This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
You know that Charlie Brown will learn the meaning of Christmas. That Santa is going to turn to Rudolph for help.
That George Bailey really does have a wonderful life.
But here are a few things you may not know about some of your favorite Christmas TV specials and movies.
'A Charlie Brown Christmas'
In one scene, Linus is ice skating when Snoopy grabs the boy's blanket, twirls him around and throws him through the air — but, for almost half a century, we haven't seen Linus land.
That's because the original sponsor of the show was Coca-Cola. And Linus hit a Coke sign and slid to the ground. That and a few other Coca-Cola logos were edited out when other sponsors came along. Remember, "A Charlie Brown Christmas" premiered in 1965. Product placement is nothing new. (On DVD and Blu-ray)
'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer'
This is an American television tradition, but it was not produced in the United States. "Rudolph" was created at the MOM Production Studios in Japan over an 18-month period.
Why so long? Because it's stop-motion animation. The figures were positioned; a picture was taken; the figures were moved ever so slightly; and so on and so on. It took 24 frames (photos) to produce one second of film.
The effort paid off. "Rudolph" is the longest continually airing Christmas TV special, airing at least once every year since its 1964 debut. (DVD and Blu-ray)
'Elf'
Speaking of "Rudolph," this 2003 Will Ferrell movie intentionally modeled itself after the 1964 TV special. That includes elf costumes, the look of the North Pole and Santa's workshop, stop-motion animated animals and Leon the Snowman.
And, yes, the movie producers licensed it all from the makers of "Rudolph," Rankin-Bass. (DVD and Blu-ray.)
'How the Grinch Stole Christmas'
You remember the main Grinch song:
"You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch, you really are a heel.
"You're as cuddly as a cactus, you're as charming as an eel, Mr. Grinch.
"You're a bad banana with a greasy black peel."
The actor/singer who performed that song, Thurl Ravenscroft (1914-2005), was also the voice of Tony the Tiger in all those Kellogg's Frosted Flakes commercials. He's grrrrrr-eat! (DVD and Blu-ray)
'It's a Wonderful Life'
The set for this 1946 film was among the biggest in movie history. The fictional town of Bedford Falls featured 75 buildings on 4 acres.
But the high-school gym floor that opens to reveal the pool that Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed danced themselves into was not part of the set. It's real. It's at Beverly Hills High School. It was built in 1939, and it's still operating today. They call it the swim gym. (DVD and Blu-ray)
'Mister Magoo's Christmas Carol'
This animated adaptation of the Charles Dickens tale features some really great original music. The song list includes "It's Great to Be Back on Broadway," "Ringle, Ringle," "The Lord's Bright Blessing" and "Alone in the World."
The songwriters — music by Bob Merrill, lyrics by Jule Styne — finished up work on this 1962 TV special and moved on to a little Broadway musical featuring a then-unknown star — "Funny Girl," starring Barbra Streisand. (DVD and Blu-ray)
'Little Drummer Boy'
This 1968 stop-motion animated special may be the most frightening in the genre.
The title character, Aaron, is a young boy whose parents are murdered by bandits in the special. His father is stabbed to death; his mother is burned alive. (DVD)
'A Christmas Story'
This beloved family movie was made only because of the success of two raunchy, R-rated teen sex comedies — "Porky's" and "Porky's 2: The Next Day."
That success allowed director Bob Clark to choose his next project. He made "A Christmas Story" despite the fact that the studio had absolutely no interest in that film. (DVD and Blu-ray)
'Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer'
The song on which the animated special is based — by Randy Brooks — was a parody of Merle Haggard song "Grandma's Homemade Christmas." Brooks said he was annoyed that Grandma died halfway through Haggard's song, prompting him to pen the comedic words to "Grandma Got Run Over by Reindeer."
The line about how "She'd been drinking too much eggnog" before the unfortunate accident with Santa's sleigh was based on the fact that his grandmother "did like to drink herself happy on occasions," Brooks told ABC News. (DVD)
'Star Wars Holiday Special'
The amazing thing about this 1978 special is that it ever aired — it's so bad it has never been rebroadcast and has never been released on VHS, DVD or Blu-ray. Yes, you can find copies of it for sale. But they're all bootleg.
OK, the really amazing thing is that this special — which featured Beatrice Arthur ("The Golden Girls") and Harvey Korman ("The Carol Burnett Show") in starring roles alongside "Star Wars" regulars Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Harrison Ford (Han Solo), Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia), Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca) and Kenny Baker (R2-D2) — was ever produced.
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Twitter: @ScottDPierce