# Rankin + Bass...inspired goofiness or just stoopid? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 10, 2007, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rankin-bass-inspired-goofiness-or-just-stoopid/403557 "2007-05-10T15:52:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![NoCoolUserName](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5fc32e/32.png) [@NoCoolUserName](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NoCoolUserName)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2007, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rankin-bass-inspired-goofiness-or-just-stoopid/403557/1 "2007-05-10T15:52:58Z")
Rudolph is a classic (= must watch every Xmas season) at our house. C’mon, an elf who really wants to be a dentist, who couldn’t like that? Despite its problems I rather like Hobbit. But most of their other work sux beyond words. Your opinion? ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2007, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rankin-bass-inspired-goofiness-or-just-stoopid/403557/2 "2007-05-10T15:55:06Z")
I like their stuff quite a bit. _The Last Unicorn_ and _The Hobbit_ are two great movies, IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2007, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rankin-bass-inspired-goofiness-or-just-stoopid/403557/3 "2007-05-10T15:58:13Z")
I think Jackson’s LOTR suffer greatly from not having [Where There’s a Whip, There’s a Way.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdXQJS3Yv0Y) ---
**Author:** ![fluiddruid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@fluiddruid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fluiddruid)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2007, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rankin-bass-inspired-goofiness-or-just-stoopid/403557/4 "2007-05-10T15:58:20Z")
“Wind in the Willows” was one of my childhood favorites. It had real soul, and it’s a damn shame it’s not available on DVD and is barely known. The songs were great, and I loved the theme particularly. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2007, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rankin-bass-inspired-goofiness-or-just-stoopid/403557/5 "2007-05-10T16:02:52Z")
It’s entirely possible that I feel the way I feel about redheads because of Jessica from _Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town_, so they get a pass. ---
**Author:** ![August\_West](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/august_west/32/18069_2.png) [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2007, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rankin-bass-inspired-goofiness-or-just-stoopid/403557/6 "2007-05-10T16:03:21Z")
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town is one of my favorites, even if it does feature a transplanted penguin that honks. \ ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2007, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rankin-bass-inspired-goofiness-or-just-stoopid/403557/7 "2007-05-10T16:29:08Z")
[QUOTE=Eonwe] I like their stuff quite a bit. _The Last Unicorn_ and _The Hobbit_ are two great movies, IMHO. [/QUOTE] Exactly what I was going to say, and as the first response. Jim ---
**Author:** ![h.sapiens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e0b2c6/32.png) [@h.sapiens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/h.sapiens)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2007, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rankin-bass-inspired-goofiness-or-just-stoopid/403557/8 "2007-05-10T16:55:12Z")
“The Year Without a Santa Clause” is mostly forgettable, but it did give us Heat Miser and Snow Miser, so it’s okay with me. ---
**Author:** ![SkipMagic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skipmagic/32/20706_2.png) [@SkipMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkipMagic)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2007, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rankin-bass-inspired-goofiness-or-just-stoopid/403557/9 "2007-05-10T17:12:34Z")
I enjoyed their [Mad Monster Party](http://www.rankinbass.com/mmphome.html). A nice switch from the more famous Christmas classics. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2007, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rankin-bass-inspired-goofiness-or-just-stoopid/403557/10 "2007-05-10T17:17:16Z")
Other than “Rudolf” and the Snow Miser’s song, their stuff is pretty terrible. Other exception: “The Last Unicorn.” So two great animated films, and a lot of dreck. Better than Don Bluth, but not by much. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2007, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rankin-bass-inspired-goofiness-or-just-stoopid/403557/11 "2007-05-10T17:34:33Z")
They were a big part of my youth and I have all their XMas stuff on DVD, so put me in the camp that likes 'em. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2007, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rankin-bass-inspired-goofiness-or-just-stoopid/403557/12 "2007-05-10T17:53:01Z")
**Rudolph** was good, and I recall **Mad Monster Party** being OK, but i hated everything else they’ve done, and call them “Rank and Base”. Their “Hobbit” was just tolerable. I _hated_ **The Last Unicorn**. And Better Than Don Bluth? Not a chance. Technically they can’t approach Bluth’s smooth, flowing animation. His story-teling skills are far superior. I’d rather re-watch any Bluth film than any Rankin-Bass flick. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Hildo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bbce88/32.png) [@Johnny\_Hildo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Hildo)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2007, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rankin-bass-inspired-goofiness-or-just-stoopid/403557/13 "2007-05-10T18:29:23Z")
_Nestor the Long-Earred Christmas Donkey_ traumatizes me to this day. Bullying, animal abuse, his mother dies in a tragic way…but hey, he’s hideously deformed for a reason! Yay! ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2007, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rankin-bass-inspired-goofiness-or-just-stoopid/403557/14 "2007-05-10T18:49:27Z")
[QUOTE=Johnny Hildo] _Nestor the Long-Earred Christmas Donkey_ traumatizes me to this day. Bullying, animal abuse, his mother dies in a tragic way…but hey, he’s hideously deformed for a reason! Yay! [/QUOTE] Two words: Brenda Vaccaro. _shudder_ I have a soft spot for The Little Drummer Boy. ---
**Author:** ![Gukumatz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/74df32/32.png) [@Gukumatz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gukumatz)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2007, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rankin-bass-inspired-goofiness-or-just-stoopid/403557/15 "2007-05-10T19:19:31Z")
[QUOTE=Loach] I think Jackson’s LOTR suffer greatly from not having [Where There’s a Whip, There’s a Way.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdXQJS3Yv0Y) [/QUOTE] _AAAAAAAAAAAAHahahahahahahaaaaaaaaahahahaha_. I can’t . . . fucking . . . breeeeathe . . . ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2007, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rankin-bass-inspired-goofiness-or-just-stoopid/403557/16 "2007-05-10T22:12:33Z")
[QUOTE=CalMeacham] And Better Than Don Bluth? Not a chance. Technically they can’t approach Bluth’s smooth, flowing animation. His story-teling skills are far superior. I’d rather re-watch any Bluth film than any Rankin-Bass flick. [/QUOTE] Don Bluth has story telling skills? Do you mean the man who did **All Dogs Go to Heaven, An American Tale, Rock-a-Doodle,** and **The Land Before Time** or a different Don Bluth? Bluth was very impressive with **The Secret of NIMH** , but has turned out pure crap with a few leaps into mediocrity every since. ---
**Author:** ![Terrifel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c68b51/32.png) [@Terrifel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terrifel)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2007, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rankin-bass-inspired-goofiness-or-just-stoopid/403557/17 "2007-05-10T22:46:16Z")
[QUOTE=Loach] I think Jackson’s LOTR suffer greatly from not having [Where There’s a Whip, There’s a Way.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdXQJS3Yv0Y) [/QUOTE] “Do you know how the Orcs first came into being? They were frogs once…” Gotta love the 70’s electric guitar backup, not to mention the remarkably smooth, mellow harmonies-- “Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming the Marching Uruk-hai Military Chorale!” I get a special chuckle from the one long-necked Orc who glances uneasily toward the viewer while singing (six or seven times, due to the limited animation), as if thinking: “…You’re not taking us seriously, are you? I can tell.” Ahem… so. Rankin-Bass. Well… it’s hard for me to evaluate them objectively. They were just another part of my childhood. Don’t get me wrong, even back then I realized they were a WEIRD part… but they were definitely memorable, you have to give them that. Back then we didn’t notice the technical shortcomings like Rudolph’s fur constantly twitching; we were too busy trying to mentally incorporate random, nonsensical characters like “Yukon Cornelius” into our Christmas pantheon. And don’t ever let anyone tell you differently-- the Abominable Snowman was seriously scary in his day. Random Rankin-Bassisms: “Bumbles bounce!” “I want to be a dentist!” Burgomeister Meisterburger. “I’m Mister Icicle/ I’m Mister Snow/ I’m Mister White Christmas/ I’m Mister Ten Below!” Eon the Vulture. The Island of Misfit Toys! “Nobody wants a Charley-in-the-Box!” Once more, for your listening pleasure, The Marching Uruk-Hai Military Chorale: “Down, down to Goblin-town, you go my lad!” --followed by their Number One hit single, “Fifteen Birds in Five Fir-Trees!” Man, Uruk-hai rock! Peter Jackson totally dropped the ball on that one. “Far over Misty Mountains cold…” In general, the Tolkien adaptations had much better-thought-out theme music than might have been expected. Frodo’s dream of hope for the Fourth Age: gay Orcs turning into bunnies. Dammit, I still maintain that the Rankin-Bass version of Gollum had the better voice. Gandalf’s all-time freakiest moment: " …Well? IS there?" Um… no, Gandalf. I’m not a hobbit. Stop looking at me. So, on balance: chalk me up as a vote for “inspired goofiness.” It’s easy to judge them too harshly now, but please consider the alternatives for children’s entertainment at the time. This was the ‘70s… the absolute pinnacle of available kid’s programming was Warner Brothers’ cartoons from two decades earlier. At least they weren’t Sid and Marty Krofft. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2007, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rankin-bass-inspired-goofiness-or-just-stoopid/403557/18 "2007-05-11T04:57:33Z")
But who would win in a tag team fight. Rankin and Bass or Sid and Marty Kroftt? ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Rieux](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@Dr.Rieux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Rieux)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2007, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rankin-bass-inspired-goofiness-or-just-stoopid/403557/19 "2007-05-11T04:58:01Z")
The Google ads right now are for Bass Shoes, JoinRudy2008, and Rudolph Enesco Figurines. ---
**Author:** ![Terrifel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c68b51/32.png) [@Terrifel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terrifel)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2007, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rankin-bass-inspired-goofiness-or-just-stoopid/403557/20 "2007-05-11T12:44:43Z")
[QUOTE=Zebra] But who would win in a tag team fight. Rankin and Bass or Sid and Marty Kroftt? [/QUOTE] Bass, man… if he’s prepared. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rankin-bass-inspired-goofiness-or-just-stoopid/403557.md?page=2)