The Spirit of Christmas (1953)

Highly Overrated But Still Good

Great Film overall

True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.

"The Spirit of Christmas" is a 27-minute short film from 1950, so this one is already over 65 years old. According to IMDb, it is the only effort by writer and director Mabel Beaton. The title makes clear that this is one for the festive season of course, but even if it may look like that, it is not an animated movie, but it is all about the marionettes in here. I am certainly a bit biased as this is not to my liking: the strange movements, the static face expressions etc. Admittedly, this one here handles these issues better than most others, so I was tempted to give it a better rating until eventually they included advertisement during the live action parts at the very end. Oh well, these were when the film really did hit rock bottom. The marionette parts were certainly better, also because they included some decent music and the narration wasn't too bad either. And of course the religious references (Bible) gave a bit of a purpose to the entire project, but on the one hand my subjective preference and on the other some absolute no-gos cannot be equalized by some of the better aspects. At least not for me. I do not agree with the high rating at all and give this one a thumbs-down. Watch something else instead.

This Christmas program is not going to please many people because it lacks a huge WOW FACTOR in terms of visuals. What it does so wonderfully is that it lets you use your imagination. Mabel Beaton uses puppets in this program to great effect. The story is pace beautifully. The film is made "WITH GREAT LOVE" which is apparent.The way this program was made and produced I am sure was the inspiration for the well know "Rankin-Bass" Christmas Specials. If you have kids watch this with them during the holidays. It may play on some PBS stations but it is however worth buying. Trust me it is GREAT.

Growing up in Havertown,Pa in the 50's + 60's, this Christmas special was much anticipated. I do not recall it playing more than once per season and we anxiously waited for it's showing.In the 60's and 70's many animated Christmas shows were aired and this one was forgotten.I was past 40 when I finally saw it again and was shocked to see it was in color!!! What a wonderful taste of my childhood this has given me.Enjoy it's simplicity. I have purchased several copies on DVD and sent them to family and friends. If you know of anyone from the Philadelphia area in their 50's , they would probably love this as a gift.They are not expensive and are,of course, inexpensive to send by first class mail.Now I'm showing it to my grandchildren.Time marches on,Merry Christmas.

I agree wholeheartedly with Tom' comments. This is what children suchas myself grew up on, not the sub adequate shows on TV today. The localstation here in Phila only shows the Spirit part of the marionetteprogram, but not the Nativity scene, which I guess is just a sign ofour times. However, it is a treat to see this, even if only for once ayear! Alexander Scourby, who starred and was the voice over for both the shows, was the perfect choice. As a bit of trivia, he appeared years later in a role as an older businessman on (I believe) General Hospital. His was a voice that, once heard, was never mistaken for another. My grandaughters now watch this show with me every Christmas season, so I guess this is a nice legacy to pass down