December 8: Have A Hap-Hap-Happy New Year
Sequel to: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (TV Special, 1964)
The original Rankin/Bass stop-motion animated classic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer has received at least two notable sequels over the years. Today we feature music from the first, 1976's Rudolph's Shiny New Year. The song is Have A Hap-Hap-Happy New Year, performed by Red Skelton. As you can probably guess, the theme of this special shifts to the celebration of New Year's Day. The plot involves something about the Baby New Year having gone missing, and Santa enlisting Rudolph to find him, otherwise time will be stuck on December 31 year over and over.
This special is rarely seen today other than on ABC Family's collection of "25 Days of Christmas" cable programming. It's part of the post-1974 Rankin/Bass library, which means that Warner Bros. owns the rights, thus you won't see it grouped with the "Big 3" Rankin/Bass specials (Frosty, Rudolph, Santa Claus is Coming To Town).
It would appear that the 1970s were a big time for Christmas sequels!
Play The Song
Download The Song
- Red Skelton – Have A Hap-Hap-Happy New Year (Released 1976, 1:15, 3.3 MB)
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From the Archives: December 8
- 2002:
- Christmas Melody by Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse
- The First Noel by Scott Blackwell
- 2003: Frosty the Snowman from Frosty the Snowman
- 2004: Good King Wenceslas by John Herberman & Solitudes
- 2005: Ding Dong Dandy Christmas by The Three Suns
- 2006: I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm by Billie Holiday
- 2007: Blue Christmas by Chris McDonald Orchestra
- 2008:
- Baby, It's Cold Outside by Mel Henke
- Baby, It's Cold Outside by Louis Armstrong & Velma Middleton
- 2009: Zone Number Jingle Bells / Santa And The Purple People Eater by The Singing Mailmen of Miami / Sheb Wooley
- 2010: You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch by Rockapella
- 2011: Mary's Little Boy Child by The Four Lads
What's This All About?
New to Steve's 25 Days of Christmas Music? Take some time to read the explanation and introduction!
