JULY 2006 NEWS!

Restored Rudolph & Santa Figures To Be
Displayed At Chicago Wizard World Convention!
The story of the creation and travels of these 'ANIMAGIC' figures from the classic RANKIN/BASS TV Special RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER (1964), which originally appeared on NBC-TV's GENERAL ELECTRIC FANTASY HOUR, is almost as interesting as the original screenplay that ROMEO MULLER wrote for the show!

ARTHUR RANKIN, JR. and JULES BASS started a little TV Production company called VIDEOCRAFT INTERNATIONAL, LIMITED

in the early 1960's and decided
to take their Productions to JAPAN for their stop-motion 'ANIMAGIC' in a studio called MOM. RUDOLPH & SANTA CLAUS were created by ANIMAGIC technicians including Kyoko Kita and Ichiro (Pinchan) Komuro and then Animated by Hiroshi Tabata and Tad Mochinaga (the Father of STOP-MOTION in JAPAN!) in 1963. RUDOLPH was a smash hit on TV and NBC-TV in New York, where RANKIN/BASS are also based, had a display of the ANIMAGIC figures in a glass case for several years.

When my book THE ENCHANTED WORLD OF RANKIN/BASS: A PORTFOLIO was released, fans became very interested in the ANIMAGIC figures, so I wrote my book THE MAKING OF THE RANKIN/BASS HOLIDAY CLASSIC: RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER (MISER BROS PRESS). TIME & SPACE TOYS/Kevin Kreiss have always been involved with www.rankinbass.com and all of the quality RANKIN/BASS merchandise and during Christmas of 2005, the classic figures of RUDOLPH & SANTA were put up for auction to the highest bidder. It appears that a secretary of ARTHUR RANKIN's took the cast of RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER home for Christmas decorations and toys for her nephews and they wound up in a hot attic and RUDOLPH & SANTA were the only ones to make it out of that attic. RUDOLPH even had red clay in his nose and the Red bulb was missing.

Now in good hands with TIME & SPACE TOYS (They were the highest bidder after several steps of negotiation), they have been restored by our friends at www.screen-novelties.com ....MARK & SHAMUS for all RANKIN/BASS fans to enjoy! You may know their work from Ray Harryhausen's TORTOISE & THE HARE or possibly ROBOT CHICKEN.


Santa Head Before Restoration

Santa Head After Restoration
Kevin and I knew they were the BEST choice to bring the RANKIN/BASS figures back to their original glory and keep as much of their original substances intact. It was definitely a labor of love for Mark and Shamus! They were giving back to the animation community, by restoring two of the figures that inspired them to get into the business in the first place.

Now, beginning August 3rd and running through August 6th at the CHICAGO WIZARD WORLD CONVENTION at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, they will be on display for public viewing for the first time in almost 40 years! This is your commemorative photo to celebrate this landmark TV Special and the appearance of these television icons! They'll go down in History!

For more RANKIN/BASS info visit www.enchantedworldofrankinbass.blogspot.com
www.myspace.com/rickgoldschmidt

AND for all of your RANKIN/BASS merchandise visit www.timeandspacetoys.com

Rick Goldschmidt

Heaven Shines a Little Brighter Now....
....as we sadly mourn the recent passing of one of entertainment's greats:
Red Buttons
Frank Gorshin

Actor/Commedian Red Buttons passed away this past July 13that the age of 87. Beginning his acting career in 1944, Red has had an extensive career in the entertainment world. Not only did he take home an Oscar for his work in 1957's "Sayonara," Red had also starred in such memorable films as Hatari! with John Wayne (1962), The Poseidon Adventure (1972) and Disney's Pete's Dragon (1977). Red was also a Rankin/Bass alumni...he voiced the character Milton in Rankin/Bass' theatrical feature Rudolph and Frosty's Christmas in July (1979)! We'll miss him.
Click here to read Red Buttons' obituary at hollywoodreporter.com

Lane Smith Does It Again!
We HIGHLY RECOMMEND the new LANE SMITH book 'JOHN, PAUL, GEORGE & BEN' (HYPERION). Besides featuring beautiful art by our friend LANE...it has some witty humor written by LANE that often parodies the FAB FOUR. Lane's wife MOLLY LEACH designed this winner of a book as well.

Click here to order yours at amazon.com!

New Rankin/Bass Items at Time and Space Toys!
Check out these great new Rankin/Bass items available for pre-order at Time and Space Toys!

Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town Puzzle

Celebrate the beloved tale of how Santa came to be in this charming holiday jigsaw puzzle that's sure to spead joy to all ages. Features Santa Claus, Winter Warlock, Burgermeister Meisterburger, Topper, & the Kringles.

550 pieces, 18" x 24"

collector tin boxed, by USAopoly, 2006.

Click here to order at timeandspacetoys.com!
Click here to order at timeandspacetoys.com!

Heat Miser & Snow Miser Light String Set

The Year Without A Santa Claus Head Lites holiday light string. This new holiday decor item features 10 light-up heads of alternating Miser Brothers. That's 5 Heat Miser Heads and 5 Snow Miser Heads! String several sets together to light up your Christmas tree with the Miser Bros.!

boxed, by NECA, 2006.

Rudolph Checkers & Tic-Tac-Toe Set

It’s a snowy night, but Rudolph with his nose so bright will lead the way to hours of fun with 2 games in 1! Rudolph and his friends await you for a fun game of checkers and tic tac toe with a reindeer twist.

Click here to order at timeandspacetoys.com!
Customized checker pieces are decorated with lovable, colorful characters, including Rudolph , Bumble , Hermey and more. Make it to your opponent’s side and get “kinged” with one of six adorable and collectible glittery snow globes featuring the irresistibly cute Rudolph and his ever-glowing red nose. Game comes in a beautiful collectible tin with a window showcasing a snow globe and features a double-sided game board decorated with everyone’s favorite Rudolph characters.

2 Players, Ages 6+

tin collector boxed, by USAopoly, 2006.

"We hope everyone had a Happy Independence Day!"

- Rick and Mark