Review of The Year Without a Santa Claus (1974) by Philip S — 22 Nov 2011

Everyone knows the classic Christmas song about Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer. And there are even those who know about Prancer, and how he was nursed back to health by one little girl who never lost hope or faith. But there is one more movie about another of Santa's legendary team of reindeer that's just as important in the canon of holiday movies as the aforementioned flicks. That movie is The Year Without a Santa Claus. As with Rudolph, and certain other stop motion movies of its time, The Year Without a Santa Claus is, believe it or not, one of the most important movies in the history of holiday movies.

The Year Without a Santa Claus is just one of a handful of stop-motion movies made by Rankin Bass. That form of movie was, essentially, the precursor to CG-based animation. It is, however, one of the lesser known of their works. Though, it's probably better known than the likes of, say, Nestor The Long-Eared Donkey. That one's a great story for church groups. Though there is the aspect of what happens to Nestor's mom. That might be a bit difficult for some younger audiences. It does send a great message, though, about having pride in one's self, despite the taunts and jeers of others. But, back to Santa for now. Everyone knows Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. That's because there's a song on which that stop-motion film was made. But the story of how Santa had to save Vixen is far less known. That's part of the basis for The Year Without a Santa Claus. The primary plot involves Santa getting sick, and almost not being able to go out on Christmas to deliver the presents to all the boys and girls of the world.

Now, the concept of Santa's illness potentially holding off Christmas is old hat at this point. But when this movie was made, very few movies took that route. But it's been done again and again since that time, and even twisted around with the likes of the real Santa being arrested in Ernest Saves Christmas. Famed animated favorite, Fred Flintstone had to don the coat and boots one year, too. This was after The Year Without a Santa Claus, too. Even as recent as one early episodes of Futurama, audiences have seen Bender, the Robot, save Christmas. So to that extent, The Year Without a Santa Claus was a first in its field. Want more evidence?

As noted, The Year Without a Santa Claus has been the root for so many movies and TV specials since its original debut. Along with being ripped off, it's also been redone and re-imagined since it's time, too. As recently as the 2000's, there has been a live action re-imagining of this classic. There has also been an attempt to revive the holiday stop motion genre, with the creation of A Miser Brothers Christmas. Now those who remember The Year Without a Santa Claus, remember that was the first introduction of the bratty Miser Brothers. In this most recent re-introduction to the classic duo, they have to save Christmas from the evil North Wind, who wants to bump off old Saint Nick, and take his place. It's just one more in the long line of movies that lifts directly from the older classic. Though the message of putting aside the past and letting bygones be bygones is another positive message for both younger and older audiences alike.

Lots of movies have come and gone over the decades that see Santa being replaced-at least temporarily-for one reason or another. But in all the years, and among all the masses of movies in that sub-category, none has ever been, or ever will be nearly as important to the world of holiday and Christmas movies, as The Year Without a Santa Claus. Sure it's cheesy at points. And some may even sneer at the old school stop motion animation. But if not for that style of movie-making, there may not be the mass of cg-based movies that pollute the movie landscape today. So in its own right, The Year Without a Santa Claus is-and always will be-one of the most important ever made for the holidays.