Jingle Bell Rock is an animated 30-minute Christmas Special produced DIC Entertainment that originally aired on ABC December 22, 1995. It was occasionally in reruns during holiday marathons on Toon Disney in the early 2000's too.
The story begins when Santa Claus is faced with bankruptcy and is forced to lay off some of his elves and possibly cancel Christmas altogether. That's when three elves, Buddy, Art, and Richie, set off for Hollywood in an attempt to win Santa some money via winning a musical talent show.
This movie was released on VHS by Buena Vista Home Video in 1996, and later by Lions Gate Home Entertainment in 2001, while its only US DVD was on a DIC Holiday compilation DVD released by Shout! Factory in 2008. You can watch the whole thing online here.
Contains examples of:
- Amazing Technicolor Population: The elves' skin tones run mostly from purple to peach, probably justified due to being magical creatures.
- Christmas Elves
- Christmas Special
- Companion Cube: Buddy's guitar, who seems to actually be sentient, such as making a sad strumming sound when disappointed.
- Dreadful Musician: Art and Richie during their audition for the music show. The reactions from those listening say it all.
- Expy: Buddy seems to be inspired by Hermey, being an elf constantly belittled by his boss for pursuing something other than the duties expected of him.
- Happy Holidays Dress: Holly wears a green version of the standard red-and-white one.
- Imagine the Audience Naked: Buddy helps Holly get over her fear of singing in front of people by telling her to imagine the people in their underwear.
- Jerkass: Art and Richie
- Mean Boss: Art to Buddy.
- Saving Christmas
- Tiny Guy, Huge Girl: Buddy and Holly
