A-1 Video presents
CHRISTMAS
and HOLIDAY VIDEOS
 

  ALL-STAR U.S.O. CHRISTMAS SHOW 1958
In December, 1958 tens of thousands of troops saw this all star Christmas salute to the military who were stationed at various outposts around the world. Hollywood celebrities appeared in this special which was never aired on televison to the public. Only soldiers were sent this show to view in their outposts. Now this show has been released for all to enjoy. Comedy routines by Bob Hope, George Burns, Jack Benny, Milton Berle to musical selections by Lena Horne, Bing Crosby (yes! He does), Louis Armstrong, Danny Kaye, Dinah Shore, Shirley MacLaine, and many more. Cast includes alphabetically ; Anna Maria Alberghetti, June Allyson, Louis Armstrong, Jack Benny, Milton Berle, Ray Bolger, George Burns, Red Buttons, Sid Caesar, Marge & Gower Champion, Cyd, Charisse, Van Cliburn, Bing Crosby, Jimmy Durante, Leo Durocher, Rhonda Flemming, Benny Goodman, Edie Gorme, Bob Hope, Lena Horne, Betty Hutton, Danny Kaye, Frankie Lane, Shirley MacLaine, Tony Martin, David Niven, Kim Novak, Gregory Peck, Walter Pidgeon, Dick Powell, Jane Powell, Martha Raye, Jimmie Rogers, Jane Russell, Dick Shawn, Dinah Shore, Jo Stafford, Jimmy Stewert, Gale Storm, Danny Thomas, Miyoshi Umeki.
(A-003) B & W ...approximately 90 minutes....$14.98 plus S&H


Christmas Animation Festival
Over one hour of vintage holiday cartoons from the golden age of Hollywood animation. Selections include the musical "Christmas Comes But Once A Year", one of the all-time classic holiday songs is set to animation in "Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer", Ub Iwerks comic-color classic "Jack Frost", Santa Clause brings a trio of troublesome puppies to "Hector's Hectic Life". Old Mother Hubbard has her troubles at Christmas time in "Kids in the Shoe", another classic Christmas holiday tune is set to animation in "Jingle Bells Snow Fooling", the circus takes on a holiday theme with "Ginger Nutt's Christmas Circus" and an old shoemaker gets help during the holidays from some elves (including Laurel & Hardy!) in "Holiday for the Shoemaker".
(A-668) Color.........approximately 1 hour..............$14.98 plus shipping and handling

TALES OF CHRISTMAS PAST
Step back 50 years plus with us to a gentler era. The Christmas movies of perhaps your and your fathers youth. They were made with one thing in mind, to bring joy to the children and happy memories to the adults. Today some are campy, though most hold up well against today's production values on television.
First on the program is a forgotten gem, Christmas Window (1950) A little girl longingly looks into a toy store window, and much to her disbelief the toys come to life. Done in a charming stop motion. Then The Santa Claus Story (1942) followed by the classic Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer (1950) Christmas Toy Shop (1944). In Merry Christmas (1947) we see an idyllic Christmas Eve at home of the time. Christmas Dream (1944 ) Santa brings a old rag doll to life for a bedlam of fun.
The Night Before Christmas
(1946) “Twas the night before Christmas, the popular poem that has delighted millions of children for countless years. The Little Match Girl (1942) The classic Hans Christian Anderson tale in a touching Color Rhapsody cartoon. Howdy Doody’s Christmas (1951) There’s trouble on Christmas Eve. Santa’s gone. Howdy Doody, Buffalo Bob and Clarabelle have to rescue Santa from the clutches of Ugly Sam.
(A-480-E) ...........approximately 85 minutes Color and b&w..........................................VHS or DVD $19.98 plus s&h


BURNS & ALLEN Early Shows Vol. 2 (CHRISTMAS SHOW)
Their second Christmas Show (#33) from December 20th, 1951 leads off with Mamie Kelly and her three pesky little girls visiting the Burnses for the holidays much to the annoyance of both George and Harry. George dresses up as Santa for the girls who are not fooled and Gracie tells them the story of "A Christmas Carol" in only her unique way. It winds up more like Cinderella and Goldilocks by the time she's through!
The next show is from December 7, 1950 (#5) in which Gracie returns Georges' Christmas presents before he has even seen them. This is due to the fact that George usually does after Christmas and she is merely saving him the trouble! Vanderlip the banker has some complaints to George about Gracie's check-balancing methods!
(A-282) B & W .approx 1 hour (full live telecast with commercials) ..$9.98 plus shipping and handling

 

Christmas Shows Vol. 1
-Pat Boone Show / Your Hit Parade

Here are a pair of mid-50's era Christmas themed shows. Pat Boone's show guests The Fontaine Sisters, Stubby Kaye as Santa Claus and ventriloquist Jimmy Nelson with Danny O'Day and Farfel. Set in a department store with gift shopping, the guests work in songs and routines to fit the holiday season. Your Hit Parade is from December 24th, 1955 with Giselle MacKenzie, Snooky Lanson, Dorothy Collins and Russell Arms. In addition to the featured hits are a variety of Christmas songs and a Ice Follies-style spectacular!
(A-634) B & W ......both shows complete with commercials..1 hour total.....$14.98 plus shipping & handling




COLGATE COMEDY HR. "Christmas Show"
Abbott & Costello host this episode of the Colgate Hour in a series of Christmas skits. The recurring gag is that Bud Abbott gets the worst of it every time instead of Lou Costello. Also on hand to entertain are Margaret Whiting and The Nicholas Brothers. Lou sings "White Christmas" at the finale.
(A-337) B & W ..........1 hour...........................................$9.98 plus shipping and handling

Jack Benny Holiday Shows
Here's a pair of holiday-themed shows from Jack Benny. In the opening show, Jack and Rochester are at the local department store to do some Christmas shopping. All of Jack's classic regulars are there including wise-guy Frank Nelson and the hilarious Mel Blanc as the poor clerk who has to deal with Jack's constant mind-changing. By the end of the day, poor Mel has a nervous breakdown! The second offering is a New Years' Eve show. The gang is all together for a big party at Don's house. Jack blows off his invitation because he has a hot date! When she cancels unexpectedly, Jack suddenly finds himself alone on New Years Eve.
(A-488) B & W ............approximately 1 hour total...............$9.98 plus s&h


PERRY COMO'S CHRISTMAS MUSIC HALL
Perry sings "It's Beginning to look a Lot Like Christmas", "The Christmas Song", "In the Garden","What'll I Do?", "They Can't Take that Away From Me", "This Partner in Paradise".Also in this edition of the Kraft Music Hall in addition to the Christmas songs features guests Betty Grable singing and dancing in her great Vegas revue style! She also sings with Perry such Harry James hits as "The Music Maker", "It Seems I've Heard That Song Before", "I Had the Craziest Dream", "You Made Me Love You", "Ciri-ciri-bin"), Brenda Lee (singing "I'm Sorry" "Gonna Get along without You Now"), Joey Heatherton, Brook Benton (singing "Kiddio", "Fools Rush In"), Beatrice Arthur, Milt Kamen, Rene Taylor along with The Ray Charles Singers and Mitchell Ayers and his Orchestra saluting Harry James' great instrumentals.
(A-641 )  B & W ....complete network with commercials 60 minutes ...$9.98 plus shipping & handling

HOLLYWOOD PALACE Christmas Show w/ Bing Crosby
Here's a marvelous time capsule of the classic vaudeville-style entertainment show with Bing Crosby and his guests including the entire cast of Hogan's Heroes; Bob Crane, Werner Klemperer, John Banner, Larry Hovis, Ivan Dixon, Richard Dawson, and Robert Clarey. Also on hand are Fred Waring & his Pennsylvanians and some vaudeville acts as well. Bob Williams and his dog are hysterical! This is the most inert pooch you've  ever seen! Songs include, "Wonderful White World of Winter", "Glow Worm", "We Wish You The Merriest", "Christmas Time Again", "Dec The Halls", "Go Tell It On The Mountain", "12 Days of Christmas", "Silent Night" and "White Christmas".
(A-358) B & W .....one hour network with commercials...$14.98 plus shipping and handling
 

HOLLYWOOD PALACE Christmas Shows 12-24-66 & 12-19-67 w/ Bing Crosby
Joining Bing on these shows are Bob Newhart, Kate Smith and his family Katherine, Mary, Harry and Nathaniel. The following year, Bing and his family return along with the King Family. Note; although these shows were originally broadcast in color, only the b&w episodes are available.
(A-875-FF) B & W .......approximately 2 hours total...............................$19.98 plus s&h

THE BOB CUMMINGS SHOW (LOVE THAT BOB) VOLUME 5 1955, 1958
A favorite on the series is Josh Collins, Bob's father, also played by Bob Cummings.  This woman chasing senior citizen will win your heart with his comical antics.  GRANDPA'S CHRISTMAS VISIT Grandpa is tiring out the family during the holidays with his late nights and early mornings.  Bob and Margaret try to slow him down with an evening of checkers.  Grandpa, however, takes out Bob's gorgeous date (Gloria Marshall), and Bob ends up with the checker game. GRANDPA'S OLD BUDDY Grandpa gets together with an old war buddy (Andy Clyde).  Looking for dates, they take Bob's models (beautiful Joi Lansing and Lisa Gaye) to Palm Springs...and in an antique car!  Nancy Kulp also guest stars.  All commercials intact.
(A-00-MC136) ..............................................60 minutes ....................................$19.95
 

BOB HOPE CHRISTMAS SHOWS (1954 - 55)
Bob and his gang travel to Greenland to entertain the troops with a comedy and musical revue. Hope does his usual comic monologue about life in the military. William Holden and Robert Strauss join Bob in a Stalag 17 parody. Anita Eckberg is on hand for the soldiers, Margaret Whiting sings "We're Having a Heat Wave" (in Greenland?) And cracks up in a routine with Bob. Jerry Colona gags it up. Vintage Bob Hope entertainment! Also included is another early Christmas Show with Ginger Rogers in a Klondike sketch with Bob.
(A-001) B & W approximately 90 minutes....................$19.98 plus shipping and handling

HOWDY DOODY (Christmas Show)
This selection features a Christmas show from December 25th, 1953. Also and Easter broadcast from April 13, 1957. As an added bonus a color show from September 24, 1960.
(A-647 ) B & W and Color.........approximately 2 hours total............$14.98 plus shipping and handling


LIFE WITH ELIZABETH  1953
Betty White and Del Moore star as newlyweds in this delightful comedy. Each show featured three short vignettes about the couple. THE PSYCHIC, CHRISTMAS SECRET, THE MAMBO, THE RESTAURANT, DANCE LESSONS, CAMPING WITH MOOSE.  Lots of laughs in these two shows.
(A-00-MC12 ) ................................................................55 minutes. $19.95


LONG JOHN SILVER VOLUME #1 1955  "Orphan's Christmas"
Robert Newton (who starred in Disney's classic 1950 feature version of Treasure Island) reprises his role as the lovable pirate in these memorable TV episodes from 1955. Co-starring Kit Tayor as young Jim Hawkins. Connie Gilchrist plays the pub owner Purity. Two episodes in rare color:  THE ORPHANS' CHRISTMAS, THE NECKLACE
(A-00-MC26) (Color) ...............approx.55 minutes....................$19.95 plus S & H

LUX VIDEO THEATER     1955
"A HOLIDAY AFFAIR " stars Phyllis Thaxter, Scott Brady, and Chris Olson. Hosted by Ken Carpenter, Otto Kruger with guest stars Walter Brennan and Margaret O'Brien. Some commercials intact, including Lux Soap and Pepsodent.
(A-00-MC76)  B & W ...............approx. 58 minutes...............$19.95 plus S & H

RED SKELTON CHRISTMAS SHOWS
In the first offering, FREDDIE AND THE YULETIDE DOLL, Freddy the Freeloader finds a magic doll on Christmas Eve that through his love comes to life. Together, Freddy and the doll spend a romantic evening together, dancing, flirting and even ice skating. In the second show, THE COP AND THE ANTHEM, we find Freddy in a take-off of an O. Henry tale as Freddy decides that he should get himself arrested for a petty crime so he can spend the next three months in a nice warm jail during the cold holiday season. Problem is no matter how hard he tries to get arrested he can't get a cop to do it!
(A-479) B & W ..............approximately 1 hour total.....................$9.98 pls S&H

Topper
Two episodes are offered here. "The Christmas Show" and "The Socialites".
(A-675 ) B & W ...........approx 1 hour (commercials in one show) ..........$14.98 plus shipping & handling
 







 

Your Hit Parade Christmas Shows  (1954 & 1955)
Here are a pair of mid-50's era Christmas Shows from 1954 & 1955. In the 1954 Christmas show, Giselle MacKenzie opens with "Mama Loves Mambo" in an igloo setting! Dorothy Collins then sings "Counting My Blessings" in a fantasy sequence. A pair of ice skating dancers do "The Skater's Waltz". Snooky Lanson sings "I Need You Now". Next , the Hit Paraders quartet sing "The Naughty Lady of Shady Lane". Giselle, in a fairy tale setting, sings "Let Me Go Lover". Dorothy in a skating rink setting sings "Teach Me Tonight". A Christmas medley is next with skaters accompanied by such tunes as "Deck the Halls", "Sleigh Ride", "Jingle Bells". All four stars sing the number one song of the week, "Mr. Sandman".
Snooky Lanson sings "Oh Holy Night" at the giant Christmas tree in Rockefeller Center.
The 1955 show opens with "Deck the Halls" as the gang decorate the Christmas tree. While riding in a sleigh with Santa, Giselle sings The Four Aces Academy Award-winning hit "Love is a Many Splendored Thing". Skater Ardra McLaughlin performs on the Rockefeller Center ice rink to "Autumn Leaves". Snooky Lanson sings the Dean Martin mega-hit "Memories Are Made of This". The Frank Sinatra hit "Love & Marriage" is next by Russell Arms. Dorothy Collins sings "Moments to Remember" in a Christmas morning family setting. Raymond Scott and his Orchestra head up a Christmas medley with the dancing skaters and full chorus including "Santa Claus is Coming to Town", "Jingle Bells', "Winter Wonderland", "Deck the Halls". Snooky Lanson sings the number one song of the week, Tennessee Ernie Ford's "Sixteen Tons". Dorothy Collins sings "Oh Holy Night" at the giant Christmas tree.
Bonus short; a rare color version of "CHRISTMAS FANTASY" .
(A- 583) B & W and Color.....approx 1 hour both full network with commercials ....$9.98 + s&h




 

Christmas Collectables for sale
 

A retired Mark Roberts collectible Sugar Plum Fairy. It is approximately six and a half inches tall and is flexible and possible. As seen in the photos, he can sit or stand and wave.
$30. plus s&h
$70. for identical 18" version

'Twas the month before Christmas when all through our land,
Not a Christian was praying nor taking a stand.
Why the PC Police had taken away,
The reason for Christmas - no one could say.

The children were told by their schools not to sing,
About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.
It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say
December 25th is just a " Holiday ".
 
The shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit
Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!
CDs from Madonna, an X box, an I-pod
Something was changing, something quite odd!

Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa
In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.
As Targets are hanging their trees upside down
At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.

At K-Mart and Staples and Penney's and Sears
You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.
Inclusive, sensitive, Di-Ver-si-ty
Are words that were used to intimidate me.

Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen
On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!
Let us not forget Bush and his Neocon handlers.
At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter
To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.

And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith
Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace
The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded
The reason for the season, stopped before it started.

So as you celebrate "Winter Break" under your "Dream Tree"
Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me...

Choose your words carefully, choose what you say

Shout
Merry Christmas!,
not Happy Holiday!

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