John and Crosely had so much fun figuring out the mystery behind some of their favorite holiday stories that they are back for round two. Be sure to check out part one of the stories they uncovered!

Frosty the Snowman

Let’s talk about the world’s most famous snowman—Frosty! He first came to life (literally!) in the classic 1950 song Frosty the Snowman, written by Steve “Jack” Rollins and Steve Nelson. The tune was recorded by none other than Gene Autry—yep, the same cowboy crooner who gave us Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Frosty’s catchy melody and heartwarming story quickly made him a star, inspiring covers by music legends like Nat King Cole, The Beach Boys, Ella Fitzgerald, Willie Nelson, Bing Crosby, and even Fiona Apple!

The song tells the magical tale of a group of kids who bring their snowman to life using a hat full of Christmas magic. With his button nose, two coal eyes, and a cheerful personality, Frosty becomes the ultimate adventure buddy—just like Crosley and John! The song was such a hit that it sparked a Little Golden Book in 1951, sharing Frosty’s story with even more fans.

Then came the big moment in 1969. Frosty was adapted into a beloved thirty-minute animated TV special. Produced by the Rankin-Bass company, the same masterminds behind Rudolph and other holiday favorites, the film brought Frosty’s world to life.

Fun fact: Paul Coker, Jr., a greeting card artist, designed the characters to make the animation feel just like a classic Christmas card. And it worked! Frosty’s cheerful adventures have been melting hearts ever since.

 

A Christmas Carol

It’s the holiday season, which means it’s time for all the classic Christmas movies and stories to make their annual appearance! One of Crosley’s absolute favorites is A Muppet Christmas Carol. (Though, he thinks the movie could use a few more red crocodiles for good measure.)

This timeless tale, originally written by Charles Dickens in 1843, tells the story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a grumpy, stingy businessman who learns the true meaning of Christmas after being visited by the ghost of his former partner, Jacob Marley, and the spirits of Christmas Past, Present, and Future. Dickens was inspired by his own experiences growing up in a struggling middle-class family and witnessing the hardships faced by children living in poverty in Victorian England.

Fun fact: A Christmas Carol was published on December 19th, and the first 6,000 copies sold out in just a few days by Christmas Eve! And did you know that phrases like “Bah! Humbug!” and “Merry Christmas” (yes, it was around before, but Dickens helped make it trendy!) became wildly popular thanks to this story? Oh, and calling someone a “Scrooge”? Yep, you can thank Dickens for that, too.

So, whether you’re curling up with the original book, watching your favorite adaptation, or humming “One More Sleep ‘Til Christmas,” A Christmas Carol is the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit. Just don’t forget to imagine a red crocodile or two along the way. Crosley insists!