Christmas movies: “Frosty the Snowman”

"Frosty the Snowman" was a part of every Christmas season in the '80s.

Source: https://deadline.com/2019/11/friday-ratings-frosty-the-snowman-wins-night-1202797595/

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There must have been some magic in that old top hat after all.

Every year when Christmas rolled around, I always looked forward to seeing “Frosty the Snowman”, knowing full well I would be saddened then uplifted.

“Frosty the Snowman” was a roller coaster of emotion every year, and I guess that was part of its magic.

“Frosty the Snowman” is yet another part of the tapestry of growing up in the 1980s. I was reminded of it once more as I reflect on the Christmas shows I used to watch every year.

The story
Based on the song of the same name, “Frosty the Snowman” is a cartoon about a group of children who build a snowman. They find an old magician’s hat and put it on top of their creation.

Suddenly, Frosty comes to life.

However, the temperature begins to rise, and Frosty fears he may melt if he does not get to the North Pole. He goes through a lot of adventures with the leader of the children who built him, Santa Claus and others.

At one point he seems free and clear, as they take refuge in a greenhouse. The next thing you know, Frosty has melted into a puddle.

Ultimately, through the magic of that old hat – and Santa Claus – Frosty not only comes back to life, but vows to be back next Christmas.

As seen on TV
According to Wikipedia, CBS first aired “Frosty the Snowman” in December of 1969, two months before I was born. The network has aired it annually during the Christmas season ever since. In Canada it aired on Channel 13 on the peasant vision dial, and was on every Christmas season I can remember. I can’t imagine it isn’t aired annually, considering it likely simulcasts the CBS special.

Parting thoughts
I have always had mixed feelings about watching “Frosty the Snowman”. I loved the magic and the way a creation made by kids my own age came to life. It was just so cool and he was so full of life.

Yet every time I watched that show, I knew his imminent death was coming. And that’s how I viewed Frosty’s demise on the floor of the greenhouse – his death. It really bothered me. I even recall when I was really young pleading with the Frosty not to go in there. I was talking to the TV even at that age. But Frosty always went in.

He always comes back to life too, which did cheer me up. But it didn’t always take away the sting of Frosty dying.

It was such an emotional roller coaster for a soft-hearted kid like I was.