A/V Geeks 16mm Lunch 12-25-2024

hi everybody this is Skip Alzheimer I'm pre-recording my Christmas show and um this is a three-hour show uh includes some stuff I've shown in the past and some new stuff some stuff from my collection some stuff from uh the prelinger collection stuff from other places um but um hopefully it'll be something that you can sit drink your coffee relax after opening gifts and uh watch some stuff about Christmas um I very much appreciate you guys tuning in over the year and I look forward to watching more films with you in the new year um so I'll be back live tomorrow but everybody have a great uh rest of your day today Merry Christmas and we will see you soon take care bye stories were told that been at Bethlehem on the first Christmas and was roaming the Earth on a special mission for the baby Jesus this Story begins the Christmas season of any year when the deer's wanderings took him into a great for Forest near the home of an old wood cutter which was set rather far from the village few persons ever saw Nicholas the wood cutter except from a distance and as about anyone who is not understood stories were told about him the villagers even came to call him old Nick which fit very well with his Shaggy Gray beard that each year grew longer and whiter truth was this man was lonely and unhappy he had not felt needed by anyone since his little grandson had died many years before he had grown used to his loneliness as he sealed himself off from mankind here in his Workshop he looked even more like old Nick with his great man of hair but actually this old man had been a wood Carver he had carved the figures that Lin the walls he had made them for his grandson but he had not done any carving since his grandson's death the Figures were but his memories that made time stand still he even had carved figures to tell the Christmas story but his grandson had died before he carved one of the baby Jesus with that one exception he had all of the figures of The Nativity even the figure of a deer for in this region the story of the Christmas deer had been told many times and even been written as a song a Christmas song whose Melody Nick liked to play on a whistle he once carved on that Christmas night came the deer a Wonder in to the manger where Mary sat to watching and the Shepherds there at the babe were wondering and the wise men kneeled praying to Lord Jesus on that Holy Night came the Christmas deer yes this was Nicholas and His hermit's World a only remnant of time for a man who no longer felt needed it was a few days later old Nick was on his way back from the forest with an old slit of his grandsons loaded with as much wood as he could pull as he came to a bend in the roadway he saw the deer watching him from this first moment Nick seemed drawn to the animal animal he left his wood without a backward glance and thus began a strange Journey standing quietly until the old man was near the deer then moved slowly and deliberately as if setting his pace for old Nick to follow only when Nick was deep in the forest did the deer bound out of sight leaving just his tracks bright and the wind was bit still he followed on through the Snows of Winter the way the trail shows to a little boy the tracks led to a boy they LED right up to him and Nick following them Came Upon the child the boy too had followed a deer but when the deer had run off he was lost did Nick know the way back so Nick was needed if only to lead the boy out of the forest the effect of being needed by a boy was very strong on Old Nick or was it the effect of The Nearness of the Christmas deer whatever the cause wonders are sometimes worked in the souls of men and this happened to Nick by the time they approached the roadway Nick didn't want the boy to leave trying to think of something to interest the child the old man talked of how he carved things out of wood all sorts of things even whistles on which he could play Tunes putting his whistle to his lips he watched the boy as he played the whistle spoke of the old man's need through the nearby trees the song spoke to the doves it whispered to the foul of the barnyards near it even spoke to the court Yard Birds with their feathers long to the donkey too spoke the ancient song and the Christmas deer then could it whisper to a child's heart the boy seemed Charmed by the melody and on a sudden impulse the old man took a stick you could make one out of this he suggested offering it to the child with a word of thanks to the old man the boy ran toward the village clutching the crude gift taking more than the old man meant to give and leaving Nick feeling disturbed and uncertain in his Workshop he sat fingering the figures of the nativity scene the place where the baby Jesus figure should be seemed big and vacant and for the first time in years Nick started to carve once more he would make a figure of the baby Jesus he selected a piece of wood and began his work he knew just what the figure should look like but his fingers were clumsy the knife slipped and the work was hard as he worked the piece of wood that should have looked more and more like a Christ child actually looked more and more like another whistle his talent for carving so long neglected seemed gone now the awful feeling of uselessness mingled with his loneliness and aimlessly he moved to look out the little window of his world but even the figure of the deer on the hillside did not awaken old Nick Spirit the day before Christmas Nick was dejectedly pulling his wood home from the forest when the boy came running after him calling like a guardian angel stood the deer nearby the boy told an amazing story he had made a whistle and then taken it to The Village Church there beside the church was a nativity scene with a Christ child to him the boy took the whistle in thanks for having been rescued from the forest then he remembered words so clearly he thought someone spoke to him if you would give to him take your gift secretly give it to a poor child to remind him of Christmas so that is what the boy had done he had taken the whistle to give it secretly but there were many poor children and he had only one gift the story meant more to Old Nick than to the boy with only a word to the child he started home leaving the boy thinking he must have offended The Old Man and wondering why but this was because he did not know the gift he had given old Nick the Christmas deer knew in his Workshop Nick surveyed the figures he had carved long ago they no longer looked worthless into a great bag he began placing them the figures of the children those of the animals and all of the others one by one he took them from their resting places he did not stop until the shelves were bare only the clock was not in the big bulging bag only the clock and the Christmas scene remained the Christmas scene without a baby Jesus putting on his heaviest coat the old man took the bag and left what happened then we can only guess from stories of the strange sky that night with its oddly Bright Stars casting an almost Mystic glow over the landscape many villagers told of seeing a deer pulling a sleigh while a man in a red coat took presents to each door through the years the stories grew to one of a loaded sleigh pulled by many deer led by a particularly magnificent deer but it is hard to be sure what people did see in the Starlight though it is easy to believe what must have happened for when the old man returned to his Workshop the great bag was empty yet he no longer felt alone as he knelt before the Christmas scene to pray he could make even better gifts for more children before the next Christmas season came raised his eyes among his figures of Christmas was the figure of a baby Jesus it seemed to fill the room and to promise Nick's prayer would be answered and that is a story of the Christmas deer for those who can believe more than what they see years ago where the baby lay went the Christmas dear on that holy night when the Christmas dear Grace you see the extension cord and for Christmas I'd like a big doll mom can we make popcorn Grace you see the tree lights and I'd like some skates where's the popcorn Grace where's the next box of Tino good grief George you forgot to hang granny Matilda's crystal Castle and I like a slime ring Grace did she say a slime ring yes she did George wow will we do not skateboard in the living room okay Dad Lucy wants a slime ring because last year I got one should we allow our kids to play with slime rings I should say not what are they they're uh what are they oh I love Christmas don't you think it's time for bed young lady a now Grace it's not like it's Christmas every day oh good idea dad I'll ask for Christmas every day forever and ever fine you do no don't no no dear not Christmas every day uh-uh why not because you may get it that's why oh come on dad you're so silly your father's right just don't make that wish Lucy that's all but why what's the matter with it yeah why I guess you better tell them the story George what story you're right Grace it'll make the perfect story on Christmas Eve okay gather around gang here we go oh to be here George you'll need the crystal Castle ornament to tell it properly isn't that the ornament that belonged to Granny Matilda right she lived in this very same house didn't she about 100 years ago what was it like them Dad yeah what well was very much like it is today especially on Christmas Eve and especially when the family was gathered in this very same living room watching TV yes watching no there were no TVs back then listening to radio I bet yes listening to the no no radio too early what did they do then they stood around the piano singing Christmas carols gentle chist so happened on this Christmas Eve night Merry Christmas by wonderful family hi your great grandpa Pete returned from another of his long trips loaded down with gifts to put under the tree and one very special one to hang on the tree oh Father it's so beautiful it comes from a place far away princess what is it it's a magic crystal Castle from the North Pole why is it magical because well I'm told if you make a wish the Christmas fairy who lives inside the castle just might make your wish come true really father oh sure how enough of that nonsense Pete everyone into the library for eggnog and popcorn come on Matilda or Tilly as she was called then loved the magic crystal Castle first she hung it on the tree and then what do you think she did made a wish right I wish it would be Christmas every day forever and ever oh is there someone here who wished for Christmas every day forever and ever oh stop I'm down already I did really well did you really mean it oh yes but if I make it Christmas every day you'll have nothing to look forward to I'll look forward to it every day oh my and if I grant your wish for Christmas every day forever and ever there's no ungranola oh and thank you ma'am well toodles oh Merry Christmas ma'am oh how very nice of you thank you and a merry Christmas to you every single day of the next year Tilly what are you doing in there you'll never guess what happened mother what oh nothing but something did happen that Christmas Eve and father will tell you what happened after we all get into our pajamas is it good well is it bad well what you'll see come on let's go did Tilly get her wish dad everybody in their jammies wait for me now tell us what happened to Granny Matilda well Tilly awoke that morning with eyes like muffins and a pounding head it's Christmas it's Christmas Christmas Christmas Christmas yay it's Christmas wa and there it was laid out on the library table and under the tree were books and portfolios boxes of stationery jewelry and dozens of handkerchiefs and ink pens and shovels and photograph frames and doll houses and little easel and boxes of watercolors and Cy candy candy what a nice tie what a nice dress Oh What a Beautiful doll Pete isn't it time for the surprise the uh what the special surprise oh yes the special uh what special surprise Pete the basket just get the basket oh yes the basket well family this gift will demand a great deal of responsibility on the part of you children and uh a puppy a puppy yipp a puppy I'll name him Rover who's going to have to take care of Rover it was a wonderful Christmas they ate a huge lunch of turkey and stuffing and yams and oranges and cranberry sauce and rice pudding and tap yoca and Christmas cookies and Christmas cakes and Christmas candy oh my tumy well we'll see if we turn this house into such a s show next yeah and that night the whole family slept heavily and slept very late into the next morning it's Christmas it's Christmas Christmas Christmas Christmas what nonsense it was Christmas yesterday well it's Christmas again come down to the library and see gee what a nice tie it looks so familiar what a nice now I'm sure I received something like this before Oh what a nice dress I need all the clothes I can get Oh What a Beautiful doll Pete isn't it time for the surprise what you know the special surprise we planned the special surprise we planned behind you the basket oh of course again well family this gift will U demand a great deal of responsibility on the part of all you children a puppy a puppy yipp ay I'm in this one spot who's going to have to take care of spot and Rover yes the second day of Christmas was just like the day before well children we'll see if we turn this house into such a side show uh next year that night the family slept very heavily and in the morning slept very late and then just like on the first and the second day it happened again it's Christmas it's Christmas Christmas Christmas Christmas don't be ridiculous it was Christmas yesterday and the before well it's Christmas again today come see it's Christmas it's Christmas again well just as you might expect the third day of Christmas was very much like the first and the second oh another uh tie that's a very uh nice dress but couldn't you have at least gotten me a different color this time oh what a surprise a doll isn't it time for the basket the what the surprise what surprise would that be the uh oh the basket well family this gift will demand a great deal of responsibility right bye well Christmas every day went on day after day and week after week and people were getting pretty Fed Up and keeping it a secret that it was her fault was really getting to Telly mother I have something to tell you Yes dear if I ever find out who was the cause of all of this you were saying Tilly dear oh never mind now don't think it was just Christmas every day at granny Matilda's house oh brother and so on it went on and on it was Christmas on Lincoln's birthday it was Christmas on Washington's birthday it was Christmas on Easter it was still Christmas on April Fool's Day jingle bell and even Christmas turkey skyrocketed how much $5,000 for a humming bird yeah oh cranberries were a diamond a piece the woods and Orchards were now just fields of stumps in fact they ran out of trees completely and had to make them out of other things get your rag trees here get your rag tag Christmas trees here well by 6 months Tilly couldn't even Cry Anymore by 7 month months she began to sit on any doll that crossed her path French porcelain raggedy and Dolls any kind she had so many she couldn't stand the sight of them and threw them across the room go away in fact everyone was flinging presents around I name you number 210 or is it 212 and everyone had to build barns or sheds behind their houses to hold all their presents how if you don't shule your presents off the Public Access here I'll have to arrest you and put you in jail I'll shovel I'll shovel and the town's people had sung the Christmas song so much that they had all lost their voices gentle people were now giving each other Rags for presents because there was nothing left in the stores to buy it's a very nice rag thank you oh boy another rag they got so poor that everybody had to go to the poor house but the poor houses got so full they had to send the people back to their own homes out if I ever find out whose fault this is this is the worst thing that's ever happened I'd like to get my hands on him Christmas fairy I know you said you can't ungrant a wish once it's been granted but what if the wish wasn't a good wish to have wished for in the first place then will you let The Wisher take the wish back and ask for another wish in exchange oh I wish I'd never ask for Christmas every day oh please Christmas fairy please hear me please Christmas fairy are you there and did the Christmas fairy hear her daddy well she might have heard but she never appeared what happened next Halloween I love Halloween well so did Tilly but this Halloween wasn't like any other Halloween tree well at least things couldn't get any worse well actually the worst was yet to come the day that had always been Tilly's own special hers alone day finally arrived all right let's all sing Happy Birthday to dear little Matilda who we all love so very very much Merry Christmas to you Merry Christmas to you Merry Christmas dear matild Merry Christmas to well if there was anything that broke her spirit completely it was Tilly's birthday she decided to go to bed and stay there till the rest of the year was over Christmas fairy if you can hear me please listen un wish my Christmas wish look I promise I'll never wish for anything ever again I'll help my mother with the dishes I'll walk all 239 dogs and I'll even be nice to my sister friend for a whole n five um 3 months but please stop making it be Christmas it's your fault it's Christmas every day your fault mama and Franny never want to keep a secret didn't what it say it's Kelly's fault when the town's people found out they walked by the house and ignored her well even her friends wouldn't play with her anymore hi hi Anna hi Betty hi Bobby hi Johnny even none of the 240 dogs would have anything to do with her batch number 229 Tilly was so very depressed and so sure that no one anywhere loved her anymore she decided there was only one thing left to do I'm running away Mrs Jones good and so the little girl who wished for Christmas every day decided to run away from home never to return ever again gee Daddy when Grandma Tilly decided to run away from home wasn't she scared oh sure very scared but she didn't get very far because guess who caught up with her right in front of Fletcher's Barber Shop her mom and dad right Tilly dear why are you running away because it's my fault I asked for it to be Christmas every day every day for how long forever and ever for forever forever and ever well actually the Christmas fairy said I could have it for a year and then she'd see well when the year is up tell her that'll be just enough thank you but what if the fairy forgets about me and never comes back what if it never stops being Christmas well we'll just have to hope for the best and stick it out as bravely as we can even though everyone hates me for what I did Tilly we're your family we love you yes and we'll stand by you no matter what isn't that right children children yeah but at last it came to good old once a year Christmas night please Christmas fairy the year is finally over let it be just a normal day tomorrow and when Tilly woke up that next morning the Christmases finally were over there was a great celebration all over the country people hugged and kissed and cried for Joy oh Helen isn't it wonderful it's not don't say it and the garbage men collected all the boxes and trees and tinsil and wrappings and they squashed them down into smaller versions of themselves and then they buried them and all the people at Celebration bonfires with their unwanted presents and they had a grand old time and everyone of course forgave Tilly and never mentioned the incident again oh thank you Christmas fairy thank you so much thank you thank you thank you well Tilly I've been thinking about what you said and I'm ready to make it Christmas forever and ever oh no I wish you'd make sure there's never a Christmas again never never never oo my my my that's your wish well how about Once In A Thousand Years oh 100 years ah I know every 10 years very well I hereby declare it will only be Christmas every wait um maybe we should leave it Christmas once a year everyone seemed to be happy with that and I had something to look forward to and it's important to have things to look forward to don't you think oh my my yes well until next year at this time Merry Christmas Billy dear and to Oh Daddy you make up the best story that's right I make up the best no this all really happened oh yeah Daddy really well believe what you wish but remember if you wish for what you believe you want you just might get it okay now time for bed everyone a hey the sooner you close those peepers the sooner you wake up to Christmas right go a lot to oh it was just my imagination still I wish I wish remember if you wish for what you believe you want you just might get it I wish I wish I was in bed right now dreaming of how wonderful tomorrow is going to be oh well Merry Christmas anyway Christmas fairy Merry Christmas Lucy dear and sweet dreams wow night Daddy night honey huh pleasant dreams Deary and a Merry Christmas to all of you n a it was the night before Christmas when all through the house not a creature was stirring not even a mouse the stockings were hung by the chimney with care in the hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there the children were nestled all snug in their beds while visions of sugar plums danced in their heads and mama and her curtain and I in my cap had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap when out on the lawn there arose such a clatter I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter away to the window I flew like a flash tore open the shutters and threw up the S the moon on the breast of the new fallen snow gave the luster of midday to objects below when what the my wondering eyes should appear but a miniature slay an eight tiny reindeer with a little old driver so Lively and quick I knew in a moment it must be St Nick more rapid than Eagles his coursers they came and he whistled and shouted and called them by name now Dasher now dancer now Prancer and Vixen on comet on Cupid and donder and Blitzen to the top of the porch to the top of the wall now dash away Dash away Dash away all as dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly when they meet with an obstacle mou to the sky so up to the Housetop the coursers they flew with a sleigh full of toys and St Nicholas too and then in a twinkling I heard on the roof the Prancing and pawing of each little hoof as I drew in my head and was turning around down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound he was dressed all in fur from his head to his foot and his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot a bundle of toys he had flung on his back and he looked like a peddler just opening his pag his eyes how they twinkled his dimples how merry his cheeks were like roses his nose like a cherry his Dro little mouth was drawn up like a bow and the beard of his chin was as white as the snow the stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth and the smoke it encircled his head like a wreef he had a broad face and a round little belly That Shook when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly he was chubby and plump a right Jolly Old elf and I laughed when I saw him in spite of myself a wink of his eye and a Twist of his head soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread head he spoke not a word but went straight to his work and filled all the stockings then turned with a jerk and laying his finger aside of his nose and giving a nod up the chimney he rose he sprang to his sleigh to his team gave a whistle and away they all flew like the down of a thistle but I heard him exclaim there he drove out of sight half mer Christmas to all and to all a good night every year when the first snow falls the kids on our block build a snowman this year we made him especially big and strong and handsome you see we needed a tree not an ordinary Park tree but a Christmas tree and we figured there was only one way we could get one a letter to Santa to be delivered by spunky our snowman and that called for a big send off as everyone knows by day snowmen are well only snowmen but at night it's different and the first thing that spunky did after he sneezed that is was to look at the envelope which he couldn't we but I know it's up north somewhere he said and off he started with Jeff leading the way it was along about midnight when spunky came to the edge of the woods just about the scariest time of night even for foxes where are you going asked the owl to find Santa and bring back a present for the Kids on the Block you see it's to be given to the bearer of this letter oh yes it's very valuable that's why I'm taking it to him special delivery uhhuh special delivery to spunky and Jeff went on their way never dreaming that the fox and the owl had plans of their own why don't we get the letter and keep the present for ourselves spunky was surprised to see the owl again come back but then the owl dropped the letter and everybody scrambled to get it no you don't cried spunky but with one long leap the fox had it Jeff was about to overtake the fox but the owl still had the bucket that will take care of you he said but Jeff was soon after them again as for spunky he never stopped running even to pick up his hat and by now The Owl and the fox were far ahead but they were stopped by a wolf where are you too taking that letter Santa hand it over I'll take it to him by the time Jeff caught up with them they were ated to beak and law and the letter was just lying there Jeff had a very good plan but just when he got to the letter they saw him and now all three were after him spunky was was still running when Jeff brought him the letter but now he wasn't going to let anyone get it away from him again till then Jeff had no idea of how fast spunky really could run he couldn't even see him anymore and he didn't notice the bear either what do you by waking me up in the middle of the winter a but when spunky told him what had happened the bear said he would take them to Santa himself and so they started out together not realizing they were being followed the bear knew all the shortcuts but poor spunky he hadn't looked where he was going and and he came down in nine different places not counting the letter to Santa and while spunky's friends were putting him back together again the three crept nearer and nearer there you're just as good is New Again said the bear but it was too late the fox had the letter and was heading straight for Santa spunky could never get there in time now the hairs and squirrels scattered as the fox sprang forward to deliver the letter to Santa well well said Santa a special delivery while Santa was reading the letter spunky arrived you see Santa this letter is really from the kids on our block it was stolen by those three over there said Jeff as they started to sink away Santa puffed up his cheeks and blew them back into the woods when spunky turned around there was his Christmas tree the most beautiful in the Land Santa lent spunky a sled in one of his personal reindeers to deliver the tree and that's how it was that when the sun arose the following day spunky Jeff and the Christmas tree were all there waiting for us in the park that night we held the biggest celebration and our guest of honor was spunky the Snowman for Once Upon a Time oh many many years ago as time as calculated by men there was in Paradise a most miserable thoroughly unhappy and utterly dejected cherub who was known throughout Heaven as the littlest angel he was exactly 4 years 6 months 5 Days 7 hours and 42 minutes of age when he presented himself to the venerable for itens to the Glorious kingdom of God standing defiantly with his short brown legs wide apart the littlest angel tried to pretend that he wasn't at all afraid but his lower lip trembled and A Tear disgraced him by rolling down to the very tip of his small freckled nose but that wasn't all while the kindly gatekeeper was entering the name in his great book The Littlest Angel having left home as usual without a handkerchief endeavored to hide The Telltale evidence by snuffing which so unnerved the good gatekeeper that he did something he had never done before in all eternity he blotted the page from that moment on the littlest angel became the despair of all the Heavenly hosts whenever the Heavenly Choir held singing practice he inevitably spoiled its ethereal effect by singing off key and at nightly prayers the littlest angel always arrived late knocking everyone's Wings a skew as he darted into his place besides the General appearance of the littlest angel was even worse than his deportment it was whispered among the seraphim and cherubim that he didn't even look like an angel and they were quite correct he didn't for one thing he was always running holding on to his Halo with one hot chubby little hand which made his Halo permanently tarnished furthermore even when he stood very still it never behaved as a Halo should it was always slipping down over his right eye or over his left eye yes and it must be here recorded that his wings were neither useful nor ornamental everyone in Paradise held his breath when the littlest angel perched himself like an unhappy fledgling sparrow and prepared to take off he would teet her this way and that way and then finally he would shut his eyes hold his freckled nose and hurl himself slowly into space however owing to the regrettable fact that he always forgot to move his wings the littlest angel always fell head over Halo now anyone can easily understand why the littlest angel would have to be disciplined and so on an eternal day Day in the year Eternal he was directed by a cherub to present his small self before an angel of the peace and then with a heavy heart he trudged his way to the place of judgment as he slowly approached the great doorway he was surprised to hear a merry Voice singing Hallelujah hallelu the littlest angel breathed upon his Halo then polished it upon his almost clean robe and then tiptoed in the singer who is known as the understanding Angel looked down at the small culprit and the littlest angel instantly tried to make himself invisible very much like a snapping turtle at that the singer laughed and said oh so you're the one who's been making heaven so unhe Heavenly come here cherub and tell me all about it the littlest angel ventured a furtive look first one eye and then the other eye suddenly almost before he knew it he was explaining how very difficult it was for a boy who suddenly finds himself transformed into an angel yes said the understanding Angel but what was this talk about swinging on the golden gates well he had you recall swung once well twice oh all right then he'd swung three times on the golden gates but that was just for something to do that was the whole trouble there wasn't anything for a small Angel to do and he was very homesick oh not that paradise wasn't beautiful but the Earth was beautiful too wasn't it created by God himself why said the littlest angel there were trees to climb and Brooks to fish and caves to play at pirate sheep in the swimming hole and sun and rain and dark and Dawn and the thick brown dust so soft and warm Beneath Your Feet the understanding Angel smiled an understanding smile then he asked the littlest angel what would make him most happy in Paradise the Cherub thought for a moment and whispered in his ear there's a box I left it under my bed back home if only I could have that you shall have it he promised and at once he dispatched Fleet wied Heavenly Messengers to bring the box from Earth to paradise and then in all those Timeless days that followed everyone wondered at the great change in the littlest angel among all the cherubs in God's kingdom he was the most happy his conduct was above the slightest reproach his Halo was always on straight his robe was clean and on excursions to Alan Fields it could be said and truly said that he flew like an angel then it came to pass that glorious Tidings spread through Paradise Jesus the son of God was to be born of Mary in Bethlehem the angels rejoiced and their voices were lifted to Herald the coming of the Christ child the Angels and Archangels the seraphim and cherubim the gatekeeper the wing maker yes and even the Halo Smith put aside their usual tasks to prepare their gifts for the Blessed infant all but the littlest angel he sat himself down on the topmost step of the golden stairs and meditated kind of gift could he offer to the child of God first he dreamed of composing a lyric Hymn of adoration but the littlest angel was woful wanting in musical talents then he thought of writing a prayer but the littlest angel was lamentably lacking in literate skill what oh what could a small Angel give that would please the Holy Infant and then suddenly the littlest angel had an idea a wonderful idea for a gift and so on that day of days the bir bir day of the Christ child the littlest angel proudly brought his gift from its hiding place behind a cloud and humbly placed It Before the Throne of God it was only a little box a small rough unsightly box lying among all those other glorious gifts from all the angels of paradise Gifts of such breathless beauty that heaven and all the universe were lighted by the mere reflection of their glory and when the littlest angel saw this he knew that his gift to God's child was a Shabby gift indeed he devoutly wished he might reclaim it it was ugly it was worthless if only he could hide it from the sight of God before it was even noticed but it was too late the hand of God moved over all that bright array of shin gift then paused then dropped then came to rest on the lonely gift of the littlest angel and what was his gift to the Blessed infant well there was a butterfly with golden wings captured one bright summer day and a sky blue egg from a bird's nest in the apple tree that shaded his mother's kitchen door yes and two white stones found on a muddy river bank and at the bottom of the Box the lmph and tooth marked leather color of his faithful mongel dog the littlest angel wept hot bitter tears for now he knew that instead of honoring the Son of God he had been most Blasphemous why had he ever thought that such utterly useless things would be loved by the Blessed infant in frantic Terror he turned to run and hide from the Divine Wrath of the heavenly father but he stumbled and fell and with a horrified whale and clatter of Halo rolled to the very foot of the Heavenly Throne all through the celestial City there was an ominous and Dreadful silence except for the heartbroken sobbing of the littlest angel then suddenly the voice of God Rose and swell through Paradise saying of all the gifts of all the angels I find that this small box pleases me most its contents are of the earth and of men and my son is born to be king of both I accept this gift in the name of the Child Jesus born of Mary this night in Bethlehem there was a breathless pause and then the rough unsightly box of the littlest angel began to Glow with a bright unearthly light then the light became a flame and the flame became a radiant Brilliance none but the littlest angel so it rise from its place Before the Throne of God and and he and only he watched it Arch the firmament high above the Earth to shed its beckoning light over a stable where a child was born there it Shone on that night of Miracles and its light was reflected deep in the heart of all mankind and on the earth men of Good Will Blinded By Its Splendor could never know that the lowly gift of the littlest angel was what they would call Forever The Shining Star of Bethlehem Hallelujah hallu hi everybody this is Skip Alzheimer I'm pre-recording my Christmas show and um this is a three-hour show uh includes some stuff I've shown in the past and some new stuff some stuff from my collection some stuff from uh the pring collection stuff from other places um but um hopefully it'll be something that you can sit drink your coffee relax after opening gifts and uh watch some stuff about Christmas um very much appreciate you guys tuning in over the year and I look forward to watching more films with you in the new year um so I'll be back live tomorrow but everybody have a great uh rest of your day today Merry Christmas and we will see you soon take care bye you into a city of Galilee called Nazareth to a virgin espoused to a man named Joseph of the House of David and the virgin's name was Mary ande name when the angel came he fell down on his and the angel said to her fear not Mary for behold Thou shalt bring forth a son and thou shalt call his name Jesus and Mary said behold the handmade of the Lord be it done unto me according to Thy word and the angel Departed believe the angel Mary what G Gabel of joy for you the Lord of Heaven be prais now and let songs of Joy be rais come the now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which the Lord spoke by the prophet saying behold a virgin shall be with child and bring forth a son and they shall call his name Emmanuel rile the Son of God now in those days there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled and all went everyone into his own cityy to be and Mary find I am Christus and it came to pass that when they were there she brought forth her firstborn son and laid him in a Manger world this and there were in the same country Shepherds keeping the night watches over their flocks while shephers watch their flocks by night all Seated on the ground the angel of the Lord came down and Glory sh fear not said he for Mighty dread had seed that TR mind Glad Tidings of great joy I bring to you and all man falling and suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the Heavenly Host praising God and saying sing and the Shepherds said one to another let us go over to Bethlehem and see this word that has come to pass bless bring him when Jesus there was born in Bethlehem of Judah in the days of King Herod behold there came wise men from the East to Jerusalem saying where is he that is born King of the Jews for we have seen his star in in the East and are come to Adore himing we and oh star of star star with ro Beauty guide us to the and falling down they adored him and offered him gifts gold frankincense and myr to the where is all the My Lord that when heard God's angel at go quickly to Egypt fear my command with andar near they onward with many a tear till far from their homand God rested Their Fear from their H God rested their in will I Lady M helpy all the so on Earth God's grace May shine in sweet reward th son of Mary but when Herod was dead an angel appeared in sleep to Joseph in Egypt saying arise and go into the land of Israel for they are dead that sought the life of the child and coming he dwelt in a city called Nazareth and the child grew and waxed Strong full of wisdom and the grace of God was in him his name forever and Ang all the holy it is Christmas Eve The Melody of A Christmas Carol fills the still night in a village in Europe it is Christmas Eve the same song comes from a church small town in America for nearly 150 years in many parts of the world people have been singing this carol it is the song we call Silent Night night holy night is who wrote this beloved song where did it come from for the answer we must go to Europe it was here in Austria in the little village of obendorf that the song was written if we should go there today we'd find the town of oberndorf in the province of Saltsburg here we can trace the history of the song not far from the church of St Nicola in the village is a chapel built by the people of obendorf inside the chapel the story of Silent Night is told in two portraits of stained glass one is of Father Moore The Village priest who wrote the words of the song his friend was France guber the teacher and choir master who composed the music of Silent Night for the story of the two men and the song they wrote we must go back a long time we must go back a century and a half if it is the year 1818 in the holiday season the Christmas season in the village it is the time of age-old Christmas Customs groups of girls are visiting each house carrying with them a painting of Mary and Joseph boys representing the Shepherds of Bethlehem come to the houses caroling they are collecting Gifts of food for the poor the story they tell in song is one that never loses interest for it is the story of the first Christmas and the same story will be told again in the Christmas Eve service in the church but on this afternoon the door of the church stands open and all is still inside the choir Master France Gruber has discovered that the organ is broken he will not be able to play and father Moore will have no mute for his Christmas Eve service and what would Christmas Eve be without music in the church the problem was one for father Mo but he was not here he had gone away to visit a family in a mountain cabin as he walked along his thoughts were on the preparations for the coming of Christmas his path took him ever upward along the snowy slopes above him was the forest dark against the gleaming snow from below came the faint and musical sounds of a mountain scam and all about him was the quiet Bey of God's word it was evening when he reached the house at the door he received a warm and friendly welcome and there before him lay a baby with his mother perhaps as he watched father Moore may have thought of another child the Christ child lying in the manger it was night when father Moore started back to the village in the Moonlight the mountain slope lay still and calm it was a beautiful night a Holy Night father Moore thought of many things the child he had seen the beauty of the night but Christmas soon to come and so it was as some say that on his return to the Village father Moore wrote a poem the words seemed to come quickly and easily silent night holy night even as he wrote the priest wondered whether the poem could be set to music father Moore decided to take it to France grber the two friends priests and school teacher talked it over together the school teacher began to read silent night holy night why this was a poem that was meant for Christmas Father Moore wondered could the words be set to music of course France grber would compose a Melody perhaps they would have some music for their Christmas Eve service after all the words themselves seem to suggest the melody a simple Melody one that France grber first played on his guitar and so it was that the song two men had written was presented for the first time in 1818 at the Christmas Eve service in The Village Church heart Christmas was over and in the days that followed no one outside the village knew about the song with the first hint of spring an organ mender from a village in the tiell came to obendorf the children knew that at last someone had come to fix the broken organ in their Church and indeed it was not very long before the old craftsman had put the instrument into working order now he said to the choir Master you try it and so France guber sat down and began to play the Christmas song he had written some weeks before the organ mener listen and remember all the way back to his own village the organ mender thought of the lovely words and simp Melody and when at last he reached the hill overlooking his own village and some children came to meet him he taught them the song he had learned down the hill ran the children and with them went the song Silent Night for some years the song was known only in such Villages tucked away in The Snug valleys of the AL but finally it found its way to St Peter's ABY in Saltsburg and from the city of Saltsburg in Austria the song was eventually carried to other places in Europe to Paris to London and then to places in America to the cities and to the small towns today Silent Night is a song that belongs to everyone hallelu pap hurry up Sandy yes hurry up I am hurrying she can't hurry too fast this part has to be done very carefully there I think you have it how do you like it is that beautiful oh you've done such a wonderful job I'm glad you girls decided to work on this project you know this is more than just pieces of cardboard that have been cut out and put here this nativity scene will remind us of a a wonderful event the birth of Jesus but I have a special reason for being glad that you wanted to do this you know in the rush of trimming the Christmas tree and shopping from store to store trying to figure out what gifts we can give I'm afraid we sometimes forget the the most important gift of all what's that Mrs Howard I'm not going to tell you what that gift is I'm going to let you think about it this next week won't you even give us a hint yes I'll give you some hints but the rest will be up to you are you ready well the first one has to do with our Nativity thing here the birth of Jesus here's the next Hint it won't cost you any money to give this gift and the person to whom you give it might say this makes me very happy and the last hint is the most mysterious of all you might give this gift I'm talking about and not even know that you're doing it and the people to whom you give it might give the gift right back to you why would they give it back back does that mean they wouldn't like the gift now now no more clues see if you can't solve the puzzle during the coming week all right girls that's all bye Mrs goodbye goodbye goodbye Mrs it has to do with the birth of Jesus and it doesn't cost any money and the one you give it to might give it right back to you that sure is hard to figure out I'm sure if you think real hard you kidding bye Mrs Howard goodbye H see who that is will you honey okay Mom who is it me Daddy open up with you honey hi Daddy head me into the living room will you Sandy you look so funny daddy what's at all the packages I'll tell you in a minute honey wait till I get this stuff unloaded pH I thought for a minute there I wasn't going to make it guess I should have made two trips are all these presents B Adams what in the world have you been doing buying out a store don't worry honey I didn't buy them they were given to me oh I asked all the boys with the plant to bring in any old toys their children might have so we could fix them up and give them to the welfare committee oh that's wonderful these will make a lot of children happy they made me chairman of the committee oh besides I don't like to see any little girl without a doll or any little boy without a truck and this is one way we can help can I go some of mine too Daddy you sure can honey you just pick out any to you'd like to give and let me know if it needs fixing up want to help me with these I'd love to Daddy where will we do it in the basement should we take them down now oh no you don't supper's ready if I let you get down there I won't get you back till bedtime how do you like that your mother is interfering with the wheels of progress no she's not she's just keeping a perfectly good dinner from going bad come on come on honey how much does it cost to fix these toys well I don't know honey I never gave her much thought toys are needed that's the important thing why I'm trying to think of a special gift you mean something for mother no something else sort of a riddle I have to figure it out by myself oh hey hey looks like I lost my helper tonight well you can't have her all the time I need it sometimes too you know I promise Mom i' help her make some Christmas cookies but I'll be done pretty soon oh okay you go right ahead but if you need anyone to test those cookies I'll be in the basement okay Christmas is a wonderful time isn't it it's even better than it was when I was real little yes darling and as you grow older and learn more and more about Jesus in the celebration of his birth at Christmas time it'll mean even more than oh Mom we finished our manger scene at church and I got to hang the star oh that's wonderful I must be sure to see it Mrs Howard's invited me to visit your class several times this would be a good time to do it wouldn't it oh yeah please do you're fortunate to have Mrs Howard as a teacher I know we have so much fun in our class now we'll give these 10 minutes I don't want them to burn mom yes Donnie how much does it cost to make these cookies every year honey I never really come the C I don't know why' you ask I'm trying to figure out something last week in church Mrs Howard was talking about a gift she didn't say what it was but she gave us some ideas oh oh that sounds exciting you need some help supposed to figure it out by ourselves well what did she say about it well she said it doesn't cost any money and it's always welcome and it has to do with Christmas and the one you give it to and makes them so happy that they might even give it back to you oh well that's a Puzzler isn't it what do you suppose it is that's what I'm trying to figure out well when you find out what it is be sure and tell me won't you I will you know I have an idea how would you like to have our nativity scene in your own room this year oh Mom could I I'll make a star just like the one I made at church all you sure there aren't any more burnt or broken ones here's one that's absolutely perfect is not the heads off well it tastes just as good doesn't it there we are all6 of them you mean you counted them no Sandy did she's certainly been busy today I sent her to bed early thinking she'd be tired but when I went up for our good night talk and prayers she was busy setting up the nativity scene yeah I know I saw it star and all right by her bed you know she's beginning to understand the real meaning of Christmas too this Howard's been a great help to her she's a very fine teacher I wonder what all that mystery is about the Christmas gift Sandy tell you about that yes she did she's determined to figure it out for herself well she better hurry then she's only got two more days to do it good um you say 195 cookies no 196 and you stay out of them has to do with the birth of Jesus it doesn't cost any money it'll make folks happy and they might even give it back I wonder what it is I wonder what it is well there they are all ready to go oh I just can't believe it they look like new well you've done a wonderful job Phil I had a good helper oh they'll make a lot of children happy that reminds me I have to call the committee and see if they have any new names and addresses to add to my cookie list did you put down uh 127 Walnut Street that's our address daddy oh pardon me we better get those cookies delivered in a hurry they're all finished here except for the ones you wanted saved and I left you some frosting for them okay Mom but promise me you and Dad won't come in the kitchen I have a special reason I promise we'll be in the living room if you want us more secrets I'm afraid so it's Christmas you know do you want me to help you carry some of these up no we better leave them down here till tomorrow they'll be out of the way and besides they're not quite dry yet all right oh they're wonderful ready here I come I'm especially for you one for each of you oh thank you darling thank you why they're beautiful oh this makes me very happy mama what's matter I I think I know the special gift Mrs how was talking about it fits the clues and everything it's love I'm sure here it is the gift of love how'd you figure that out Mrs Howard said the one who receives the gift might say this makes me very happy and that's just what Mommy said she say gift might come back and love does doesn't it it sure does honey the more we love the more love we have it's a gift that can be given again and again and never run out of Christmas gifts we only give it Christmas Christmas time but the gift to love is the most wonderful gift of all you can give it anytime yes it's the gift God gave us all at Christmas time he loved us so much he sent us his own son as our savior he taught us to love not just at Christmas time but all year around the gift of love I figured it out when do I tell Mrs Howard the gift of love la oh new fallen snow a still wintry night a home with gleaming lights these things are part of Christmas today as they were yesterday let's go back to grandfather's house for Christmas A Christmas near the end of the last century Grandpa Bradford's place is a big comfortable farmhouse with plenty of room for all the Bradfords Grandma Bradford has been busy for days preparing for the family reunion seems like there's no end of cooking and baking to be done for Christmas dinner tomorrow Grandma's eldest daughter Alice does the more creative work in the family like making ornaments for the Christmas tree oldfashioned ornaments for an oldfashioned Christmas today the kitchen is the center of activity but tomorrow The Parlor will ring with the shouts of Bradford grandchildren around the tree the family reunion has already begun John the youngest son arrived this afternoon from the city there was a long ride on the train almost 8 hours it's good to be home in the midst of familiar sights and sounds there that out hold you till morning I should think so now what about the Parlor Woods in the fireplace I light the fire first thing in the morning right after milk Alice like the freeze out there trimming that Christmas tree Alice yes but did you find the store ornament yes I've got the candles and candle holders and everything I'll be finished with the tree pretty soon family and home and Christmas Eve a time for sharing love a time for being together tomorrow the rest of the Bradford children and grandchildren will come but now comes the quiet time before the big day no Christmas Eve would be complete without Grandpa reading the Bible account of the first Christmas and there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field keeping watch over their flock by night and lo the angel of the Lord Came Upon them and the glory of the Lord Shone round about them and they were sore afraid and the angel said unto them fear not for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people for unto you is Born This Day in the city of David a savior which is Christ the lord and there shall be a sign unto you he shall find the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger and suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the Heavenly hosts praising God and saying glory to God in the highest and on Earth peace Good Will toward men Christmas morning and as usual Good Old Major pulls Dave Bradford and his young family to the Bradford Farm where Dave was born they're the last to arrive the others are already inside and waiting the Seven Mile ride has been cold for Mary Bradford but it's been fun for the youngsters that's Susan the youngest Priscilla is well well bundled up Joshua is the oldest of Dave children so the reunion is on the Shel are here Aunt Jane and Uncle Clen and now aunts and uncles and cousins can all get reacquainted Jane Shelby and Mary Bradford haven't seen each other for months there's so many things to talk about well I wonder what keeping yes and that husband of mine shall I go out in the barn and see Grandma oh no Josh I expect he's just showing your father some of his new harness Josh how would you like to ask Grandma for cookies oh yes of course right there in that round jar Josh and take a few extra with you for Priscilla and Peter and the rest well here we are hello Joshua Grandpa hello father did you take care of major all right yes he's been stabled and fed you sure do love that old horse don't you I suppose you'd like to have one of your own someday that would be something is that Grandpa come on we're waiting for you can you pass out the presents now can you certainly can prisilla my little girl light the tree light the tree and now oldfashioned candle light for an oldfashioned Christmas they'll enjoy it while they can for the candles will not be allowed to burn too long and where is the child who has not loved this moment at Christmas time why the tree is almost as exciting as the gifts themselves grandfathers are pretty popular in most families and Grandpa Bradford is known exception the family wouldn't think of exchanging the gifts themselves grandpa has to pass out each one that's part of Christmas at the farm and who can say which is the happier the receiver or The Giver a fountain pin one of those new ones that carries its own ink now what do you suppose Priscilla wants most of all will their little girl like it toys and Christmas go together the porcelain do came from a city far away but not all the gifts come from stores many were made at home knitting a pair of mittens for a nephew can bring a wonderful reward a tablecloth crocheted with loving care makes it more precious somehow and what will it be for the youngest child what is Susan hoping for of course a teddy bear for Grandma a shawl to keep and treasure these are gifts that carry with them a family is love some gifts bring with them a part of the world Beyond this house that's one of the wonders of the age a phonograph came all the way from Chicago this this will mean music and song for the whole family hours of pleasure in the quiet evenings this will be pleasure too a sled for Peter straight from Grandpa's workshop and for Josh something very dear to his heart a book about a horse black beauty and he is a beauty what a wonderful morning it's been giving sharing being together hey well Dave uh yes Paul it's getting a little chilly in here don't you think you better go out and get that big log for the fire yes I I'll get it right away well I guess that's all the presents that is almost all there's one more present that was too big to put under the tree you all know that Josh had a birthday last month now that he's 10 years old he's old enough to have this something it is a sort of a combined birthday and Christmas gift of course when Peter's 10 years old I aim to give him the same thing Josh go to the window now a cold a cold G it seems that once in every child's life comes the time when he gets the one gift he Treasures above all others and for Josh this is the one sure was a happy boy yes and there will be no living with Peter now until he's old enough to have a cloth well now maybe we can get this dinner finish Alice would you go out and py and get that picture of cream and Mary would you please cut those ties all the go and So a family gathers for Christmas dinner but more than that a home is filled with warmth and love and good willll I believe we're ready now car our heavenly father for these gifts we are about to receive we thank thee we ask thy blessing upon this house and upon these thy servants gather together through thy bounous guidance and love amen gathered together for Christmas three generations of a happy family parents who have worked to make their dreams come true and children who brighten the lives of all this was Christmas yesterday when life on grandfather's Farm was a little slower perhaps a little gentler a life we call oldfashioned life that was part of an oldfashioned American Christmas hi everybody this is Skip Alzheimer I'm pre-recording my Christmas show and um this is a three-hour show uh includes some stuff I've shown in the past and some new stuff some stuff from my collection some stuff from uh the prelinger collection stuff from other places um but um hopefully it'll be something that you can sit drink your coffee relax after opening gifts and uh watch some stuff about Christmas um I very much appreciate you guys tuning tuning in over the year and I look forward to watching more films with you in the new year um so I'll be back live tomorrow but everybody have a great uh rest of your day today Merry Christmas and we will see you soon take care bye a long long time ago when my grandfather was just a boy his home was a little cabin in a beautiful secluded place called cozy Valley he had a favorite story about the animals in the valley a story about doc owl that wise old bird and Rowdy the crow that noisy one buttons the squirrel she was in the story too and so were ringtail the raccoon snoozy the bossome Mrs beaver and her twins and grandfather's favorite velvet the Fawn then there was Mischief the fox that Troublesome Rascal who was always hungry and there were some other animals too but let me tell you the whole story just the way my grandfather used to tell it to me about the animals of cozy Valley he called his story how the animals discovered Christmas it was a clear Star Bright Night the enchanting night before Christmas and all was quiet in our Valley old doal was taking a nap in his oak tree when he heard something and asked his favorite question who who well who was it that woke him up it was velvet the Fawn going along the path that went near our cabin he stopped to look inside we were bustling about getting ready for Christmas oh I remember it so well velvet came close and looked into the window he saw me decorating the tree but of course he'd never seen a Christmas tree before with lights and ornaments then I happened to notice him when he saw I was watching him he bounded away he kept running till he reached his favorite Hideaway in the spruce trees he was about to lie down down when what was that a bird a bluebird what was he doing in our Valley in the winter he should have flown South but then velvet could see that this Bluebird had a broken wing very gently he lifted the blue bird Up and Away they went velvet headed for the oak tree where old doc owl lived who who well it was a bluebird that's who and he needed help so DC Al said he'd spread the news down he flew to the home of buttons the squirrel that woke her up dcal said we've got an injured Bluebird and need some help buttons agreed to get the other animals and docal said he'd watch over the bluebird doc kept the bluebird warm while buttons went to wake up the rest of the animals she pulled Scamper the rabbit out of his hole under the old oak then she scurried over to get snoozy the posum buttons pummeled and pressed and then she pulled and pulled and oh what a problem that sleepy head was finally buttons pushed and that did it meanwhile Scamper the rabbit raced to the Old Stone Fence to get ringtail the raccoon Scamper explained about the bluebird with the broken wing would ringtail help good ringtail would come Scamper next stop was Mrs beaver's house on the frozen pond Mrs Beaver said she'd help but she'd have to bring her twins too on his way back Scamper took the path that went by our cabin and I know he saw our tree and heard our Christmas music meanwhile buttons was on her way to call Rowdy the crow when suddenly there was Mischief the fox if only buttons could reach a tree just then Rowdy began calling to attract Mischief Mischief jumped and missed button saw her chance and up she went safe and sound finally docal and all the animals were gathered now how could they help the injured Bluebird through the winter DC Al was in charge since he was the wisest one they could all see that the bluebird could never fly south this year he'd need a warm place to stay until his broken wing could heal who who docal asked who could provide a home for the bluebird none of the animals had a home big enough for the bluebird to exercise his wing when it healed he'd need a snug warm home a home safe from Mischief the fox a home that was and then doc Al thought of it of course there was one place and he pointed the way they all knew where it was the home of grumbles the bear it was a big cave almost closed by a snowdrift who would volunteer to shovel who who I'll do it said Mrs beaver with my tail the twins helped too and pretty soon they could hear Grumble snoring they had to wake him up so they could explain about the bluebird and his broken wing Grumble said he'd be willing to let the bluebird share his warm cave until spring could they use this hankerchief as a bandage grumbles had founded one day while picking berries yes they could used that and in a little while the bluebird's wing was carefully wrapped he tried to sing a song of thanks but and so very quietly old doc Al led the animals out of grumble cave now he suggested they should gather some food for the bluebird and something for him to sleep on so that is what they did velvet uncovered some soft Moss for the bluebird's bed Scamper got the carrots he had saved buttons had some sweet hazelnuts Rowdy brought his dried sunflower seeds and snoozy dug out some dried apples Mrs Beaver bit off some purple dogwood berries and ringtail brought two sweet potatoes they were putting their food near a little Tree near Grumble cave when Scamper looked at the tree and remembered something why not hang the food where the bluebird would see it on the tree like the one he'd seen in our cabin soon they were hanging up their gifts making a game of it and in no time at all they had added Bittersweet berries the color of flame the dried sunflowers and all the other gifts the beaver twins had brought some icicles and there in the Moonlight the little tree gleamed but now it was late and they were tired doc suggested that they turn in and come back in the morning to show the bluebird what they had done on his way home velvet went bounding along the path that passed near our cabin when he heard something there Reindeer reindeer much like velvet himself they were harnessed to a a beautiful red sleigh filled with toys and packages the rain de told velvet it was Christmas Eve that wondrous night when people exchange gifts to show their love for one another anyway just as they were getting better acquainted velvet didn't wait to see more when he reached his Hideaway he heard the little bells again and there above him were the reindeer and SLE ho ho it was early Christmas morning and the Tree near Grumble cave sparkled in the Morning Light it was time to call the bluebird right behind the bluebird was grumbles he was still sleepy until he saw the gifts on the tree then Mrs Beaver offered the bluebird her Flat Tail as a sled around the tree she pulled him all the animals were delighted to see how happy the bluebird was in fact they were all having so much fun they didn't notice Mischief the fox but he saw them what would he do none of the animals moved but Mischief looked so thin and hungry that grumbles decided to offer him a sweet potato that ringtail had brought no one had ever offered Mischief anything before he was so surprised that he well he actually smiled and the animals of cozy Valley smiled back after Mischief gobbled up the sweet potato that Christmas morning somehow he didn't feel like being mischievous anymore while they were all busy making friends and looking at the gifts on the tree the bluebird had hopped off Mrs beaver's tail and then they saw him hopping up to the very top of the tree he had only one way to show his thankfulness the animals were Overjoyed the bluebird was singing The Bluebird was singing now they knew he was getting well and the bluebird sang as no Bluebird had ever sung before his song was filled with the love he felt for all the animals the Same Love which the animals had given him and that was the story my grandfather used to tell me his story of how the animals of cozy Valley discovered the joy of making others happy at Christmas for Christmas 1978 was a resounding success Christmas 1979 will be even more successful because we are offering our customers the best products in our company's history what is it about Christmas that is so especially Hallmark The Sounds the smell the touch the look of Christmas offer a perfect background for Hallmark products blend each element into a single statement saying This Is Christmas a Hallmark Christmas Christmas the time to remember friends and loved ones you'll find so many Hallmark cards to express your feelings with warm words and beautiful designs in traditional religious even Whimsical themes and envelopes just as beautiful as the cards this year let Hallmark cards help you share your personal message for Christmas beautiful Christmas cards boxed and waiting at your Hallmark store at Hallmark we make our cards with care each Christmas card is designed so that it flows smoothly and clearly from the front panel to the inside coordinating card and envelope hmark designs add value and greater importance to the message inside lettering artists work closely with design artists to ensure a lettering style that is complimentary to the painted or photographic design Herman zap one of the world's most renowned masters of the art of handwriting was a Hallmark consultant for many years and his tradition of Excellence is an example of achievement for every Hallmark lettering artist Hallmark cards offer messages with a conversational sound using words that are comfortable and familiar to a broad range of senders maintaining high quality standards assures the most accurate reproduction of the artist's original design the most sophisticated computer support programs in the industry make certain that the right card is available in Hallmark stores when needed customers purchase more Christmas counter cards from Hallmark than from all the major greeting card Publishers combined in my day families always got together at Christmas time we'd be over at somebody's house trimming the tree we'd sing carols and I'd make my special eggnog times have changed but one tradition we still have Christmas cards this one's going to my boy pety I'm the only one who can still get away with calling him that I'm sending this one to my big brother Jack he's always there whenever I need him this Christmas let the special people in your life know how you feel with Christmas cards from Hallmark cards that say something special to someone you love this is to my niece Joanne she loves points OT Christmas always reminds me that I've got the best family any grandmother ever had Merry Christmas now how about that it's the whole day finished just in time Walmart Christmas cards and for parties to entertain family and friends use this snowflake pattern it is appropriate throughout the entire winter season again responding to the various needs of the customer Hallmark offers the Casual to the more sophisticated designs and a wide variety of products including cookie cutters and playing cards new decoration techniques have been developed for use on lapel pins giving us an Impulse oriented product for children and young adults Christmas is party time this snowman puppet and Christmas Mouse add interest to Christmas parties party goods can be used in a variety of ways all through the year what is a good seller from July through January what offers quality in design and reproduction and themes that appeal to all the young and not so young the big guy the little guy the answer Hallmark calendars showof calendars July through January upfront in an 8ft display with all the signing and attention they deserve National TV advertising will add to the demand an Innovative computer support system complements this demand and what's new baby's first year photo frame and as a gift to yourself the new appointment calendars what else does the Hallmark customer look for as early as July tree trimmers of course Hallmark presents Keepsake ornaments for Christmas designed like beautiful ornaments from Christmas Past with Hallmark care and craftsmanship and Hallmark ornaments are just the gift for Christmas present to treasure a special event like baby's first Christmas many Hallmark ornaments are dated keep sakes too for Christmas future because they return every year Hallmark keep sake ornaments wherever Hallmark cards are sold Hallmark has made tree trimmers a formidable entry in the gift Market through point of purchase signing distinctive packaging and National advertising a new booklet the guide to collecting Hallmark ornaments will sell the reader on the fun of starting a collection of Hallmark ornaments behind the scenes for ornaments and calendars is the computer support system you asked for in 1979 you or the computer can select Designs planned by caption and based on sales history to fully understand the program be sure to read your Christmas manual and to wrap it all up Hallmark gift wrap you want to know how to make wrapping presents as much fun as opening them it's easy with reverse a wrap the two-sided gift wrap from Hallmark look one side has a bow design so it's perfect for wrapping big presents turn the paper over and there's a different pattern just right for small packages with two designs to work with there's no end to the creative things you can do oh and here's an unusual shape to wrap but reverse a wrap does it beautifully see there's always a design surface showing reverse a wrap can even make the outside of a box as pretty as what's inside just use one design for the bottom and the other design for the top and how's this for a nice looking touch cut out sections of the large pattern like these little Christmas trees and use them for a matching accent want to make a package really special just take a strip of the reverse pattern and wrap it around and don't forget Hallmark's finishing touches like matching ribbons and trims see with reversa wrap the two-sided gift wrap from Hallmark and a little creativity wrapping present can be as much fun as opening them you'll find other Christmas decorating ideas in this Expressions booklet free at many Hallmark stores design quality and originality can be showcased in this new promotional merchandiser it fits perfectly with existing units new dimensional display boxes illustrate the beauty of our wraps and encourage the purchase of accessories this special flexomatic insert allows our retailers to display color plan conveniently and effectively all of us are proud of our 1979 Hallmark Christmas and of all the Christmases past and future because Hallmark means Quality quality your customers have come to expect the human mind reaching for ideas and ways to share them our minds have conceived the useful the entertaining the beautiful they've given us words to express our thoughts our hands work with our minds creating reality from imagination giving us Beauty to appreciate and always our hearts have guided our hands and Minds letting us express love joy all the feelings that make life special at Hallmark we want you to express your feelings in your own personal way to help we turn our minds to the Intriguing and original our hands create Beauty in the tradition of ancient Craftsmen with thought and feeling to let someone know you care and just as Master silver Smiths imprinted their Hallmark guaranteeing superior quality our Hallmark and Crown are your Assurance of quality Hallmark when you care enough to send the very best and now a special message from Mr Hugh Bower vice president of marketing it's all wrapped up in Quality quality is the keynote of Hallmark's business offer it begins with quality and product and then quality and programs to merchandize those products programs of data processing support training seminars to help our dealers the finest fixtures and display ideas that we can devise all kinds of programs that are designed to help our dealers to help them have the most interesting and most exciting stores in their communities but most of all it's quality and people the quality professional marketing people that pull it all together in partnership with our retailers I'd like to say congratulations to all of you for your part in What appears to be the largest retail Sal season in Hallmark history a 1978 increase is as large as last year's total Christmas counter card volume 1978 was a record-breaking Christmas retail season record breaking at least for those stores that concentrated on satisfying The Shopper with the completeness of their assortments and with a merchandising environment that was pleasing and interesting creating stores that looked like Hallmark some stores that didn't make an allout effort last year may have had disappointing results we hope not but we do know that in recent years those stores that have been emphasizing terms and concessions have been losing share of Market to those stores that instead have concentrated on pleasing the consumer and the Shoppers are going to the stores that they like to shop in Hallmark stores Hallmark dealers Christmas retail sales have grown nearly 75% since 1975 and this growth is great but it also has given us growing pains air production shipping and administrative areas are nearly bursting at the seams we're very much aware of the problems you faced this past year coping with all aspects of service we have taken action and here are some of the steps that are being Tak taken to help the situation in 1979 we have substantially more equipment on order and we're building onto our plants in lenworth and Topeka a special warehouse and shipping point has been established in the Kansas City area to handle calendar and ornament shipments and ship dates on these lines have been moved up to May 15th and these steps will help the Christmas season is the the biggest and best retailing opportunity and the most competitive time that our dealers face all year it's the time when they really need a partner a partner to work with them in their planning their training their promoting and their merchandising Christmas in the retail world is the World Series and the Super Bowl combined I believe that we have the ingredients for another championship season of 1979 have a good day and another successful year mom Santa be here yes children but Santa won't be here until you and Ann are sleeping good D you like good mommy and daddy mommy Mommy say good night to daddy for me all right I'll tell him good night for both of you drink of water you've had a drink already now children it's time to go to sleep oh I wonder if ever got our letter yes an far up at the North Pole Santa is reading your letter now what why not boys and girls all over the world wonder how Santa lives I think I'll send for them in my magic helicopter H come here what do you want Santa Toby take my magic helicopter and bring the two children here to visit me mind you you must hurry for my time is short before I make the long Christmas Eve trip you're to my command Santa wake up wake up S sent me here to take you to the North Pole hurry up and get dressed and we will fly to Santa it's just a short hop in the magic helicopter there it is Santa's castle at the North Pole hold tight kids for coming in for a snowy Landing before you know it dick and an are hurried to the castle entrance and see the busy elves hurrying to and fro and Dick welcome to Sant very glad you came to see wa sit on my LP and let me tell you about Santa which you might not know the children are amazed here they are sitting on Santa's lap and listening intently as Santa explains that every year just before Thanksgiving he starts the merry U tide by visiting towns and cities all over the world always ready to please little children he makes his Jolly trip in many different ways he arrives on river boats and finds many new friends all along the way wherever he goes he always has loads of fun oh yes in many towns the marching bands turn out and step Lively to the merry Christmas tunes the little elves parade too Now isn't that nice they even have a big mailbox to help Santa collect his letters from the boys and girls see that jimney I'll let you in on a little secret santa almost didn't fit in it and Mrs Santa Claus has informed him that he must stop eating so much with all the big new shopping centers opening everywhere Santa has to use his new rocket to get around but he still uses his reindeer on Christmas Eve they can get him just anywhere and he's so proud of them too since dick and Anne are visiting him no trip to Santa Land would be complete without a tour of the village toy shop the good little elves have a miniature town and in every window have little toy people jumping around here they make the Tinsel in the Christmas tree ornaments in this little store they make the ribbon turn out the wathes and make your home so bright and cheery and fills the air with Christmas spirit here are the little girls dolls are dressed with fine and fancy Stitch and oh yes baby brother is quite a helper too every doll must have a head and also have a body these busy elves on spinning lays turn out the long thin bodies While others paint their Saucy faces and put them all together hardworking elves and Santa too like pies and cakes and cookies this little store Delights in making all those yum yum goodies a tour of Santa's Happy Land would not be quite complete without a visit to his big toy Warehouse not far from the street there's gifts and toys for everyone it's really a big treat there's bears and dogs and cats Galore there's lions tigers too they won't bite and they don't fight cuz they're just made for you those busy elves are everywhere and Santa needs them too you wind them up you turn them on those funny little toys the monkey drums and drums and drums and he never does get tired our old mother bear she scrubs and rubs while Junior telephones he'd rather talk the whole day through than do a lick of work for little girls a doll is fun to wash to dress and spank and Santa has a big supply of every kind and type how an enjoy these pretty dolls and Dick shows no Delight a kitchen full of household toys will keep the youngster busy she'll cook and scrub the whole day long then serve a TV dinner okay wizard this is ready to be packed all children like to make some noise and Santa says it's music a toy piano or a drum will give them hours of fun the older children like to build and here's a boat to prove it time's up children how about Ry the rocket chip for dick and an their visits almost over but Santa saved his pride and joy till last we'll take his rocket to the super Toy Town trains all board whoh and here we are now wasn't that fun it's just a few steps from the rocket to a breathtaking view of Sand's wonderful trains I wonder if Ann will be as excited as dick there's trains of all kinds coming and going starting and stopping logging trains spray trains stream liners oldtime Choo Cho I'll bet daddy would enjoy this too look at that Village there must be a whole town of toy houses look out children don't let that train run over you and look a toy circus with s shows and a big three- ring circus tent did you ever see such a wonderful show look at that circus parade Santa do these trains ever wreck they you do gosh that's fun oh no wreck today this is loads of fun we could watch them for hours look a toy coal mine do we really have to leave Santa it's time to go back home we have certainly enjoyed enjoyed it but we know that you have to start on your long journey I'm so glad you okay taking in always remember the entire Christmas celebration is to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ hundreds of years ago in the wonderful spirit of Christmas is for Good Will among all men hurry home with Toby bye bye Merry Christmas Merry Christmas to all Merry Christmas some of the most exciting times in life or moments of creative breakthrough they seem to occur often in the world of art they occur in political life in fact they occur in every field of human endeavor but the mechanics of how it happens are not always easy to determine these paintings are an example they introduced the world to new discoveries about perspective and proportion and they did so at the very same time that Columbus was discovering America and the scholar arasmus was developing a new field of study known as the humanities historians have called this 15th century explosion of knowledge the Renaissance but to this day they're not quite sure what caused it the answer I like was suggested by Buckminster Fuller when he defined Synergy as behavior of whole systems unpredicted by the behavior of their individual Parts in other words no one person or event inspired the Renaissance the whole was greater than the sum of the parts the magic was in the coming together in the merging of Genius effort and Circumstance the unity and integration of many parts made the whole world bright with promise and potential ladies and gentlemen I won't compare Hallmark with Renaissance Italy but there is no doubt that we are approaching a moment of breakthrough in our corporate history it isn't coming magically and it isn't coming easily but it is coming the accomplishments of our past and present in no way diminish the fact that today our company yours and mine looks forward to a period of even greater achievement the new products you've been hearing about today are part of the reason hmark has just made a $20 million commitment to new products in this 170,000 square foot Technical and Innovation Center it's now being added to our headquarters complex in Kansas City the products developed by the artists and technicians who will work in this facility will be an important ingredient to Our Success another important ingredient will be our advertising advertising star began its Ascent in 1983 and will shine brightest this Christmas as you know our 1984 advertising budget is double that of last year and since the fourth quarter in 1983 we have widened our share differential versus American Greetings this year we will spend 40 million dollar to bring the Hallmark message to Consumers and we will send that message in three different forms significant new television advertising the Hallmark Hall of Fame and an allnew magazine effort why television and print well each does something different on the one hand a television commercial can grip the emotions with music and movement it touches the viewer and gets her to experience the message television is best for greeting card advertising on the other hand magazines are read for information for the Specialty Products we want to sell magazines are the best place to be today I'd like to brief you in Greater detail about our Christmas Magazine effort this Christmas a wide range of leading magazines will feature six consecutive pages of advertising the first ad is our introductory invitation to our consumers make this Christmas the very best make it a time for coming together a time when the family is United by love and sharing the next page features ornaments the ad tells consumers that Hallmark tree decorations are more than ornaments they are memories each has its own story when you buy a Hallmark ornament it's something to cherish the stocking stuffer ad follows inviting readers to St a stocking with love the treasures promoted in this ad include Hallmark stockings Rodney and Ronda reindeer and our old fashion teddy bear family the gift ad shows how a Hallmark gift can help you communicate your feelings for a Friend products selected for this ad meet the criteria retailers suggested they were products with drawing power we've included price points on this ad so consumers can appreciate the value and here's the party wear ad designed to support this year's party restage it shows how people can set a mood when they set their table and to wrap it all up the reader learns how she can let people know just how special they are with gifts presented in beautiful Hallmark gift wrap or in our new gift bags and boxes in addition five special Christmas home entertaining magazines will carry a different mix of Hallmark ads in these magazines consumers will see the introductory invitation the ornament gift wrap and party goods ads plus an impressive two-page ad focused on Hallmarks all new lighted ornaments the ornaments are a bright new tradition that glow with the oldfashioned spirit and there's more lighted ornament ads in the two leading collector magazines and a separate reindeer and teddy bear ad in two consecutive issues of People magazine in all there will be $3 million in Christmas print advertising alone it is estimated that these magazine ads will be seen over 600 million times by women Across the Nation the Christmas Magazine advertising is extraordinary and represents the peaking of our first year effort in this medium and it will be matched by an equally ambitious effort on television we are spending 8 million on television in the fourth quarter in addition to a major New Hall of Fame production of of Alexander Dumas classic Camille which will Air December 11th our message will be that sending Hallmark cards by the box full and individually is the best possible way to reach your friends and loved ones during this most important holiday season we will encourage multiple sending here is the commercial we used last year to do that job our new advertising agency Ogle and Mather is hard at work developing creative executions to do this same job even better in 1984 you mom how do you know who to send Christmas cards to well there's the people you love my grandma my grandma and there's friends that you miss how about new friends sure that's especially nice I have someone I want to send a Christmas card to okay okay this Christmas the people you love would love to hear from you don't forget them give Hallmark Christmas cards when you carry enough to send the very best wonderful commercials like our Christmas wish and ornament commercials will be shown on Camille along with our powerful greeting card commercials Santa Claus Santa Claus are you watching me now my daddy said that nobody ever saw what you really look like but I bet I know so when I give him this picture of you he'll smile and S that's really s I'm late I'm late again this is a week I'm not looking forward to your coffee honey try and relax it's Christmas time Merry Christmas come on come daddy look what I made for you honey I'm really late I'll look at it tonight okay get this Daddy Daddy can we get this place sweethe that's very nice but it won't fit in our living room come on Katie honey it's only getting worse let me do it ddy can I help I'm not thanks honey I already got it okay Santa CLA santra do you hear me now what I want for Christmas is a new pair of ice skates and the fled but most of all most of all I want my daddy daddy I love you King he took me on his knee and he told me this story which I've never told to anyone this Christmas give the greatest gift of all give a little of yourself okay everybody down in front down front here we go oh I remember that one we had a lot more ornaments than Furniture those days remember you had a lot more hair too Daddy there that one's upside down there we go is there an elf in that picture that's me Granda and your first ornament Focus that's 3 years ago I was five then oh I love that rain here a lights very that's it give it to her now when you give a Hallmark Keepsake Ornament you help create a Christmas memory thank you each is crafted with care and uniquely designed to help make your special moments last this Christmas give a memory to be cherished year after year Merry Christmas give a Hallmark Keepsake Ornament ladies and gentlemen the Hallmark commitment to Christmas advertising should be a source of great pride and revenues to us all but it's only one part of the story great product is another part part of the story and great support programs for your part be sure your store has enough product build those motivational displays and use the tie-in signing materials consumers will be looking for the advertised items and the easier they are to find the higher your sales will be do everything you can to promote Christmas in your stores open houses can be powerful tools and an imprinting business might be just the right thing finally don't be satisfied with good intentions be sure to follow through on the ideas you've heard about here today earlier I quoted Buckminster Fuller on the subject of synergy well he had another observation that bears repeating three little words that I think say it all Unity is plural he said Unity is plural you me all of us it's our product designers and it's our advertising agency it's all of us at Hallmark and all of you coming together for Success each time you set up a display or stage an open house you become a greater part of the hmark unity Which shapes our success let's all pull together and have our stars shine very brightly this Christmas Legend has it that the Christmas tree was first brought in doors during the 16th century in those early days lighted candles were used to simulate the Stars the custom took hold in the German Rin land and 200 years later it had spread all over Europe the tree was first used in the United States about the time we gained our independence popularity of the custom in this country spread rapidly and with the development of electric lighting the Stars gleamed a new today from the Pacific coast Eastward across the Northern Tier of states to New England in the South and Southwest stand these trees trees for the Mills trees for beauty while the protection of our watersheds the shelter of wildlife serving us in many ways call them Balsam spruce Hemlock Douglas fur Cedar Pine call them Christmas trees in the United States alone we Harvest over 20 million every year say there cutting so many young trees isn't that rough on the forest no when it's done properly it's good sound forestry practice nature will often plant these trees 10,000 to the acre that leaves little room for their roots not enough light air and space for them to grow many more trees are destroyed by overcrowding insects and disease than are cut for Christmas the dead and dying trees become tender for fire which can mean complete destruction and of course trees needed for Scenic Beauty shade and rest for the traveler should never be cut for Christmas many Christmas trees first start life in federal state and private operated nurseries trees from private and state nurseries are sold to Farmers and other land owners who plant them on idle Acres not suited for pasture or growing other Farm crops this stand was planted primarily to stabilize the sandy soil and to stop its drift over adjoining crop and pasture lands with the advice of the local Forester or County agricultural agent Farmers planted seedlings at the rate of about 1,000 to the acre the trees did their job in addition the first Christmas tree Harvest 14 years after planting brought the farmers a return of $50,000 and in the following years more than double this amount and trees remain to provide the soil stabilization and shelter that the farmers were after in the first place on many of the 15 152 publicly owned national forests Christmas trees as well as Big Timber are grown under long-term management plans the sale of these trees and other National Forest Products means local jobs because the cutting and marketing is done by private operators 25% of the money the government receives is returned to the county where the trees grew nine out of every 10 Christmas trees come from privately owned lands half from from the large Forest tracts and the other half from Farm Woodlands affording the small operator and farmer an opportunity for a continuing seasonal income if he handles his Woodland wisely it adds up to a $20 million industry at wholesale more than double that at retail it is an industry that must get its Wheels rolling early The Operators must seek out farmers and other owners of forest lands they must buy the right to cut trees for Christmas make plans for cutting and arrange for their labor the days to Christmas must be counted months ahead the proper harvest in the natural forest and in most Christmas tree plantations is really a thinning operation trees should be selected for cutting with an eye to the best spacing for those that will be left a price practical technique which leaves the forest in better growing condition after cutting than before sometimes small trees are tupped leaving the roots trunk and lower branches to grow new trees the new trees are called turn ups this method known as stump culture requires time and Care the actual cutting of Christmas trees is often started early in October The Operators can't afford to let the Snows lock their trees in the forest besides some of the trees must travel far to reach the market fresh from the forest the trees are taken to concentration yards here they are sorted graded and bundled for Compact and Safe Handling soft Lim Spruce and Balsam are tied by hand the stiffer limb Pines require special devices to hold them for tying at tight bundles cut from the lower portions of larger trees boughs that otherwise would be waste are in demand for Christmas decorations their sale means added Revenue when the trees have been cut with an axe they are but trimmed for better appearance and ease of handling the next move carries the trees to shipping points where Transportation has been arranged a last minute check on the market situation may show a glut of trees moving to one point so shipments are often rerouted and then perhaps from 100 m away perhaps a thousand the trees get to the market centers and now just one step from the scene of their final Glory pop didn't bring his axe he he brought the car to fetch home the family tree so home she goes a fresh butt cut while the tree can still absorb plenty of water with the sprinkling on the boughs and stored in a cool Shady place the tree stays fresh and aromatic these measures also go a way toward reducing fire hazard and so the Christmas tree finally comes into its own what more wonderful Destiny for a tree than this