A Very Special Christmas, Part 2
Rick Retro’s Realm, Project #4: 2025 Christmas Tour – The second tier of Christmas specials finishes off the 1960s, taking us to 1970.
Project #4: 2025 Christmas Tour – The second tier of Christmas specials finishes off the 1960s, taking us to 1970.
The last recap of our 2025 Christmas Tour, Part 1 of “A Very Special Christmas” linked the Retro Reviews of the “Big Three” Christmas TV specials that premiered in the 1960s and still dominate “Best Christmas Movies Ever” lists today. Yesterday, our tour included the Substack debuts of the Retro Reviews for the second tier of Christmas TV specials. These three specials are not revered as highly as the Big Three, but are still well-regarded. All of them made at least three of ten “Best Christmas Movies Ever” lists I consulted, with the second one found on four lists.
Since those reviews will be post-dated soon, to reflect their initial debuts to our pre-Substack text group during our 2024 Christmas Tour, this summary post will preserve their Substack debuts for current and future readers following along with the 2025 Christmas Tour.
All three of these second-tier Christmas specials were based on songs. Up first was the special more focused on the Christian meaning of Christmas than any other, including even the Big Three.
A v
Family Suitability
+ ✅4️⃣ OK for younger kids. (Grades K+) | Approved
Alignment with Judeo-Christian Values
+ ❎4️⃣ Excellent/Very Strongly Favorable
Next up was the second-tier special that landed on more all-time best lists than either of the other two. I’m not sure why. It’s a good special to be sure, very cute, and great for kids. But of all six of the Christmas specials I’ve reviewed, it’s my least favorite for adults. Find out why in the Retro Review!
Frosty the Snowman (1969)
Frosty the Snowman (1969) — Fun for the whole family, except, perhaps, the adults.
A v
Family Suitability
+ ✅4️⃣ OK for younger kids. (Grades K+) | TV-G
Alignment with Judeo-Christian Values
+ ❎2️⃣ Good/Moderately Favorable
Finally, we concluded our look at the second-tier of Christmas specials with the Retro Review of the one that almost merits being in the first-tier. In the review, I’ll briefly tell you the main reason why it missed out, but spend a lot more time telling you about the reasons why it was a great TV special in its own right. If you missed this review yesterday, click through and read it today!
Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town (1970)
Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town (1970) — Almost as good as the “Big Three” Christmas specials. What did it get right, and where did it go wrong?
A+>
Family Suitability
+ ✅4️⃣ OK for younger kids. (Grades K+) | Approved
Alignment with Judeo-Christian Values
+ ❎4️⃣ Excellent/Very Strongly Favorable
From here through Christmas Eve, starting this afternoon, our 2025 Christmas Tour will present the Substack debut of a Retro Review for a Christmas movie previously posted only to our text group during the 2024 Christmas Tour. Every few days I will include a recap post like this one so that both tours can be followed in the proper sequence by future visitors to our archives.
Don't forget the popcorn!
⬅️Previous (all sections) | Next (all sections) ➡️