Countdown To Christmas With Classic Cartoon Holiday Specials - A Chipmunk Christmas

 

December in the 80's was a magical time of year to be a kid. Not only did we get all the fantastic toys for Christmas, but every year, throughout the holiday season, the television would segue from regularly scheduled programing to air animated holiday specials. They'd come on just late enough that it could be a family event, but early enough that we'd get to enjoy it just before bedtime.

Each half hour block was special. Perfectly crafted with just the right number of advertisements to remind us of all the toys on store shelves, the treats to be had from local restaurants and grocery stores, and all other manners of consumption in between. But at the heart of it was that cartoon which would come out of hiding just once a year, fill your eyes with wonder, bringing smiles, laughter, action, adventure, drama, but at the root of it, a classic holiday message of peace, giving, love, and joy.

It's become my own personal tradition each year to pull a holiday special off the DVD shelf each day to enjoy. It's a ritual which not only has become my way of counting down the twenty-four days of December leading up to my favorite holiday, but my way of reminding myself that no matter what's happening in the world, my day-to-day grind of work, life, health, trials, and tribulations, that for a moment, all of that can be put a side, and I can simply become a kid again, even if it's just at heart.

While I wish I could share the actual special with all of you, be it by inviting you all to my home to join me in front of the fireplace with a bowl of popcorn, sadly, that's just not feasible. However, between sites such as Youtube, Arhcive.org, Dailymotion, and Vimeo, you can probably find them to watch. Of course, for those of you so bold, you could also pick them up on DVD yourself, something I would highly recommend. If not for yourself, for your children.

A doctor visits the Waterford family, whose son Tommy is ill. The doctor admits that the chance of Tommy recovering before Christmas is bleak. Meanwhile, the Chipmunks have a recording session. Alvin is not very happy about having to work on Christmas, but after Dave tells him that he can play his prized Golden Echo harmonica, he suggests that Dave can get everything set up in the studio while he and his brothers go window shopping. Dave agrees to this, and tells them not to be late. At the music store, Alvin sees another Golden Echo harmonica, and tells his own harmonica that it's the best harmonica in the world. At that moment, Tommy's mother and sister arrive at the store, and he overhears Tommy's sister tell her mother that if Tommy had the Golden Echo harmonica, it would make him feel better. Alvin feels bad about Tommy's illness, so much that during the recording session, he can't sing in tune with the others. Dave gives the Chipmunks a break, so Alvin visits the Waterfords' house and presents Tommy with his (Alvin's) own harmonica, returning in time to finish the session. 

Later, while the Chipmunks are decorating the tree, Simon and Theodore congratulate Alvin for what he did. However, Alvin tells Simon and Theodore that they can't tell Dave, as the harmonica was a gift from him to Alvin, and Alvin fears Dave's feelings would be hurt if he learned what happened. Alvin plans to save his money and buy a new harmonica after Christmas, but when Dave gets a phone call from Carnegie Hall that they want Alvin to play his harmonica on Christmas Eve, Alvin is forced to make a plan to get enough money for a new harmonica. The Chipmunks gather up all the dogs in the neighborhood, and set up a photo booth, where children can have their photo taken with Santa Claus (Alvin). Unfortunately, the presence of a cat draws Dave's attention. As Simon and Theodore are unable to tell him the truth, Dave mistakes Alvin's actions for greed, and sends him to his room. This leads to a dream sequence involving Clyde Crashcup, who says that he has invented Christmas (which is now February 12) and Santa (Abraham Lincoln in a sleigh consisting of a hollowed-out pumpkin pulled by four elephants). Alvin tells him he needs money, and when Dave comes to check up on him, he is saying "money" in his sleep, causing Dave to give up. 

On Christmas Eve, two hours before the concert, Simon and Theodore give Alvin the money they have saved up, and wish him luck on buying the harmonica. Upon being asked where Alvin is, they respond that he's not here right now. Luckily, just as Dave is complaining, he gets a phone call from Tommy's mother, who tells him about Alvin's harmonica and the wonders it worked for Tommy. At the music store, Alvin is depressed, as he still doesn't have enough money for a new harmonica. Just then, a mysterious old woman appears, and buys the harmonica for Alvin, only asking for a song in return. Alvin plays a song, but when he finishes, he finds that the woman has disappeared. Dave, Simon, and Theodore arrive, and Dave apologizes to Alvin for mistaking his (Alvin's) actions for greed and tells him they have a surprise for him. At the concert, Alvin learns that Tommy has fully recovered, and he joins the Chipmunks on stage. Santa Claus flies over the city as the Chipmunks sing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" in the background. Upon returning to the North Pole, he is greeted by his wife, who is revealed to be the same woman who bought Alvin the harmonica.

It has everything you'd want in a holiday special; kindness, giving, and the spirit of the holidays. Further, it comes from one of my all-time favorite 80's cartoons, Alvin and the Chipmunks. Yet, would you believe A Chipmunk Christmas is not one of my favorites?

It's true. I watch it every year more so because I feel like I should because it's a classic from the 80's. Ironically, even if I found ten more holiday special DVD's to add to my collection, I'd probably never take it out of rotation.

Wanting to get a little more holiday joy, I pulled out a couple more DVD's and enjoyed some random Christmas themed episodes. Today's picks were:

• Can't Squeeze Cheer From A Cheese Log from Rocko's Modern Life
• Babies in Toyland, and the Santa Express from Rugrats
• The Stingiest Man in Town, the 1978 Rankin / Bass classic

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Comics Corner: Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man 94

   

Title: Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man
Issue Number: 94
Release Date: September 1984

Highlights

• First appearance of Jonathon Ohnn, AKA The Spot
• It's the body of Silvermane that Kingpin had the Answer steal from the morgue, and it is resurrected in his robotic form
• Dagger feels her light fading, and collapses as her and Cloak chase down drug dealers
• Sha Shan invites Peter Parker, Harry Osborn, and his wife Liz to lunch to talk about her concerns over Flash
• Harry tells Sha Shan that Flash is an adult, and will figure himself out, meanwhile as they leave, Flash comes to the restaurant to see Peter holding her hand, offering words of comfort - Of course he gets the wrong impression
• Peter returns home to find Mrs. Muggins eves dropping at his door, he sneaks up on her and gives her a startle
• Peter calls Felecia, and asks to see her to talk about their argument in the previous issue
• Reference is made to Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man 70
• Kingpin has a submission collar put on Silvermane to control him, and sends him to the city to take care of some petty loan shark as a test
• Spider-Man joins the fight, and when the battle is over, Kingpin orders Silvermane be redirected back to him, but the android doesn't respond to the command
• Spider-Man loses the fight to Silvermane, and literally crawls to Black Cat's apartment, telling her they need to find Cloak and Dagger

Low Points

• None

Oddities

• None

Rating (based on a 1 through 5 Stans grading system)

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Retro Spins: Oingo Boingo - Boi-ngo

Well this is sad. Today, I'm posting my last Oingo Boingo album from the 80's.

The band wrapped up the era with 1987's Boi-ngo, and the last to feature keyboardist, Mike Bacich. By this point in time, Danny Elfman was big into film scoring, having gotten his start with Tim Burton's Pee-Wee's Big Adventure. By the end of 1988, he'd have ten films under his belt.

While most of the band supported him, there were some frictions from others, who thought he was more interested in films than the band. With even Danny Elfman saying that scoring films was more appealing than trying to maintain a successful rock band, while continuing to tour, it's understandable why they would think that. Ultimately, the band would continue on, with them even performing some of his scores at their shows.

Whether it was from Elfman's focus on scores, or the album as a whole just not appealing to critics, they often didn't, Boi-ngo didn't perform well upon its release. It would, however, peak higher on the album charts (at 77) than their more popular previous, and gold certified album, Dead Man's Party (which peaked at 98).

Personally, I think the album has quite a few good tracks, most of them, actually. So, I don't understand why it was met with such lackluster fanfare.

With that said, I would say where it suffers the most for me is once again what I mentioned during my review of Nothing To Fear (yesterday). My main exposure to a lot of these songs was on the later released Boingo Alive, which featured re-recorded "live" versions. As such, those became my go to over the originals. Still, I like the majority of this album as a whole, and in fact, only really skip one track when playing through it, that being Outrageous.

Ironically, two of the songs which made the final cut were actually recording during the sessions for Dead Man's Party. Those included, Not My Slave, and New Generation. On the other hand, there were several tracks recorded for this album which didn't make it to the final product. These included, Mama, Inside, Remember My Name, Cinderella Undercover, Tears Will Flow, and Find You. Additionally, the band would record the track, Happy, which was used for the forthcoming soundtrack to Summer School, but only credited to Elfman.

Oingo Boingo followed up Boi-ngo with the above noted double "live" album, Boingo Alive. While this massive tome of a compilation was recorded live, it was without an audience, delivering with it a high quality which could easily be mistaken as a studio recording. This was followed in 1989 by the true greatest hits, The Best of Oingo Boingo: Skeletons in the Closet.

The band entered the 90's as a solid eight piece for Dark at the End of the Tunnel (1990), and increased to ten members for their final studio album, 1994's Boingo. This was followed up by a massive farewell tour, which concluded in 1995, and was released as their final live album in 1996, Farewell: Live from the Universal Amphitheatre, Halloween 1995. To date, this has been followed by two additional compilations. While Elfman has continued to pursue both scoring films, and releasing the occasional studio album, there have been no reunion tours to date of Oingo Boingo.

On that note, my journey through their 80's discography comes to an end. They remain one of my favorite bands of the era, and are among the few which I boast a full discography of, and even like their material from the 90's.

As for Elfman's continued solo career, I found his 2021 released Big Mess to be a bit of a misstep. It's dark tone, focusing on how much the pandemic and government suck really wasn't what was needed at the time. I recall a lot of people reviewing it saying that they listened to music to escape life, and didn't want to be discouraged and brought down by it, which is what Big Mess ultimately did to people.

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Disclaimer: They Toy Box does not endorse or contribute to piracy. Retro Spins posts are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. None of the music discussed here is available for sale, downloading or distribution.

THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
December 12, 1981

 

THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
December 12, 1987

Countdown To Christmas With Classic Cartoon Holiday Specials - He-Man She-Ra Christmas Special

 

December in the 80's was a magical time of year to be a kid. Not only did we get all the fantastic toys for Christmas, but every year, throughout the holiday season, the television would segue from regularly scheduled programing to air animated holiday specials. They'd come on just late enough that it could be a family event, but early enough that we'd get to enjoy it just before bedtime.

Each half hour block was special. Perfectly crafted with just the right number of advertisements to remind us of all the toys on store shelves, the treats to be had from local restaurants and grocery stores, and all other manners of consumption in between. But at the heart of it was that cartoon which would come out of hiding just once a year, fill your eyes with wonder, bringing smiles, laughter, action, adventure, drama, but at the root of it, a classic holiday message of peace, giving, love, and joy.

It's become my own personal tradition each year to pull a holiday special off the DVD shelf each day to enjoy. It's a ritual which not only has become my way of counting down the twenty-four days of December leading up to my favorite holiday, but my way of reminding myself that no matter what's happening in the world, my day-to-day grind of work, life, health, trials, and tribulations, that for a moment, all of that can be put a side, and I can simply become a kid again, even if it's just at heart.

While I wish I could share the actual special with all of you, be it by inviting you all to my home to join me in front of the fireplace with a bowl of popcorn, sadly, that's just not feasible. However, between sites such as Youtube, Arhcive.org, Dailymotion, and Vimeo, you can probably find them to watch. Of course, for those of you so bold, you could also pick them up on DVD yourself, something I would highly recommend. If not for yourself, for your children.

While everybody in Eternia's royal palace is preparing for Adam and Adora's birthday, Adam is helping Man-At-Arms finish up the Sky Spy, a space shuttle intended to spy on Skeletor. The moment they head back to the palace, though, Orko gets inside the ship and messes around with the controls, causing the ship to blast off with him in it. Skeletor catches sight of the aircraft and, despite not knowing what it is or who is flying it, he gives chase after it in the Collector. Before he can take it down, He-Man and She-Ra, who are also unaware that Orko is in the Sky Spy, show up and punch a hole in the Collector, throwing it off course. 

Orko, meanwhile, tries to get the Sky Spy to land by way of a magic spell, which causes the shuttle to disappear from Eternia's atmosphere and crash-land somewhere on Earth. Immediately following this, he meets two children named Miguel and Alisha, who had gone out to get their family's Christmas tree and become lost in doing so. Orko brings them into the crashed Sky Spy, where they explain Christmas to him. 

Back on Eternia, everyone discovers that Orko is missing when they find his magic spellbook near the Sky Spy's launch pad. Man-At-Arms manages to pull up the coordinates for the Sky Spy's location, which Queen Marlena recognizes as Earth's coordinates. Unfortunately, Man-At-Arms' Transport Beam needs a Carium Water Crystal, of which there are none on Eternia, in order to gain enough power to bring Orko back. Adora suggests that there might be one on Etheria, and, after secretly transforming into She-Ra, rides off on Swift Wind. 

Once on Etheria, She-Ra enlists the help of Mermista to attain the crystal, which is guarded by a fierce creature known as the Beast Monster. They manage to secure the crystal in their possession, but just as She-Ra and Swift Wind prepare to leave, they are halted by a group of huge android menaces, the Monstroids, having been told about them by some friends of hers known as the Manchines. The Monstroids trap them and leave for their headquarters, allowing She-Ra and Swift Wind to escape. 

Upon Adora's return with the crystal, Man-At-Arms gets the Transport Beam working, and sure enough, Orko and the Sky Spy are transported back in, but Orko has brought Miguel, Alisha and their Christmas tree with them. After explanations are made, the children are told that it may take a few days for the crystal to recharge before they can return to Earth, and they are quite distressed that they might miss Christmas. Queen Marlena, sympathizing with these children from her own planet, decides to combine Adam and Adora's birthday party into a Christmas party. Meanwhile, Skeletor and Hordak are summoned by their supreme master, Horde Prime, who believes that the Christmas spirit that is now being brought to Eternia is the only thing that could stop his rise to power. He orders them to go capture the two Earth children, promising a reward, which sparks a fierce competition between Skeletor and Hordak. 

Soon, just as Bow finishes writing a song he wrote about Christmas, Hordak shows up and uses a tractor beam to capture Miguel and Alisha, taking Orko with them. He and his minions do not get far, though, before their ship is brought down by the Monstroids, who take the children hostage to deal with Horde Prime themselves, and force Hordak and his men to retreat. Luckily, the Manchines show up to rescue Orko and the children. The Monstroids try to stop them from escaping, but He-Man and She-Ra, having been told of the children's location by Peekablue, show up just in time to handle them, with help from the other Manchines. 

But during the battle Skeletor arrives and captures Miguel, Alisha, and a Manchine puppy named Relay. Hordak reappears and shoots down Skeletor's sky-scooter, crash-landing him in a snowy mountain range; because of this, Skeletor is now forced to bring his prisoners to Horde Prime on foot. During the trek, he experiences an uncharacteristic urge of kindness that results in him fitting the children with winter jackets to protect them from the cold, bringing Relay along so he doesn't freeze to death, and even protecting the children from a snowbeast. He also inquires the children about Christmas, all the while trying to reassure them - and himself - that he is still a bad guy. 

Just as Horde Prime arrives in his ship, He-Man, She-Ra and Orko finally catch up. But Hordak also arrives, knocks Skeletor out by deflecting the latter's laser blast, and distracts He-Man and She-Ra by sending out his Horde Troopers. Just in the nick of time, Relay succeeds in waking Skeletor, who saves his would-be captives by shooting down Horde Prime's arriving ship. Infuriated, Horde Prime attempts to shoot Skeletor, but He-Man and She-Ra lift his ship up and throw it into space before he gets the chance. To He-Man's surprise, the children thank Skeletor for saving them, and Skeletor is relieved to learn that Christmas only happens once a year. 

Back at the palace, as the good guys celebrate their Christmas party, Adam, dressed as Santa Claus, gives the children flying belts. Man-At-Arms then uses the Transporter to send Miguel and Alisha back to their home on Earth, where they are welcomed back by their parents. At the end of the special, Prince Adam and Orko deliver a very special Christmas moral. Adam states that "Though we celebrate it and get presents, Christmas is about caring, sharing and goodwill and its spirit is within all of us". And in fun fashion, Orko states that what makes him happy on Christmas is...presents.

By the power of Grayskull, and for the honor of it too, it's the tried and true formula of the Christmas spirit filling the heart of the bad guy, causing him to change his ways...even if just for one night. It features He-Man and his sister She-Ra, as well as a multitude of the Eternian cast. It has action, adventure, and of course, the usual moral to the story.

Wanting to get a little more holiday joy, I pulled out a couple more DVD's and enjoyed some random Christmas themed episodes. Today's picks were:

• Anatomy Park, Rattlestar Ricklactica, and Ricktional Mortpoon’s Rickmas Mortcation from Rick & Morty
• Seasons Greetings from Robotech
• Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey, the 1977 Rankin / Bass classic

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Comics Corner: Marvel Team-Up 144

   

Title: Marvel Team-Up
Issue Number: 144
Release Date: August 1984

Highlights

• First appearance of Chu Yang, Yo Ling, The Tiger Claws, Do Yang, and Wu Fong, Lady Wang, and Do Chi Wong
• First appearance of the locations Do Yang's House, Dragon Lady, Lin Chow Restaurant, and Wu Fong's Import Store
• Do Yang has been murdered, and Moon Knight attends the private wake at his home, swearing to get revenge against his murderer, White Dragon
• Joe Robertson wants Peter to get photos around Chinatown
• Reference is made to The Amazing Spider-Man 185
• The Tiger's Claw want Philip Chang to lead them against White Dragon, but Chang sticks to his vow to never again raise his hands in violence
• Moon Knight discovers that Kingpin freed White Dragon from prison, and is using him to take control of Chinatown
• While Moon Knight battles White Dragon, Spider-Man frantically searches for the bomb planted by the traitor, Chu Yang

Low Points

• None

Oddities

• None

Rating (based on a 1 through 5 Stans grading system)

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Retro Spins: Oingo Boingo - Nothing To Fear

 

Oingo Boingo has never been a band that critics and the general public seemed to take notice of, let alone praise for their efforts. Of their eight studio albums between 1981 and 1994, only one has received any sales certifications, that being 1985's Dead Man's Party, certified gold. Truth be told, they never really hit my radar until the 90's, as noted in my review of their debut, Only A Lad.

What's unique about the band, to me, is that the majority of the exposure I got to them at first was their 1991 compilation, Best O' Boingo. The tracks are taken from the "live" album, Boingo Alive (1988), which while recorded live, didn't feature an audience. Essentially, what you get is an assortment of updated versions of some of their more prominent tracks. Because this was my main introduction to a lot of these songs, I actually prefer the '88 versions over their originals. This in turn makes it a bit difficult for me to listen to the original studio album versions because I find them to be inferior.

With that said, there are some exceptions. The aforementioned Dead Man's Party, 1982's Nothing To Fear, and any releases which came after 1988. These are the albums where my first listening sessions came from those initial studio releases, and take me to the opposite spectrum where I prefer those versions over the re-recorded ones.

Basically, my appreciation for the band is all over the place.

I don't necessarily recall when I first heard Nothing To Fear. Though I do know it was after the noted compilation album, and Dead Man's Party. It must have been during my earlier stages of really taking notice of them, and actively seeking to add their entire discography to my infant collection from the early 2000's. This was back when I spent a lot of time on the road for work, and a trip to Tower Records came every few weeks to get something new to listen to.

The album as a whole stands out from the previous debut, 1981's Only A  Lad, for the inclusion more prominent guitar and drum work, and heavier reliance on synthesizers. In general, it's a harder rocking album, leaning further away from the synth pop / new wave sound of Lad. It's also among my favorites, probably my second best from the band.

Oingo Boingo were never hit makers. They've only had two singles which hit the Billboard Hot 100, Weird Science (which peaked at 93), and Just Another Day (which peaked at 90), both from Dead Man's Party. As such, you're not going to find tracks on Nothing To Fear that most people are going to know, which is a shame, because there are a lot of hidden gems.

Of the ten, I personally have seven of them on my shuffle list. With that said, I don't necessarily hate the last three, they're just not among my favorites. Still, I could listen to this one from start to finish, and if I were collecting records still for the wall, it'd be a contender. I'm really trying not to add a third row of framed records to my toy room, and notations like this are kind of making that difficult to avoid.

Ultimately, I'd say if you are unfamiliar with Oingo Boingo, definitely check this one out. You may just find something new for your ears, and perhaps even open a door to a whole new band to enjoy.

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Disclaimer: They Toy Box does not endorse or contribute to piracy. Retro Spins posts are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. None of the music discussed here is available for sale, downloading or distribution.

THIS WEEK ON THE CHART
December 11, 1982

 

Countdown To Christmas With Classic Cartoon Holiday Specials - It's Christmas Time Again, Charlie Brown

I don't know about you, but with just fifteen days left until Christmas, I'm getting all kinds of antsy and excited. What have you asked Santa for? 

December in the 80's was a magical time of year to be a kid. Not only did we get all the fantastic toys for Christmas, but every year, throughout the holiday season, the television would segue from regularly scheduled programing to air animated holiday specials. They'd come on just late enough that it could be a family event, but early enough that we'd get to enjoy it just before bedtime.

Each half hour block was special. Perfectly crafted with just the right number of advertisements to remind us of all the toys on store shelves, the treats to be had from local restaurants and grocery stores, and all other manners of consumption in between. But at the heart of it was that cartoon which would come out of hiding just once a year, fill your eyes with wonder, bringing smiles, laughter, action, adventure, drama, but at the root of it, a classic holiday message of peace, giving, love, and joy.

It's become my own personal tradition each year to pull a holiday special off the DVD shelf each day to enjoy. It's a ritual which not only has become my way of counting down the twenty-four days of December leading up to my favorite holiday, but my way of reminding myself that no matter what's happening in the world, my day-to-day grind of work, life, health, trials, and tribulations, that for a moment, all of that can be put a side, and I can simply become a kid again, even if it's just at heart.

While I wish I could share the actual special with all of you, be it by inviting you all to my home to join me in front of the fireplace with a bowl of popcorn, sadly, that's just not feasible. However, between sites such as Youtube, Arhcive.org, Dailymotion, and Vimeo, you can probably find them to watch. Of course, for those of you so bold, you could also pick them up on DVD yourself, something I would highly recommend. If not for yourself, for your children.

It's Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown is composed of several Christmas-themed storylines, all taken directly from the Peanuts comic strip:

• Linus van Pelt tries unsuccessfully to use a cardboard box as a sled. 

• Charlie Brown unsuccessfully tries to sell wreaths door-to-door before Thanksgiving. Franklin points out that Charlie Brown is adding to the commercialism of Christmas, but Charlie Brown disagrees "until I sell one." (Violet and the original Patty make cameos in this sketch, a rare 1990s appearance for the two.) 

• Peppermint Patty worries about her Christmas book report. 

• Peppermint Patty and Marcie attend a performance of Handel's Messiah. The following day at school, Peppermint Patty writes about the performance. Neither she nor Marcie know Handel's first name, so Peppermint Patty credits the piece to "Joe Handel." 

• Snoopy becomes a Santa on the street, Lucy and Sally beg to differ. 

• Woodstock and his bird friends play chamber music inside a snowman's hat. 

• Charlie Brown tries to explain the true meaning of Christmas to his sister Sally, who is convinced that the true meaning of Christmas is "getting all you can get while the getting is good" when she is writing a letter to Santa, but she tunes him out. She also writes to Mrs. Claus, who she calls Mary Christmas. 

• Snoopy, Woodstock and his friends dance with the candy canes that were on Charlie Brown's tree. 

• Sally goes to Linus' house for the meaning of Christmas and complains to Linus about calling birds in "The Twelve Days of Christmas". Linus tells Sally about Albert Schweitzer and how he does not like Christmas presents because he hated to write thank-you notes. Sally asks who Albert Schweitzer was. 

• Charlie Brown sells his entire comic book collection in order to buy Peggy Jean a nice pair of gloves, only to find that she has already bought a pair. 

• The kids participate in a Christmas play, where Marcie plays The Virgin Mary, Franklin gets the role of Gabriel, Peppermint Patty unwillingly plays a sheep, and Sally, who has to say the line "Hark!" in the same play to summon a herald angel, inadvertently yells "Hockey stick!". Later, Harold (herald) Angel drops by to visit Charlie Brown, looking for Sally.

Values, morals, and heartwarming lessons fill this holiday special featuring all the classic Peanuts characters. Satisfying in every way, and the perfect cartoon to get you in the holiday spirit.

Some of you may be asking, "Where's the classic, A Charlie Brown Christmas?" There are always a specific top three I save for the final days of my countdown to Christmas, and it's among them.

Wanting to get a little more holiday joy, I pulled out a couple more DVD's and enjoyed some random Christmas themed episodes. Today's picks were:

• When S.A.V.A.G.E. Stole Santa from Rambo: The Force of Freedom
• X-Mas Marks the Spot from the Real Ghostbusters
• A Scooter for Yaksmas, and Son of Stimpy from th Ren & Stimpy Show
• The Little Drummer Boy, Book II, the 1976 Rankin / Bass classic

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Comics Corner: Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man 93

   

Title: Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man
Issue Number: 93
Release Date: August 1984

Highlights

• First appearance of Jim, and the NYPD officers, Bo, and Woody
• First appearance of West 23rd Street Police Morgue, and Flash and Sha Shan's Apartment
• Mrs. Muggins sees something black moving in the bathroom behind Peter, but when he goes to look, he only finds his black suit hanging to dry
• Reference is made to Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars
• Flash and Sha Shan are still having issues - Flash has a bag packed, and heads out the door early morning, and when asked where he's going, his response is, "Out!"
• The Answer uses Black Cat to get her and Spider-Man back together
• In the process of the commotion of a fake bomb, the Answer also steels an unidentified corpse from the morgue
• The unidentified body is taken to Kingpin's labs

Low Points

• Peter once again flip flops his thinking, now unsatisfied that Black Cat is only interested in Spider-Man, and not the real him
• Spider-Man and Black Cat once again argue over his true identity. which she refuses to accept

Oddities

• None

Rating (based on a 1 through 5 Stans grading system)

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Retro Spins: Stevie Nicks - The Other Side Of The Mirror

The Other Side Of The Mirror is an album I bought to check a box. The previous three Stevie Nicks albums all made their way to my collection for a specific song, or multiple hits. Whereas with her final release of the decade, I'd heard nothing from it. Instead, I picked it up because there was only one left to have her entire 80's run.

After the release of Fleetwood Mac's Tango In The Night in 1987, Lindsey Buckingham official said goodbye at the beginning of their tour, and was replaced by Rick Vito and Billy Burnette. Though Mac seemed to be unhindered by the loss, the tour would need to be put on a short hiatus when Nicks developed myalgic encephalomyelitis, chronic fatigue syndrome, resuming, and finishing up in 1988.

Fleetwood Mac would then once again go on hiatus, and Nicks would continue efforts on her solo career, carving out what would become The Other Side Of The Mirror. Aided by the international success of Mac's Tango In The Night, Nicks would see a boost in sales, making Mirror her most successful release in the UK. The single Rooms On Fire would chart in both the UK and USA.

I was admittedly curious to see what could be found in the unknown of the album, and really surprised with how good the first three tracks, Rooms On Fire, Long Way To Go, and Two Kinds Of Love were.

From there, things stayed relatively enjoyable, but shifted out of the territory of shuffle worthy to just okay, and then skippable. Overall, it just felt like a generic rock album, with nothing to really offer long term. It's a common flaw with albums from 1988 to 1989, especially from legacy artists.

Stevie would return to Fleetwood Mac for 1990's Behind The Mask, but upon its completion leave because of a dispute with Mick Fleetwood over her decade (plus) old hit, Landslide. Nicks wanted to use it on her forthcoming solo greatest hits album, but Fleetwood wouldn't allow it, instead wanting to have it on Mac's upcoming compilation.

While I wish I could say that she simply continued her solo career, and all was well, that would be a lie. Because of her chronic exhaustion, which led to the brief pause in the Tango In The Night tour, Nicks had gotten addicted to klonopin. After a serious fall in 1993 from the side effects of the drug, she went on a strenuous detox program.

That same year, Fleetwood Mac would also reunite. However, while praising the music, the public also shifted their attention to her severe weight gain, brought on by the drug. She vowed to never set foot on another stage until she lost the weight, which she did.

Nicks would stick with Fleetwood Mac until the untimely death of Christine McVie, and in between that continued her solo career, releasing four additional albums through 2014.

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Disclaimer: They Toy Box does not endorse or contribute to piracy. Retro Spins posts are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. None of the music discussed here is available for sale, downloading or distribution.

THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
December 10, 1983

 

THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
December 10, 1988

Countdown To Christmas With Classic Cartoon Holiday Specials - The Berenstain Bears' Christmas

December in the 80's was a magical time of year to be a kid. Not only did we get all the fantastic toys for Christmas, but every year, throughout the holiday season, the television would segue from regularly scheduled programing to air animated holiday specials. They'd come on just late enough that it could be a family event, but early enough that we'd get to enjoy it just before bedtime.

Each half hour block was special. Perfectly crafted with just the right number of advertisements to remind us of all the toys on store shelves, the treats to be had from local restaurants and grocery stores, and all other manners of consumption in between. But at the heart of it was that cartoon which would come out of hiding just once a year, fill your eyes with wonder, bringing smiles, laughter, action, adventure, drama, but at the root of it, a classic holiday message of peace, giving, love, and joy.

It's become my own personal tradition each year to pull a holiday special off the DVD shelf each day to enjoy. It's a ritual which not only has become my way of counting down the twenty-four days of December leading up to my favorite holiday, but my way of reminding myself that no matter what's happening in the world, my day-to-day grind of work, life, health, trials, and tribulations, that for a moment, all of that can be put a side, and I can simply become a kid again, even if it's just at heart.

While I wish I could share the actual special with all of you, be it by inviting you all to my home to join me in front of the fireplace with a bowl of popcorn, sadly, that's just not feasible. However, between sites such as Youtube, Arhcive.org, Dailymotion, and Vimeo, you can probably find them to watch. Of course, for those of you so bold, you could also pick them up on DVD yourself, something I would highly recommend. If not for yourself, for your children.

It is Christmas Eve in Bear Country and the Bear Family is decorating for Christmas, and Papa has caught a giant salmon for Christmas dinner. Now the only thing they need is the tree, for their many ornaments, which include a Santa Bear sleigh, strings of beads, a musical singing bear, and a glittery bright Christmas Tree star with eighteen points. 

Mama suggests Papa and the cubs get a tree from Grizzly Gus' lot, but she reminds them to return home as soon as they can since a snowstorm is likely. Papa, however, scoffs at Mama's weather prediction and decides he can do better than what Grizzly Gus has to offer, and the three head out into the mountains to find the right tree for them. 

The first tree they find is in good shape, but it is home to a skunk, some squirrels, a grouse, a chipmunk, and twenty-six crows, who chase them off. But, from their point of view, Christmas is a time for them to celebrate as well, thus forcing them to find another tree. 

Papa and the cubs find another tree on a cliff, but it is the home to an eagle, a hawk, a wolf, and a snowy owl who aren't too pleased that Papa wants to chop their tree down either. After narrowly avoiding the eagle's attack, the three continue through the mountains, despite the fact that it is now growing dark, and snowing heavily. 

After climbing their way through the snow-covered mountains, Papa and the cubs find a third perfect-looking tree. This time, however, Papa takes a good look at the tree and sees a little window on the trunk. Inside, there is a family of snowbirds decorating a small twig like a Christmas tree. Touched by this, Papa can't bring himself to chop the birds' tree down and tells Brother and Sister that Christmas is the time to be thinking of family and friends. 

The three then ski back down the mountain to Grizzly Gus's tree lot, only to find that they are completely sold out (with a small sign below reading "Happy New Year!"). They are all very sad until they find that their treehouse has been decorated by all the animals they met on their way in an act of gratitude, Mama and Papa Bear lead everyone in a Christmas carol about the Christmas star and its meaning. 

On Christmas Day, as the family prepares to eat dinner, Sister asks why Papa's lesson of being considerate did not apply to the salmon they are eating. Papa jokes that the family is willing to "make an exception" for the salmon.

This is another new one for me in 2026. I found out about its existence while searching for various Christmas specials I may have missed, and found this one among a handful. It's a lighthearted tale, one I suppose is more so geared towards toddlers, but hey, I'll still take it.

Wanting to get a little more holiday joy, I pulled out a couple more DVD's and enjoyed some random Christmas themed episodes. Today's picks were:

• Mister Magoo's Christmas Carol
• Holiday Knights from the New Adventures of Batman and Robin
• Pee-Wee's Playhouse Christmas Special
• Rudolph's Shiny New Year, the 1976 Rankin / Bass classic

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Comics Corner: Marvel Team-Up Annual 7

   

Title: Marvel Team-Up Annual
Issue Number: 7
Release Date: October 1984

Highlights

• First appearance of Pearl of Great Price, an extraterrestrial clam, Snake-Eyes, no not the one from G.I. Joe, and the creatures, Venusian Shock-Flies, and Xanthian Boulder-Crushers
• The last Marvel Team-Up Annual in the series
• Joe Robertson tells Peter to put in a voucher for his photos, but that he's not going to continue printing about Spider-Man if it's not news worthy, and encourages Peter to get photos of other super heroes
• Reference is made to Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars, Alpha Flight 3 - 5, and 12
• The Collector wants Spider-Man for his collection, and traps him in Pearl of Great Price
• The Collector then traps the Plodex, Marinna, using Snake-Eyes to disable her with hypnotism
• Alpha Flight continue to bicker amongst themselves, despite the recent death of Guardian
• Alpha Flight infiltrate The Collector's ship
• Sasquatch goes berserk from the consistent taunting of Northstar, and trashes the ship, destroying the crystals which power it, and the containment unit that holds many Plodex creatures
• Spider-Man smashes the Collector's flute, just as he awakens Snake-Eyes again
• Spider-Man webs Snake-Eye's face, blocking his vision, however the beast is completely out of control, and does his part to destroy the ship
• The Plodex turn into monsters, and begin attacking everyone and everything

Low Points

• Northstar continues to taunt Sasquatch, trying to bring out the beast in him so that his sister Aurora sees it, and preferably leaves the beast
• Way too much going on in this issue
• The Collector reveals that the reason he is collecting around all the universes is that he saw a vision of a demon setting fire to the universe, and the creatures he collects will serve to repopulate after the destruction
• Very long, and a bit boring
• This was my first taste of Alpha Flight, and I'm not a fan

Oddities

• None

Rating (based on a 1 through 5 Stans grading system)

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Retro Spins: Stevie Nicks - Rock A Little

Completely coked out, and with nothing on the horizon from Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Nicks went back to the studio in 1984 to begin work a new material. After a month, though she had some material for consideration, changes would come with Nicks and producer / romantic interest, Jimmy Iovine going separate ways.

Some great tracks were planned for the album, including the Martin Page and Bernie Taupin penned, These Dreams, and Tom Petty and David A. Stewart written, Don't Come Around Here No More. However, neither would be included. Instead, after declining the first, the two would give it to Heart, who would make it a number one hit. As for the Petty and Stewart song, after hearing Petty's vocal demo, Nicks determined she would not be able to do the song the same justice that he would, and ultimately did.

The tracks that made the cut would ultimately come with some hit singles. These included, Talk To Me (peaking at number 4), I Can't Wait (peaking at number 16), and Has Anyone Ever Written Anything For You (peaking at number 60). The album would also go platinum. However, despite this, it would still be deemed to have performed worse than expected, especially when compared to her prior 2X platinum release.

Say what you will, I Can't Wait is my all time favorite solo effort from Nicks, and that's what I picked this one up for. It starts off the whole album, which gives me the good feelings as a result.

Nicks then goes into the ballad title track, and it's here that things start to sound off. She seems to be struggling for notes, and vocally just sounds really bad. Is this the cocaine impacting her performance? These flaws weren't limited to just this song, and seemed more prevalent during slower paced songs.

The second song I picked up the album for, Talk To Me, starts out side two. Though I don't know if it was intended that both side openers would be the hits, it's a smart move if they were. It's like getting a fresh reboot at the half way point.

Rock A Little has quite a few hidden gems mixed within it. However, these seem to all be confined to the first side. These included, Sister Honey, Imperial Hotel, and Some Become Strangers. The back half, with exception of Talk To Me, was relatively forgettable. Things do end with the ballad, Has Anyone Ever Written Anything For You, which I have mixed feelings about. I want to like it because it's decent, but I also want to skip it because it's a ballad in every sense of the word.

Overall, I think the album fairs better than her prior solo efforts. There's definitely more here to like than previous works have provided.

Nicks released one final studio album in the 80's, and that's where I'm headed tomorrow. Albeit, it's uncharted territory for me. I can't honestly say I know anything from her 1989 released The Other Side Of The Mirror, but I suppose all secrets will be revealed in due time.

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Disclaimer: They Toy Box does not endorse or contribute to piracy. Retro Spins posts are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. None of the music discussed here is available for sale, downloading or distribution.

THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
December 9, 1989

 

Countdown To Christmas With Classic Cartoon Holiday Specials - The Smurfs Christmas Special

December in the 80's was a magical time of year to be a kid. Not only did we get all the fantastic toys for Christmas, but every year, throughout the holiday season, the television would segue from regularly scheduled programing to air animated holiday specials. They'd come on just late enough that it could be a family event, but early enough that we'd get to enjoy it just before bedtime.

Each half hour block was special. Perfectly crafted with just the right number of advertisements to remind us of all the toys on store shelves, the treats to be had from local restaurants and grocery stores, and all other manners of consumption in between. But at the heart of it was that cartoon which would come out of hiding just once a year, fill your eyes with wonder, bringing smiles, laughter, action, adventure, drama, but at the root of it, a classic holiday message of peace, giving, love, and joy.

It's become my own personal tradition each year to pull a holiday special off the DVD shelf each day to enjoy. It's a ritual which not only has become my way of counting down the twenty-four days of December leading up to my favorite holiday, but my way of reminding myself that no matter what's happening in the world, my day-to-day grind of work, life, health, trials, and tribulations, that for a moment, all of that can be put a side, and I can simply become a kid again, even if it's just at heart.

While I wish I could share the actual special with all of you, be it by inviting you all to my home to join me in front of the fireplace with a bowl of popcorn, sadly, that's just not feasible. However, between sites such as Youtube, Arhcive.org, Dailymotion, and Vimeo, you can probably find them to watch. Of course, for those of you so bold, you could also pick them up on DVD yourself, something I would highly recommend. If not for yourself, for your children.

It is Christmas time in the Smurf Village, and they are happily preparing for the holiday celebration, hanging wreaths, stockings, and ornaments on the big tree in the middle of the village. Harmony is practicing his horn solo, but Smurfette, Grouchy, Greedy, and Brainy don't want to hear him play it, so he plays for Lazy while he's sleeping and dumps a pile of snow on top of him. Jokey is busy loading up a sled with his Christmas "surprises", but when Harmony tries to play his solo for him, one of them erupts in his hand. Papa Smurf watches his little Smurfs working together with their Christmas preparations, saying that this could be the best celebration they will ever have. Brainy catches Greedy sneaking a taste of the smurfberry pudding and goes on nagging endlessly to him until Papa Smurf gets him to stop. Then he tells him that the pudding isn't complete until they add the final ingredient - the last walnut. Unfortunately, Greedy has eaten it, so Papa Smurf tells him that he will go get another one from a squirrel. 

Meanwhile, in his castle, Gargamel groans about how miserable Christmas is, knowing that the Smurfs are spreading their love and good cheer. When Azrael accidentally knocks over a stack of books, Gargamel finds "Mother's Old Recipe for Making Life Miserable" in one of them and believes it could be the perfect way to destroy the Smurfs. Unfortunately for him, the recipe backfires as soon as he adds the last ingredient. 

Out in the forest, an old man is riding in a sleigh with his two grandchildren, William and Guinevere, telling them about Santa Claus, who brings children presents every Christmas Eve. Suddenly, they are attacked by a fierce wolf, with a stranger in a purple cloak (who is never named but is heavily implied to be the Devil) watching. While the Smurfs are busy getting another walnut from the squirrel, the children seek out help for their grandfather, who is buried underneath the wrecked sleigh. They come across Gargamel's castle and ask him if he could help rescue him. He asks them if they have any money, and when they say no, he slams the door in their faces, so they go looking for someone else to help them. In a chateau near a human village, a man fusses that his niece and nephew should have arrived hours ago and tells one of his servants to organize a search party immediately. 

Gargamel is visited by the stranger seen earlier, saying that he will give him the power to destroy the Smurfs, but all he wants in return is the two children who are lost in the forest. When asked why, he answers that he wants revenge on their uncle who, by his good nature, would meddle in his affairs. He offers him a scroll that will tell him how to find the Smurf Village and what he should do when he gets there, but he won't give it to him until he finds the children. As he goes out into the forest to find do so, he comes across their uncle, who is also out looking for them. The uncle asks him if he's seen them, saying that their grandfather is all right, and is offering ten gold coins for their safe return. This makes Gargamel happy, seeing that he can get a reward for finding them and get his hands on the Smurfs.

Near a tree, William and Guinevere huddle close together to keep themselves warm and to comfort one another so that they won't be scared being all alone in the forest. Guinevere sings "Silent Night", which attracts the attention of both the wolves and the Smurfs who were just passing through on their way home. However, the wolves find them first and are ready to attack when Papa Smurf intervenes. William thinks that he is Santa Claus, and after the wolves depart, Guinevere tells him and the other Smurfs about their grandfather. He tells Hefty, Brainy, and Clumsy to find the sleigh, then tells Smurfette to go back to their village to get help for the children. He stays with them, finding himself a little uncomfortable answering William's question if he was Santa Claus. 

Hefty, Brainy, and Clumsy find the overturned sleigh, but they see no trace of the grandfather who was buried underneath it. Clumsy spots a note that the children's Uncle Edgar left for them, telling them that their grandfather is all right, so Hefty, Brainy, and Clumsy return to tell Papa Smurf. In the village, the children are being cared for by the Smurfs as they allow them to eat the smurfberry pudding, much to Greedy's dismay. Papa Smurf offers them presents in addition to his hospitality. Hefty, Brainy, and Clumsy show up, telling him and the children that they have found the sleigh and the note from their Uncle Edgar. After Papa Smurf leads the Smurfs into a song they sing every Christmas, they return to the spot of the wrecked sleigh with the children in high spirits. Unfortunately, Gargamel drops in and kidnaps the children. Smurfette wonders what he wants with them, and Papa Smurf says they must go after him. 

In Gargamel's castle, the stranger again shows up, asking about the children, which Gargamel then turns over to him. The Smurfs watch from a window as Gargamel makes the exchange for the promised scroll, with Papa Smurf noticing something about the stranger. Gargamel is so happy to get the scroll with which he can destroy the Smurfs that he immediately heads for their village as the stranger takes the children away. Vanity wonders what they are going to do about their village, but Papa Smurf tells him that rescuing the children comes first. 

Upon reaching the village, Gargamel is disappointed to find that the Smurfs aren't around, but he decides to go ahead with reciting the incantation on the scroll, causing everything in the village to wither away until everything is left in ruins. After the scroll vaporizes, Gargamel cackles in glee, seeing that the Smurfs will be miserable this year, and then returns to the forest to collect his ten pieces of gold. Meeting with Edgar and his men at the wrecked sleigh, he tells them that he saw the stranger take the children away. Edgar sets off to find him, saying he will only pay Gargamel when the children are found. Then the stranger shows up, telling Gargamel that he has broken their contract. He is rather fearful when the stranger says he will now come with him, and when he and Azrael back away from him, he turns a tree into a bunch of snakes, forcing them to surrender. 

Goodness makes the badness go away The Smurfs sing "Goodness Makes the Badness Go Away" in order to save the children and even Gargamel.  Tracker leads the Smurfs onto a trail of human tracks and cat paw prints in the snow, which means that the stranger now has the children, Gargamel, and Azrael in his clutches. In an open barren field, he is ready to take his captives on what he calls "their final journey" and surrounds them with a ring of fire to prevent their escape while he summons a portal that will take them all to his home. The scene is so frightful that even Gargamel is on his knees begging for mercy. The Smurfs, who have found the ritual starting, wonder what they can do to combat such evil. Papa Smurf says there is one thing that can overcome it, the power of love, and so he directs his little Smurfs into singing their song, singing it loudly enough so that the children could hear and sing along. The stranger, getting upset by this, warns the Smurfs that they're dealing with a power they know nothing about. But the singing continues, with even Gargamel reluctantly joining in. This eventually overpowers the stranger to the point where he and his ring of fire disappear. 

As the Smurfs cheer, William and Guinevere hear their Uncle Edgar and grandfather calling for them. They turn to see that their grandfather is all right and safe, riding in their Uncle Edgar's sleigh. Gargamel demands his payment, saying that he helped rescue them, which William refutes by saying that he was mean to them. However, Guinevere says not to hurt him because Christmas is a time for forgiving, even the likes of him. After he fearfully departs, William and Guinevere tell their Uncle Edgar that they met Santa Claus. As they ride off, the children wave goodbye to the Smurfs, who are hiding on a precipice.

Upon returning to their village, the Smurfs are all huddled around outside in blankets, looking at the devastation Gargamel left behind. Papa Smurf says that while they don't have all the nice things about Christmas or even the comfort of warm beds, what they do have is each other, which most of them can agree with. Harmony offers to play his solo, and as he does so, something miraculous happens: the tree lights up, fully restored, and so does the village. Papa Smurf is not sure how that could happen, but he is sure that anything can happen on Christmas.

The Smurfs have always been one of my favorite cartoons, and I'm really bummed that the full series never came to DVD in the USA. Fortunately, their Christmas specials were both included on the Holiday Triple feature. Don't let the title fool you, it actually contains four specials, two from the Smurfs, A Flintstone Christmas Carol, and Yogi's All-Star Comedy Christmas Caper. All of these remaining ones will come up later in the month.

This one not only features a heartwarming story where even Gargamel can be nice, but who doesn't want that classic holiday song stuck in their head all day long?

Goodness makes the badness go away
Goodness makes you happy every day
Badness cannot start if there's goodness in your heart
Goodness makes the badness go away

Wanting to get a little more holiday joy, I pulled out a couple more DVD's and enjoyed some random Christmas themed episodes. Today's picks were:

• Jetsons Christmas Carol from the Jetsons
• Comfort and Joy from Justice League
• The Christmas Episode from Mike Tyson's Mysteries
• The First Christmas, the 1975 Rankin / Bass classic

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