This black & white film “The Night Before Christmas” was one of the most popular releases by Castle Films. The film debuted in 1946 and remained in print for 26 years in both 16mm and 8mm formats. The film contains a complete narration of the famous poem “Twas the Night Before Christmas a Visit from St. Nicholas” by Clement Clarke Moore. The father in the film narrates the poem and, as he speaks the words to the verse, cartoon segments are interspersed with live action. This includes “dancing sugarplums” and Santa and his reindeer flying through the night sky. (Like with many Castle releases, it’s unclear who directed this short or created the animation for it!)

Opening titles: Castle Films presents “The Night Before Christmas” (:07). Tree branches with ice and snow on them (:19). Piles of snow (:30). Snow falls from behind a window inside a warm house (:35). Stockings hung by the chimney (:58). Children sleep in bed (1:04). Animated sugarplums dance (1:15). Parents settle into bed when the father gets up and opens the window to look out (1:31). Animation of Santa Claus in his sleigh along with his reindeer (2:05). Santa commands his sleigh (2:19). Animation of Santa Claus in his sleigh along with his reindeer rising into the air (2:56). Santa in his sleigh (3:12). Santa comes down the chimney and enters the living room (3:44). Santa grabs his bag of toys and gifts (4:13). Santa laughs and puts toys in Christmas stockings (4:31). Santa lights his pipe and smokes (5:00). The children sleep peacefully (5:25). Santa laughs ho ho ho (5:31).

Santa smiles and nods (5:58). Santa looks over at the Christmas tree (6:17). Santa ponders his next move and grabs his bag of treats (6:45). Santa returns up the chimney (6:59). Santa gets back into his sleigh to make good his escape (7:10). Children come down the stairs to find gifts (7:29). Animation of Santa Claus in his sleigh along with his reindeer (7:41). Santa looks at the camera (7:51). End credits (8:09).

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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com