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HAPPY HOLIDAYS: BEST OF THE ANDY WILLIAMS CHRISTMAS SHOWS, THE (TV)

Summary

This special presents the best moments from the "The Andy Williams Christmas Show," an annual event from 1962 to 1973. Along with musical highlights from shows, the production includes biographical information about Williams and how he began a solo career after his three brothers ended their family act, photographs of Williams and his extended clan, and remembrances from Williams, frequent guest Donny Osmond, and Andy's son, Bobby. The program opens with Williams performing "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" in a "Victorian village" with dancers frozen in place. Other Williams's performances include: "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas"; "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)"; "Moon River"; "Sleigh Ride"; "Silent Night"; "White Christmas" (while dancing with his mother as his father looks on); "O Holy Night"; "We Need a Little Christmas"; singing a winter song while ice skating; "Mary's Boy Child (Long Time Ago in Bethlehem)" with his family present; "Ave Maria"; and "You Meet the Nicest People at Christmas." Performances of The Williams Brothers (Andy with Bob, Dick, and Don) include:"Caroling, Caroling"; "O Come Let Us Adore Him"; "Winter Wonderland"; "Jingle Bells," before discussing the rumor that they aren't "really" brothers; "Carol of the Bells"; "I'll Be Home for Christmas"; discussing Christmas Eve before lip-syncing "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" with the voices of The Chipmunks; and "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)." Performances from the Osmond Brothers (Donny, Jay, Wayne, Merrill, and Alan) include: a lyric-less version of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas"; a medley of "Here We Come A-Caroling," "Joy to the World," and "Deck the Halls"; and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" which transits into the full Williams family's performance of the song, featuring Andy's young son Christian. Williams's children Noelle and Bobby are also shown playing with their father. Andy joins Jay, Wayne, Merrill, and Alan for "Silver Bells," which they play out on a series of bells after singing the song. The Williams Brothers and Osmond Brothers jointly perform "The Holiday Season (Happy Holiday"); and Donny solos on "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear." Bobby Williams and Donny Osmond offer their thoughts on the lasting legacy of the Christmas shows before Andy offers his own feelings. This program is closed-captioned. Cataloging of this program was made possible by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Details

  • NETWORK: PBS
  • DATE: 2001
  • RUNNING TIME: 1:01:03
  • COLOR/B&W: Color
  • CATALOG ID: T:78768
  • GENRE: Music
  • SUBJECT HEADING: Christmas music
  • SERIES RUN: PBS - TV, 2001
  • COMMERCIALS: N/A

CREDITS

  • David Leaf … Producer, Director, Writer
  • John Scheinfeld … Producer, Director, Writer
  • Leslie A. Coffee … Associate Producer
  • Bobby Williams … Production (Misc.), Consulting Producer
  • The Osmond Brothers … Performers
  • The Williams Brothers … Performers
  • Andy Williams … Performer
  • Bob Williams … Performer
  • Bobby Williams … Performer
  • Christian Williams … Performer
  • Dick Williams … Performer
  • Don Williams … Performer
  • Noelle Williams … Performer
  • Donny Osmond … Performer
  • Wayne Osmond … Performer
  • Merrill Osmond … Performer
  • Jay Osmond … Performer
  • Alan Osmond … Performer