‘Radio Once More’ welcomed back author and Christmas TV specials expert, Joanna Wilson. Joanna was on our ‘Woo-Hoo Wednesday’ radio show where we had another delightful and fun conversation. Joanna and I began our discussion about her recent Netflix project that resulted in a beautiful red & white gown made up from close to 700 Netflix DVD address tear-away sleeves. This amazing gown was designed in the spirit of the Christmas dress worn by Rosemary Clooney during the finale of the film “White Christmas”. A big congratulations to Joanna and her talented designer, Alyssa Hertz.
Joanna Wilson with over 1500 Netflix DVD sleeves!!!!
Joanna Wilson modeling her Netflix gown in front of The Rosemary Clooney House in Augusta, Kentucky
Joanna Wilson modeling her Netflix gown inside The Rosemary Clooney House in Augusta, Kentucky
Congratulations to Joanna and her talented designer, Alyssa Hertz on a successful Netflix sleeve Christmas Gown!!!!
We moved on and discussed a few classic Christmas films including, “White Christmas” (1954), “The Polar Express” (2004), and the made for TV re-make of “Miracle on 34th Street” (1973).
“White Christmas” (1954)
“The Polar Express” (2004)
“Miracle on 34th Street” (1973)
We mentioned that although the 1973 Made-For-TV version of “Miracle on 34th Street” is still not available on DVD, the entire film can be viewed on YouTube:
We then enjoyed a musical interlude and listened to a clip from a classic “Andy Williams Christmas Show” that featured the Williams Brothers singing “Happy Holidays/The Holiday Season” along with the Osmonds.
The Williams Brothers and the Osmonds singing “Happy Holidays-The Holiday Season”
The Williams Brothers and the Osmonds singing “Happy Holidays-The Holiday Season”
Next, Joanna and I discussed some great Christmas episodes from classic television series including “The Mary Tyler More Show”, “Twilight Zone”, and “Gilligan’s Island”.
The “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” Christmas episode “Christmas and the Hard-Luck Kid”
“The Twilight Zone” Christmas episode “Night of the Meek”
“Gilligan’s Island” Christmas episode “Birds Gotta Fly, Fish Gotta Talk”
And of course we couldn’t discuss Christmas television without mentioning Rankin/Bass. This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the Rankin/Bass production of “The Little Drummer Boy”, so we played a clip and discussed this delightful Rankin/Bass production.
The (1968) Rankin/Bass classic “The Little Drummer Boy”
All of these films, television episodes, and Christmas television specials along with so much more are documented in Joanna’s amazing reference book, “Tis the Season TV: the Encyclopedia of Christmas-Themed Episodes, Specials and Made-for-TV Movies“. This book is widely available at Amazon or directly from the publisher 1701 Press.
Below I have posted our discussion as it aired November 28th on ‘Radio Once More’ during our “Woo-Hoo Wednesday” Christmas show. A Big Thanks again to Joanna Wilson for taking the time to chat with us!!!! Please visit Joanna’s web site at: www.ChristmasTVHistory.com
Enjoy and a big Woo-Hoo to you all!!!!!!
Author Joanna Wilson with Helen & Johnny Holmes!!!!
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