75 Classic Christmas TV Special Trivia Questions (Rudolph, Charlie Brown, Frosty)

There was a time, before you could watch anything you wanted whenever you wanted it, when a Christmas cartoon came around exactly once a year. You’d circle the night in the TV listings, finish supper early, and settle onto the living-room floor while the whole family found a spot on the couch behind you. If you missed it, you waited another twelve months.

That’s what makes these specials feel like old friends. Rudolph’s glowing nose, Charlie Brown’s sad little tree, the Grinch’s sly grin, Frosty tipping his hat — you can picture every one. Here are 75 questions about the classic Christmas specials you grew up with, answers tucked right beneath each one, so you can play alone or test the grandchildren who think they know their cartoons.

The One That Started It All: Mr. Magoo

1. Which near-sighted cartoon character headlined the 1962 show widely called the first animated Christmas special made for television?

Mr. Magoo, voiced by Jim Backus.

2. In the special, Mr. Magoo takes the stage in a musical version of a Charles Dickens classic. Which famous miser does he play?

Ebenezer Scrooge, in “A Christmas Carol.”

3. On which network did “Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol” first air in December 1962?

NBC.

4. True or false: “Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol” was the first animated Christmas special produced specifically for television.

True. It opened the door for all the holiday cartoons that followed.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)

5. “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” first aired in December 1964 on which network?

NBC.

6. Rudolph was filmed frame by frame with posable puppets, using a technique the studio gave a special name. What did they call it?

“Animagic” — their trademark style of stop-motion animation.

7. The cheerful snowman who narrates the whole story was voiced by a famous folk singer. Who was he?

Burl Ives, who played Sam the Snowman.

8. Burl Ives sings two songs in the special that became Christmas standards. Can you name them?

“A Holly Jolly Christmas” and “Silver and Gold,” both written by Johnny Marks.

9. One of Santa’s elves has no interest in making toys. What does Hermey dream of becoming instead?

A dentist.

10. What is the name of the loud, red-whiskered prospector who teams up with Rudolph while hunting for silver and gold?

Yukon Cornelius.

11. What do the characters call the towering, white-furred monster who roars through the frozen north?

The Abominable Snow Monster — nicknamed the Bumble.

12. Rudolph and his friends wash ashore on an island where unwanted playthings have gone to live. What is it called?

The Island of Misfit Toys.

13. Who is the winged lion that rules over the Island of Misfit Toys?

King Moonracer.

14. What is the name of the pretty young doe who tells Rudolph he’s cute and cheers him on?

Clarice.

15. In the end, Hermey’s dentist dreams come in handy. What does he do to the Bumble?

He pulls out all the monster’s teeth, which tames him. The reformed Bumble later gets to place the star on top of the Christmas tree.

A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)

16. “A Charlie Brown Christmas” first aired in December 1965 on which network?

CBS.

17. Which soft-drink company sponsored that very first broadcast?

Coca-Cola.

18. Who created the “Peanuts” comic strip the special is based on?

Charles M. Schulz.

19. A jazz pianist wrote the unforgettable music, including the bouncy tune “Linus and Lucy.” Who was he?

Vince Guaraldi.

20. Feeling low about the holidays, Charlie Brown stops by Lucy’s booth. What does she offer there, and for how much?

Psychiatric help — for five cents.

21. To lift his spirits, Lucy puts Charlie Brown in charge of something. What is it?

Directing the school Christmas play.

22. Sent out to buy a tree for the play, Charlie Brown passes up the flashy aluminum ones and chooses what instead?

A tiny, scrawny little real tree.

23. What does Lucy say she really wants for Christmas?

Real estate.

24. Snoopy enters his doghouse in a neighborhood contest. What kind of contest is it?

A Christmas lights-and-display decorating contest.

25. When Charlie Brown finally cries out, “Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?” who quietly steps up to answer?

Linus.

26. Linus answers by reciting the story of the shepherds from which book of the Bible?

The Gospel of Luke. He finishes with, “That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.”

How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)

27. “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” first aired in December 1966. Whose beloved book is it based on?

Dr. Seuss, the pen name of Theodor Geisel.

28. Which legendary cartoon director brought the Grinch to the screen?

Chuck Jones.

29. A famous horror-movie star both narrated the special and voiced the Grinch. Who was he?

Boris Karloff.

30. The song “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” was sung by a deep-voiced singer who went uncredited for years. Who was he?

Thurl Ravenscroft.

31. What is the name of the merry little town down in the valley that the Grinch sets out to spoil?

Whoville.

32. On what snowy mountain does the Grinch live, high above the Whos?

Mt. Crumpit.

33. What is the name of the Grinch’s long-suffering dog?

Max.

34. When the Grinch dresses up as Santa Claus, what does he disguise poor Max as?

A reindeer.

35. What is the name of the tiny Who girl who catches the Grinch stealing her Christmas tree?

Cindy Lou Who.

36. The Grinch’s heart was two sizes too small. By how much did it grow once he understood the meaning of Christmas?

Three sizes. He joins the feast and carves the “roast beast.”

The Little Drummer Boy (1968)

37. The 1968 Rankin/Bass special “The Little Drummer Boy” was narrated by which Oscar-winning actress?

Greer Garson, credited as “Our Storyteller.”

38. What is the name of the orphaned boy at the heart of the story?

Aaron.

39. Aaron travels with three animal friends. Can you name any of them?

Samson the donkey, Baba the lamb and Joshua the camel.

40. Having no gift to bring the newborn child, what does the little drummer boy offer instead?

A song played on his drum — “pa rum pum pum pum.”

Frosty the Snowman (1969)

41. “Frosty the Snowman” first aired in December 1969 on which network?

CBS.

42. Frosty looks quite different from Rudolph. What kind of animation was used to make it?

Traditional hand-drawn (cel) animation, rather than the stop-motion puppets used for Rudolph.

43. A gravel-voiced entertainer narrated Frosty in what turned out to be his final film role. Who was he?

Jimmy Durante.

44. What brings Frosty to life the moment it’s placed on his head?

An old silk magic hat.

45. What are Frosty’s cheerful first words the instant he comes to life?

“Happy Birthday!”

46. Who is the bumbling magician desperate to get his magic hat back?

Professor Hinkle.

47. What is the name of the little girl who becomes Frosty’s devoted friend?

Karen.

48. The magician’s pet rabbit plays a part in the story too. What is the rabbit’s name?

Hocus Pocus.

49. According to the song, Frosty had a button nose and two eyes made out of what?

Coal.

50. Where must Frosty travel so that he won’t melt away?

The North Pole.

Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town (1970)

51. This 1970 Rankin/Bass special tells how Santa came to be. On which network did it first air?

ABC.

52. The story is told by a mailman named S.D. Kluger, voiced by a famous song-and-dance man. Who?

Fred Astaire.

53. Who provided the voice of the young Kris Kringle, who grows up to become Santa?

Mickey Rooney.

54. What is the name of the grouchy mayor who outlaws toys in the gloomy town of Sombertown?

Burgermeister Meisterburger.

55. Kris melts the frozen heart of a magical fellow who lives up in the mountains. What is he called?

The Winter Warlock.

56. Kris cheers up the Warlock with a song about taking things one step at a time. Can you name it?

“Put One Foot in Front of the Other.”

57. What is the name of the schoolteacher who marries Kris and becomes Mrs. Claus?

Jessica.

58. Baby Claus is left on the doorstep of a family of toymaking elves who raise him and give him their name. What is that family called?

The Kringles — which is how he becomes Kris Kringle.

59. Which actor voiced the Winter Warlock?

Keenan Wynn.

The Year Without a Santa Claus (1974)

60. In “The Year Without a Santa Claus” (1974), Santa wonders whether anyone still cares about Christmas. Who narrates the story and keeps the North Pole running?

Mrs. Claus, voiced by Shirley Booth.

61. Two squabbling weather brothers all but steal the show. Can you name the hot-tempered one?

The Heat Miser.

62. And his frosty brother, who loves everything cold?

The Snow Miser.

63. Santa sends two elves out into the world to see if children still believe. What are their names?

Jingle and Jangle.

64. On which network did “The Year Without a Santa Claus” first air?

ABC.

65. The feud between the two Misers can only be settled by their powerful mother. Who is she?

Mother Nature.

Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas (1977)

66. This gentle 1977 Christmas special was made with puppets by the man who created the Muppets. Who was he?

Jim Henson.

67. Emmet and his Ma each secretly enter the same event, hoping to win money for the other’s Christmas gift. What event is it?

A talent contest with a cash prize.

68. Emmet and his friends perform in the contest as what kind of musical group?

A jug band.

69. The bittersweet story echoes a famous O. Henry tale about two people who each sacrifice something precious for the other. Which story?

“The Gift of the Magi.”

Mickey’s Christmas Carol (1983)

70. In Disney’s 1983 “Mickey’s Christmas Carol,” which tight-fisted duck plays Ebenezer Scrooge?

Scrooge McDuck.

71. Which beloved Disney mouse plays Scrooge’s overworked clerk, Bob Cratchit?

Mickey Mouse.

72. Which clumsy Disney character appears as the ghost of Scrooge’s old partner, Jacob Marley?

Goofy.

73. The featurette was a milestone for one Disney star in particular. For whom was it the first new theatrical cartoon in about 30 years?

Mickey Mouse.

A Garfield Christmas (1987)

74. In “A Garfield Christmas” (1987), the lasagna-loving cat spends the holiday where?

On Jon’s family farm — the Arbuckle farm out in Indiana.

75. Which actor gave Garfield his famously lazy, droll voice in the animated specials?

Lorenzo Music.

Frequently asked questions

What was the first animated Christmas TV special?

“Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol,” from 1962, is generally recognized as the first animated Christmas special produced specifically for television. The flood of beloved specials — Rudolph, Charlie Brown, the Grinch and the rest — followed in the years right after.

Why does Rudolph look so different from Frosty?

They were made two different ways. Rudolph (1964) used “Animagic,” a stop-motion technique with posable puppets filmed one frame at a time. Frosty (1969) was made with traditional hand-drawn animation, which is why he looks flat and cartoon-like by comparison.

Where can I find more trivia like this?

Plenty more is waiting. Settle in with our classic TV trivia questions and answers, or head to the big screen with our classic movie trivia for seniors.

Where do these facts come from?

Every date, name and detail above is drawn from the reputable sources listed just below, so you can double-check any answer that surprises you.

Sources

• Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (TV special) — Wikipedia
• A Charlie Brown Christmas — Wikipedia
• How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (TV special) — Wikipedia

How many did you remember? Play our trivia quizzes and keep the Christmas classics playing.