Merry Christmas!
Earlier this month, I wrote about reader Larry Rapchak, of Whiting, and his fond Christmas memory YouTube video on the Internet saluting the cartoon voice great Mel Blanc.
The first time I ever talked to Rapchak was last year right around Christmas after I wrote a column about Classic Media having finally re-released the favorite 1962 animated Christmas TV special "Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol" on DVD.
Rapchak, like myself, is a fan of the nearsighted Quincy Magoo and after my column, he wrote to me sharing his personal experience and memories with this holiday classic, including a chance to meet one of the star voice actors from the legendary cartoon.
"Phil: I have attached a snapshot of me and actor Royal Dano, one of the greats from that golden era of TV and film. Royal was the quintessential Jacob Marley--- if only he could have played the role in a film version of 'A Christmas Carol!' He did a great job voicing Marley's ghost in 'Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol.' He also provided the singing voice of the sneaky pawn shop guy for the song 'We're Not Tea - Party Blokes...' in the scene after Scrooge has died, his cleaning woman and the mortician are selling all of his things. For the record, the speaking voice of the pawn shop guy, plus that of just about every other male character in this Magoo cartoon, was provided by Paul Frees, the greatest voice-over guy of all time with a list of credits that includes him as the original TV voice of the Pillsbury Doughboy. Frees also appeared on camera from time to time, most notably as one of the scientists in the original scary film 'The Thing,' as well as the priest who comforts actor Montgomery Clift's character in the closing scenes of 'A Place in the Sun.' As for my visit with Mr. Dano, it took place on Friday, Sept. 30, 1988. Have a great Christmas! Larry Rapchak
This holiday, Rapchak was kind enough to share information with me to pass on to readers about a new "Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol" book about the making of the TV special, written by Darrell van Citters.
The book is sold exclusively at mrmagooschristmascarol.com.
"It's an excellent book devoted entirely to the making of 'Magoo's Carol' and the author is the animator Darrell van Citters, who had to publish it himself, since no legit publisher was interested," Rapchak said.
As for "Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol," this is a rare treat.
When it first aired Dec. 18, 1962, on NBC, as a musical adaptation of Charles Dickens' famous short story, it became a part of television history since it was the first animated holiday special ever produced specifically for television. (Charles Schulz's "A Charlie Brown Christmas" came along in 1965).
Sponsored by Timex Watches, this television Christmas special starring Mr. Magoo also served as the pilot episode of a TV series titled "The Famous Adventures of Mr. Magoo," which featured Mr. Magoo's character as an actor appearing in dramatizations of various well-known stories.
It was dusted off and shown on television each year during the 1970s and then seemed to disappear before being released in 1994 on VHS and on DVD in 2001.
What's extra special about this latest release is it is the complete, original 53-minute version, including the opening and closing sequences, which are often cut and not shown, depicting Magoo hurrying to a theater to make his stage debut acting in "A Christmas Carol."
The only obvious references to his trademark nearsighted quality is in these opening scenes, when he knocks over some scenery, although there are few hints to his squinting in later scenes.
Another reason this special is hailed by so many is because of the original songs it showcases from the Broadway team of Jule Styne (music) and Bob Merrill (lyrics), who collaborated on the musical "Funny Girl."
It also features the voice of singer/actor Jack Cassidy as Bob Cratchit, opposite legendary Jim Backus as Magoo, who plays Scrooge in the special. FYI: classicmedia.tv.
The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer. He can be reached at philip.potempa@nwi.com or 219.852.4327.
Today's Celebrity Birthdays
Singer Tony Martin (husband of the late Cyd Charisse) is 96. Actor Dick Miller is 81. Actress Hanna Schygulla is 66. Rhythm-and-blues singer John Edwards (The Spinners) is 65. Actor Gary Sandy ("WKRP In Cincinnati") is 64. Singer Jimmy Buffett is 63. Country singer Barbara Mandrell is 61. Actress Sissy Spacek is 60. Actress CCH Pounder is 57. Bass player Ron Foos of Paul Revere and the Raiders is 59. Singer Annie Lennox is 55. Reggae singer-musician Robin Campbell (UB40) and country singer Steve Wariner are 55. Singer Shane MacGowan (The Pogues, The Popes) is 52. Actress Klea Scott is 41. Rock musician Noel Hogan (The Cranberries) and singer Dido are 38. Rock singer Mac Powell (Third Day) is 37. Rhythm-and-blues singer Ryan Shaw is 29. Country singer Alecia Elliott is 27. Pop singers Jess and Lisa Origliasso (The Veronicas) are 25.
