"Yes Virginia , There is a Santa Claus" is probably one of the most famous Christmas stories and the fact that it's a true story even makes it more appealing to adapt into media. This time, we look at the 1974 special for ABC of the same name based off the story of Virginia O' Hanlon who at the age asked the The New York Sun newspaper if Santa Claus was real and the newspaper gave a philosophy instead. The media we are looking at is an animated short based off this story. This special must have been good it won a prime time Emmy in 1975 for outstanding , Children's program beating "Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown", "The Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown", and "Dr.Seuss Hoober Bloob Highway". (All great programming) There is a connection to the two Charlie Brown specials to this special as well, you will notice how it looks, and Bill Melendez was a director and producer in this special so, he had at 75% of winning the award that year. (That's how you do it)
So here we go.
It starts with the narrator telling us that he wishes all things on Earth were as easy to fix as that crooked "h" spelling Earth was. Meanwhile. at school in the 1890's the teacher, Ms. Taylor, wants her class to write an essay about Christmas. Virginia says she is going to write about why she believes in Santa Claus and the other kids laugh at her. (Because 1890's kids were also mean like children are). The teacher tells them to pipe down(that's our words not hers) and let's Virginia continue. Virginia says she is unsure that Santa exists or not.
Later on, kids make fun of Virginia some more. A kid named Billy tells her that his older brother says there's no Santa because he's 14 and knows everything. (So a normal 14 year old) Virigina tries ask some kids if any of them believe in Santa. So far, none of them believe in except a couple. So, she asks a policeman and he doesn't know Santa Claus is real then he calls his Sargent but that doesn't work. Then she asks the candyman if he knows if there's a Santa. I don't think this works. Then the Chinese restaurant man , he's no help either. ( Also what? ) She then asks her father and he says that people are out there have always been out there don't believe in anything they don't see. Just because you don't see something doesn't mean it's not there.
The paperboy believes in Santa. He also says the same thing her father says too, and he suggests that you ask the editor of the New York Sun about Santa he'll give the definitive answer. (That's some paper) We also find out the paper boy doesn't go to school because 1890s. Her father thinks that is also a great idea to write the paper.
So, she decides to write the letter. Meanwhile. editor Scrooge (he gives the words Bah humbug) even his sectary calls him that, doesn't want to read an eight year old girl's letter. Virginia waits for her letter to be in the paper, her father says just wait. The paperboy from earlier named Tommy Keegan comes into Mr.Church's office , that's the editor, and convinces him to take the letter and write back.
Mr.Church stews over what to write for awhile. While Virginia waits for answer. Then eventually, at the school the Teacher reads the editorial that answers the question that Virginia asked. The special does the full editorial , of course. The other kids apologize to her.
There's an addendum where they talk mention some of the figures are real people and their names weren't changed to protect the innocent. Also, Santa was the narrator.
That's it. I think it's an alright special it does do a nice take on the famous story that works well to keep you interested. This special did fall off the television way side at some point. The story was also later used for 1990 movie which I am not sure how they took something kind of short and made it longer than this one tried, and there was a CGI special in 2010.
That's our lookback tune in next time, when we wonder if there is a New Year's goblin.
If this is our last post before Christmas , then we Wish You A Merry Christmas from us here at Joshuaonline.
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