A Cosmic Christmas
| A Cosmic Christmas | |
|---|---|
 Scene from the film | |
| Directed by | Clive A. Smith |
| Produced by |
Michael Hirsh Patrick Loubert |
| Screenplay by |
Ida Nelson Laura Paull |
| Story by | Patrick Loubert |
| Starring |
Joey Davidson Martin Lavut Patrick Moffatt Nick Nichols |
| Music by | Sylvia Tyson |
Production company | |
| Distributed by |
CBC (TV, 1977) Viacom Enterprises (U.S. Distribution) Warner Home Video (VHS, 1980s) |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 26 minutes |
| Country | Canada |
A Cosmic Christmas is one of the first productions made by Nelvana. It premiered on December 4, 1977 in Canada on CBC Television.
Plot
Three aliens from an unknown planet, who bear a strong resemblance to the Biblical Magi, visit earth to know the true meaning of Christmas. Peter, a young boy, and Lucy, his goose, are the first to encounter them. Unable to find the true meaning of Christmas in town, Peter takes them to his family's house in the woods. While Peter's grandmother tells the aliens about her memories of Christmas, Marvin, one of the town's bullies, steals Lucy. In the chase to rescue Lucy, Marvin falls through the ice in a lake. Peter attempts to rescue him but falls into the lake as well. The townsfolk, who were out searching for the aliens, attempt to save the boys but their human chain isn't long enough to reach them. The three aliens, who had sworn not to interfere with events on earth, decide to help in order to learn the meaning of Christmas. The rescue effort is successful. The townsfolk are quick to condemn Marvin for stealing Lucy, but have a change of heart when they realize that Marvin stole Lucy because he had nothing to eat. Peter offers Marvin and his friends the chance to join them for Christmas dinner and the aliens realize that family and the spirit of forgiveness are the true meaning of Christmas.
Cast
- Joey Davidson ... Peter
- Martin Lavut ... Dad, Plutox, Santa Joe
- Richard M. Davidson ... Lexicon (as Richard Davidson)
- Duncan Regehr ... Amalthor
- Patricia Moffatt ... Mom
- Jane Mallett ... Grandma
- Marvin Goldhar ... Snerk
- Greg Rogers ... Marvin
- Chris Wiggins ... Mayor
- Nick Nichols ... Townie
- Marian Waldman ... Townie
Cultural reference
The soundtrack was sampled on Dan the Automator's remix album Wanna Buy A Monkey?
Release
The special was later released onto videocassette by Warner Home Video in the early 1980s as part of the Nelvanamation VHS release. It was later released onto a budget VHS from Diamond Entertainment. Both of these releases are out of print, and no plans for a DVD release have been made by either Nelvana, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment or Paramount Home Entertainment/CBS Home Entertainment.
TV re-airings have the original music replaced for copyright reasons. However, the print on YTV Direct's YouTube channel keeps the original music intact.