Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July

"If life has taught me anything is that you can't live on banana splits."

Winterbolt (Frees) is a powerful and evil wizard.  Alongside his ice dragons, he rules with an iron fist, until Lady Boreal (Nellie Bellflower) uses her magic to defeat him.  He is put into a deep sleep, and over time he is forgotten.  Many years later he awakens to reclaim his land, and is shocked to discover the presence of Santa Claus (Rooney).  As he plots, Lady Boreal transfers the last of her magic into a newborn reindeer, named Rudolph (Richards), which makes his nose glow.  She tells him that he will always have that power, unless he uses his nose for evil.

Winterbolt, with the help of his Genie of the Ice Scepter (Ravenscroft), discovers that stopping Rudolph is the only way to destroy Santa and restore his ruthless rule.  He plans to get Rudolph away from the North Pole, and enlists shady reindeer Scratcher (Sues) to lead him astray. He uses lovesick ice cream man Milton (Buttons) and the failing Lilly Loraine (Merman) circus to get Rudolph to venture out in July, along with his pal Frosty (Vernon) the Snowman.  Winterbolt gives Frosty and his family the ability to travel without melting, but there is a time limit.  Can Rudolph and his friends save the circus and stop Winterbolt?


In 1979, Rankin Bass decided to bring their two biggest stars together: Rudolph and Frosty.  Rudolph was the star of the stop-motion films Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Rudolph's Shiny New Year.  Frosty was the star of the traditional animation films Frosty the Snowman and Frosty's Winter Wonderland.  This was the only film to feature Frosty in stop-motion form.

The film featured other Rankin Bass favorites: Big Ben, Jack Frost, Santa Claus, etc.  And the main voice cast also returned: Jackie Vernon as Frosty, Mickey Rooney as Santa Claus, Shelley Winters as Crystal, Paul Frees as Jack Frost.

The villain in this film is a new character: Winterbolt, not to be confused with Winter Warlock from Santa Claus is Coming to Town.  This is a much darker tale than other Rankin Bass holiday classics.  Winterbolt has dark plans and wants to destroy the beloved characters, so this might not be the best fit for younger children.

Thankfully, the film also features some upbeat songs to off-set the darkness of the film.  Broadway star Ethel Merman gets to belt out most of the songs in the film.  The main characters get to reprise some of their iconic hits, and they also get some new songs.

Even though the story doesn't take place over Christmas, it is still featured in most classic Christmas movies.

Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July (1979) minutes
Director: Jules Bass & Arthur Rankin Jr.
Starring: Billie Mae Richards as Rudolph
Jackie Vernon as Frosty
Red Buttons as Milton
Ethel Merman as Lilly Loraine
Paul Frees as Winterbolt / Jack Frost
Mickey Rooney as Santa Claus
Alan Sues as Scratcher
Darlene Conley as Mrs. Claus
Shelby Flint as Laine Loraine
Don Messick as Sam Spangles
Shelley Winters as Crystal
Thurl Ravenscroft as Genie of the Ice Scepter