Part of Jim Henson's World (2021)
Sunday, December 19, 2021, 1:00 p.m.
Museum of the Moving Image - Bartos Screening Room

A double feature presentation of two Henson holiday TV specials

Introduced by Craig Shemin, President of The Jim Henson Legacy

The Great Santa Claus Switch (Dir. John Moffitt. 1970, 50 mins.)
Jim Henson’s The Christmas Toy (Dir. Eric Till. 1986, 50 mins.)

Last year marked the 50th anniversary of the first full-length Jim Henson holiday show, The Great Santa Claus Switch, but due to the Museum’s Covid-19 closure, we were unable to commemorate the milestone in person. So this year we’re pleased to bring you a 51st anniversary screening of this rarely seen treasure. Art Carney plays a dual role as both Santa Claus and the evil Cosmo Scam, who plots to take Santa’s place and ruin Christmas—that is, unless Fred the Elf can save the day. With a script by Jerry Juhl and music by Joe Raposo, this was presented as a special episode of The Ed Sullivan Show, and features Sullivan telling the story in wraparound segments. This special holiday Museum program also includes the 35th anniversary screening of Jim Henson’s The Christmas Toy, a 1986 special about a group of toys who come to life when their owner isn’t around, and who prepare to welcome the new toys joining them on Christmas. Presented courtesy of The Ed Sullivan Estate.