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Every holiday season, we give thanks for Rankin/Bass, the team behind Christmas TV specials “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town.” The production company formed by Arthur Rankin, Jr. and Jules Bass gave us both iconic stop-motion and traditional animated tales, becoming a pop culture touchstone for generations of kids.

Not all the specials, especially some of the lesser-known entries, are streaming this Christmas. But several are available to rent alone, and many more are being shown as part of Freeform’s “25 Days of Christmas.” Here’s where you can revisit these childhood favorites:

Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964) Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer (Credit: Rankin/Bass)

The first and most beloved Rankin/Bass special is chock full of terrific songs, including “A Holly Jolly Christmas” and “We’re a Couple of Misfits,” and the cutest misfits of all time, including red-nosed Rudolph, and Hermey the elf,...

Rod Serling's horror anthology series "Night Gallery," a spiritual follow-up to his hit show "The Twilight Zone," began its life as a 1969 TV movie, consisting of three separate episodes directed by Boris Sagal, Barry Shear, and an up-and-coming novice named Steven Spielberg. Sagal and Shear were a long-term TV veterans at the time, having worked on "The Twilight Zone" and "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." between them. "Night Gallery" was Spielberg's very first professional directing job. Spielberg's segment, called "Eyes," starred Joan Crawford as a wealthy blind woman who pays a huge amount of money for an experimental eyeball transplant that will give her perfect vision for a mere 11 hours. As she removes her bandages following the surgery, there is a blackout in her apartment. Cue the disappointed "Price is Right" trombone.

The "Night Gallery" TV movie was a success, and it led to a full-blown...

Jules Bass, whose work as a producer and director of stop-motion and animated television specials such as Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town and The Year Without A Santa Claus has become an integral part of the holiday season for generations, died today in Rye, New York, of age-related illnesses. He was 87.

His death was confirmed by publicist Jennifer Fisherman Ruff.

Bass was working in advertising in New York City when, in 1960, he teamed up with an art director at ABC named Arthur Rankin Jr. to form a film production company called Videocraft International. The company was launched with the 1960 series The New Adventures of Pinocchio, utilizing traditional animation, but found its breakthrough success in 1964 with the stop-motion classic Rudolph, featuring the voice of Burl Ives as Sam the Snowman.

Rankin died in 2014 at 89.

Based on the Gene Autry hit song of 1949, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer...

Jules Bass, the animator, producer, director and composer whose work included stop-motion holiday television specials like “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “Frosty the Snowman” and “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town,” died at the age of 87 on Tuesday at an assisted living facility in Rye, New York, publicist Jennifer Fisherman-Ruff confirmed.

The three prominent holiday specials, “Rudolph,” voiced by Burl Ives, “Frosty” starring Jackie Vernon and Jimmy Durante and “Santa Claus,” voiced by Fred Astaire and Mickey Rooney, all debuted during the 1960s and 1970s. In the decades since, the specials have become staples of seasonal holiday programming on television.

Bass was known for his longstanding creative partnership with director Arthur Rankin Jr., who died in 2014 at 89. The two pushed many productions through their banner Rankin/Bass Productions, which was known for its laborious cel-animated, stop-motion films that took long periods of time to turn into full-length features.

Bass and Rankin...

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Jules Bass, the animator, producer, director and composer who partnered with Arthur Rankin Jr. on the stop-motion holiday TV specials Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman and Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town, has died. He was 87.

Bass died Tuesday at an assisted living facility in Rye, New York, publicist Jennifer Fisherman Ruff told The Hollywood Reporter.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, based on the song popularized by Gene Autry and featuring the voice of Burl Ives, debuted in 1964. Frosty the Snowman, starring Jackie Vernon and Jimmy Durante, bowed in 1969, and Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town, starring Fred Astaire, premiered in 1970. All three have remained strong television draws through the decades.

Rankin/Bass Productions’ cel-animated, stop-motion features were farmed out to Japanese animators and were painstaking to make, with thousands of still photos of their characters’ incremental movements put together at 24 frames...

There must have been some magic in that old silk ratings hat they found, as the annual CBS airing of the animated Frosty the Snowman topped the night’s ratings wars.

The 50th airing of the Rankin-Bass animation special, based on the Walter E. Rollins and Steve Nelson song and featuring the voices of Jimmy Durante, Bille De Wolfe and Jackie Vernon, had an 0.7 rating among the 18-49 set and drew a total audience of 4.04 million in the 8 Pm slot. The numbers were steady with last year’s airing.

CBS doubled down on its Frosty magic with an 8:30 Pm airing of Frosty Returns.The 1992 special, featuring Jonathan Winters as the narrator and John Goodman doing the Frosty voice (with music by Devo’s Mark Mothersbaugh) had an 0.6 and 3.45 million audience. Repeats of Hawaii Five-0 and Blue Bloods closed out the eye network’s night.

At Fox, the WWE Friday...

Hey, "Hawaii Five-0" fans. Unfortunately, we have some bad news for you guys in this brand new article. It turns out that CBS has elected to not air the next, new episode 10 of this current season 10 of Hawaii Five-0 tonight, November 29, 2019. We're guessing this might have to do with the Thanksgiving holiday activities. Who knows? Here's what we do know. You guys can officially expect to see the brand new episode 10 hit the airwaves next Friday night, December 6, 2019 in its same 7 pm central standard time slot on NBC of course. So, be sure to mark down that every important date on your TV show calendars as soon as you possibly can. So, what is CBS airing in place of Hawaii Five-0 tonight? According to the TV Guide listings, CBS will be airing two Frosty The Snowman specials. The first one is, "Frosty The Snowman" in the 7 pm to 7:32 pm central standard time slot.

Reviewed by Kevin Scott, MoreHorror.com

Microwave Massacre (1983)

Written by: Thomas Singer and Craig Muckler

Directed by: Wayne Berwick

Cast: Jackie Vernon (Donald), Claire Ginsberg (May), Loren Schein (Roosevelt), Al Troupe (Philip), Lou Anne Webber (Dee Dee Dee), Ed Thomas (Dr. Von Der Fool)

There were two significant inventions that shaped suburbia, and the lives of regular people in general in the 1980’s Those boons to domestic life would be the video cassette recorder and the microwave oven. More often than not, they were used in conjunction with one another to create a defining social moment for me. I ate microwave popcorn for the very first time while I watched “Footloose” on our brand new Vcr. Over the next couple of years, the movies varied from comedy to horror, and Hollywood big budget all the way down to video nasties. The microwave food varied from popcorn to nachos, brownies, and TV dinners.

As a kid perusing the shelves of my local mom-and-pop video store every weekend, there were two VHS covers that scared me every time I looked at them. I made sure to avoid the box art for Neil Jordan’s horror fantasy film The Company of Wolves; something about the wolf’s snout protruding from a person’s mouth was too disturbing for my eight-year-old brain to comprehend. The second box, however, was one that I always made a point to walk past because while I found it gross and scary, I was weirdly drawn to it. I had no real desire to see the movie—if the cover was that nasty, the film itself had to be ten times more sick—but I was forever daring myself to sneak one more look at the video box. That movie was the 1983 horror comedy Microwave Massacre.

It wasn’t until Arrow Video...

'Worst Movie Ever?'   No way. But neither is Wayne Berwick and comic Jackie Vernon's tacky cannibalism tale a piece of art. When I say it's interesting, it's more as a study item than entertainment. Bad movie -- but a terrific restoration! Microwave Massacre Blu-ray + DVD Arrow Video 1983 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 76 min. / Street Date August 16, 2016 / 34.95 Starring Jackie Vernon, Loren Schein, Al Troupe, Claire Ginsberg, Maria Simon, Lou Ann Webber, Anna Marlowe. Cinematography Karen Grossman Makeup Effects Robert A. Burns Original Music Leif Horvath Editor Steve Nielson Written by Thomas Singer, Craig Muckler Produced by Craig Muckler, Thomas Singer Directed by Wayne Berwick

Reviewed by Glenn Erickson

"Well, the only problem is, I can't make love to a woman, unless I eat her." Just as there are celebrities famous simply for being famous, there are movies that are famous for being bad. Last March I took the curiosity plunge and reviewed the notorious Manos,...

Jackie Vernon may be remembered by many for being the voice of Frosty the Snowman, but horror fans know him as Donald, a frustrated husband who develops a taste for fellow humans in Microwave Massacre. In August, Arrow Video will release the cult 1983 horror film on Blu-ray / DVD, and they recently revealed new face-melting cover art for the special release, as well as an updated bonus features list for The Bloodstained Butterfly Blu-ray / DVD:

Press Release: Mvd Entertainment Group furthers the distribution of Arrow Video in the Us with several new titles in August...

Microwave Massacre [Blu-ray + DVD] (August 16th)

They Came For Dinner...To Find They Were It!!

Microwave Massacre stars legendary stand-up comedian and actor Jackie Vernon as Donald, a disgruntled construction worker whose wife's predilection for haute cuisine drives him to cannibalism.

Donald unwittingly stumbles upon a solution to his two major problems in his life - his nagging...

Arrow Video has sent us details on their two upcoming releases in August, the cheesy Microwave Massacre and the giallo film, The Bloodstained Butterfly. As usual, the team at Arrow Video will be packing both releases with all sorts of special features. Read on for all the details.

Microwave Massacre [Blu-ray + DVD] (August 16th)

They Came For Dinner…To Find They Were It!!

Microwave Massacre stars legendary stand-up comedian and actor Jackie Vernon as Donald, a disgruntled construction worker whose wife’s predilection for haute cuisine drives him to cannibalism.

Donald unwittingly stumbles upon a solution to his two major problems in his life – his nagging wife and his lack of decent meals – when, one night, he bludgeons his better half to death with a pepper grinder in a drunken rage. Thinking on his feet, Donald dismembers the body and sets about microwaving the remains, which turn out to be rather delicious.

Mvd Entertainment Group furthers the distribution of "Arrow Video" in the Us with several new home video titles available August 2016, including "Microwave Massacre" on Blu-ray + DVD, August 16, 2016 and "The Bloodstained Butterfly" on Blu-ray + DVD, August 23, 2016:

"Microwave Massacre", (Blu-ray + DVD, August 16, 2016) stars stand-up comedian, actor Jackie Vernon as 'Donald', a disgruntled construction worker whose wife's predilection for 'haute cuisine' drives him insane. 

"Donald unwittingly stumbles upon a solution to his two major problems in his life - his nagging wife and his lack of decent meals.

"Eschewing all notions of good taste, 'Microwave Massacre' is an exercise in political incorrectness that has gone on to gain a cult following thanks to a characteristically deadpan performance from Vernon..."

Director-approved Special Edition Contents Include:

- Brand new 2K restoration from the original camera negative

- High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentations

- Original mono audio (uncompressed Pcm...

While Jackie Vernon is remembered by many for his stand-up comedy and for being the voice of Frosty the Snowman, cult horror fans know him as Donald, a frustrated husband who develops a taste for human flesh in 1983’s Microwave Massacre. The horror comedy will be released this summer on Blu-ray / DVD in the Us and UK by Arrow Video, who will also release 1971’s The Bloodstained Butterfly on home media with a new 4K restoration.

While the full release details for the Us Blu-ray / DVDs of Microwave Massacre and The Bloodstained Butterfly have yet to be revealed, we do have a look at the lists of special features for the UK editions, which should feature extras similar to what Us fans can enjoy.

In the UK, Arrow Video will release Microwave Massacre on Blu-ray / DVD on August 15th, followed by an August 22nd Blu-ray / DVD release of The Bloodstained Butterfly.

When is Frosty the Snowman on TV 2014? In 2014, CBS will again be airing the beloved 1969 special starring that “jolly, happy soul” Frosty the Snowman, along with the 1992 special Frosty Returns: Frosty the Snowman — Friday, Nov. 28, at 9pm Et/Pt on CBS. Frosty Returns — Saturday, Dec. 13, at 9:30pm Et/Pt on CBS. (Descriptions below from CBS) Friday, Nov. 28 (9:00-9:30 Pm, Et/Pt) Frosty The Snowman — Frosty, that “jolly, happy soul” whose old silk hat full of magic has turned him into a musical Christmas legend, once again demonstrates his unique showmanship. Comedian Jackie Vernon … Continue reading →

The post When is Frosty the Snowman on TV 2014? appeared first on Channel Guide Magazine.

When is Frosty the Snowman on TV 2012? Download a Free Holiday TV programming calendar “Happy Birthday!” Er… Christmas. CBS will air the original 1969 Rankin/Bass animated classic Frosty the Snowman on Friday, Nov. 23, immediately followed by Frosty Returns released in the 1990s. From CBS: Friday, Nov. 23 (8:00-8:30 Pm, Et/Pt) Frosty The Snowman — Frosty, that “jolly, happy soul” whose old silk hat full of magic has turned him into a musical Christmas legend, once again demonstrates his unique showmanship. Comedian Jackie Vernon provides the voice of Frosty in the Christmas fable, originally broadcast Dec. 7, 1969 on [...]...

This is the double feature sure to make you a hungry horror fans. For It Came From 1980 X this week we are tackling two very kitchen related horror films from the 1980′s. First is Gore-met, Zombie Chef from Hell. Second we have Microwave Massacre. While you’ve no doubt seen the covers of this VHS classics any number of times, maybe even been repulsed by them, there’s no guarantee that you’ve actually seen and “enjoyed” them. Enjoyed is in quotations because quite honestly you can’t say that you like either one of these films based on their merit. They’re as close to the horror equivalent of Mystery Science Theater 3000 fodder as you’ll find in the genre. The promise of the gross out and poor production value is why you’d seek out these classics. I’m fairly certain it is not possible to get laid while watching these movies.

The Smurfs movie was a hit in theaters and is now very popular on DVD. It's a Smurfy holiday season for sure and we have a holiday package of specials that could put a smile on even Ebenezer Scrooge's face.

The Smurfs Holiday Celebration DVD contains two animated Smurf specials that were made while the little blue creatures were still a part of NBC's Saturday morning line-up: 'Tis the Season to be Smurfy and The Smurfs Christmas Special.

In addition, we have Frosty's Winter Wonderland, the Rankin Bass special which features the voices of Andy Griffith, Shelley Winters, and Jackie Vernon. This special DVD has been remastered and also includes special features that look at the history of snowmen and the birth of Frosty.

Plus, we also have the Blu-ray deluxe edition of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, also produced...

You can’t deny that the Rankin/Bass Christmas specials have become classics in their own right. When the holiday season comes around, certain films will inevitably get some airtime, and still others will be played in near perpetuity across cable and network channels alike as everyone attempts to cash in on the American love for traditions, and the Rankin/Bass Original Christmas Classics certainly qualify. Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town! sit comfortably next to A Christmas Story, It’s a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and A Charlie Brown Christmas on the shelf of Christmas programming. We’ll watch these things year after year, and this Blu-ray release of the Rankin/Bass classics helps to preserve them for future generations, even if it doesn’t do too much to improve their appearance.

Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town!