K.A.C. 2023 - T - 11 Days ...

 

1965 - I've seen some Scary Santas over the years doing these pages, but this one is Way Up There! From the Secret Santa Society ring on his right hand and NONE on his left (I'm sure Mrs. Claus would like a word with him about THAT) to ... "what, Santa? No, I didn't mean anything by it, just an observa ... umm, you know what? Never mind - I've forgotten it already, really! Yes, they ARE pretty tree lights ... why don't I WEAR them? AHHHHH ..." 

     

     While Mr. Magoo came in first from '62 with his animated Christmas special, it was completely eclipsed this year (and all the years thereafter) by A Charlie Brown Christmas. As the HobbyLark website tells us: 'On December 9, A Charlie Brown Christmas—a TV special that was based on the comic strip Peanuts—premiered on CBS. Wikipedia tells us that A Charlie Brown Christmas “has been honored with an Emmy and a Peabody Award, and became an annual presentation in the United States, airing during the Christmas season every year since its debut.' 

     Want to watch this perennial holiday favorite with your kids and grandkids? Good luck! It ran for decades for free on network TV, but not anymore, suckers - the ONLY place to see it now is Apple TV+ - see the full, sad story here:

     https://www.today.com/life/holidays/where-to-watch-charlie-brown-christmas-rcna59865

     

     Don't cry - even if you CAN'T watch Chuck and the gang go through their paces, we've got something even stranger (because of course we do!) - Question: when is a Christmas Special NOT a Christmas Special, but also IS a Christmas Special? Question: when can a Christmas Special NOT be watched, but also CAN be watched? Question: WHO else can we be talking about but that jolly old elf, Doctor Who? Behold one of the stranger tales from the early days of the show and watch the only surviving (Very Weird) version of this historic TV moment below:

     https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/doctor-who-the-weird-anomaly-of-the-1965-christmas-special/

     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRFlWddgi2Y&list=PLdW3TSXdsrF2x4gSwnLQ7FY0z04KS3YXE&index=5

     Speaking of food (after Doctor Who's 'Feast Of Steven'), 1965 also was the debut of 'Jonathan Pillsbury', who you know better as Poppin' Fresh, the Pillsbury Dough Boy. Hawker of millions of crescent rolls and the like and a member of the American Advertising Federation Hall Of Fame, I don't think our final entry today would merit one of his trademark giggles, as we present '24 Strange Vintage Christmas Appetizers You Don’t See Much Anymore':

     https://clickamericana.com/holidays-seasons/christmas/vintage-christmas-party-appetizers-you-dont-see-much-anymore

      Tune in tomorrow for my favorite year, 1966!