Christmas Comes But Once a Year

Plot

On Christmas morning at an orphanage, children eagerly unwrap their presents only to discover they've received broken, worn-out, and defective toys that quickly fall apart. The children's joy turns to tears as their dreams of a merry Christmas are shattered. Professor Grampy, passing by in his motorized sled, overhears their cries and peeks through the window to witness their disappointment. Determined to save their Christmas, the inventive professor rushes home to his workshop where he transforms ordinary household items into fantastic new toys using his remarkable ingenuity. Returning to the orphanage, Grampy delivers his homemade creations, bringing laughter and joy to the children who celebrate with their new toys, culminating in a festive Christmas dance with their benevolent benefactor.

Historical Background

Released in 1936, during the height of the Great Depression, this cartoon reflected both the economic hardships and the resilient spirit of the American people. The animation industry was in fierce competition, with Disney's dominance in feature animation pushing studios like Fleischer to innovate in the short film market. The film's themes of charity and making do with limited resources resonated deeply with audiences struggling through economic hardship. 1936 was also a year of significant technological advancement in cinema, with the widespread adoption of three-strip Technicolor allowing for more vibrant and sophisticated color animation. The Fleischer Studios had recently relocated from New York to Miami, seeking cheaper labor costs and avoiding union pressures, making this film one of their early productions from their new Florida facility.

Making Of

The production of 'Christmas Comes But Once a Year' took place during a pivotal moment in animation history, as studios were transitioning to color and experimenting with more sophisticated storytelling techniques. The Fleischer brothers, Max and Dave, were pushing technical boundaries with their three-dimensional set effects and rotoscoping techniques. Professor Grampy's inventive sequence, where he creates toys from household items, was particularly challenging to animate as it required complex mechanical movements and transformations. The voice work was done in a single recording session, with Jack Mercer improvising many of Grampy's characteristic grunts and exclamations. The animation team included future legends like Seymour Kneitel and Roland Crandall, who brought their unique styles to the cartoon's memorable gags. The film's success led to Professor Grampy becoming one of Fleischer's few original recurring characters not based on comic strip or radio properties.

Visual Style

The film showcases Fleischer Studios' distinctive animation style characterized by fluid, rubbery movements and surreal visual gags. The three-strip Technicolor process allowed for vibrant, saturated colors that brought the Christmas setting to life with rich reds, greens, and golds. The cinematography employed Fleischer's trademark 'tabletop' technique, which created a three-dimensional effect by placing animated cels over miniature sets. Professor Grampy's invention sequence featured complex mechanical animations that demonstrated the studio's technical prowess. The camera work included dynamic angles and zooms that added energy to the scenes, particularly during the toy-making montage. The visual style balanced realistic backgrounds with exaggerated character animation, creating the distinctive Fleischer aesthetic that set their work apart from Disney's more refined approach.

Innovations

The cartoon represented several technical milestones for Fleischer Studios, including their sophisticated use of three-strip Technicolor, which was still relatively new in 1936. The animation featured complex mechanical sequences that required precise timing and drawing of multiple moving parts. Professor Grampy's 'thinking cap' invention sequence utilized an early form of what would later be called 'particle effects' animation, with gears and springs appearing and disappearing in a fluid, dreamlike manner. The film also employed Fleischer's patented Stereoptical process, creating a 3D effect by filming animated cels over three-dimensional miniature sets. The character animation demonstrated advanced squash-and-stretch techniques and secondary motion that brought the characters to life with remarkable fluidity. The synchronization of voice, music, and animation was particularly noteworthy, showcasing the studio's growing expertise in sound cartoon production.

Music

The musical score was composed by Sammy Timberg, Fleischer Studios' musical director, with lyrics by Sammy Lerner. The title song 'Christmas Comes But Once a Year' became a minor holiday standard and was later recorded by various artists. The soundtrack featured upbeat, jazzy arrangements typical of the mid-1930s, with prominent use of sleigh bells and orchestral Christmas themes. The music synchronized perfectly with the on-screen action, particularly during the inventive toy-making sequence where each mechanical movement was punctuated by musical accents. The sound design included innovative uses of everyday objects as musical instruments, reflecting the cartoon's theme of creating joy from simple materials. The score demonstrated Timberg's ability to blend traditional Christmas music with contemporary swing elements, creating a soundtrack that felt both festive and modern for its time.

Memorable Scenes

• Professor Grampy's invention sequence where he transforms household items into fantastic toys using his mechanical 'thinking cap'
• The opening scene revealing the children's disappointment with their broken toys
• The joyful finale where all the children play with their new homemade toys
• Grampy's arrival in his motorized sled and his initial observation of the sad children
• The musical number where Grampy and the children dance together celebrating their saved Christmas

What Critics Said

Contemporary critics praised the cartoon's inventive animation and heartwarming story, with The Film Daily noting its 'charming entertainment value' and 'technical excellence'. Variety highlighted Professor Grampy as a 'delightful new character' and appreciated the cartoon's 'genuine Christmas spirit'. Modern animation historians regard it as one of Fleischer Studios' finest achievements, with Leonard Maltin calling it 'a perfect little gem of animation'. The film is often cited as an example of how Fleischer Studios could match Disney in emotional storytelling while maintaining their unique surreal humor. Animation scholars particularly praise the innovative sequence where Grampy invents new toys, considering it a masterclass in mechanical animation and creative problem-solving on screen.

What Audiences Thought

The cartoon was immensely popular upon its release, becoming a holiday staple in theaters for years. Audiences connected emotionally with the story of underprivileged children receiving a memorable Christmas, particularly during the Depression era when many families faced similar hardships. Professor Grampy's inventive solutions and generous spirit made him an instant favorite with viewers. The cartoon's enduring popularity is evidenced by its continued presence on television holiday programming and home video releases decades later. Modern audiences continue to discover and appreciate the film through its public domain status, with many considering it a timeless classic that captures the essence of Christmas generosity and creativity.

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