The Christmas TV Companion by Joanna Wilson -- A Stocking Full of Christmas Treats (and some tasty lumps of coal)

And now for something completely different -- The Christmas TV Companion: A Guide to Cult Classics, Strange Specials and Outrageous Oddities by Joanna Wilson. The author diligently viewed and researched hundreds of TV episodes, motion pictures, and animated features and shorts, to create a compendium of the charming, offbeat, bizarre, irreverent, offensive and crude interpretations of Christmas and its popular icons, including Santa Claus, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, and the Nativity Story. Her entries run the gamut from amazing to thoroughly tasteless; however, they are never dull and often fascinating.

The book is divided into five major chapters, Macabre , Sci-Fi, Variety, Animation, and Dark. Each section includes three subcategories, Kids' Christmas, Hidden Gems, and Make Your Own Marathon, which highlight additional material not previously covered and deserving of a special mention. Some of the well-known Christmas staples are omitted in favor of presenting a worthy list of esoteric, rarely seen, and difficult-to-find holiday fare. The author made sure that the majority of the titles were available for public viewing, either on DVD, VHS or online. The details of each selected title are summarized in paragraphs, ranging in length from one devoted to the Academy award nominated 1993 short film Franz Kafka's It's a Wonderful Life to an in-depth analysis of the 1978 debacle The Star Wars Holiday Special. She also provides occasional margin notes as further comment on the current topic. Other entries in this eclectic compilation include Mad TV's send-up of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer as a Martin Scorsese-directed mobster film, Raging Rudolph; Hard Nut, a revisionist version of The Nutcracker Suite by the highly-regarded Mark Morris Dance Company; a 1958 Christmas episode of the Western TV series Wanted Dead or Alive entitled "8 Cent Reward"; and Carol for Another Christmas, a 1964 made-for-television movie retelling of the Dickens Christmas classic, written by Rod Serling as a film with a political message. It boasted a star-studded cast including Sterling Hayden, Ben Gazzara, Peter Sellars, and Eva Marie Saint.

The above-mentioned titles are merely a micro sample of the wealth of information found in this unique guide. Television enthusiasts searching for unusual Christmas TV and film topics, presented in an informal and entertaining format, should seek out The Christmas TV Companion: A Guide to Cult Classics, Strange Specials and Outrageous Oddities. The extensive index provides references and cross-references to all material contained in the book, the good, the bad, and the ugly of holiday entertainment, offering myriad possibilities for creating personalized Christmas viewing schedules based on family traditions, childhood memories and genre preferences.

This is the first book by Joanna Wilson, a bona fide TV junkie from childhood, who earned a college degree in film and an advanced degree in philosophy. She draws upon these two areas of expertise to provide cogent analysis of the film and television elements which comprise the content of her initial effort as a published writer.

The Christmas TV Companion: A Guide to Cult Classics, Strange Specials & Outrageous Oddities will be published by 1701 Press on November 10, 2009. This 160-page book retails for $22.00 and can be ordered through Amazon.com and booksellers everywhere.

31 Days of Halloween: Rankin-Bass Invites You to a Mad Monster Party

This Cafe special was written by Gilby37; the Rankin/Bass images were provided by Rick Goldschmidt.

Every December new generations of fans discover Rankin-Bass classics on TV. ABC Family Channel devotes many hours of programming to their productions. It is easy to find numerous Christmas favorites produced by Rankin-Bass such as: Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer; Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town; The Year Without a Santa Claus; and Frosty the Snowman to name a few. However, I’ve always loved their tribute to the horror genre: Mad Monster Party.

I remember watching this “Animagic” movie every time it aired on TV when I was a kid. Rankin-Bass animated productions often used this stop-motion process where the characters visually seemed doll-like. The life-like aspect of the characters fascinated me. Although I was told I was watching a “cartoon,” the characters were so alive. In my opinion, Mad Monster Party would not have been as delightful had this process not been used. It was filled with some of the most interesting figures of vintage Hollywood horror and used a clever plot device gather these icons.

The Baron von Frankenstein (voiced by Boris Karloff) has decided to retire. He has at long last perfected his secret potion--one that can completely destroy any matter it touches. The Baron realizes he has discovered how to control the two most important forces on the planet: life and death. He decides to share the success of this new potion with all of the other members of the monster community. What’s the best way to do this? The Baron decides to hold a party at the Frankenstein Castle. He will not only tell the others about his discovery, but also his decision to retire as their leader. The Baron also plans to name his nephew Felix Flankin as his successor. Felix is the son of Von Frankenstein’s sister, “the white sheep of the family.”

Who are the members of Von Frankenstein’s Monster Coalition? They are Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster, the Monster’s Mate, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Werewolf, The Invisible Man, Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, The Creature (from the Black Lagoon) and It. However, the Baron decides not to invite It because of his behavior last time they gathered. Helping Von Frankenstein to organize this party is the gorgeous Francesca. She is his “assistant,” and according to him, his most beautiful creation. When Francesca finds out the Baron is leaving all of his secrets and power to Felix, she plots to destroy the young man. As the story unfolds, none of the monsters are happy about Von Frankenstein’s decision. Various alliances form to grab the power and get the Baron’s secret potion. They not only want Felix out of the picture, but some monsters see this as a chance to get rid of other monster rivals.

I purchased this film on DVD earlier this year because I loved it so much as a child. I must admit that I was apprehensive. Sometimes, what we loved so much when we were young disappoints us when we watch it as adults. I am happy to say that was not the case with Mad Monster Party. In fact, as an adult and as a classic movie fan, I found more to enjoy.

First, Rankin-Bass productions always use the persona/image of the famous voice actors who star in their films. Remember how the mailman in Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town looked and danced just like Fred Astaire? In the story, Von Frankenstein is easily identifiable as Karloff. The other famous star in this piece was Phyllis Diller as the Monster’s Mate. One look at this character, white unkempt hair and long narrow chin, confirms Diller’s presence. Would Phyllis Diller’s signature laugh have been evident in a regular cartoon? Yes. However, the puppet version of this comedienne was so perfect you’d swear you were watching her at a Dean Martin Roast.

Second, I was awed at how Old Hollywood in general was honored in this movie. Felix was the “boy scout” of the story and his voice sounded like everyone’s favorite good guy, Jimmy Stewart. In fact, when we first meet Felix he is working in a drug store (just like George Bailey). Francesca had that drop dead Gina Lollobrigida figure and sexy look. The Baron’s henchman, Yetch, looked and sounded exactly like Peter Lorre. The Invisible Man was given a fez and seemed a little rotund. No wonder, when he spoke, he sounded just like Sydney Greenstreet of Casablanca fame (and you’ll recall he did wear a fez in that classic). Finally, when It crashes the party he bears a striking resemblance to King Kong. The climax of this film will take you back to the climax of the Fay Wray classic.

I hope this article will encourage every film lover to add Mad Monster Party to his/her list of must-sees during the Halloween season.