YES, VIRGINIA, THERE IS A SANTA CLAUS (TV)
Summary
This animated special is about a little girl concerned about whether Santa Claus truly exists. The program begins with the narrator discussing the inspiration for the story, which takes place in New York City in 1897. In school, Virginia O'Hanlon's classmates mock her when she plans to write an essay about how she believes in Santa. Virginia is concerned, however, since she has never met Santa. On her walk home, Billy and other classmates bully Virginia for her "kid stuff" beliefs. Virginia decides that she is going to ask for an older brother when she writes to Santa this year. Virginia decides to settle "the Santa Claus business" once and for all. She asks Officer Reilly whether there is a Santa. Virginia and her classmates go around town to ask other townspeople -- of varying races and religions -- about the existence of Santa. Later, Virginia asks her father, Dr. Philip O"Hanlon, whether he knows for sure if there is a Santa. All the adults dance around the query and refuse to give a direct answer. That night, with prodding from newsboy Tommy, Virginia decides to write a letter to the editor of the New York Sun for positive proof. Later, Virginia's letter is brought to the attention of the Sun's Scrooge-like editor Francis Church. One day, Tommy goes to speak with Francis about Virginia's letter, encouraging him to respond. Meanwhile, Virginia remains disappointed that the Sun has yet to answer her letter. Francis drops Tommy off at his home and soon gains a little "Christmas cheer," though he has yet to make up his mind about how to deal with Virginia's letter. By the next day, Francis arrives early in the office to pen his response. Later, in class, Miss Taylor proudly reads the Sun's editorial about the existence of Santa. Afterward, Virginia's classmates apologize to her. Finally, the narrator shows a picture of the real Virginia, discussing what happened to her when she grew up. Finally, the narrator shows pictures of the real Philip and Francis before revealing his own identity: Santa Claus. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: N/A
- DATE: December 6, 1974 8:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:22:28
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:32196
- GENRE: Animated
- SUBJECT HEADING: Animation
- SERIES RUN: ABC - TV, 1974
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Burt Rosen … Executive Producer
- Bill Melendez … Producer, Director
- Mort Green … Producer, Writer
- Virginia O'Hanlon … Based on the story of
- Tom Keegan … Associate Producer
- Jim Backus … Cast, Voice, Narrator/Santa Claus
- Susan Silo … Cast, Voice, Miss Taylor
- Courtney Lemmon … Cast, Voice, Virginia
- Billy Green … Cast, Voice, Billy
- Sean Manning … Cast, Voice, Specs
- Tracey Belland … Cast, Voice, Mary Lou
- Christopher Wong … Cast, Voice, Arthur
- Vicky Ricketts … Cast, Voice, Amy
- Jennifer Green … Cast, Voice, Pee Wee
- Herb Armstrong … Cast, Voice, Officer Reilly
- Arnold Moss … Cast, Voice, Sgt. Muldoon
- Mort Green … Cast, Voice, Sam Shulman
- Louis Nye … Cast, Voice, Lee Fong
- Ken Sansom … Cast, Voice, Papa
- Karen Smith … Cast, Voice, Mama
- Peter Haas … Cast, Voice, Tommy
- Sidney Miller … Cast, Voice, Francis Church
- Dorothy Green … Cast, Voice, Miss Pine
- Shelly Hines … Cast, Voice, Little Girl