TV or not TV?

This week on “Picture Perfect,” we’ll think inside the box, with music for classic Christmas television specials.

“The Snowman” (1982), based on the picture book by Raymond Briggs, is about boy whose snowman comes to life and whisks him away on a journey to the North Pole. The show became enormously popular in the UK and through occasional showings on U.S. television. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Short. Like the book, the film is wordless, using animation and music to tell its story, with the exception of an enchanting interlude, known as “Walking in the Air,” which employs a boy treble. “Walking in the Air” is easily the best-known music by Howard Blake.

The television film “The Homecoming” (1971) starred Patricia Neal and Richard Thomas in a heart-warming story of a rural family Christmas in 1933. Written by Earl Hamner, the film’s success spawned the television series “The Waltons.” Jerry Goldsmith wrote the music. He would return to work on “The Waltons,” though as of “The Homecoming,” he had yet to write the indelible theme.

An adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” (1954) was the subject of a special episode of the anthology series “Shower of Stars.” Frederic March played Ebenezer Scrooge, and Basil Rathbone was Jacob Marley’s ghost. But it was Ray Middleton, who played both Scrooge’s nephew and the Spirit of Christmas Present, who was given arguably the show’s most memorable tune, “A Very Merry Christmas.” The teleplay and lyrics were by Maxwell Anderson, and the music was by Bernard Herrmann!

Finally, Christmas time is here, happiness and cheer, with “A Charlie Brown Christmas” (1965). We’ll hear the Vince Guaraldi Trio perform selections from this most beloved of Christmas classics.

For once, the snow on your television screen is wholly intentional. Join me for music from classic Christmas television specials, this Friday evening at 6:00 EST, on WWFM – The Classical Network and wwfm.org.