Ah, the festive glow of the CRT television, the scent of pine needles (real or plastic!), and the yearly tradition of holiday specials. We all have our favorites, those Rankin/Bass classics etched into our collective memory. But sometimes, nestled amongst the Rudolphs and the Grinches, a slightly different snowflake would appear. Remember Frosty Returns from 1992? It often pops up right after the original 1969 Frosty the Snowman, causing a bit of delightful confusion for viewers expecting more of the same stop-motion magic. Instead, we got something quite different, a hand-drawn cousin with a new voice, a new plot, and a distinctly early 90s eco-conscious message.
### Not Quite the Same Snowman
Let's be clear upfront: this isn't a direct sequel in the traditional sense, despite the name and the titular character. Produced years later by different hands, Frosty Returns swaps the charming, slightly fuzzy Rankin/Bass aesthetic for the smoother, more fluid traditional animation style synonymous with Bill Melendez Productions. Yes, that Bill Melendez, the animation legend who brought Charlie Brown and Snoopy to life in countless Peanuts specials! He co-directed this special with Evert Brown, and you can certainly see echoes of the Peanuts style in the character designs and movement, particularly in the human characters like young Holly and her friend Charles. It gives the special a familiar, comforting visual language, even if it feels worlds away from the 1969 original.
The story, penned by Oliver Goldstick and Jim Lewis, also takes a sharp turn. Forget Professor Hinkle; the antagonist here is the mean-spirited Mr. Twitchell (voiced with suitable grump by Brian Doyle-Murray, Bill's brother and a familiar face from comedies like Caddyshack (1980)), inventor of a spray called "Summer Wheeze" designed to instantly eliminate snow. Frosty, magically brought to life once more by a discarded hat (though not the original magic one, a key distinction), teams up with the lonely, magic-loving Holly DeCarlo to thwart Twitchell's plans and save winter. It’s a plot that feels very much of its time, tapping into the burgeoning environmental awareness of the early 90s.
### A Star-Studded Snowstorm
One of the most striking things about Frosty Returns, especially looking back, is the voice cast. Taking over the scarf and corncob pipe from Jackie Vernon is the legendary comedian Jonathan Winters as the narrator, bringing his signature warm, slightly befuddled charm. And Frosty himself? None other than John Goodman, who at the time was arguably at the peak of his Roseanne fame. Goodman gives Frosty a different energy – booming, jovial, perhaps a bit less innocent than Vernon's take, but undeniably full of life. It’s a performance that stands on its own, even if it takes a moment to adjust if you're deeply attached to the original.
Perhaps the most surprising voice credit belongs to a very young Elisabeth Moss (yes, Mad Men's Peggy Olson!) as Holly. Even back then, you could hear the earnestness and spark that would define her later career. It's a fun piece of "before they were stars" trivia that adds an extra layer of enjoyment for retro fans. The cast works well together, injecting personality into this relatively simple tale.
### Retro Fun Facts: Behind the Animation Cel
- The Peanuts Connection: Besides Bill Melendez, several Peanuts veterans worked on Frosty Returns, contributing to its distinct look and feel. It’s a fascinating crossover of holiday special royalty.
- Not a True Sequel: Despite often airing back-to-back with the 1969 special on CBS for years, Frosty Returns was produced independently and doesn't share continuity. This caused endless confusion, with many assuming it was the official follow-up. The real sequel to the original is considered Frosty's Winter Wonderland (1976).
- Missing Music: Noticeably absent is the iconic "Frosty the Snowman" theme song. Instead, the special features original songs by Mark Mothersbaugh, co-founder of the quirky new wave band Devo! His slightly off-kilter, synth-tinged style gives the music a very different, definitely 90s, vibe.
- Eco-Frosty: The "Summer Wheeze" plot point made this one of the earlier mainstream holiday specials to incorporate an explicit environmental message, reflecting the growing public conversation around pollution and conservation at the time.
### Melting into Memory?
So, how does Frosty Returns hold up? It's certainly not the timeless, universally adored classic that its 1969 namesake is. The animation, while professionally done by Melendez's team, lacks the unique handmade charm of the Rankin/Bass original. The story feels simpler, more message-driven, and perhaps less magical than the tale of Frosty's first trip to the North Pole. Some viewers find Goodman's Frosty a bit too loud or the environmental message a tad heavy-handed for a light holiday special.
Yet, there's an undeniable charm here for those of us who remember catching it on TV year after year. It has that specific early 90s broadcast television feel. John Goodman is undeniably charismatic as Frosty, Jonathan Winters is a comforting narrator, and the Melendez animation has its own nostalgic appeal. It’s like finding that slightly worn, maybe less-favored ornament in the box – it doesn’t shine quite as brightly as the others, but it’s still part of the holiday collection, holding memories of simpler times and snowy afternoons glued to the screen. It might not be the definitive Frosty, but it’s a Frosty, and for many, it’s the one they saw just as often.
VHS Heaven Rating: 6/10
Justification: Frosty Returns earns points for its top-notch voice cast (Goodman, Winters, Moss), the pedigree of director Bill Melendez, and its unique place as a slightly quirky, eco-conscious holiday special of the early 90s. However, it loses points for lacking the iconic magic and memorable songs of the 1969 original, a somewhat simplistic plot, and an animation style that, while competent, doesn't feel quite as special. It’s a pleasant, nostalgic watch, but distinctly second-tier compared to the true classics.
Final Thought: While it might not make you shout "Happy Birthday!" with the same gusto as the original, Frosty Returns is a perfectly decent flurry of early 90s nostalgia, worth digging out of the digital snowbank for a cozy winter rewatch. Just don't expect the exact same magic hat trick.