AUGUST 2001 NEWS!

Another Surviving "Puppet" Discovered!
SMOKEY THE BEAR!

Things are heating up at RANKINBASS.COM and the RUDOLPH book is just around the corner (RELEASE DATE: October 1st). We thought we would share some photos taken by GARY BUSK of the original 'ANIMAGIC' SMOKEY THE BEAR figure from THE BALLAD OF SMOKEY THE BEAR (1966).

Smokey actually held up very well and we have these exclusive photographs to prove it. 'ANIMAGIC' is something very special and we have decided to explore the entire process in a lengthy chapter in the new book, expertly laid out by book designer DOUG RANNEY (TIGER MOUNTAIN PRESS).

SMOKEY was made by Ichiro Komuro and Kyoko Kita and animated by Hiroshi Tabata and Tad Mochinaga. You will learn much more about these fine artists in the new book.

We will be taking Pre-orders for the new Rudolph book in September for immediate shipping upon release.

The book will cost $29.95 plus $4.50 shipping and it will be a 6" x 9" hardcover with color jacket. More info to come!

Look What's Coming - The Ultimate Rankin/Bass Toy!

The Rudolph and the Island of Misfit Toys'
- Santa's Castle Playset!

Arriving exclusively at Toys'R'Us for the Christmas Season this year will be this great Playset from our good friends at Playing Mantis! Santa Claus' base of operations stands over 2 feet tall from base to flagpole tip and features a fully equipped toy shop, a weather center, a Christmas tree, and 3 PVC figures only available in this set (Foreman Elf, Girl Elf and Mrs. Claus)!

This fully-furnished replica is a faithful recreation of the castle as seen in the Rankin/Bass Christmas classic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Perfect for holiday playtime and decorating, it is the ideal setting for all your Playing Mantis Rudolph figurines! It sells for $49.99 and hits the shelves at TOYS R' US late October!

RANKIN/BASS CHRISTMAS DVD COLLECTION FROM GOLDEN BOOKS/SONY WONDER ARRIVES IN SEPTEMBER, 2001!

If you didn't buy last year's RUDOLPH & FROSTY DVDs, you can purchase them this year in a gift set with the NEW SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN' TO TOWN/THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY DVD (Which will also be available as a single DVD) for around $50. Unfortunately, the NEW SANTA/DRUMMER BOY disc is lacking EXTRAS but they did use the Paul Coker lettering on the cover again and also gave RANKIN/BASS Front cover credit! For those of you that don't have the RUDOLPH & FROSTY discs, they do have some nice extras, including introductions by Arthur Rankin, Jr..

ENJOY your summer and don't forget to check my Summer EBAY auctions under ANIMAGIC1 or just e-mail Rick@rankinbass.com for availability on Auction items! THANKS!!

Rick