Claus — A Year Without Santa

SI Review: A Year Without a Santa Claus - Sociological Images

The Year Without a Santa Claus is a timeless Rankin/Bass stop-motion classic that manages to stand out in a crowded field of holiday specials by being arguably the most "human" of them all. While Rudolph focuses on outcasts and Frosty on magic, this 1974 special centers on a relatable, weary Santa who is just having a very bad day. The Plot: A Holiday "Strike"

The story kicks off with a discouraged Santa Claus (voiced by Mickey Rooney) suffering from a "man cold" and a deep sense that the world no longer believes in him or cares about Christmas. He decides to take a vacation, leaving it up to Mrs. Claus (Shirley Booth) to save the day. She sends two clumsy but well-meaning elves, Jingle and Jangle, along with the reindeer Vixen, to find proof of Christmas spirit in "Southtown"—a place where it never snows.