The Bear Who Slept Through Christmas (1973)

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Takes itself way too seriously

This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

"The Bear Who Slept Through Christmas" is a 25-minute animated short film from December 1973, which means not only that it is already 44 years old, but also that it is of course a Christmas-themed work as you may have guessed from the title already. I will not bother you with all the names of the writers and directors here as you can check these out for yourself. Same about the voice actors, but I must say I am not familiar with any of them. My loss I guess as here everybody's doing a decent job. The story is sweet too and I am not surprised at all about the name Freleng being linked to the project. Plus, the visual side is among the film's biggest strengths. The characters and locations/landscapes look really retro, really traditional and it goes well with the story of a rougher Winnie the Pooh finding out about Santa and the spirit of Christmas despite obstacles getting in his way like other bears who don't like Christmas at all. Oh yeah, the comedy in terms of plays on words here was great too like the one reference about the bear symbolizing bad times in the world of finance or the comment about building something with one's bear/bare hands that actually had me laugh out loud. So yeah, this is definitely a good choice for a harmless little fun film for the holidays. It also has a pretty nice message and I recommend this well-rounded effort. The one area where it came a bit short for me was the music, but that's entirely subjective. I'm sure many will like that aspect too. Go check it out.

With Casey Kasem's death a few weeks ago, I decided to watch whatever of his movies and TV shows I could find on the internet and review them in chronological order. So I'm still in 1973 when he narrated this-a DePatie-Freleng animated holiday special about one bear's search for Christmas. His name is Theodore Edward Bear (voice of Tom Smothers) who gets laughed at by his entire community-especially his workmates at his honey plant. I'll stop there and just say that having remembered enjoying this when I was a kid, I got my memories renewed just seeing this again after so many years of missing it. I especially was once again laughing at Artie Johnson's commentary as Professor Werner von Bear which is still hilarious! But the special also provides plenty of warmth during the second half courtesy of Smothers, Kasem, and Santa Claus (voice of Robert Holt). So on that note, The Bear Who Slept Through Christmas is still worth seeing, all these years later!

This cartoon, directed by Pink Panther regular Hawley Pratt, features a bear who manages to stay awake for Santa, despite what the title may lead you to believe.Theodore E. Bear (get it?) works in a honey factory (wait...doesn't it come from bee farms?) and decides he doesn't want to hibernate for winter. He is laughed at and mocked but is determined to find out what Xmas really is.The animation is similar to the minimalistic schemes found in Pink Panther but there is plenty of dialogue and a decent amount of characterization. Not quite a classic, but pleasant festive viewing.

This is my absolute favorite Christmas special. I have not gone a year without watching it. There are several stories about bears not wanting to hibernate through Christmas. But this one is unique and not one of the others holds a candle to it. I have a VHS but would love a DVD. This special is cute, funny, and catchy. Ted is my favorite character ever (aside from Mickey). In fact, I still have a plush Ted E. Bear that I got when I was one for Christmas. I wouldn't give up my Teddy for anything! I seem to be the only person out there who has one of these bears. My poor Ted lost his clothes and bow-tie. But he looks great for being almost 30 years old!