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Description: 'The Little Drummer Boy (original): 1968'!
What does George Clooney's uncle have to do with 'The Little Drummer Boy'? Do YOU remember 'Granny' from the 'Looney Tunes' cartoons, or 'Rocky' from 'Rocky & Bullwinkle'? Or, 'Bunny' from 'Beetle Bailey' & 'Cindy Lou Who' from either of the Dr. Seuss cartoons 'Horton Hears A Who' or 'How The Grinch Stole Christmas'? And, who was the incredible voice behind these amazing characters: 'Wally Walrus', 'Barney Bear', 'Francis, The Talking Mule', 'Boris Badenov' & 'Crusty' from 'The Incredible Mr. Limpet', as well as the voices of 'Benjamin J. Grimm aka The Thing of the Fantastic Four', former president Franklin Delano Roosevelt in an episode of 'The Untouchables', 'Mumbles' from the 'Dick Tracy Show', 'Snuffy Smith & Barney Google', 'Ape Named Ape' from 'George Of The Jungle', 'Burgermeister Meisterburger' from 'Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town', or even George Harrison in an episode of 'The Beatles' cartoon, and so many more? All of these amazing voices can be heard in a truly timeless stop motion-puppet Christmas cartoon called, 'The Little Drummer Boy' from December 19, 1968! Yes, George Clooney's uncle, Puerto-Rican-American, José Ferrer, who was married to Rosemary Clooney, the famous singer from Maysville, Kentucky (Home of my father who grew up and went to school with Ms. Clooney!) is foever the voice of 'Ben Haramed' in this endearing adventure of the boy who had no gift to give to the 'King of Kings' other than his drum songs. And, Rocket 'Rocky' J. Squirrel, in real life known as June Foray is the voice of 'Aaron, the drummer boy's mother'! While that master of voices, Mr. Paul Frees is the voice of 'Aaron's father' & the 'Magi' having done more than 300 voices in his career! So, if YOU are tired of watching these modern Christmas yarns with their lack of respect for what the day is supposed to represent then check out the true spirit of Christmas in the original version of 'The Little Drummer Boy' by those famous producers / directors, Jules Bass & Arthur Rankin, Jr. with the ageless title song by the Vienna Boys Choir (Die Wiener Sängerknaben) which has itself gone on to inspire the likes of Bob Seger and Joan Jett to record their own versions! Happy holidays! - Rick Wilson, former Rock Radio Journalist with Radio Canale Grandé.
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