'Frosty the Snowman' TV special celebrates 50th anniversary

Tuesday, December 10, 2019
OAK LAWN, Ill. -- When you walk into Rick Goldschmidt's home, you're welcomed by a collection of action figures, knick-knacks and toys.

If you look close enough, you'll stumble upon a familiar face: Frosty the Snowman.

2019 marks the 50th year of the Rankin/Bass Frosty the Snowman special.

To celebrate, Goldschmidt is traveling across Chicago to share the "heart and warmth" the holiday special brings to people young and old.
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"It has the back story for Frosty the Snowman that the song and the comic books and storybooks didn't have," Goldschmidt said. "Rankin/Bass brought personality to Frosty and Rudolph and all these characters."

RELATED: 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer' TV special celebrates 50 years

From stuffed animals to trinkets, even a doormat. Frosty is everywhere.



But how did his character become so iconic?
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"You have to go to the core of it and that's the writing by Romeo Mueller. He didn't have a writing style like today," Goldschmidt said. "This was written with a lot of heart and warmth and he had characters that didn't fit in and everyone can identify with that."

All of the Rankin/Bass specials, including Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, shared those characteristics.

Goldschmidt believes that's what made these stories so memorable.

"At the time it was just a family-oriented production that was meant to last a couple of years but it turned into being part of everyone's Christmas. You can't describe that. It just happened," he said.



To learn more about Rankin/Bass productions click here.
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