ABC’s holiday plans: return of a mini-classic

An overlooked gem will return to TV soon.
“Mickey’s Christmas Carol” (shown here) is a half-hour film from 1983, when the Disney movie studio was at a low point. It drew praise and an Oscar nomination, but was often ignored as the company grew.
Now it’s returning on Thanksgiving eve, as the start of the holiday rush from Disney-owned ABC. There will be other nods to the classics — “Mary Poppins” on Thanksgiving, “The Sound of Music” three days later — plus some newer bursts of music and animation. That includes:
— Cartoons. “Mickey’s Christmas Carol” returns Nov. 25. It’s short on comedy, music and, actually, Mickey Mouse. (He has a small role as Bob Cratchit; the real star, in a role he was born to play, is Scrooge McDuck.) But it makes up for that with animation that has a sort of Christmas-card beauty.
Also, “Mufasa: The Lion King” — using photorealistic animation — will have its broadcast debut just after Christmas, on Dec. 27.
— More movies: The Julie Andrews classics air almost back-to-back — “Mary Poppins” on Thanksgiving on Nov. 26, “The Sound of Music” on Nov. 29.
Others include the broadcast debut of “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” (Dec. 13), plus some familiar films — “Father of the Bride” (Dec. 20), “The Santa Clause” (Dec. 23) and “Home Alone” (Dec. 24).
And in the eternal dispute over whether “Die Hard” is a Christmas movie, ABC votes yes. It airs it Dec. 6.
— Music and such. Disneyland and Disney World will be the backdrop for “Holiday Spectacular” (Nov. 30) and the Christmas morning parade.
Other music specials have country (“CMA Country Christmas,” Dec. 1) and pop (“iHeartRadio Jingle Ball,” Dec. 17).
— Also: Several shows will have holiday specials in prime time. They include “Dancing With the Stars” (Dec. 1), “Celebrity Family Feud” (Dec. 3), “America’s Funniest Home Videos (Dec. 6) and “Press Your Luck” (Dec. 10).