Santa's Cuckoo Clock and clowns
- Hal Peary as Big Ben the Clockwork Whale
- Shelley Winters as Crystal
- Nellie Bellflower as Lady Boreal
- Candy Candido as The Snow Dragons
- Steffi Cali as Milly
- Eric Hines as Chilly
Songs in the Special
The special features several songs:
- "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" – Chorus
- "Everything I've Always Wanted" – Crystal
- "Everything I've Always Wanted (reprise)" – Milton
- "Everyday Is Just Like Christmas" – Lily
- "Chicken Today And Feathers Tomorrow" – Lily
- "I See Rainbows" – Santa, Chorus
- "Don't Let The Parade Pass You By" – Lily
- "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" – Chorus
- "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" – Lanie, Chorus
- "Everything I've Always Wanted (second reprise) – Frosty
- "No Bed of Roses" – Rudolph
- "Frosty the Snowman" – Chorus
- "Now And Then" – Frosty
- "We're a Couple of Misfits" – Frosty and Rudolph
- "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (reprise)" – Lily, Chorus
