The movie The Year Without a Santa Claus was released in 1974 as a stop-motion animated television special produced by Rankin/Bass Productions. It is based on a book of the same name by Phyllis McGinley.
The story begins with Santa Claus feeling disillusioned and unappreciated by the children of the world. He decides to cancel his yearly gift-giving journey and take a vacation instead. His wife, Mrs. Claus, tries to convince him otherwise, but to no avail.
Mrs. Claus then enlists the help of two elves, Jingle and Jangle, to visit the town of Southtown to find some Christmas spirit. However, they soon discover that the town's mayor, a selfish and cynical man named Mayor Humdinger, has outlawed Christmas and its celebrations.
Undeterred, Jingle and Jangle continue their quest and meet a young boy named Iggy, who helps them spread the word about Santa's absence and the need for Christmas cheer. With the help of a magical snowfall, the town slowly begins to embrace the spirit of Christmas once again.
Meanwhile, Santa Claus, still on his vacation, is visited by a group of singing children who inspire him to return to his gift-giving duties. He returns to the North Pole and is convinced by Mrs. Claus to go back on his journey.
On Christmas Eve, Santa, Jingle, and Jangle set out once again, and with the help of the revived Christmas spirit in Southtown, they successfully complete their mission and deliver gifts to all the children of the world.
The Year Without a Santa Claus is a heartwarming story about the importance of Christmas spirit and the joy of giving. It features memorable characters and catchy songs, including the classic "Heat Miser/Snow Miser" song. It remains a beloved holiday classic to this day.