Aaron and the Night Visitors

For January 6, the traditional date for Epiphany, here's a behind-the-scenes photo showing the making of the wonderful Rankin/Bass TV special, The Little Drummer Boy (1968). The imaginative "Animagic" production intertwined a story suggested by the famous "Carol of the Drum" about Aaron the little drummer boy with the story of the Magi traveling only by night in order to follow a bright star. Unusually serious, this very special special features sterling vocal performances by the Vienna Boys Choir, Jose Ferrer and, "as our storyteller, Miss Greer Garson"—and as is evident in the image pictured here, the production also boasts intricate sets and wondrous stop-motion "puppets". The photo is from Rankin/Bass historian Rick Goldschmidt's blog, The Enchanted World of Rankin/Bass. Be sure and check it out for lots more Rankin/Bass goodness.