'Toon Reviews 10: Rankin/Bass Christmas Specials Part 9: Frosty's Winter Wonderland

Frosty’s Winter Wonderland

Told and Sung by Andy Griffith

Original Airdate: December 2, 1976

Airs annually on AMC’s Best Christmas Ever

Available on DVD

If you were to watch Frosty the Snowman on TV, you’d probably notice that it’s immediately followed by the “official” sequel, Frosty Returns from Peanuts special director, Bill Melendez.  I liked that sequel a lot as a kid, but as I get older, I get more concerned that the media wants people to see it as the official sequel when it pays very little respect to the original special.  Frosty’s personality is completely changed for no reason at all. It doesn’t follow the original’s lore, mostly with how Frosty can live without his hat.  Above all, the special opts to be a preachy show about the importance of snow and the dangers of aerosols instead of a fun romp with a living snowman.  There are some things from it I still enjoy, but it overall feels like it was created to cash in on the original’s success instead of to be a new adventure in its spirit.  Now, Frosty’s Winter Wonderland is honestly what the general public should see as the official sequel to the original Frosty and not just because they have the same creators.  There’s a strong emphasis on kids having winter fun with Frosty which was what he was made for. Frosty is naïve yet caring like he was in the original. There are references to events in the first special. It follows the original’s lore regarding the hat.  Not to mention, new things like Frosty wanting a wife and Jack Frost being personified as a small figure who makes winter happen fit the theme of winter fun.  However, does paying better respect as a sequel than Frosty Returns mean this special is as good as the original?

Honestly, not really.  For all the references and respect to the first special, there are still glaring elements to this sequel that prevent it from being a perfect companion.  It hardly feels like a continuation since it seems to take place in an earlier time period than the original.  The first Frosty special took place in a contemporary town suitable for the decade it first aired. This one, from the designs of the characters’ clothes, the houses, and even the cars, seems to take place in a turn-of-the-century time period. 




Kids in Frosty the Snowman



Kids in Winter Wonderland

Also, the kids Frosty hangs out with look nothing like the ones who built him in the first special and, for some reason, they add in a dog and two horses.  Considering how Frosty’s friendship with the kids, especially Karen, was one of the strongest parts of the first special, it’s really disappointing that they’re replaced.  I’d understand the change in characters if both specials were stop-motion since the puppets and armatures probably would’ve been worn out after seven years in between. The fact is they’re traditionally animated.  Nothing should’ve prevented the animators from simply redrawing the same kids, so there’s really no reason why they couldn’t use them for the sequel.  These factors keep me from getting completely invested in what goes on. That’s a shame because I do like the concept of everyone building Frosty a wife and trying to bring her to life, so he won’t be lonely.  Plus, when his wife, Crystal, does come to life with the power of love, she and Frosty get up to some charming moments together.  That said, an even bigger detracting factor is that the story plays things too safe focusing on nothing more than simple winter fun.  You might say the first special was like that too, but that one also had a fair share of high stakes.  There was Frosty constantly under threat of melting, i.e. death, while worrying about his friends freezing over.  These bits of danger made the fun and happy moments worth caring about to sell the bonds between Frosty and the kids.  With the lack of danger here, the simple moments just aren’t impactful.  The closest thing to danger we get is Jack Frost trying to get Frosty’s hat which will render him lifeless. The thing is, Jack simply isn’t threatening, coming off like a petty kindergarten bully due to his jealousy of the kids liking Frosty more than him.  Even when Jack succeeds in getting Frosty’s hat, he doesn’t stay lifeless for long when Crystal brings him back to life with a true love’s kiss shortly after.  Adding in the constant variations of the “Frosty the Snowman” song that quickly get overbearing, the lack of stakes really lowers the universal appeal of the special. 

For how much I harp on this special, it’s still entertaining on its own.  As I’ve said, Frosty getting a wife is an interesting idea for the plot and a lot of nice moments come from him and Crystal together.  The moments on their own, as well as their eventual wedding, are really endearing and make them a couple worth supporting.  They also bring out some of the high points of the special. They include Jack Frost’s reformation when they let him know he’s why they even exist, and the best musical sequence, Andy Griffith and Dennis Day’s cover of “Winter Wonderland.”  Plus, the very existence of Crystal and Jack Frost add to the Frosty universe’s lore which helps increase the appeal, even if the choices made to the setup bring it down.

While this does deserve to be treated like a true sequel more than Frosty Returns ever did, the significantly less risky tone and not going all out with continuity work against this special.  Fortunately, it has some good-hearted moments from Frosty and his wife, solid laughs from Jack Frost, and the continuity bits done correctly to make it worth your time.  Just don’t expect to want to make a tradition of watching it like you would with the first special.

Worth a Look

The Ranking

1. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
2. Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town
3. The Year Without a Santa Claus
4. Frosty the Snowman
5. The Little Drummer Boy
6. The First Christmas: The Story of the First Christmas Snow
7. ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas
8. Frosty’s Winter Wonderland
9. Cricket on the Hearth

Be sure to stay tuned for the review of the next special, Rudolph's Shiny New Year and see if this sequel will fare any better.

If you would like to check out other Rankin/Bass special reviews on this blog, click here for the guide made especially for them.