The ACME Eagle Hand Soap Radio Hour (413)

Happy Holidays to us all

Before our feature presentation, The ACME Eagle Hand Soap Radio Hour would like to start the evening with the 1941 The Night Before Christmas MGM cartoon, directed by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera (Sorry, earlier version of this post had the wrong cartoon posted.)



As this film was made before the US' entry into WW2, the background and general holiday decorations and gifts reflect a pre-war opulence. This would be toned down during wartime cartoons, as manufacturing, and electricity use, would be given over to the war effort.


Before the start of our feature presentation, in case you are already overwhelmed by the holidays, we found this very sweet holiday short, featuring Dick Van Dyke and Valerie Harper:



The short was created about 10 years ago. It's nice to think that Dick is still with us; it's sad the think Valerie isn't.


Happy Holidays! We here at ACME are sure that you are just starting to run around doing your holiday shopping. So why not sit back and relax (quick, find the most comfortable seat on the sofa,) get a snack (perhaps, some popcorn,) and a beverage and put The ACME Eagle Hand Soap Radio Hour on in the background and watch this forgotten Christmas film, Beyond Tomorrow, directed by A. Edward Sutherland and starring veteran character actors, Charles Winninger, Maria Ouspenskaya, C. Aubrey Smith and Harry Carey. 



This was the most famous of the handful of films produced by Lee Garmes. He was better known as one of the industry's leading Directors of Photography.


Our second holiday theme - Frosty

December 7, 1969 –

Another Rankin/Bass production, Frosty the Snowman, premiered on CBS-TV on this date.



This was Jimmy Durante’s final film (not counting documentaries and one short film appearance).


The original recording of Frosty The Snowman by Gene Autry was his seasonal follow-up to his successful recording of Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer in 1949.



This time he peaked at #7 in December 1950.


The Snowman in July (1944)




Frosty The Snowman (1953)




Snowman’s Dilemma (1960)




The Snowman (1982)



When this program first aired on PBS stations in the United States, the introduction featured a newly filmed introduction by David Bowie instead of Raymond Briggs on the grounds that the animation needed a star.


Before you go – I couldn’t resist this mashup of I Melt With You and Frosty The Snowman by Les Skivvies



I should have known what the costumes for The Skivvies were going to be.

I will not play the songs featuring Olaf from Frozen (the earworms they cause has led to a UN report being issued concerning possible war crime being committed by yours truly.) Really, don’t bother to look for them if you can help yourself.

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Who's got a big red cherry nose?

It's the Feast of Saint Nicholas (yes, that St. Nick.)

Amongst other things, he is the patron saint of children and was known for his generosity. He's also known as the patron saint of sailors, fishermen, merchants, the falsely accused, prostitutes (Huh), repentant thieves, pharmacists and broadcasters.

Let's check out some other ways St. Nick has been portrayed:

A history of Santa Claus -




Things that go together: Santa and Coca Cola -




Santa Claus' Workshop (1950)




(Everybody's Waitin' For) The Man With The Bag   Kay Starr -




Santa's Beard   The Beach Boys -




We have another Christmas video countdown today - Rudolph! Today is the 60th anniversary of the original broadcast of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer,



Rudolph was born 85 years ago this Christmas season, at the Montgomery Ward department store headquarters in Chicago. He was the star of a humble coloring book, written by a copywriter, Robert May, who almost named the protagonist “Reginald.” The character of Rudolph was indeed born out of Robert May's personal experiences, and his feelings of isolation as a child. Even though some executives were worried about the red nose possibly implying drunkenness, it was clear that the message of acceptance and overcoming adversity had universal appeal. The story resonated deeply with people, especially during the Great Depression, when many were struggling.



The decision to pass out millions of copies of the book ensured that Rudolph became a holiday staple.


A short documentary from the Norwegian Postal Service about Reindeers




Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (1944) -




Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer    Gene Autry -




MAD TV Rudolph Trilogy








various commercials feature Rudolph and his friends -

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Bunkies on either side of the Atlantic - heed my words

The annual Christmas tree gift from Oslo to London has such a rich history, originating as a gesture of gratitude for Britain's support during World War II. After the war, Norway wanted to express its appreciation for the shelter and help provided by the UK, especially after the Nazi occupation of Norway. The gift of the tree symbolizes more than just thanks; it represents enduring friendship, solidarity, and peace between the two cities and nations.



The tree is traditionally displayed in Trafalgar Square, where it becomes a focal point for the city’s holiday celebrations, drawing people from around the world to admire its beauty and reflect on the shared history it represents. The tree lighting ceremony, which occurs this evening in London, will snarl traffic throughout the Trafalgar Square area. I encourage our English bunkies to avoid the area at all cost.



Either watch it on your tellys or grab your cricket bats and brave the night.

Back on our side of the pond, once again Boston's mayor Michelle Wu will preside of Boston’s signature holiday celebration, the 83rd annual Boston Common Tree Lighting. Here is a video of last year's tree lighting - if you've seen one tree lighting, you've seen them all.



(I urgently warn our Boston bunkies to avoid the area like the plague. Or at least break out their hockey sticks to wade through the crowds.)

Mayor Wu will be joined by Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston, marking the 53rd year that Nova Scotia has given a tree to the people of Boston as thanks for relief efforts following the December 6, 1917, explosion of a munitions ship in Halifax Harbor.



Within 24 hours of the disaster, a train loaded with supplies and emergency personnel was making its way from Boston to Nova Scotia.

Our second theme today - Really Bad Christmas songs.

As per usual, I have been warned by the CDC that I should avoid posting Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer. It would be considered risky given your mental state.



This late-Seventies novelty song is undoubtedly one of the darkest in the carol canon, featuring gory lyrics detailing the “hoof prints on her forehead” and “incriminatin’ Claus marks on her back.” Duly noted.


Rock and Roll Santa   Jan Terri –



Please don't get me wrong - this is bad. Really bad. Spectacularly bad. And yet, Ms. Terri is very well known as an 'Outsider Rock and Roll' performer and there are people posting on the web that this is one of their favorite holiday songs. Though it was originally released in the 1990s, it has garnered attention over the years due to its memorable nature and Jan's status as a cult figure in the indie music world.


Christmas Cookies   RuPaul -



There are certain words you never want to hear in a holiday song: "Finger-licking," "back door," "piping hot," "loving oven," and "Dutch oven." Because nothing says Christmas like a fart joke.


Spin Me a Christmas   Aqua –



First Barbie Girl in 1997 then 12 years later this. It's just a Scandinavian nightmare.


The Little Boy That Santa Claus Forgot  Vera Lynn –



Nobody would remember Vera, if this was a more well known song. So forget it.


Spin Me a Christmas   Aqua –



First Barbie Girl in 1997 then 12 years later this. It's just a Scandinavian nightmare. And another thing: We're all familiar with Supermarionation, AquaScope is no Supermarionation!


Don't Shoot Me Santa   The Killers -



Another holiday song that no one asked for - a murderous boy pleading with Santa to not shoot him. But they, there are folks who love this one. As with The Killers other holiday singles, the proceeds from Don't Shoot Me Santa went to a charity, continuing The Killers' tradition of releasing Christmas songs to raise money for good causes.


We’ll end with our perennial favorite –



What list of cheesy holiday songs would be complete without this wretched dreck concerning a filthy child’s odd foot fetish (especially since it centers around his dying mother) – always an uplifting tune.



But I will give Patton Oswald the final word on the subject.

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Take this tip from your ole pal

Avoid Midtown Manhattan today –

Thousands of poor souls will gather to see the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree be lit for the first time this holiday season tonight. Remember to bundle up and bring a polo mallet with you if you, unfortunately, find yourself in midtown.

If you think I'm bad with remembering season dates: The Rockefeller Center website can't seem to agree with or not it is the 91st or 92nd annual Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting.

The first tree was put up by the construction workers at the Rockefeller Center site in 1931 - the workers pooled their funds to purchase a 20-foot balsam and decorated it with a string of cranberries, a few tin cans and homemade paper garlands from their families. Another tree was put up again by the construction workers and lighting may have been involved.

According to their website: The Rockefeller Center made the Christmas tree an annual tradition and held the very first tree lighting ceremony with a 40-foot evergreen that was strung up with 700 lights.



Do you really want to be stuck in the middle of potential Darwin Award winners and their children who should be forced to play in traffic? So once again, I’m giving native New Yorkers a gentle reminder – watch last year’s lighting here.



This year, Kelly Clarkson, the Backstreet Boys, Jennifer Hudson, the country duo Dan + Shay, Broadway star Megan Hilty, Thalia, and more, as well as, the refugees from overbooked ancient hotels in the holy land are involved this year.

Exert extreme caution!

Our second holiday feature - the true cost of Christmas)

OK bunkies, national inflation levels may be on the decline, but the cost of celebrating Christmas in the style of the classic 12 Days of Christmas song has risen significantly this year. PNC Bank's annual survey reveals a 5.4% increase in the price of the items featured in the song, totaling $49,263.47 for 2024, which is a $2,533.61 increase from last year. This rise in price largely mirrors the increase in service costs, as the inflationary pressure has mainly impacted services rather than goods like birds, which have remained fairly steady in price. Interestingly, while purchasing the items online still costs more, the price difference between in-store and online shopping has narrowed compared to previous years. In 2024, buying the entire set of items online would cost $54,073.69, a $4,809.70 premium over in-store purchases. This is a 3.9% increase from the 2023 online total of $52,024.03.



If you were to buy all the gifts from the entire song - every single repeat of the 12 items - the True Cost of Christmas would be a staggering $209,272.00, reflecting a 3.6% increase from the 2023 total.

So it stands to reason that today's holiday theme is - The Twelve Days Of Cristmas

The 12 Days Of Christmas Mabel Mercer -




12 Drinks of Christmas  Fay McKay -




The Twelve Days of Yaksmas -




The 12 Days of Christmas A Tale of Avian Misery -




The 12 Gifts of Christmas Straight No Chaser -




Maybe we've played this song too much




Yet Another Partridge in a Pear Tree   Brian Sibley -




And finally, complaints about the number of gifts-

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Remember, place your hand upon the screen ...

Today's holiday theme - It's an Elvis Christmas today

ACME commemorates the anniversary of St. Elvis' comeback with their annual tribute -

Touch but his sweat soaked leather raiments and be made whole again:


If Every Day Was Like Christmas -



If Every Day Was Like Christmas is a holiday song written by Red West, who was a close friend of Elvis Presley and also worked as his bodyguard and confidant. The song was recorded by Elvis in 1966 and became part of his Christmas album Elvis' Christmas Album, which was first released in 1957 and later reissued in various formats.


Merry Christmas Baby -



Merry Christmas Baby is a classic R&B Christmas song that was first recorded in 1947 by Johnny Moore's Three Blazers. The version recorded by the group featured Charles Brown on vocals and piano, and it became a significant hit within the R&B genre. Elvis Presley recorded a version for his 1971 album Elvis Sings the Wonderful World of Christmas.


I Believe -



I Believe is a classic song that was introduced on Jane Froman's television show in 1953, becoming the first hit song ever introduced on television. Elvis released it on his EP, Peace in the Valley in 1957


Santa Claus Is Back in Town -



Santa Claus Is Back in Town is a classic Christmas song written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. It was recorded by Elvis Presley in 1957 for his Elvis' Christmas Album, which went on to become the best-selling Christmas/holiday album of all time in the United States.


Oh Little Town of Bethlehem -



On Christmas Eve 1865, a young minister stood on the hill overlooking Bethlehem where the shepherds had watched their flocks on the night Jesus was born. The impression of that starry night never left Phillips Brooks. Three years later he was asked to write a hymn for the children of his Philadelphia parish for their Christmas service. The words "O Little Town Of Bethlehem" were already in his mind. Brooks' church organist, Lewis Redner, set the words to music, declaring that the tune was "a gift from heaven." Brooks became an outstanding preacher and possibly the most highly esteemed American clergyman of his day.


Christmas Duets -




If you find yourself all tingly in your bulbous naughty bits;

you're listening to Elvis; he understands.

Play the game that swept the nation

Our holiday theme for today is also one of our favorite holiday games -

Trim Up the Tree -



The song was part of the 1966 animated TV special How the Grinch Stole Christmas, which was based on Dr. Seuss's book of the same name. The song was composed by Albert Hague, with lyrics written by Dr. Seuss himself.


It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year -



The song was written by George Wyle and Eddie Pola in 1963. It became an instant holiday classic. The song was first recorded by Andy Williams and has since become one of the most popular Christmas songs. George Wyle, born Bernard Weissman, had an interesting career in music. Before becoming a composer and songwriter, he played piano professionally, including in the Catskills, a region known for its resorts and live entertainment. He later co-wrote many iconic TV themes, including the theme to Gilligan’s Island.


Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree -



The song is one of the most enduring Christmas songs, but it had a slow start before it became a holiday classic. First recorded by Brenda Lee in 1958, the song initially didn't make much of an impact on the charts. It wasn't until 1960, when Brenda Lee had already gained popularity with a few other hits, that Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree began to gain traction. That year, it climbed to #14 on the U.S. charts, marking its first major success.


Let It Snow



The song was written by Sammy Cahn and composed by Jule Styne in 1945 and although Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! is associated with Christmas, there is no mention of the holiday in the lyrics. The lyrics focus on enjoying the cozy warmth of being together with someone special while a snowstorm rages outside. and its cheerful, romantic tone makes it perfect for wintertime, whether it's Christmas or just a snowy day.


Winter Wonderland -



The song Winter Wonderland, originally written in 1934 by Felix Bernard and lyricist Richard B. Smith, has had its lyrics evolve over time, resulting in different versions. The original lyrics included the line, "In the meadow, we can build a snowman, and pretend that he is Parson Brown." Over time, as cultural references shifted and the song's audience diversified, the alternate line "and pretend that he's a circus clown" became more common, especially in versions aimed at a younger or more whimsical audience. Today, many renditions of the song incorporate both lines.


The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire) -



Mel Torme and Bob Wells were songwriting partners, and used to take turns going over to each others' homes to write songs. One particularly hot July day, Mel drove over to Bob's house in Teluca Lake, California. When he got there he walked into the house, couldn't find Bob, but found a spiral notepad of paper with some words on it: "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at your nose, Yuletide Carols being sung by a choir, folks dressed up like Eskimos." When Mel found Bob, he asked him, "What's this?" and Bob said, "It's so blistering hot here, and thought it would be fun to see if I could write something about a totally different season, the winter season, Christmas season, and see if I could mentally, virtually cool off." Mel said, "Not only have you also cooled me off, but I think you've got a song here!" And the duo wrote the rest of the song in about 35 minutes.


I'll be Home For Christmas -



This was written by Walter Kent (music) and James Kimball "Kim" Gannon (words). Though Kent and Gannon collaborated on other songs, none reached the same level of popularity as I'll Be Home for Christmas. Buck Ram previously wrote a poem and song with the same title, and following a lawsuit he was credited as a co-writer of the song, although his poem, literally had nothing to do with the other song.


Before you go - Another ACME tip for staying safe this holiday season



Tip No. 857 – Sea monsters love waterways and snatching small children from local beaches. Avoid the shorelines this holiday!

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Genes, do not a family make (part 2)

Sometimes family is the place where we find the deepest heartache.

Happy families are all alike ... even kids abused by their domineering father - (the Motown edition)



Today's second Christmas theme - A Jackson Five Christmas


Santa Claus Is Comin To Town -



The song was written in 1932 by Haven Gillespie and J. Fred Coots. The song was initially met with skepticism, as it was considered too childish to be commercially successful. Many music publishers were not interested in producing it, as it was thought to be a novelty song that wouldn't appeal to a wide audience. However, the song's fortunes changed dramatically in 1934 when famous entertainer Eddie Cantor sang it on his popular radio show, and the song became an instant hit.


Little Drummer Boy -



The Little Drummer Boy (originally known as Carol of the Drum) was written by the American classical music composer Katherine Kennicott Davis in 1941 and was based upon a traditional Czech song. Though Davis composed the song in 1941, it was first recorded and popularized by the Trapp Family Singers (of The Sound of Music fame) in 1951. The version most people are familiar with today, however, is the 1958 recording by the Harry Simeone Chorale. This version helped cement the song's place in Christmas music tradition.


I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus -



When this songs was released in 1953, some people thought it was a little too risqué, the thought of a married woman, possibly having an affair. A closer listen implies that Santa Claus is actually the child's father, but this didn't stop radio stations in some cities, including Boston, from banning it when it came out. Columbia Records appealed to the Council of Churches to clear the song where it was banned, sending it's original singer, the 13 year old Jimmy Boyd to plea with them personally. The tactic worked, and it became a Christmas favorite.


Christmas Won't Be the Same This Year -



The song was written by Pam Sawyer and LaVerne Ware and was produced by The Corporation and Hal Davis. The song features the signature sound of The Jackson 5, combining soulful melodies with festive Christmas themes. It expresses a sense of longing and melancholy, as the narrator reflects on how Christmas feels different without a loved one. The combination of the heartfelt lyrics and the group's harmonies makes it a standout track on their holiday album.


Little Christmas Tree -



The song stands out in the realm of holiday music due to its unique, poignant theme. While most Christmas carols are filled with joy, togetherness, and festive cheer, Little Christmas Tree takes a more somber approach, addressing feelings of loneliness and heartbreak.


We here at ACME are wishing you time to enjoy the simple pleasures of this holiday season.



And if don't enjoy yourself, Joe will be coming by to give you the beating of your life.

The second half of our presentation: It’s the holiday season, so let’s get lit - Christmas Light Shows:

According to recent surveys, approximately 85–90% of Americans celebrate Christmas in some form, includes both religious and secular observances, such as family gatherings, gift exchanges, and holiday traditions that are not necessarily tied to Christian beliefs. This means there are approximately 109 to 115 million households households in the United States that celebrate the holiday. While not every home in the U.S. that celebrates Christmas decorates with extravagant lighting, many of them do.





Electricity use in the United States in 2023 was more than 12 times greater than electricity use in 1950. The amount of electricity used by holiday lights is determined by the type of light used. The most common include 100-light mini lights. These lights use 0.039 kWh of electricity per hour, which is around 0.95 kWh per day. Ceramic C7 lights are also widely used. A 100-light strand uses 130 watts, which is around 0.13 kWh per hour, resulting in a daily use of around 3.15 kWh.





According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the average cost for electricity in the United States is about 16 cents per kWh, in 2023. Based on that cost and the known wattage for typical bulbs, you can do the math to determine how much it costs to power a standard 100-bulb strand. The bigger the bulb, the more juice it takes to make it sparkle. For those big old-school C9 bulbs that are used most often for outdoor displays (and popularized by Clark Griswold, you can plan on paying for 175 watts of power for a single 25-bulb strand. Run that strand 12 hours a day for a 45-day period, and you’ll pay around $15.12 per strand over the holiday season. Prefer mini lights instead? A 100-light strand of incandescent minis runs around $15 per season. Some extreme household decorators can spend an extra $2,000 to light their displays!



It’s nice to see that the public is helping support the public utilities. You know that they are barely eking out a living.



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