The Anniversary Brothers Podcast: Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town 50th Anniversary

Aaron and Josh Sarnecky are back for another TV anniversary. This
time it’s Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town for its 50th anniversary.


The classic Christmas special first aired on ABC on December 14,
1970 and has since became a television staple during the holiday
season. It was directed and produced by Jules Bass and Arthur
Rankin Jr., the duo behind a multitude of Christmas cartoons from
the ‘60s and ‘70s. Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town was written
Romeo Muller, who adapted the popular song of the same name.
Muller wrote other essential Christmas specials like Rudolph the
Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman.


Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town features Mickey Rooney as Kris
Kringle AKA Santa Claus, Keenan Wynn as the Winter Warlock, Robie
Lester as Miss Jessica, Paul Frees as Burgermeister Meisterburger
and Joan Gardner as Tanta Kringle. It is narrated by Fred Astaire
as Special Delivery “S.D.” Kluger.


Josh and Aaron break down the special’s elements, including the
“Animagic” stop-motion animation, the characters, and the music.
They also discuss the show’s legacy and rate it among other
Christmas specials.