Oh! We’re going to get to meet the real Santa? In this case, the real Santa Claus is played by Lou Merrill (April 1, 1912 – April 7, 1963). Lou Merrill had a good career in radio and voiceover work, and appeared in many radio shows such as Lights Out, Abbott and Costello (as Santa), Suspense, and Lux Radio Theater. His voiceover work was in his later years, and he narrated many movie trailers, including Bucket of Blood (LOVE that movie), I Was A Teenage Werewolf, and Burn, Witch, Burn, among, of course, many others.
Jack Frost, another most memorable character, is played by Fred Harrington. I did not find any information on him, but he sure plays an important part in our story! How?
You’ll soon find out!
Download all of Cinnamon Bear’s episodes at Radio Echoes. You can also listen to each episode there without downloading. Here is the link to today’s episode: Cinnamon Bear Episode 22
The Cinnamon Bear Episode 22 – Welcomed by Santa Claus
Opening: Cinnamon Bear Theme
Cinnamon Bear: And here’s the Cinnamon Bear!
Announcer: Well, the most magical and enormous Flying Hat landed Judy and Jimmy, and their friends in a wonderful land of ice and snow. Just as Queen Melissa instructed them, they asked the first person they met where to find Nicky Froodle. He was a snowman, and told them that Mister Froodle could be found in a white palace. Up the steps they went and were met by Nicky Froodle, a little elf dressed all in white fur. Nicky invited them in and led them to a door. A door which is just about to open on the gentleman who could tell them how to get their broken silver star fixed. And who do you think it is? Well, I’ll let Judy tell you.
Judy: Santa Claus!
Jimmy: Willikers! You don’t mean the real Santa Claus, do you Mister Froodle?
Nicky: Of course Jimmy. No one else.
Jimmy: Honest injun?
Nicky: Honest injun. Alright, here we go.
Judy: Oh my goodness!
Jimmy: Gee, Willikers!
Santa Claus: Welcome! Welcome, my children. Come right in. I’ve been expecting you!
Cinnamon Bear: Thanks, Santa. Don’t mind if I do.
Crazy Quilt: Your invitation is most acceptable. Thank you.
Santa Claus: Come on! Come on, Judy and Jimmy. Now don’t be bashful.
Nicky: Go ahead. There’s nothing to be frightened about!
Judy: I guess maybe I’m silly, but it’s kind of exciting to meet the really truly Santa Claus.
Jimmy: Yes. You see, we never thought we would, and well, it’s kind of like shaking hands with the President or something.
Santa Claus: Well, well. Don’t you feel that way, now. Don’t you know that I love children better than anything in the world?
Judy: I guess so, but…
Santa Claus: Now, now, there’s nothing to be frightened of. Come on and sit up on my lap while I finish reading a few letters, hm?
Judy: Thank you, Santa Claus.
Santa Claus: There. Upsa-daisy. Ha-Ha! Comfy?
Judy: Oh, yes, thank you, Santa Claus.
Santa Claus: Now, Jimmy, suppose you sit on the arm of my big chair. How ‘bout it?
Jimmy: Okay, Santa Claus!
Santa Claus: You know, this is quite a treat for me, Judy and Jimmy. The most I ever get to see of children is when they’re sound asleep.
Judy: Don’t they ever see you?
Santa Claus: Oh, no! If they’re awake, they can’t see me at all.
Jimmy: That’s it! Judy and I wondered why we didn’t see you that Christmas we stayed awake all night and watched. But our presents were there Christmas morning, just the same.
Santa Claus: I remember that time. I fooled you youngsters, didn’t I? By the way, I got your letters this year, too.
Jimmy: You did? Gee, that’s swell.
Santa Claus: And I hope you’ll be quite satisfied. Now let’s see about your silver star.
Judy: Did Melissa tell you what happened to us?
Santa Claus: Oh, yes, indeed! I had quite a talk with her about it. Oh, it’s too bad you had so much trouble.
Jimmy: How did she talk to you, Santa Claus?
Santa Claus: By short wave. Oh, I’m quite a fan, you know! Radio is my hobby when I have time to spare. Now, would you put the star on my desk so I can look it over?
Jimmy: You bet. There it is.
Santa Claus: My, my, my. Certainly is all smashed, isn’t it? But that can be fixed, oh yes. Easily fixed.
Judy: Can you fix it in time for Christmas? Of course you understand how important it is for us to have it by then.
Santa Claus: Oh-ho-ho! Indeed I do! I’m not going to fix it myself, no. That’s a little out of my line. But I will take you personally to a man who specializes in that sort of work. Oh, Nicky!
Nicky: Yes, Santa? Have my sleigh and reindeer ordered, would you please? And, oh yes. Have a couple of fur suits sent up for Judy and Jimmy. It’s pretty cold out.
Cinnamon Bear: How ‘bout Crazy Quilt and me?
Santa Claus: What? Ohhh! You were so quiet, Paddy O’Cinnamon, that I almost forgot about you. Well, you’re pretty well fixed by nature for the cold country, but I don’t know about the Crazy Quilt Dragon.
Crazy Quilt: Why not, Santa Claus?
Santa Claus: Well, you look as if you were just a bit the worse for wear. Lets see. A number of seams ripped, and oh! Quite a tear over there.
Crazy Quilt: Oh, yes. I did that when I tobogganed down to your palace. Oh, gracious.
Santa Claus: Well, I think a bit of tailoring wouldn’t be amiss. Oh, Nicky! Call a tailoring establishment, and arrange for a complete overhaul for the Crazy Quilt Dragon.
Crazy Quilt: Oh, thank you, Santa Claus. I’m not too vain, I hope, but I don’t feel my sartorial best when I’ve got so many rips and tears.
Nicky: Is that all, Santa Claus?
Santa Claus: Mmmm. Yes, yes, I think so.
Nicky: Alright. Send up two fur suits to Santa Claus’s office immediately and, uh…
Voice: What size?
Nicky: He wants to know what size, Judy.
Judy: I don’t know… I guess about like yours.
Nicky: Size nine and three-quarters.
Voice: Nine and three-quarters, okay.
Nicky: Have the sleigh and reindeer out in front of the palace.
Voice: Sleigh and reindeer, okay.
Nicky: And tell the tailor shop to expect one Crazy Quilt Dragon for a complete overhaul.
Voice: A complete overhaul for dragon. Right.
Santa Claus: Alright, now, come along Judy and Jimmy and Cinnamon Bear. Follow me. Nicky Froodle will show you where to go, Crazy Quilt.
Crazy Quilt: Oh, thanks ever so much, Santa. Complete overhaul, eh? Hmm. Not bad.
Nicky: This way, Crazy Quilt.
Crazy Quilt: Well, goodbye, all. When I see you next, I promise a complete revelation.
Santa Claus: Now just a second while I button up my coat.
Nicky: Here are the fur suits, Santa. The service is extra good today.
Santa Claus: Oh! Fine! Help yourself, children. You need any assistance with the fastenings?
Judy: No, thank you.
Jimmy: Gee, Willikers! We look almost like Cinnamon Bear.
Santa Claus: Well, all set? Oh, it’s pretty chilly out.
Judy: We don’t mind it now.
Jimmy: I don’t see the snowman.
Santa Claus: Well, I expect he’s gone to lunch.
Jimmy: Oh, look, Judy! Here come the reindeer.
Judy: Oh my goodness! Aren’t they pretty?
Jimmy: Gee, they’re swell. Would you let me hold the reins a while, Santa?
Santa Claus: Oh, I’m afraid not, Jimmy. You know, these reindeer are funny. They won’t obey anybody but me. You see, they’re my own special private reindeer, and this is the sleigh in which I make my yearly visit to the world. Alright, everybody! Here we go. Hi, Donder and Blitzen!
Judy: My goodness!
Cinnamon Bear: Can you get everything into this one sleigh, Santa?
Santa Claus: Well, not as much as I used to. I have to tie on a couple of trailers now. Oh! See that building over there?
Jimmy: Sure! What is it?
Santa Claus: That’s the candy factory.
Judy: Oh, it’s a good thing the Candy Pirates don’t come up here.
Santa Claus: Oh, we take care of them, alright. Now, over there is the doll factory, Judy, and that one back there is the mechanical factory.
Jimmy: What do you make in there, Santa?
Santa Claus: Oh, toy trucks, engines, bicycles, electric trains. All sorts of things. You know, I have a crew of specially trained brownies and elves in each of these factories and they’re busy all the year round.
Cinnamon Bear: D’ya ever have anything made in the big palace where you live?
Santa Claus: Oh, a few special things, but that’s where the toys are stored when they’re finished, and every day there’s an inspection in the grand hall. Oh, maybe you’d like to see one of the inspections after your star is fixed. How ‘bout it?
Jimmy: You bet!
Judy: Who is it you’re taking us to visit, Santa?
Santa Claus: Oh, you’ll see in just a minute, Judy. His house is right over here. Whoa, boys! Whoa! This is one of my best friends. Listen to him sing. That’ll tell you who he is.
Jack Frost:
I’m Jack Frost,
The world’s most famous painter,
And ideal in winter fixtures
That are lovely to behold.
I can paint a million pictures
With my brushes and my mixtures,
But I’d like the work much better
If my feet were not so cold.
Brrrr!
I’m colder than November!
I’m colder than an Eskimo.
I’m colder than a clam.
Brrrr!
I’m colder than December!
It’s impossible to realize
How cold I really am.
I’m Jack Frost,
The world’s most famous painter,
And according to the census,
I’m the only one who knows
How to frost the roofs and fences
With such gorgeous consequences,
But I’m feeling most despondent
‘Cause my nose is almost froze!
Brrrr!
I’m really rather chilly.
I’m colder than a hundred polar bears
Have ever felt.
Brrrr!
This may sound rather silly,
But I’d buy a radiator
If I thought I would not melt!
Cinnamon Bear: Bless my stuffing. So that’s Jack Frost. I felt his fingers many a time, but I’ve never seen him.
Judy: Look at all the icicles on his chest.
Santa Claus: Hi, Jack! Some friends to meet ya. Here’s Judy, Jimmy, and the Cinnamon Bear.
Jack Frost: How do you do? Come in, won’t you?
Jimmy: Thanks, Mister Jack Frost.
Jack Frost: I’m glad you dropped in. I’m on my vacation now. Nothing for me to do out in the world after the snow comes.
Santa Claus: Jack, my little friends Judy and Jimmy have had a bit trouble with a silver star which belongs on the top of their Christmas tree.
Jack Frost: Yes?
Santa Claus: It’s been badly smashed, and needs fixing. Show it to him, Jimmy.
Jimmy: Here it is, Mister Frost.
Jack Frost: Oh, that’ll be easy! I’m extra good at stars.
Judy: I’ve often admired your work on the windows, Jack Frost.
Jack Frost: Thanks, thanks. Yes, I do fairly good work, but I’ll never be really satisfied until I learn how to frost a chocolate cake.
Judy: Oh, Mother can frost cakes like everything! Maybe she’d teach you.
Jack Frost: Good! Next time I’m down your way, I’ll try to find time for a lesson. Now if you’ll just step this way into my laboratory…
Cinnamon Bear: My, my! Just look at all the brushes and things.
Jimmy: Willikers! It’s wonderful!
Santa Claus: This is where Jack does all his research work. Plans all the designs for his window displays.
Judy: It’s beautiful!
Jack Frost: Now, let’s see about the star. Hmm! This won’t take a second. Just a bit of magic snow cement here and here and here, and there.
Judy: Oh! Why, look, Jimmy!
Jimmy: Gee!
Cinnamon Bear: Well bless my stuffing!
Judy: Our silver star is all beautiful again. Just like it was before. Can I touch it, Mister Frost?
Jack Frost: Oh, not for a minute. I’ll put it here on the windowsill for a bit. It has to be exposed to the cold north wind to get good and solid. Now while we’re waiting, I’d like to show you a few of the designs I’m working on for next year’s frostings.
Jimmy: Ooh! There’s a big star in one of your designs. Do you like stars, Jack Frost?
Jack Frost: Better than anything!
Judy: How many points do you put on your stars?
Cinnamon Bear: He puts five, Judy. You can count ‘em for yourself.
Judy: I wonder how many there are on our star. I’ll look and see. Jimmy! Santa!
Santa Claus: Why, what’s happened, Judy?
Judy: The star! It’s not on the windowsill. It’s gone.
Announcer: Well, if it isn’t one thing, it’s two others. I was positive Judy and Jimmy had the star for keeps this time, but that’s where I was mistaken. One thing is certain, however, if they don’t get it mighty soon, it’ll never be on the top of their Christmas tree by December 25th! Let’s be sure to listen next time and see what’s happened.
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lou_Merrill
https://www.hollywood360radio.com/newsletter-september-2021/
I like the depiction of Jack Frost in this one. It reminds me of one of my favorite cartoons. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtkMlciohSg
Thank you for the link! I had never seen that one. It’s funny, because I had never heard of Jack Frost being a ‘painter’, until Cinnamon Bear. I guess this was a common saying?
I guess I’d never heard of it either, before seeing that cartoon.It must have been a common concept back in the old days. I love those old ComiColor cartoons from the ’30’s.They were real classics. A lot of them were based on old folk tales or characters.
It seems odd that I’ve never heard of comicolor. Of course I’ve heard of Ub Iwerks! Thanks for introducing me to them. I’ll look at more when I have time!