"Frosty the snowman was a jolly happy soul, With a corncob pipe and a button nose, And two eyes made out of coal."

It was the 1969 animated film that brought Frosty The Snowman to my consciousness, but it is an experience I have been grateful for over the years. Having it as part of my collection some years later is no surprise either, and it will remain there for my kids some days.

The story is of course about Frosty (A snowman) who is brought to life one day under magical circumstances. The film starts with a magician that just isn't quite good at his craft; often making mistakes during his tricks, and most notably messing up tricks that involve his black top-hat. When he tosses out the hat, it is carried by the wind to where a little girl has built a man out of the newly fallen snow.

When the hat is placed upon the three tiered snowman, he suddenly springs to life, and introduce himself as Frosty. Of course the girl is taken back by the occurrence, but she (Karen) makes quick friends with the cute man of snow. Together they can play and sing, but the darker side of the story is that the professor wants his hat back, as he now sees that there was indeed magic in it after all.

With Karen by his side, and the Spring fast approaching, Frosty has a tough task ahead of him just to survive through the Winter. The professor is out to get him as well, and if they take his hat, he loses his magic. Sure the story doesn't hold a lot of value when it comes to realism, but its a classic cartoon, and you don't really care as an audience member. The story instead grabs hold of you for the short time it is on the screen, and even I cannot help myself but sing along to several of the notable songs. It is also narrated for a bit, to make sure the audience is keeping up with the story.

Now this is an animated film from 1969, so it may seem a little old-fashioned in its presentation, but I honestly think it still holds up well by today's standards. It's harmless fun that can appeal to any viewer, and has a lot of value for an entire family. It's all about friendship and supporting those you love, all while expressing how important it is to believe in something. Though only 22 minutes long, it is sold as a VHS or in several DVD sets that include the sequel. For a classic Christmas tale, look no further than the original Frosty The Snowman, because it is as cute as they come!





**Narrated by Jimmy Durante

**Voices include Billy De Wolfe, Jackie Vernon, and Paul Frees




Recommended:
Yes