'Twas the Night Before Christmas is a 1974 animated Christmas television special produced by Rankin/Bass Productions that features Clement Clarke Moore's famous 1823 poem A Visit from St. Nicholas, the opening line of which is the source of the title of this animated special. Wikipedia
Networks: CBS, Freeform
First episode date: 1974
Networks: CBS, Freeform
First episode date: 1974
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00:00T'was the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring,
00:16not even a mouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in the hopes that
00:23Saint Nicholas would soon be there. The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
00:30while visions of sugar plums danced in their heads. And Mama in her kerchief, and I in my cap,
00:41had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap. Ah, if only I could sleep, if only I knew.
00:51T'was the night before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
01:02Well, I'm stirring. If only I could sleep, if only I knew. We got trouble, the boss and me, big trouble.
01:14I mean, how would you feel if it was only three minutes to Christmas, and you didn't know whether...
01:20As we say when approaching a tall piece of cheddar, better start from the top.
01:25The trouble began two months ago, when the mailman came.
01:38Hey, wait a minute. This isn't for us. It's for Santa.
01:41So is this.
01:43And this.
01:43And this.
01:45I spilled that ink. These are the letters we wrote to Santa.
01:48The letters we wrote to Santa returned...
01:54Not accepted by a dressie.
01:56What does that mean, Father?
01:58That Santa doesn't want our letters.
02:00But why?
02:02I don't know, Sarah. I don't know.
02:05The same thing was happening all over town, as boys and girls got their letters back from Santa.
02:11No one knew what it meant.
02:13But we grown-ups knew one thing for sure.
02:16We were going to do everything we could to find out.
02:20It was the night before Christmas
02:26When all through the house
02:29Not a creature was stirring
02:33Not even out loud
02:38Come on, Ocrispringle
02:44Down the Milky Way
02:46Santa, we need you today
02:51Santa, we need you today
02:53Even America needs a hand
03:13Let up a little of the wonder why
03:25And give your heart a try
03:29T'was the night before Christmas
03:43While the people were storming the village hall
03:57And the mayor was wishing he was somewhere else
04:00I decided to give Mouse Bell a whirl
04:03And get the word from up north
04:04North Pole substation
04:09This is Father Mouse in Junctionville
04:11Am I coming through?
04:12The equipment is in working order
04:14Oh, well listen, we want to know what's the matter with Santa?
04:19You'll have to be more specific
04:22I'll be specific
04:24How about these letters that all came back?
04:26Not even opened
04:28You did say Junctionville, sir
04:30Yes, Junctionville
04:32That explains it, sir
04:34Santa didn't like that letter in the Junctionville register, sir
04:37Not one letter
04:38What letter?
04:39Letter?
04:40What letter?
04:41Who wrote it?
04:42I wish I knew
04:43It was signed, all of us
04:45Hello, hello
04:47Back issues, Junctionville register
04:51In the cellar
04:52A citizen to see you, Mr. Mayor
04:57Citizen?
04:58They're not allowed in here
04:59This is public property
05:01This one says he has an answer to our problem
05:04Then show him in
05:05Show him in
05:06Mr. Joshua Trundle, uh, clockmaker
05:10Mr. Mayor and Honorable Councilman
05:12I think we all know what the problem is
05:15We have concluded that for reasons unknown
05:18Mr. Claus, Santa that is
05:20Has taken an unconscionable attitude of hostile retaliation toward
05:26Oh, heck, he's mad at us
05:28That's just what I think, too
05:30And I want to make him happy again
05:32With this
05:36Very handsome, Mr. Trundle
05:38But, uh, how will a clock make him happy?
05:42It's not an ordinary clock
05:45At exactly midnight on Christmas Eve
05:48When Santa is flying overhead
05:50He'll hear this
05:51Christmas chimes are calling
05:56Santa, Santa
05:59Every heart recalling
06:02Santa, Santa
06:05Come on, old Kris Kringle
06:08Down the Milky Way
06:10Of course, this is only a small model with the children singing
06:14I'd have to make a big one
06:16Big enough for Santa to see it and hear it
06:18I move to authorize construction at once
06:21Second
06:22All those in favour
06:23And don't you dare say no, McDevitt
06:26Aye
06:27Carried
06:28You may build your clock, Mr. Trundle
06:30And may the enchanting tones of its melody
06:33Soar to the pinnacle of the celestial heights swearer
06:37Oh, heck, get started
06:39I found it
06:40I found it
06:43I found it
06:44I found it
06:45Dear editor
06:46Santa Claus is a fraudulent myth
06:50Rooted in unconscious fantasies
06:52And emerging as a deceitful lie
06:56P.S. The reindeer are phony too
06:59Signed, all of us
07:01All of us
07:02No wonder Santa's angry
07:04Who would send him a letter like that?
07:07Big words
07:08It sounds like the mayor
07:10Long words
07:12Long words
07:15Long words
07:17Oh, no
07:18It couldn't be
07:21Albert
07:22Yes, father
07:23There's something we've got to talk about
07:25I said, yes, father
07:26Yes, father, what?
07:28I wrote the letter
07:29My friends and I, that is
07:31All of us
07:32You didn't, Albert
07:34Dear editor
07:35Santa Claus is a fraudulent myth rooted in
07:38Enough, enough
07:39Write another one
07:40Right away
07:41Apologizing
07:42But I can't
07:43Why not?
07:44That letter was true
07:46You don't know as much as you think
07:48Because you only think with your head
07:51So you have a lot of trouble believing in things you can't see or touch
07:55Like, for instance
07:56What things?
07:57What things?
07:58How about fairies and leprechauns
08:01On St. Patrick's Day
08:04How about just about everything
08:07That makes a holiday gay
08:12There's more to the world than meets the eye
08:16When doubts in your mind give your heart a try
08:19Let up a little on the wonder why
08:23And give your heart a try
08:26If you can't believe what you can't see
08:29Well, here's what to do to become like me
08:32Let up a little on the wonder why
08:35And give your heart a try
08:38What is spring without the Easter bunny?
08:45Like a rainbow that doesn't end in money
08:51And a valentine would certainly look stupid
08:57Without a cupid
08:59So let his arrow in your heart
09:03That would be a start
09:06There's more to the world than meets the eye
09:10When doubts in your mind give your heart a try
09:13Let up a little on the wonder why
09:16And give your heart a try
09:26Here's our first example of how you've ruined everyone's Christmas with your opinions
09:31This children's hospital once knew laughter
09:37Best medicine there is
09:39But not anymore
09:41There's Davy Thomas
09:48Best artist in school
09:50He made that picture of Santa
09:52When he thought that Santa cared
09:54These are just kids
10:01Grown-ups never believe in Santa
10:04Don't quite know everything, do you?
10:13Everyone's asleep
10:15Mr. Trundle's been hard at work making a special clock
10:21There's the model
10:23When the clock strikes 12 on Christmas Eve
10:26It'll play a song welcoming Santa
10:29Does that sound like a man who doesn't believe?
10:32A song?
10:34Would the hands come together like this?
10:41What's the matter with you?
10:42You want to wake everyone up?
10:44That's pretty neat
10:45Does it work on the gear and pinion principle
10:47Or in AC synchronous motor?
10:49Well, it's more of a gear what?
10:52Synchronous who?
10:54Ever since Copernicus died it was known
10:56But...
10:57Never mind, never mind
10:58You may know algebra, son
11:00But this time the whole town's counting on this clock
11:04Hello, citizens
11:16We are gathered on this auspicious occasion
11:19To honor a distinguished gentleman
11:22Whose inspired and consummate excellence
11:25In the craft of chronometric creation
11:27As a...
11:29Oh, heck
11:30He made one whale of a clock
11:32Mr. Joshua Trundle
11:39And now, Mr. Trundle
11:41If you will start your magnificent clock and its song
11:44That will make Santa Claus our friend again
11:46A friend again
11:47With pleasure
12:16After the clock went kerplooey
12:23Life changed for Mr. Trundle
12:26No one trusted him anymore
12:30Please, come back
12:32I'm still a good clock maker
12:33Really, I am
12:39What do you want?
12:40I'm Joshua Trundle
12:41I've come to fix the clock
12:42Ain't you fixed things enough around here?
12:45But I made that clock
12:46For the town
12:47For Santa
12:48It's got to work by Christmas Eve
12:50And I can make it work
12:51I...
12:52What seems to be the trouble?
12:53This joker wants to get in
12:55Says he came to fix the clock
12:56Is that what he says?
12:58Well, let me tell you something, Trundle
13:00Of all the incompetent, insolent purveyors
13:03Of chicanery that I have ever...
13:06Oh, heck
13:07Home!
13:12Winter came and things got tough
13:14For the trundles
13:15And if you think they had it bad
13:20We'd have swapped our whiskers
13:21For a peanut shell
13:22Or a round ripe apple seed
13:24But meals don't fall from empty tables
13:31Then finally it was Christmas Eve
13:33No sense in hanging stockings, Dad
13:38There's no one to fill them this year
13:40Unless you believe in miracles
13:42Now don't go saying that
13:44The night's not over yet
13:45There's...
13:46There's always hope
13:48Miracles happen most everyday
13:51To people like you
13:53And me
13:54But don't expect a miracle
13:58Unless...
14:00You help make it...
14:02To be...
14:04So you hope...
14:07And I'll hurry...
14:09You pray...
14:11And I'll plan...
14:12We'll do what's...
14:15Necessary...
14:16Cause...
14:17Even...
14:18A miracle needs a hand
14:22You love...
14:23And I'll labor...
14:25You sit...
14:27And I'll stand...
14:29Get help...
14:30From our next door neighbor...
14:32Cause...
14:33Even...
14:34Even...
14:35A miracle needs a hand...
14:38We'll help...
14:39Our maker...
14:41To make our dreams come true...
14:45But I can't do it alone...
14:48So...
14:50Here's what we're gonna...
14:53Do...
14:56You hope...
14:57We hope...
14:58And I'll hurry...
14:59You pray...
15:00I'll pray...
15:01I'll plan...
15:02We'll do...
15:03What's...
15:04Necessary...
15:05Cause...
15:06Even...
15:07A miracle...
15:08Needs a hand...
15:12We'll help...
15:13Our maker...
15:15To make our dreams come true...
15:18But we can't do it alone...
15:22So...
15:24What are we gonna...
15:26Do...
15:29You wish...
15:30We wish...
15:31And I'll whittle...
15:32You...
15:33You drip...
15:34While I try...
15:35Let's all try...
15:37To help a little...
15:38Cause...
15:39Even...
15:40A miracle...
15:41Needs...
15:42A hand...
15:43A hand...
15:44Come children...
15:45It's time for bed...
15:46Even...
15:47A miracle...
15:49A hand...
15:50Even...
15:51A miracle...
15:52A hand...
15:53Even...
15:54Even...
15:55When a miracle was on hand.
16:06What is it?
16:07It's my fault.
16:09All my fault.
16:11I've ruined everyone's Christmas.
16:12I know, I know you wrote the letter, Albert.
16:15You told us so, and that was honest of you.
16:18But as you said, it was your opinion.
16:21No, that isn't it.
16:23Something else.
16:24What else?
16:25Mr. Trundle's clock in the village hall.
16:30I wanted to see how it worked, so I climbed up into it and...
16:34Kerplunk?
16:36Kerplooey.
16:37You broke the clock?
16:38I didn't mean it, Father.
16:40I'm sorry.
16:41So sorry.
16:43It's not enough to be sorry.
16:44When you've done something wrong, you have to correct the thing you did.
16:49That's it.
16:50I'll fix it, Father.
16:51I'll fix the clock by midnight.
16:53Then maybe Santa will...
16:54You don't believe in Santa?
16:56I don't know.
16:56I don't know.
16:58But I've learned that I've still got a lot to learn.
17:01But, son, you don't know how to fix a clock.
17:04That's all right, Father.
17:04I'll do what's necessary, because even a miracle needs a hand.
17:21Good luck.
17:23Father Mouse?
17:31Merry Christmas, Mr. Trundle.
17:34Not very merry, I'm afraid.
17:36You're right, of course.
17:37And it's my fault.
17:39My family's.
17:40How so?
17:41My older boy, Albert.
17:43First he insulted Santa, and then...
17:45I can hardly say it.
17:48Go on.
17:49I'm afraid he got into your clock to see how it worked, and then...
17:53Kerplunk.
17:55Kerplooey.
17:56So, that was it.
17:59The boy has repented.
18:00He's trying to make amends right now.
18:02Diameter of coil in inverse ratio to mainspring.
18:16Which brings us to where we were.
18:19Three minutes...
18:21Three seconds to Christmas.
18:29No chimes.
18:30No song.
18:32No Santa.
18:33All is calm.
18:38All is bright.
18:42Brown young virgin.
18:47Boy and son.
18:51All is bright.
18:55Christmas snow is falling.
18:59Carols fill the air
19:03But it won't be Christmas
19:07Till Santa Claus is here
19:10Christmas chants are calling
19:21Santa, Santa
19:23Every heart recalling
19:25Santa, Santa
19:27Come on, old Chris Pringle
19:29Tell the Milky Way
19:30Christmas chants are calling
19:33Santa, we need you today
19:35If you don't believe it
19:40Santa, Santa
19:42Think that he's deceiving
19:44Santa, Santa
19:46Think about a Christmas
19:47With no Christmas cheer
19:49Christmas chants are calling
19:51Santa, but his name, reindeer
19:54We love his laughter
19:56Is jingling-a-ling forever after
20:00The bells will ring
20:02Christmas chants are calling
20:07Santa, Santa
20:08Every heart recalling
20:10Santa, Santa
20:12Come on, old Chris Pringle
20:14Tell the Milky Way
20:16Christmas chants are calling
20:18Santa, we need you today
20:20When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter
20:28I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter
20:31Away to the window I flew like a flash
20:33Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash
20:36The moon and the breast of the new-fallen snow
20:39Gave the luster of midday to objects below
20:42When what to my wondering eye should appear
20:46But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer
20:49With a little old driver so lively and quick
20:53I knew in a moment it must be Saint Nick
20:56More rapid than eagles his coursers they came
20:59And he whistled and shouted and called them by name
21:03Now Dasher, now Dancer, now Prancer and Vixen
21:07On Comet, on Cupid, on Donner and Blitzen
21:10To the top of the porch, to the top of the wall
21:13Now dash away, dash away, dash away all
21:18As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly
21:24When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky
21:27So up to the housetop the coursers they flew
21:31With the sleigh full of toys and Saint Nicholas too
21:35And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
21:39The prancing and pawing of each little hoof
21:42As I drew in my head and was turning around
21:45Down the chimney Saint Nicholas came with a bow
21:48He was dressed all in fur from his head to his foot
21:51And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot
21:55A bundle of toys he had flung on his back
21:57And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack
22:00His eyes, how they twinkled, his dimples, how merry
22:05His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry
22:09His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow
22:12And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow
22:15The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth
22:18And the smoke, it encircled his head like a wreath
22:21He had a broad face and a round little belly
22:26That shook when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly
22:29He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf
22:34And I laughed when I saw him in spite of myself
22:37A wink of his eye and a twist of his head
22:40Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread
22:43He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work
22:47And filled all the stockings
22:49Then turned with a jerk
22:51And laying his finger aside of his nose
22:54And giving a nod
22:56Up the chimney he rose
22:58He sprang to his sleigh
23:00To his team gave a whistle
23:01And away they all flew
23:03Like the dowel of a thistle
23:05But I heard him exclaim
23:09Ere he drove out of sight
23:11Happy Christmas to all
23:14And to all a good night
23:16Happy Christmas to all
23:18Happy Christmas to all
23:23οΏ½οΏ½οΏ½
23:23THE END
23:53THE END