Rankin on Bass

Based on the first book of Gordon R. Dickson's series, The Flight of Dragons, stars Harry Morgan as a disgruntled wizard whose way of life is threatened. He travels through time to retrieve John Ritter to help defeat James Earl Jones. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/rankin-on-bass--4645382/support .

Rankin & Bass combine live action and animagic in the secret bio-pic of Hans Christian Andersen, The Daydreamer (1966) in which Paul O'Keefe plays the titular role along with a cavalcade of voice talent. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/rankin-on-bass--4645382/support .

We're going back to the first Rankin & Bass animagic feature, Willy McBean & His Magic Machine in which Willy is joined by talking monkey Pablo to defeat the evil Professor Von Rotten by traveling time and making sure history is not rewritten. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/rankin-on-bass--4645382/support .

In 1977 Rankin & Bass did one of the first successful adaptation of JRR Tolkien's work with their adaptation of The Hobbit. In 1979 they tried again with The Return of the King. Between those two, Ralph Bakshi's Lord of the Rings complicated matters. We discuss these animated specials in a post Peter Jackson LOTR world. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/rankin-on...

Directed by Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass, The Last Unicorn was adapted for the screen by Peter S. Beagle and based on his book. It's an offbeat look at legacy, legend, and immortality. It's the story of a unicorn (Mia Farrow) who thinks she may be the last of her kind and her quest to find the truth. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/rankin-on-bass--4645382/s...

Ah, spring is here! Nothing better than to celebrate the martyrdom of Jesus by discussing the origins of the Easter Bunny! Chris, Richard, and Mike delve into Rankin/Bass's three Easter specials: Here Comes Peter Cottontail, The First Easter Rabbit, and The Easter Bunny Is Comin' to Town. They're essentially Santa Claus stories but with a rabbit playing the Santa part. We learn about the importanc...

Chris Stachiw and Mike White (Richard Hatem was on assignment to the North Pole) talk about the Rankin/Bass-produced King Kong Escapes which is part sequel to the Japanese animated TV-series, part re-telling of the Kong story, and part sequel to the Toho King Kong vs. Godzilla movie from 1962. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/rankin-on-bass--4645382/support .

Welcome to the second season of Rankin on Bass where we're looking at other holiday-themed specials. The Leprechaun's Christmas gold wasn't a St. Patrick's Day special but it is as much that as a Christmas special where Blarney Kilakilarney (Art Carney) relates a story within a story within a story about the Leprechauns' eternal struggle against an evil banshee who wants their gold. Become a suppo...

We wrap up the first season of Rankin on Bass with a look at the meeting of two titans: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer meets Frosty the Snowman in a Christmas special set in July where we learn about the origins of the North Pole and tie together several of the other Rankin & Bass shows. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/rankin-on-bass--4645382/support .

We talked about this back on our second episode... It's a discussion of the live action Year Without a Santa Claus and A Miser Brothers Christmas. Ever want to see Harvey Fierstein as the Heat Miser and Michael McKean as Snow Miser? Here's your chance. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/rankin-on-bass--4645382/support .

Happy Birthday! We’re talking about the animated adventures of Frosty the Snowman and Jack Frost as we look at Frosty the Snowman, Frosty’s Winter Wonderland, and the Animagic stoy of Jack Frost. Somehow this episode gets into Cossacks, ventriloquism, and Groundhog Day. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/rankin-on-bass--4645382/support .

We head to the Middle East to look at the The Little Drummer boy story -- along with its sequel -- and Nestor, the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey. It's something of a re-telling of the Nativity Story via side-characters. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/rankin-on-bass--4645382/support .

What's the story behind the Ho Ho Ho? We talk about how Santa came to be in Rankin & Bass's Santa Claus Is Coming to Town and the time when Santa got sick and lost hope in The Year Without a Santa Claus. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/rankin-on-bass--4645382/support .

We kick off the series with a look at Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, talking a bit about the history of character before he appeared on Rankin & Bass's beloved holiday special. We also discuss the sequel wherein Rudolph has to save Baby New Year from the clutches of an evil bird. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/rankin-on-bass--4645382/support .