The First Christmas: The Story of the First Christmas Snow
The First Christmas: The Story of the First Christmas Snow is a 1975 Christmas stop motion animated television special produced by Rankin/Bass Productions which originally premiered on NBC on December 19, 1975.[1] It is narrated by Angela Lansbury and co-stars Cyril Ritchard.[2]
| The First Christmas: The Story of the First Christmas Snow | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Written by | Julian P. Gardner |
| Directed by | Arthur Rankin, Jr. Jules Bass |
| Starring | Cyril Ritchard David Kelley Dina Lynn Iris Rainer Joan Gardener |
| Narrated by | Angela Lansbury |
| Music by | Maury Laws |
| Country of origin | United States Japan |
| Original language(s) | English |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) | Arthur Rankin, Jr. Jules Bass |
| Cinematography | Akikazu Kono Ichiro Kumoro |
| Editor(s) | Irwin Goldress |
| Running time | 22 minutes |
| Production company(s) | Rankin/Bass Productions |
| Release | |
| Original network | NBC |
| Original release | December 19, 1975 |
Plot
A young shepherd, Lucas, is blinded by lightning, and some nuns at a nearby abbey take him to a stable. Sister Theresa describes snow to Lucas, who has never seen it. Lucas gets chosen to play an angel in the stable's Christmas pageant, and the Christmas snow that falls during the pageant works a small miracle. The film contains a performance of Irving Berlin's "White Christmas".
Cast
- Angela Lansbury as Sister Theresa
- Cyril Ritchard as Father Thomas
- David Kelley as Lucas
- Dina Lynn as Louisa
- Iris Rainer as Sister Catherine
- Joan Gardener as Sister Jean
Additional cast
- Greg Thomas
- Don Messick
- Sean Manning
- Hilary Momberger as Octavia
- Dru Stevens
- The Wee Winter Singers as the Children Chorus
Songs
- Christmas Snow is Magic/Save a Little Christmas (opening version) – Children Chorus
- Save a Little Christmas – Father Thomas, Sister Theresa, Children Chorus
- Christmas Snow is Magic – Sister Theresa
- White Christmas – Lucas, Sister Theresa
- The First White Christmas – Children Chorus
- The First White Christmas (closing version) – Children Chorus
Crew
- Produced and Directed by Arthur Rankin, Jr. and Jules Bass
- Written by Julian P. Gardner
- Music and Lyrics by Maury Laws and Jules Bass
- Sound: John Curcio, Don Hahn, Dave Iveland, Tom Clack
- Post Production Editing: Irwin Goldress
- "Animagic" Production Supervisors: Akikazu Kono and Ichiro Komuro
- Design: Lester Abrams
- Music Arranged and Conducted by Maury Laws
Notes
The film's title actually refers to the Christmas pageant the orphan children presented on Christmas Eve, though the title could also refer to the first time Lucas actually experiences snow after his sight returns.
It originally premiered on December 19, 1975 on NBC. In later years, it aired on CBS, usually as the last Rankin/Bass special aired for the season. Freeform once aired the special each year during its "25 Days of Christmas" programming block, but AMC has now taken over broadcast rights for the special as of 2018. A VHS version is also available from ABC Video Enterprises in 1987, and Warner Home Video on October 3, 1990 in the Holiday Treasures line.[3]
It was also released on DVD on October 2, 2012. Warner Home Video repackaged the DVD release of the special along with three of other Rankin/Bass Christmas DVDs in the 4 Kid Favorites: Merry Masterpieces box set, released on October 13, 2015.
See also
References
- Crump, William D. (2019). Happy Holidays—Animated! A Worldwide Encyclopedia of Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Year's Cartoons on Television and Film. McFarland & Co. p. 106. ISBN 9781476672939.
- Woolery, George W. (1989). Animated TV Specials: The Complete Directory to the First Twenty-Five Years, 1962-1987. Scarecrow Press. pp. 145–146. ISBN 0-8108-2198-2. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
- https://www.amazon.com/First-Christmas-VHS-Angela-Lansbury/dp/6301760336