Rankin and Bass has to be, hands down, one of the most legendary animation studios when it comes to the high art of the Christmas special. Boasting the highest pedigree of classics, Rankin/Bass have given us such snowy-eyed seasonal adaptations as Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus, not to forget a little story called Twas the Night Before Christmas (1974).Based on the Clement Moore poem of the same name, Twas the Night Before Christmas has everything that a timeless made-for-tv special needs; full of songs, moral lessons, and an interpretation of the "true meaning" of Santa is revealed. The story revolves around a nerdy pipsqueak of a mouse who is too smart for his own good, first attempting to expose the "fraudulent myth" of Santa and then inadvertently destroying the town's Santa-inspired monument (a giant clock). Per the rules of Christmas specials (#1225), the mouse must then save Christmas by somehow fixing the clock and working past his disbelief in the 'ole jolly one. Suffice to say there's a reason why Santa wears boots... and these boots are for stomping.
This is another one of my annual favourites. And yes, I have a good copy on VHS ;)