In an annual attempt to theorize the Christmas film, Ryan and Todd examine the concept of the misfit in three famous stop-motion Christmas films from the 1960s and 1970s: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, and The Year Without a Santa Claus. They discover the politics of nonbelonging at work in these films as it is figured through the idea of the misfit.

Clips:

We’re a Couple of Misfits (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDHF08vEZTg)

The Island of Misfit Toys (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gr6GbKciNCY)

Silver and Gold (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rY-XDQN6ipE)

The First Toymakers to the King (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8NSlCUAI4M)

My World is Beginning Today (Jessica’s Trippy 2001/ Vertigo song; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSCq34_49Ws)

Snow Miser (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPrbccEdI5o)

Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town (Springsteen; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76WFkKp8Tjs)

Father Christmas (The Kinks; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPPCPqDINEk)