Plot Monkeys

Have you ever tried really hard to find something that you remember being fabulous and amazing and wonderful when you were a kid…then wished you hadn’t? lol!

Well, since the advent of the internet, it really is easy to find just about anything. I’ve tracked down old toys, records, movies, books–things I remember loving like crazy–and if I can afford to, I’ll sometimes buy them just for old time’s sake. (Or have them bought for me.) For instance–Dawn dolls. They were my absolute favorite when I was little, and I managed to get one a few years back. She sits on top of my jewelry box on my dresser. (Of course, after going crazy over them, new Dawn dolls showed up in stores a couple of years ago, but they never really got popular again.) I’ve considered getting the Barbie Country Camper, which was my favorite Christmas present EVER when I was a kid. I loved that thing so much, but so far haven’t been able to justify it to myself!

Then there are things that just don’t hold up over time. Bruce got me the entire Land of the Lost series on DVD. I LOVED it when I was a kid. Umh…while the premise is still certainly very cool, the quality of the show itself? Not so much. (I have heard rumors that they’re making a movie version of it, not sure of the details.)

I know The Brady Bunch is out on DVD, like a hundred bucks for all ninety-four years of it. And while I loved that show and went around with my hair in bell curls because I wanted to look like Cindy Brady, I somehow don’t think I’ll be asking Santa for that DVD set.

At this time of year, I always think back to those special holiday programs from my childhood. Last year, knowing I would be with my two sisters and one brother, I decided to track down a copy of a Christmas special –Hallmark, I think–that I remember absolutely adoring as a kid. It starred Herman Munster and that little red-haired kid who played Jodie on Family Affair. And it was called The Littlest Angel.
I got it…hid it like a glorious present for my siblings, so we could share in the very special memory of it…then put it on on Christmas Eve. And oh, my God, talk about BAD BAD BAD! Around the time Herman started dancing with the stars, we were literally rolling on the floor or the couch, screaming with laughter. I think we suffered through 20 minutes before turning it off. My sister-in-law has harassed me about that stupid movie every time I’ve talked to her this holiday season.

That was the worst, but it wasn’t the only one that just didn’t hold up too well. I loved Nestor The Long-Eared Christmas Donkey (honestly, I still do love that one) but my kids refuse to watch it because it’s so depressing. Ditto The Little Drummer Boy. Santa Claus is Coming To Town was a huge fave, now when we watch it and get to the whole psychedelic mushroom number Jessica sings, we all just giggle and snort along.

I still love Rudolph, but really got annoyed when I realized the holiday classics DVD set includes a song that only aired the very first time the show was on. Instead of the “Fame And Fortune” number there’s this “Misfits” number, which I don’t like and don’t remember and am highly indignant about. (We also still have the old VHS so we just watch that version!)

Some have held up very well–The Grinch is fabulous. I love Max. (He reminds me of Cassie.) Frosty The Snowman is still adorable.

But in my opinion, there’s only one of those specials that has entirely withstood the test of time. It still gives me that warm, lovely feeling I always had as a kid and I still grow silent and teary when Linus explains what Christmas is all about. That, of course, is the Peanuts Christmas special.

So what about you? Ever track down something you remember loving only to wish you hadn’t? What do you think of those old classic holiday chestnuts–miss the days of Rankin & Bass or are we to make do from now on with Shreck’s Stinky Christmas? (Cute: but in no way a Charlie Brown Christmas!)