Written and Directed by Stephen L. Sharff
Puppets by Alfred Wallace
IMDB Entry
Youtube version
There was a time in the late 40s-early 50s when puppets were common in children's entertainment. Movies and TV shows for kids were designed for what was perceived as an uncritical audience, and puppets were cheaper than animation, especially the full animation that was the mainstay of animated films. But the results were bizarre to modern eyes, and one major example of this is Santa in Animal Land.
The story is simple. It's Christmas and four animal puppets -- Felix (a frog), Annie (a duck), Horace (a dog), and Kitty (obvious from the name) -- lament that fact that Santa doesn't come for animals. Kitty and Annie go out to ask why, and meet Santa, who comes up with a solution.
The story line is beyond simple, with only a minor complication along the way that is easily fixed. The animals get their presents and all is well.
The puppets look cheap and their voices are sing-songy and shrill. They can't change expression, either. It's bizarre to watch.
The original was in black and white, but in 2021, Jeff Joseph colorized it and it's been used as fill on TCM, where more people have seen it than in its original run. The added garish color only makes it more bizarre.
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