Santa Baby!

Let’s review their very last animated original Rankin Bass Christmas film with Santa Baby!.

When people think the title, they think of that generic ABC Family Christmas Drama film that we’ll forget quicker, or a song by Eartha Kitt. In fact, Eartha Kitt did play Emerald the cat, not a human that turn into a cat that was saved by a mistaken order of Assembled Giant Trampoline. This was aired once on Fox 5 back when Fox used to air variety of Christmas specials such as Olive the Other Reindeer, Robby the Reindeer, and Cinder Elmo for some reason. Nowadays, Fox just airs mostly nothing of value and Christmas Story Live proves one of that points. This was released on DVD, but that’s hard to find. I know I spotted a whole rack of them at Beach Haven Library, but I didn’t have the credit card at the time of 2012. I got back to Beach Haven (or Long Beach Island I mostly called) 5 years later due to other places for vacation and one Hurricane. I got back to that same library, but both the place and DVD are gone. So I can only find the damaged film on youtube.

A partridge named Melody Birdsong tells a story how a little girl named Dakota is volunteering for the animal shelter in a rundown neighborhood. The Supervisor named Mr. Sweet wants to close the shelter down, because he hates animal, except for a lobster he hopes to cook. Dakota’s Dad named Noel (voiced by Gregory Hines) is having a block on writing new music for his job. Dakota wishes her dad to write a hit song, though not simple. Noel dressed as Santa as part of the wish. As time went on through trial and errors, the people in the neighborhood grow the Christmas spirit, except for Mr. Sweet. Anymore would spoil the story who may predict where it goes.

This was written by Suzanne Collins, the author of the Hunger Games. You can never the style difference with the specials tone vs. Hunger Games tone. This is the only Rankin Bass film with the all African American cast, as in the past they’re rarely a background character or Friday from Robinson Crusoe. The animation and style has gotten for last project. I would almost think the animals are a big distraction to the film, but they’re part of the story. If they didn’t speak, it either makes the film better or worst. I could say them mute would ruin the film as seen in King and I, but that’s bad because they’re unnecessary additions to focus on and don’t add the story. The music I’m really split on. When it’s Christmas, it’s decent. When it’s on the animals, it’s kinda annoying.

I like the arc that goes on with Noel. He had to go through effort of making music, but instead he unintentionally helps his town in need, just like Santa Claus. I can relate as this December, as I volunteer for Toys 4 Tots at the Salvation Army at Cary North Carolina to put the stocking in the slots, helped the Angel Runner, and moved the discarded boxes. It’ll give blisters to my feet, but that’s fast effort I give. That’s the best to describe Santa Baby; A little Christmas effort that may have some slow or cheesy moments that can make a lasting impression. I wish it can be seen more on TV as it desperately needs some variety for Christmas than little they can accept. It’s not bad, nor is boring, nor good, it mostly OK enough to be shown on TV than crap.

And folks, that was it for Rankin Bass reviews. It’s really emotional to see the rise and fall of their career. I’ll get to the Rankin Bass TV series, Wacky World of Mother Goose in the future when they’re available. If it’s possible for any specific film to move on to, I think I’ll cover films that the people in the production of Rankin Bass did such as Nutcracker Fantasy.

Here’s my Top 10 best and worst Rankin Bass to describe their strength and weakness. Not counting their related sequel. Let’s start with the worst list.

10. Mad Monster Party: Not a bad Halloween movie, but Felix, love plot, and padding are what break the reason to be full length.

9. Return of the King: Don’t tell about the war you survived in.

8. Pinocchio’s Christmas: A pointless reason to be a Christmas special.

7. The Wind in the Willows: Lose most of the music and you’ll get to be in the honorable mentions

6.  Twas the Night Before Christmas: A short story + a terrible story = A terrible story with a decent short ending and song.

5. The First Christmas: The most boring original Christmas film that Angela Lansbury can’t save.

4. Sleeping Beauty: The most recycling characters I’ve seen from them.

3. Tom Sawyer & Swiss Family Robinson: Either abridged version of the story that’s best to be abridged under 5 minutes than half an hour.

2. Mad Mad Mad Comedian: An animated stand-up that should sit down.

1. Red Baron: Never team up with Filmation, and rely entirely majority on pointless talking.

Now the Top 10 best!

10. Jack Frost: A nice spin-off with one of the best villains.

9. Mad, Mad, Mad Monsters: The best of the Halloween specials.

8. The Hobbit: The redefying film that help the none-Holiday Rankin Bass film.

7. Flight of Dragons: An underrated Middle Earth set animated film that deserves a blu-ray.

6. Life and Adventure of Santa Claus: A nice epic reboot to end, even if it’s the third time for Santa.

5. The Year Without Santa Claus:  A best of the sequels, even if it was unintended. Come for the Miser Brothers, stay for the songs and humor.

4. Frosty the Snowman: A charming snowman film. Once you hear the original dub, you can never unheard it.

3. Here Comes Peter Cottontail & The Emperor’s New Clothing: Both are great with Danny Kayes as I recommend them together.

2. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer: The groundbreaking Christmas film that’s loved every year.

1. Santa Claus’ Comin’ To Town: The best redefying Santa Claus thanks to Rooney.

Thank you for watching my review, Merry Christmas and a have Happy New Year!