The Little Drummer Boy
Rankin-Bass, 1968
Starring Teddy Eccles, Jose Ferrer, Greer Garson, and Paul Frees
Directed by Jules Bass and Arthur Rankin Jr.
Music by Maury Laws; Lyrics by Jules Bass
The Story: Aaron was the son of a shepherd and his wife, who lived on a farm with their livestock. They gave Aaron a drum for his birthday. When he played the drum, he could make the animals dance. After his parents and all but a camel, a donkey, and a lamb are killed by bandits, Aaron vows to hate humankind for what they did to his family. He and his three remaining animals are kidnapped by a rather bad desert show caravan. The owner of the caravan Ben Haramid (Ferrer) thinks Aaron and his dancing friends will be perfect for the performance they plan to put on in Bethlehem for the tax payers.
Aaron does finally perform, but he becomes angry with the crowd for laughing at them and tells them off. The show caravan flees the city, running into three kings bearing expensive gifts following a star. They sell the trio Aaron's camel. Aaron follows them into the city, where his lamb is hurt...and only a miracle from a certain baby born in a manger can save his life.
The Animation: As per the era, this one gets closer to Santa Claus Is Coming to Town, but far less cartoony. Indeed, these figures may be among the most expressive Rankin-Bass ever did, especially little Aaron and wily Ben Haramid.
The Song and Dance: This musical drama is one of the more interesting Rankin-Bass specials. Greer Garson's sonorous narration adds the right touch of gravity to the proceedings, while Ferrer and Frees have some nice comic relief moments as the members of the rather inept performing caravan. Aaron's change of heart at the end in the title song and moving and beautifully done.
Favorite Number: Ben Haramid sings of why he has to work when "The Goose Is Hanging High." "Why Can't the Animals Smile?" is Aaron's bitter number when he's forced to perform with the desert troupe in Bethlehem. The Vienna Boys Choir provides the backdrop for the moment when Aaron finally plays his drum for the Baby Jesus...and realizes that the hatred in his heart was wrong.
What I Don't Like: Aaron's kidnapping and the deaths of his parents make this a little bit darker than the average Rankin-Bass special. Ben Haramid and the members of his troupe can come off as Arab stereotypes for some people.
The Big Finale: One of the absolute best Rankin-Bass specials. If you want to introduce older elementary school-age kids to the story of the birth of Christ, this might not be a bad way to do it. Highly recommended.
Home Media: Out of print on individual DVD, but it can be found on streaming and Blu-Ray, along with several collections of the popular 60's-early 70's Rankin Bass specials.
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The Little Drummer Boy Book II
Rankin-Bass, 1976
Starring David Jay, Zero Mostel, Greer Garson, and Bob McFadden
Directed by Jules Bass and Arthur Rankin Jr.
Music by Maury Laws; Lyrics by Jules Bass
The Story: After he leaves the Baby Jesus, Aaron (Jay) volunteers to help King Melichor (Ray Owens) bring the beautiful silver bells created by the bell maker Simeon (Allen Swift) to be rung and announce the birth of Christ. The Roman general Brutus (Mostel) and his sniveling toady Plato (McFadden) get there first, taking the bells for taxes. Aaron tells Melichor he'll go after the bells with his animals. He and the others do manage to rescue them and make fools of the soldiers, but the price of his courage is high for him...
The Animation: This is another one that shows Paul Coker Jr's influence, with larger heads and eyes. As in the first, the villains tend to be a bit goofier and more cartoonishly designed than Aaron or the king and bellmaker.
The Song and Dance: I'm not sure this one really needed a sequel...but that said, this isn't bad. Garson still makes an excellent narrator, and Swift is a wonderful gentle bell-maker. Mostel is the stand-out, throwing himself into the role of the obnoxious Roman officer with gusto. He has some of the most fun of any Rankin-Bass villain, especially in his one number.
Favorite Number: Mostel, McFadden, and the soldiers have a great time with the chorus number "Money, Money, Money," describing how people went from trading to buying with cash. Aaron sings a reprise in an attempt to distract the soldiers, but they're not having any of it. The Viennese Boys Choir gets to do a lovely "Do You Hear What I Hear?" after Simeon finally rings those bells.
What I Don't Like: As I mentioned, this sequel wasn't really necessary. I suspect it exists mainly because Rankin-Bass loved their franchises and wanted to turn Drummer Boy into one more. The story lacks the simplicity and gravity that made the first one so powerful.
The Big Finale: Nothing you need to go out of your way to see, but it's still an enjoyable enough way to pass a half-hour if you can find it.
Home Media: Currently available as part of two collections of Warner Brothers-owned holiday specials, including several other lesser-known Rankin-Bass titles.
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