Questions
Who made Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town and when did it come out?
It was produced and directed by Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass through their company Rankin/Bass Productions, and it first aired December 13, 1970, on ABC.
How was it animated?
It uses a Japanese stop-motion technique that Rankin/Bass called Animagic, photographing posable figures frame by frame rather than drawing cel animation.
Who voiced Santa in the special?
Mickey Rooney voiced the young Kris Kringle who grows up to become Santa Claus. He returned to the role in later Rankin/Bass specials.
Who is the narrator?
Fred Astaire narrates the story as S.D. Kluger, a mailman who answers children’s letters about how Santa traditions began.
Where does the story take place?
Most of it unfolds in Sombertown, a town ruled by its grouchy mayor, Burgermeister Meisterburger.
Why does the Burgermeister ban toys?
Reportedly he trips over a toy duck, and in his anger he enacts a law prohibiting all toys in Sombertown.
Who is Topper?
Topper is a lost penguin that Kris befriends and names during his journey to Sombertown.
How did Kris Kringle get his name?
He was raised by a family of toymaking elves called the Kringles, who took him in and renamed him Kris. He later returns to the Claus name when he marries Jessica.
Why does Santa start going down chimneys and using stockings?
With toys outlawed, Kris sneaks in by the chimneys and hides toys inside the children’s stockings hung by the fireplace, which the special presents as the origin of the tradition.
Why does Santa have a beard?
In the story Kris grows the beard as a disguise so he can keep delivering toys despite the Burgermeister’s ban.
Who is the Winter Warlock?
The Winter Warlock, voiced by Keenan Wynn, is a fearsome figure Kris befriends and reforms, leading into the song about taking things one step at a time.
What are the songs, and where did the title song come from?
Maury Laws wrote the music and Jules Bass the lyrics for numbers like "Put One Foot in Front of the Other." The title song itself was written earlier by J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie for Leo Feist, Inc. and introduced on radio by Eddie Cantor in 1934.
How does Kris end up at the North Pole?
After the Meisterburgers lose power and their toy laws are abolished, Kris is canonized as a saint, becoming Santa Claus, and he and Jessica travel to the North Pole to set up a toy workshop.
Is the special still well regarded?
Yes. The article notes an aggregated review score of 93 percent based on 14 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, and it continues to air every holiday season.
Can you own it on home video?
It has been released many times on VHS and DVD starting in 1989, with 4K Ultra HD releases available as of 2022.
