On Friday nights, IndieWire After Dark takes a feature-length beat to honor fringe cinema in the streaming age.
First, the spoiler-free pitch for one editor’s midnight movie pick — something weird and wonderful from any age of film that deserves our memorializing.
Then, the spoiler-filled aftermath as experienced by the unwitting editor attacked by this week’s recommendation.
The Pitch: Then All the Cavemen (and Founding Fathers) Loved Him
The magic of a good Christmas is an unparalleled childhood experience, but it always ends with the anticlimactic holiday hangover that is New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. The final day of the year and the first day of the new one can be plenty of fun for adults, as they revolve around a paradoxical combination of socially sanctioned binge drinking and a renewed focus on fitness and career goals. But since one of those things is off...
First, the spoiler-free pitch for one editor’s midnight movie pick — something weird and wonderful from any age of film that deserves our memorializing.
Then, the spoiler-filled aftermath as experienced by the unwitting editor attacked by this week’s recommendation.
The Pitch: Then All the Cavemen (and Founding Fathers) Loved Him
The magic of a good Christmas is an unparalleled childhood experience, but it always ends with the anticlimactic holiday hangover that is New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. The final day of the year and the first day of the new one can be plenty of fun for adults, as they revolve around a paradoxical combination of socially sanctioned binge drinking and a renewed focus on fitness and career goals. But since one of those things is off...
- 12/30/2023
- by Christian Zilko and Alison Foreman
- Indiewire
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas — except on subscription streaming, where you still can’t find classic Rankin/Bass holiday specials like “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”
“Rudolph,” the 1964 Animagic stop-motion TV special was produced by Videocraft International — later renamed Rankin/Bass — for broadcast network NBC and sponsor General Electric. Five years later, Rankin/Bass Productions, now actually named Rankin/Bass Productions after Videocraft founders Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass, made the animated “Frosty the Snowman” special for broadcast network CBS.
In 1972 “Rudolph” joined “Frosty” at CBS, where they have remained for more than 50 years. In recent times, “Rudolph” and “Frosty” have also been a part of the Disney-owned cable channel Freeform’s “25 Days of Christmas” marathons. Though they run simultaneously, broadcast and cable are contractually considered different “windows” here, several sources with knowledge of the deals told IndieWire. The Rankin/Bass specials are also available on DVD and Blu-ray.
“Rudolph,” the 1964 Animagic stop-motion TV special was produced by Videocraft International — later renamed Rankin/Bass — for broadcast network NBC and sponsor General Electric. Five years later, Rankin/Bass Productions, now actually named Rankin/Bass Productions after Videocraft founders Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass, made the animated “Frosty the Snowman” special for broadcast network CBS.
In 1972 “Rudolph” joined “Frosty” at CBS, where they have remained for more than 50 years. In recent times, “Rudolph” and “Frosty” have also been a part of the Disney-owned cable channel Freeform’s “25 Days of Christmas” marathons. Though they run simultaneously, broadcast and cable are contractually considered different “windows” here, several sources with knowledge of the deals told IndieWire. The Rankin/Bass specials are also available on DVD and Blu-ray.
- 12/16/2023
- by Tony Maglio
- Indiewire
The animated adaptations of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings from the 1970s and 1980s have a bit of a bad reputation these days, but these are not entirely deserved. In particular, Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass’ 1977 TV movie of The Hobbit, with a screenplay by Romeo Miller, gets a lot of things right that Peter Jackson’s three-part live-action film adaptation did not.
The most obvious advantage that the animated version has over the live-action films is its length. The fact that the live-action movies are too long is pretty well-established, but by way of a reminder, the book of The Hobbit is about 300 pages long, with slight variations in each edition. Other books of similar length that have been adapted into films include Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Emma Donoghue’s Room, John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars, and Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird.
The most obvious advantage that the animated version has over the live-action films is its length. The fact that the live-action movies are too long is pretty well-established, but by way of a reminder, the book of The Hobbit is about 300 pages long, with slight variations in each edition. Other books of similar length that have been adapted into films include Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Emma Donoghue’s Room, John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars, and Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird.
- 12/1/2023
- by John Saavedra
- Den of Geek
Music has always played an important role in Tolkien adaptations. J.A. Bayona, producer and director on Amazon’s Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, told Den of Geek last year that he played music on set for the actors to help them get “the right tone” for their characters, and that “there’s an… obvious sense of musicality when you read the books” which is “all about language and the beauty of language.” The show’s season one finale even featured a new musical setting for Tolkien’s “Rhyme of the Rings,” written by Bear McCreary and performed by Fiona Apple, which was generally well-received by fans.
Anyone who has read The Hobbit or The Lord of the Rings knows that the books are full of songs. Aragorn sings old Elvish ballads, Bilbo is quite the composer, the Dwarves have songs about their ancient mines, the Rohirrim love melancholic battle epics,...
Anyone who has read The Hobbit or The Lord of the Rings knows that the books are full of songs. Aragorn sings old Elvish ballads, Bilbo is quite the composer, the Dwarves have songs about their ancient mines, the Rohirrim love melancholic battle epics,...
- 3/20/2023
- by John Saavedra
- Den of Geek
By the late 1970s, there were two major animated adaptations of The Lord of the Rings in development. Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass, known for their holiday season specials like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman, had directed an animated dramatization of The Hobbit for television, broadcast in 1977 and they were planning a sequel, also for television, based on The Lord of the Rings. But filmmaker and animator Ralph Bakshi beat them to it in 1978 when he directed an animated feature film, The Lord of the Rings, which he intended to be Part 1 of 2. The studio (United Artists) refused to put Part 1 on the title though, and never greenlit Part 2. Instead, Rankin and Bass released a made-for-television sequel to their Hobbit film under the title The Return of the King, which finished off J.R.R. Tolkien‘s epic story.
The Rankin/Bass Hobbit film is seriously underrated these days,...
The Rankin/Bass Hobbit film is seriously underrated these days,...
- 1/17/2023
- by John Saavedra
- Den of Geek
You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout, we’re telling you why: Rankin/Bass is coming to screen. Arthur Rankin and Jules Bass’ animated holiday specials have become a seasonal staple on TV — with classics like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, and Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town hitting ABC and CBS this yuletide season and many more airing on Freeform and AMCx. This year’s airings come just weeks after Bass’ death. The animator and director passed away at age 87 on October 25, predeceased by Rankin, who died at age 89 in 2014. Bass’ death also came just a week after the October 18 release of The Complete Rankin/Bass Christmas Collection, a DVD collection of 18 holiday favorites. Thanks to Christmas TV Schedule and other sites, we have listings for this year’s Rankin/Bass airings — but be advised that these airdates and times are subject to time.
- 11/24/2022
- TV Insider
Whether you’re looking for stocking stuffers for others or a nice little gift for yourself, we’ve got a roundup of some of the best new Blu-rays and DVDs for the holidays.
Christmas Favorites
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment offers up four of their holiday favorites in 4K for the first time this holiday season: “Elf,” “A Christmas Story,” “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” and “The Polar Express” all get shined up for your library. Whether you’re giving (or getting) a 4K system this Christmas or already have one ready to go, this quartet of titles represent the apex of holiday classics for a wide audience. (Whether or not the sequel “A Christmas Story Christmas” will eventually merit its own schmancy physical release remains to be seen.)
Also available:
“The Apartment” (Kino Lorber Studio Classics): Billy Wilder’s bittersweet, Oscar-winning holiday tale made its 4K debut earlier this year.
Christmas Favorites
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment offers up four of their holiday favorites in 4K for the first time this holiday season: “Elf,” “A Christmas Story,” “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” and “The Polar Express” all get shined up for your library. Whether you’re giving (or getting) a 4K system this Christmas or already have one ready to go, this quartet of titles represent the apex of holiday classics for a wide audience. (Whether or not the sequel “A Christmas Story Christmas” will eventually merit its own schmancy physical release remains to be seen.)
Also available:
“The Apartment” (Kino Lorber Studio Classics): Billy Wilder’s bittersweet, Oscar-winning holiday tale made its 4K debut earlier this year.
- 11/21/2022
- by Alonso Duralde
- The Wrap
There are certain films I saw growing up that left me forever scarred: "The Neverending Story," "Watership Down," and "The Last Unicorn," to name the most memorable. However, I loved "The Last Unicorn" so much that it didn't matter that I felt inexplicably saddened by watching it. Much like "Watership Down" — also not meant for children — the 1982 film was watched by a generation of kids because it was animated. Naturally, that meant it was safe for children, right? Interestingly, the film, which just turned 40, wasn't originally intended for kids at all.
For one thing, the movie is scary. Not just obvious terrors like the monstrous Red Bull, but something even more frightening to children: being smothered by the ample bosom of a living tree — if you know, you know. The film was gorgeously animated by Rankin/Bass, the team that brought us the 1977 version of "The Hobbit." The screenplay was penned by Peter S. Beagle,...
For one thing, the movie is scary. Not just obvious terrors like the monstrous Red Bull, but something even more frightening to children: being smothered by the ample bosom of a living tree — if you know, you know. The film was gorgeously animated by Rankin/Bass, the team that brought us the 1977 version of "The Hobbit." The screenplay was penned by Peter S. Beagle,...
- 11/19/2022
- by Jamie Gerber
- Slash Film
Jules Bass, one half of the legendary animation team Rankin/Bass, has died. He was 87.
Jules Bass’ career is forever linked to Arthur Rankin Jr.–which certainly isn’t a bad thing, since the duo played major roles in creating some of the most iconic Christmas movies ever.
Rankin/Bass was of course best known for their holiday classics Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964), Frosty the Snowman (1969), Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town (1970), and so many more. But now that it’s October, let’s not forget Mad Monster Party? (1967), which had the benefit of the voice talents of Boris Karloff, who lent his distinct vocals as Baron Boris von Frankenstein, a take on Victor Frankenstein, the creator of Karloff’s most famous role of Frankenstein’s Monster.
While Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer remains one of the duo’s true classics, it wasn’t until three years later that Arthur Rankin Jr....
Jules Bass’ career is forever linked to Arthur Rankin Jr.–which certainly isn’t a bad thing, since the duo played major roles in creating some of the most iconic Christmas movies ever.
Rankin/Bass was of course best known for their holiday classics Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964), Frosty the Snowman (1969), Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town (1970), and so many more. But now that it’s October, let’s not forget Mad Monster Party? (1967), which had the benefit of the voice talents of Boris Karloff, who lent his distinct vocals as Baron Boris von Frankenstein, a take on Victor Frankenstein, the creator of Karloff’s most famous role of Frankenstein’s Monster.
While Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer remains one of the duo’s true classics, it wasn’t until three years later that Arthur Rankin Jr....
- 10/26/2022
- by Mathew Plale
- JoBlo.com
Jules Bass, the co-producer and co-director of such animated classics as “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “Frosty the Snowman” and “The Last Unicorn,” died Tuesday of age-related illness at an assisted living facility in Rye, New York, his publicist confirmed to TheWrap. He was 87.
Through their banner Rankin/Bass, Bass and Arthur Rankin Jr. (who died in 2014) made some of the most beloved children’s programming of all time, including stop-motion classics “Rudolph” (1964), “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” (1970), and “The Year Without a Santa Claus” (1974). Bass also wrote many of the iconic songs, including Heat Miser and Snow Miser’s catchy showstopper and “Put One Foot in Front of the Other” with composer/conductor Maury Laws.
Bass also produced and directed the 1967’s “Mad Monster Party?” starring Boris Karloff and Phyllis Diller.
Also Read:
Hollywood’s Notable Deaths of 2022 (Photos)
Rankin/Bass’s hand-drawn projects include the 1969 holiday special “Frosty the Snowman,...
Through their banner Rankin/Bass, Bass and Arthur Rankin Jr. (who died in 2014) made some of the most beloved children’s programming of all time, including stop-motion classics “Rudolph” (1964), “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” (1970), and “The Year Without a Santa Claus” (1974). Bass also wrote many of the iconic songs, including Heat Miser and Snow Miser’s catchy showstopper and “Put One Foot in Front of the Other” with composer/conductor Maury Laws.
Bass also produced and directed the 1967’s “Mad Monster Party?” starring Boris Karloff and Phyllis Diller.
Also Read:
Hollywood’s Notable Deaths of 2022 (Photos)
Rankin/Bass’s hand-drawn projects include the 1969 holiday special “Frosty the Snowman,...
- 10/25/2022
- by Sharon Knolle
- The Wrap
Jules Bass, who produced and directed a number of classic animated holiday specials like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman, has died at the age of 87, his publicist confirms to our sister site Variety.
Bass is most famous for his collaborations with Arthur Rankin Jr., including the 1964 stop-motion animated special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, which Bass co-produced. The retelling of the famous Christmas carol narrated by Burl Ives became a beloved annual tradition for TV viewers and still runs each year on CBS. Rankin/Bass followed up that success with 1968’s The Little Drummer Boy, 1970’s Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town...
Bass is most famous for his collaborations with Arthur Rankin Jr., including the 1964 stop-motion animated special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, which Bass co-produced. The retelling of the famous Christmas carol narrated by Burl Ives became a beloved annual tradition for TV viewers and still runs each year on CBS. Rankin/Bass followed up that success with 1968’s The Little Drummer Boy, 1970’s Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town...
- 10/25/2022
- by Dave Nemetz
- TVLine.com
Jules Bass, whose work as a producer and director of stop-motion and animated television specials such as Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town and The Year Without A Santa Claus has become an integral part of the holiday season for generations, died today in Rye, New York, of age-related illnesses. He was 87.
His death was confirmed by publicist Jennifer Fisherman Ruff.
Bass was working in advertising in New York City when, in 1960, he teamed up with an art director at ABC named Arthur Rankin Jr. to form a film production company called Videocraft International. The company was launched with the 1960 series The New Adventures of Pinocchio, utilizing traditional animation, but found its breakthrough success in 1964 with the stop-motion classic Rudolph, featuring the voice of Burl Ives as Sam the Snowman.
Rankin died in 2014 at 89.
Based on the Gene Autry hit song of 1949, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer...
His death was confirmed by publicist Jennifer Fisherman Ruff.
Bass was working in advertising in New York City when, in 1960, he teamed up with an art director at ABC named Arthur Rankin Jr. to form a film production company called Videocraft International. The company was launched with the 1960 series The New Adventures of Pinocchio, utilizing traditional animation, but found its breakthrough success in 1964 with the stop-motion classic Rudolph, featuring the voice of Burl Ives as Sam the Snowman.
Rankin died in 2014 at 89.
Based on the Gene Autry hit song of 1949, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer...
- 10/25/2022
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Jules Bass, the animator, producer, director and composer whose work included stop-motion holiday television specials like “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “Frosty the Snowman” and “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town,” died at the age of 87 on Tuesday at an assisted living facility in Rye, New York, publicist Jennifer Fisherman-Ruff confirmed.
The three prominent holiday specials, “Rudolph,” voiced by Burl Ives, “Frosty” starring Jackie Vernon and Jimmy Durante and “Santa Claus,” voiced by Fred Astaire and Mickey Rooney, all debuted during the 1960s and 1970s. In the decades since, the specials have become staples of seasonal holiday programming on television.
Bass was known for his longstanding creative partnership with director Arthur Rankin Jr., who died in 2014 at 89. The two pushed many productions through their banner Rankin/Bass Productions, which was known for its laborious cel-animated, stop-motion films that took long periods of time to turn into full-length features.
Bass and Rankin...
The three prominent holiday specials, “Rudolph,” voiced by Burl Ives, “Frosty” starring Jackie Vernon and Jimmy Durante and “Santa Claus,” voiced by Fred Astaire and Mickey Rooney, all debuted during the 1960s and 1970s. In the decades since, the specials have become staples of seasonal holiday programming on television.
Bass was known for his longstanding creative partnership with director Arthur Rankin Jr., who died in 2014 at 89. The two pushed many productions through their banner Rankin/Bass Productions, which was known for its laborious cel-animated, stop-motion films that took long periods of time to turn into full-length features.
Bass and Rankin...
- 10/25/2022
- by EJ Panaligan
- Variety Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
Jules Bass, the animator, producer, director and composer who partnered with Arthur Rankin Jr. on the stop-motion holiday TV specials Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman and Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town, has died. He was 87.
Bass died Tuesday at an assisted living facility in Rye, New York, publicist Jennifer Fisherman Ruff told The Hollywood Reporter.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, based on the song popularized by Gene Autry and featuring the voice of Burl Ives, debuted in 1964. Frosty the Snowman, starring Jackie Vernon and Jimmy Durante, bowed in 1969, and Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town, starring Fred Astaire, premiered in 1970. All three have remained strong television draws through the decades.
Rankin/Bass Productions’ cel-animated, stop-motion features were farmed out to Japanese animators and were painstaking to make, with thousands of still photos of their characters’ incremental movements put together at 24 frames...
Jules Bass, the animator, producer, director and composer who partnered with Arthur Rankin Jr. on the stop-motion holiday TV specials Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman and Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town, has died. He was 87.
Bass died Tuesday at an assisted living facility in Rye, New York, publicist Jennifer Fisherman Ruff told The Hollywood Reporter.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, based on the song popularized by Gene Autry and featuring the voice of Burl Ives, debuted in 1964. Frosty the Snowman, starring Jackie Vernon and Jimmy Durante, bowed in 1969, and Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town, starring Fred Astaire, premiered in 1970. All three have remained strong television draws through the decades.
Rankin/Bass Productions’ cel-animated, stop-motion features were farmed out to Japanese animators and were painstaking to make, with thousands of still photos of their characters’ incremental movements put together at 24 frames...
- 10/25/2022
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
On Aug. 31, 1998, Variety reported that New Zealand filmmakers Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh would transform J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” trilogy of books into three films. Reporter Benedict Carver added that the books are “a highly prized literary property that has eluded filmmakers for years.”
It was the culmination more than three decades of trying to adapt Tolkien’s work for the screen, after the world of visual effects had finally caught up to the British author’s fantastical storylines.
But three decades before, the Beatles had tried to get a “Lord of the Rings” film off the ground. After playing themselves in “A Hard Day’s Night” and “Help!,” the Fab Four was ready to play fictional characters. Apple Films executive Denis O’Dell spearheaded the hunt for material, and Lennon reportedly loved the idea of “Rings.” Lennon would play Gollum, Paul McCartney would play Frodo, George Harrison would...
It was the culmination more than three decades of trying to adapt Tolkien’s work for the screen, after the world of visual effects had finally caught up to the British author’s fantastical storylines.
But three decades before, the Beatles had tried to get a “Lord of the Rings” film off the ground. After playing themselves in “A Hard Day’s Night” and “Help!,” the Fab Four was ready to play fictional characters. Apple Films executive Denis O’Dell spearheaded the hunt for material, and Lennon reportedly loved the idea of “Rings.” Lennon would play Gollum, Paul McCartney would play Frodo, George Harrison would...
- 12/15/2021
- by Tim Gray
- Variety Film + TV
Though Krampus and The Grinch usually get all the spooky holiday love, the team of Arthur Rankin, Jr., and Jules Bass at Rankin/Bass Productions, Inc., gave us many memorable monsters who revel in Christmas fear! Each year they lurk about on TV before a multitude of heroes have had a chance to change their black […]
The post 12 Classic Creepy Christmas Critters! appeared first on Dread Central.
The post 12 Classic Creepy Christmas Critters! appeared first on Dread Central.
- 12/15/2017
- by Steve Barton
- DreadCentral.com
Got Milk? Cowan & Shomali See The Glass Half Full, Celebrating Community Action In Beit Sahour With Stop-Motion
Paul Cowan and Amer Shomali’s partially animated docu-drama, The Wanted 18, a film that ruminates on the quiet collective rebellion of the First Palestinian Intifada via the underground farming of dairy during the years of 1987 to 1993, oddly but astutely alludes to Jules Bass and Arthur Rankin Jr.’s classic stop-motion holiday special Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town. In a throwaway clip of a stop motion Israeli commander that suspiciously resembles the fun hating kaiser Burgermeister Meisterburger, steps from his military jeep, much to his dismay, into a freshly made cow pie, just as the Burgermeister accidentally slipped upon a toy duck left by Mickey Rooney’s youthful Kris Kringle in a covert effort to enrich the lives of the town’s children.
Consciously or not, that Christmas classic is a perfect...
Paul Cowan and Amer Shomali’s partially animated docu-drama, The Wanted 18, a film that ruminates on the quiet collective rebellion of the First Palestinian Intifada via the underground farming of dairy during the years of 1987 to 1993, oddly but astutely alludes to Jules Bass and Arthur Rankin Jr.’s classic stop-motion holiday special Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town. In a throwaway clip of a stop motion Israeli commander that suspiciously resembles the fun hating kaiser Burgermeister Meisterburger, steps from his military jeep, much to his dismay, into a freshly made cow pie, just as the Burgermeister accidentally slipped upon a toy duck left by Mickey Rooney’s youthful Kris Kringle in a covert effort to enrich the lives of the town’s children.
Consciously or not, that Christmas classic is a perfect...
- 6/17/2015
- by Jordan M. Smith
- IONCINEMA.com
CW has released their prime time line up for the week of March 30th and it will be a strange week. With new episodes becoming limited as we approach season finales, CW is filling in the gaps with a few random choices. Such The Flash taking a big chunk of that week with other mixes of new and old episodes network wide. However, they will take a child friendly approach on April 3rd with Here Comes Peter Cottontail. Random? Yes, very much so! Here is the official listing that kindly provided us all with.
Monday, March 30
The Originals
“I Love You, Goodbye” — (8:00-9:00 p.m. Et) (TV-14, V) (HDTV)
The Big Day — With the final preparations for her union to Jackson (guest star Nathan Parsons) underway, Hayley (Phoebe Tonkin) begins to question whether the ritual will actually work. After arriving to the compound, Elijah (Daniel Gillies) has a...
Monday, March 30
The Originals
“I Love You, Goodbye” — (8:00-9:00 p.m. Et) (TV-14, V) (HDTV)
The Big Day — With the final preparations for her union to Jackson (guest star Nathan Parsons) underway, Hayley (Phoebe Tonkin) begins to question whether the ritual will actually work. After arriving to the compound, Elijah (Daniel Gillies) has a...
- 3/12/2015
- by Sarah Peel
- Boomtron
From the worlds of TV, film, music and books; from the legendary stars to the somewhat unsung, behind-the-scenes forces — here is an ongoing look at the celebrities who died in 2014. May they rest in peace, and may we continue to remember them and enjoy the artistic work, and creations, they left behind. Shirley Temple Black Sid Caesar Phillip Seymour Hoffman Russell Johnson Dave Madden Juanita Moore Arthur Rankin Jr. Pete Seeger Ralph Waite
The post Celebrity Deaths 2014 appeared first on Channel Guide Magazine.
The post Celebrity Deaths 2014 appeared first on Channel Guide Magazine.
- 2/20/2014
- by Channel Guide Staff
- ChannelGuideMag
Arthur Rankin Jr., who along with partner Jules Bass, was responsible for several iconic television Christmas specials, including Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman, passed away Thursday at his home in Bermuda at the age of 89.
Rankin formed Videocraft International with Bass in the early 1960s. While their first project was The New Adventures of Pinocchio, Rankin/Bass's most iconic contributions to pop culture are doubtlessly the Rudolph and Frosty specials, which aired on CBS in 1964 and 1969, respectively, and were the two highest-rated programs of the night.
In the 1970s, Rankin produced and directed episodes of the animated Jackson 5 series,...
Rankin formed Videocraft International with Bass in the early 1960s. While their first project was The New Adventures of Pinocchio, Rankin/Bass's most iconic contributions to pop culture are doubtlessly the Rudolph and Frosty specials, which aired on CBS in 1964 and 1969, respectively, and were the two highest-rated programs of the night.
In the 1970s, Rankin produced and directed episodes of the animated Jackson 5 series,...
- 2/3/2014
- by Alex Heigl
- People.com - TV Watch
R.I.P. Oscar-winner Philip Seymour Hoffman (Capote) was found dead in his home in Manhattan yesterday morning of an alleged drug overdose. He was 46. Deadline reports that Hoffman was discovered in the bathroom of his apartment by an unidentified friend and that a hypodermic needle and what appeared to be heroin were found at the scene. Hoffman leaves behind his three children with costume designer Mimi O’Donnell: Cooper (11), Tallulah (7) and Willa (6).
Some of Hoffman's ongoing projects have been shelved, while others continue on. Only yesterday, we reported that Hoffman's planned second feature as a director, Ezekial Moss, was moving forward with Jake Gyllenhaal and Amy Adams in starring roles. With his passing, Exclusive Media has dropped the movie that Hoffman spent over a year working on with writer Keith Bunin. The Hunger Games — Mockingjay Part 1 will still be released as scheduled, though Lionsgate has not explained how they...
Some of Hoffman's ongoing projects have been shelved, while others continue on. Only yesterday, we reported that Hoffman's planned second feature as a director, Ezekial Moss, was moving forward with Jake Gyllenhaal and Amy Adams in starring roles. With his passing, Exclusive Media has dropped the movie that Hoffman spent over a year working on with writer Keith Bunin. The Hunger Games — Mockingjay Part 1 will still be released as scheduled, though Lionsgate has not explained how they...
- 2/3/2014
- by BJSprecher Sprecher
- Reelzchannel.com
Jk Rowling wished Hermione and Harry ended up together, Ryan Phillippe’s strip tease, One Direction ditches the party to make “Midnight Memories”
Dylan Farrow, in the wake of the Golden Globes honoring Woody Allen, has written an open letter detailing what she claims was ongoing sexual abuse at the hands of Allen. It’s painful to read, and if true, will overshadow Allen’s career forever.
As for a response, Allen says he will deliver one shortly, but in the meantime says that a thorough investigation at the time cleared him of all charges. Some critics are already saying they’re boycotting Allen.
Finnish Olympic swimmer Ari-Pekka Liukkonen has come out of the closet. He’s the first Finnish athlete to do so while still competing. “I wanted to start a broader discussion in connection with Sochi, because it’s sad that the legislation in Russia restricts the human...
Dylan Farrow, in the wake of the Golden Globes honoring Woody Allen, has written an open letter detailing what she claims was ongoing sexual abuse at the hands of Allen. It’s painful to read, and if true, will overshadow Allen’s career forever.
As for a response, Allen says he will deliver one shortly, but in the meantime says that a thorough investigation at the time cleared him of all charges. Some critics are already saying they’re boycotting Allen.
Finnish Olympic swimmer Ari-Pekka Liukkonen has come out of the closet. He’s the first Finnish athlete to do so while still competing. “I wanted to start a broader discussion in connection with Sochi, because it’s sad that the legislation in Russia restricts the human...
- 2/3/2014
- by Ed Kennedy
- The Backlot
Arthur Rankin Jr., the man responsible for the most beloved stop-motion of the '60s and '70s, has died. Along with fellow producer-director Jules Bass, the animator redefined what an entire generation of American families watch at Christmas. Using their signature combination of painstaking cel-animation and a lot of whimsy, the two brought to life beloved classics like Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Rankin was 89 years old when he passed away in his Bermuda home on Thursday, The Hollywood Reporter writes.Below, watch some favorite moments from the Ranking/Bass catalogue, along with a rare interview in which Rankin discusses his successful creative process. Certainly, we'll remember him fondly every time these specials air.
- 2/2/2014
- by Delia Paunescu
- Vulture
The man whose animated holiday TV specials have touched generations of fans died Thursday at his home in Bermuda. Arthur Rankin Jr was 89. His death was reported by local newspaper The Royal Gazette. With his partner Jules Bass, Rankin mined popular Christmas songs to create enduring stop-motion TV classics including Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964) — which beat The Voice and Marvel’s Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. in the 18-49 demo when CBS aired it Thanksgiving Eve last year – The Little Drummer Boy (1968), Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town (1970) and The Year Without A Santa Claus (1974). The Jimmy Durante-narrated Frosty The Snowman (1969) was done in tradition cel animation and was the first of their Christmas specials done as a half-hour rather than an hour. Rankin and Bass founded their company in 1960 as Videocraft International, and the name was changed to Rankin/Bass Productions eight years later. They also produced plenty of non-holiday fare as well,...
- 2/1/2014
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
Arthur Rankin Jr., the animator, producer and director behind the whimsical holiday stop-motion TV specials Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman, has died. He was 89. Rankin died Thursday at his home by Harrington Sound in Bermuda, The Royal Gazette newspaper reported. In the early 1960s, Rankin and Jules Bass founded the film production company Videocraft International (now called Rankin/Bass Productions). Their stop-motion, cel-animated features were painstaking to make and known for their doll-like characters. Photos: Hollywood's Notable Deaths of 2014 Their first production was the syndicated TV series The New Adventures of
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- 2/1/2014
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Mad Monster Party (1967) is screening at 7pm Thursday, December 5th at Schlafly Bottleworks – 7260 Southwest Ave St Louis, Mo 63143. Doors open at 6:30pm. It’s a fundraiser for Helping Kids Together. Attend wearing a monster costume and you may win a DVD of the film!
“Rankin/Bass” is a moniker long associated with television for the company’s long line of animated specials, the best-known being Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer which first aired in 1964. Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass brought their craft to the big screen the first with Willy McBean And His Magic Machine in 1965, which was a flop as were their primarily live-action Hans Christian Andersen musical The Daydreamer (1966) and the traditionally-animated The Wacky World Of Mother Goose (1967). While Rankin/Bass was soon to become a fixture in holiday television, a fact we were all reminded of every December, the studio tried once more for cinematic success...
“Rankin/Bass” is a moniker long associated with television for the company’s long line of animated specials, the best-known being Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer which first aired in 1964. Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass brought their craft to the big screen the first with Willy McBean And His Magic Machine in 1965, which was a flop as were their primarily live-action Hans Christian Andersen musical The Daydreamer (1966) and the traditionally-animated The Wacky World Of Mother Goose (1967). While Rankin/Bass was soon to become a fixture in holiday television, a fact we were all reminded of every December, the studio tried once more for cinematic success...
- 11/25/2013
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Clocking in at 558 minutes (683 if you’re an elitist with the special extended editions, and a whopping 726 minutes is you’re lucky enough to have the Blu-ray editions), the Lord of the Rings trilogy requires some pretty epic commitment. Yet despite being closer to retirement age by the time Return of the King reaches its lengthy end credits, Peter Jackson’s films are widely regarded amongst certain circles as some of the best of all time.
If you’ve been living under a rock, Lord of the Rings – based on J.R.R Tolkien’s novel from 1955 – tells the story of Frodo Baggins, a hobbit from The Shire who inherits a golden ring from his uncle; a ring that naturally turns out to the One Ring (or Ring of Power, depending who you ask), forged by the Dark Lord Sauron to rule Middle Earth. Simply put, what follows is an...
If you’ve been living under a rock, Lord of the Rings – based on J.R.R Tolkien’s novel from 1955 – tells the story of Frodo Baggins, a hobbit from The Shire who inherits a golden ring from his uncle; a ring that naturally turns out to the One Ring (or Ring of Power, depending who you ask), forged by the Dark Lord Sauron to rule Middle Earth. Simply put, what follows is an...
- 3/6/2013
- by Claire Fulton
- Obsessed with Film
Bilbo Baggins's adventure to the Lonely Mountain had quite a few twists and turns along the way. Little known fact: that dangerous, winding path included the Soviet Union.
While the internet geeks out over the new quick tease trailer of Peter Jackson's upcoming big screen adaptation of "The Hobbit," they'll have to wait until December of 2012 to see the whole film. But if they're feeling particularly antsy, they could always watch a full length version of the story.
The catch? It's a Russian-language film, shot in 1984 on a budget that looks like it was just a smudge less than the $150 million Oscar-winner Jackson is supposedly spending on his film. The Jrr Tolkien novel has an interesting Soviet history. It was first published in the country in 1976 with some locally-sourced illustrations (which you can see here), and went through a number of reprints over the years.
There's also the 1977 animated version of the story,...
While the internet geeks out over the new quick tease trailer of Peter Jackson's upcoming big screen adaptation of "The Hobbit," they'll have to wait until December of 2012 to see the whole film. But if they're feeling particularly antsy, they could always watch a full length version of the story.
The catch? It's a Russian-language film, shot in 1984 on a budget that looks like it was just a smudge less than the $150 million Oscar-winner Jackson is supposedly spending on his film. The Jrr Tolkien novel has an interesting Soviet history. It was first published in the country in 1976 with some locally-sourced illustrations (which you can see here), and went through a number of reprints over the years.
There's also the 1977 animated version of the story,...
- 12/21/2011
- by Jordan Zakarin
- Huffington Post
Starring: Jeff Bridges, Mia Farrow, Angela Lansbury
Director: Jules Bass, Arthur Rankin Jr.
The Scoop: (1982) An all-star voice cast buoys this animated effort based on the book by Peter S. Beagle. Though critics haven't always been thrilled with the Rankin-Bass animation (the guys who did all those stop-motion holiday specials in the '60s), the strength of the story has turned this film into a cult hit. Previous releases have been marred by poor quality, making this restored edition a must-have for fans.
Special Features: Commentary, featurettes, multi-media gallery, trailer
Rated G, 92 min. | Watch the trailer...
Director: Jules Bass, Arthur Rankin Jr.
The Scoop: (1982) An all-star voice cast buoys this animated effort based on the book by Peter S. Beagle. Though critics haven't always been thrilled with the Rankin-Bass animation (the guys who did all those stop-motion holiday specials in the '60s), the strength of the story has turned this film into a cult hit. Previous releases have been marred by poor quality, making this restored edition a must-have for fans.
Special Features: Commentary, featurettes, multi-media gallery, trailer
Rated G, 92 min. | Watch the trailer...
- 2/22/2011
- by NextMovie Staff
- NextMovie
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