The Year Without a Santa Claus (1974) – Rewatch

This is the absolute greatest Rankin-Bass special. What could easily be thought a sequel to Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town, Mickey Rooney reprises his role as Santa: physically sick, tired, and feeling uncared for after giving his all for yet another year. On advice from his doctor, this year he decides to take a holiday and Mrs. Claus scrambles to find a way to still get the gifts delivered. Based on the book of the same title, it’s an entirely unique story that features delightful characters, most memorably the Heat and Snow Misers and their little minions. I don’t let a year go by without watching this one. 

Side Note: I just discovered that before this special was even made Boris Karloff recorded a reading of the original story. Even without the inclusion of the Miser Brothers, it’s a delightful rendition with its rhyme scheme easily bringing memories of How the Grinch Stole Christmas.