You’ve heard of Elf, The Santa Claus and Frosty the Snowman, but more than likely you’ve never heard of Dave Fleischer and Seymour Kneitel’s Christmas Comes But Once a Year. While this film does not hold the same weight as the aforementioned Christmas classics, its message is equally important.
In an orphanage in an unknown town, the young residents (all portrayed by Mae Questel) wake up early to celebrate the best day of the year, Christmas. As they rush to the tree and their stockings to see what Santa Claus left them they break out into song and dance, exuberantly exclaiming “Christmas Comes But Once a Year.” However, when their cheaply made toys fall apart almost immediately their holiday is ruined. A passerby, a professor known as “Grampy” (Jack Mercer), hears the crying coming from inside and decides that he has to do something to help. Being as crafty as he is, he is able to take a series of common household items, create new, better toys and save Christmas 1936.
Full disclosure, Christmas Comes But Once a Year is one of my all-time favorite Christmas films. There is an element of nostalgia that compels me to watch each and every year. I understand, however, that much of Christmas Comes But Once a Year falls short of Christmas film expectations, but there are certainly aspects of the film that make it worthwhile. One of the most important parts of the film is the story present throughout. It feels fairly straightforward what the point of the film is, Christmas spirit--or the idea that giving is far more important than receiving. A story full of innocence is what viewers find throughout Christmas Comes But Once a Year and it touches their hearts. Beyond the simplicity behind understanding that giving is important, viewers see how incredibly happy Grampy is when creating these makeshift toys for complete strangers which inspires audiences and impels them to do good.
Now, the year is 1936 and animation is far from what it is today, however, Christmas Comes But Once a Year’s animation, feels fairly seamless. While there are obvious discrepancies present in the film, viewers see a world that, regardless of where they reside in life, resonates with them and allows them to understand the gravity of the situation at hand. There are moments of silliness as the childrens’ toys, and special day, begin to crumble, but that ridiculousness can be overlooked as the message and the story become quite apparent during these moments. The three-dimensional effects occasionally make viewers feel like they are in the film in a fashion uncommon of the 1930’s.
There is so much to love about this short film: from the animation to the storytelling ability of Fleischer and Kneitel, Christmas Comes But Once a Year is wonderfully ahead of its time. The story and the message are relevant to viewers of all ages and remains important to this day. With Christmas Comes But Once a Year, I encourage you not to be turned off by the age of the film or be concerned that you will waste your time; take ten (yes, only ten) minutes out of your day to watch Christmas Comes But Once a Year and enjoy the beauty behind its intentions.
P.S. Be prepared to have the titular Christmas Comes But Once a Year melody and lyrics stuck in your head!
Directed by Dave Fleischer & Seymour Kneitel. Starring Jack Mercer & Mae Questel.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐½/10
Comments