Bear Who Slept Through Christmas, The (1973)

[bunniefuu]

[Narrator]
Ever since Christmas began,

everyone has looked forward
with wide-eyed wonder

to its annual arrival.

And everyone everywhere
celebrates the yuletide season

as a time of renewed hope,
goodwill, and peace.

Everyone, that is,
except bears.

Why?

Well, because bears
sleep through Christmas.

In fact, from about
the beginning of winter

until about the beginning
of spring,

bears do nothing but...

[snoring]

[snoring]

[soft wheezing]

[snoring]

[wheezing]

Did I say all bears?

Well, that's not quite right

because there was a bear
a Christmas or so ago

whose curiosity was
stronger than his instinct.

His name was
Theodore Edward Bear.

[loud ding]
Shh!

Ted decided to stay awake
and find out for himself

what Christmas
was all about.

This is his story.

Patty Bear?

He's a Sagittarius.

Patty,
take a memo.

Yes, sir,
Mr. Bear, sir.

To all employees

of the Organic Honey Works--
[clears throat]

This year,
our annual hibernation

will begin at a quarter
past December. Period.

Honey productions
will resume promptly

at, oh, say,
half past March.
Period.

Will that be all, sir?

Oh, uh,
send a carbon copy
to the bees.

I'll type it
right up.

Ted had tried to fight
tradition before,

and he's about
to try it again.

You can tell by the look
in his button eyes.

Well, the weather's
getting cooler.

There's just
no doubt about it.

And tomorrow it's gonna
be downright cold--

12 below zero
in downtown Bear City.

I'll have
the complete forecast

and the rest
of the morning's
bear news

right after this message
from Bear-Air.

This year,
Bear-Air offers you
first-class paw space

and a variety of vacation
hibernation packages--

east, west, north,
or south.

♪ You'll fly
without a hairy care ♪

♪ 'Cause Bear is sure
to get you there ♪

♪ So let us make
your reservation ♪

♪ For a soothing hibernation

♪ Get up in the air

♪ Fly Bear-Air
right to your lair ♪

♪ Fly Bear-Air,
fly without care ♪

♪ Fly Bear-Air

[razor buzzing]

Hey, hurry up,
Henry.

Hurry up, or you'll
miss the bus.

Am I tired, Ted.

Winter's really
getting close, huh?

I guess so.

Say, Henry,
you know that--

Hey, man, listen,
not again.

Not that Christmas
stuff again.

Hey, but
aren't you even just
a little bit curious?

I mean, I've heard that--
I've heard that Christmas

is really
a very special thing
with a lot of--

Look, man,
this time of the year,

I am curious
about one thing--

sleeping.

Any greater truth

I will gladly
leave to you...

Ted.

Well, it seems to me
that bears--

they're-- they're really
missing something, Henry,
and--

Henry. Hen--
Where are you, Henry?

[snoring]

[snoring]

Come on, Henry,
or we'll miss the bus.

Now come on.

Oh, Ted.
Are you gonna make

a fool of yourself
again this year?

You tried
to stay awake last year,

and you went to sleep
standing up.

And the year
before that, remember?

You ate all
those honey sandwiches.

Yeah, but, Patty,
I thought those
honey sandwiches

would give me, um,
the energy.

Ted, you don't
even know

if there is
such a thing
as Christmas.

Oh, yeah? Well,
what about those stories

about the lights
and the music

and a fat human
in, um, a red suit

that comes
down your chimney, huh?

[Patty]
Okay, even if there
issuch a thing,

everybody's asleep.

All bears sleep
through the winter.

Just because other bears

always sleep
through Christmas,

that doesn't mean
I have to.

Okay, okay,
go ahead.

Stay awake
all winter.

This could only happen
to a Pisces.

Heh heh. And he's got
a long, white beard.

Ha ha! Huh, Ted?

Well, if it is true,

I sure wouldn't want
some fat red human

crawlin' down mychimney!

[laughter]

Look, man, why
don't youstay awake?

We'll sleep.

You can go find out
what Christmas is,

ifit is.

Aren't any of you

just a little bit
curious?

I mean, what about
all those stories?

You know those stories.
They--

They say if you
find Christmas,

you'll hear
beautiful music.

You'll see pretty lights.
And there's--

Well, there's--
there's singing
and dancing

and lots of good
things to eat. And--

And they say that you
feel really good.

Ted! Stop it!
Watch what you're doing!

Ted! Stop!

Hey! Watch out!

That stuff's running
all over the floor!

Oh, no!

Ted!
Get in here!

Why? What
possible explanation?

I've worked so hard
for so many years!

I built this plant
with my bare paws!

Now this.

Why?

Oh, I, um--

I'm-- I'm sorry, sir.

You see, I was--
I was just--

Well, I was...um...
See--

See, I got to thinking
about Christmas, and--

Christmas?

You were thinking
about Christmas?

While my honey is
flooding my honey plant?

Now, listen,
Mr. Philosopher,

a bear must build
his life on work!

I didn't get
where I am
by thinking.

If I hear one more word
about this, uh, uh,
Christmas,

I'm going to fire you
so fast, it'll make
your fur curl!

You nearly
blew it, man.

I just cannot
understand you, Ted.

I mean, you have
a college degree.

You could be
a very successful
business bear.

I think it's dangerous
to mess around

with philosophical
concepts.

And I'll tell you
one thing.

If Mr. Bear ever hears
the word "Christmas" again,

he'll fire you so fast.

Hi. Which one of you

is Ted Edward Bear,
please?

Oh, no.

Averages were down
2 3/10 points today.

Another bear market.

Our final story tonight

is an amusing one
about sleep,

or the lack of it.

While the rest
of the community

plans to hibernate,

one bear,an employee
of the Organic Honey Works,

plans to stay awake.

Ted Edward Bear

is going to attempt
to find Christmas.

And, Tom, we're speaking
to Mr. Ted Edward Bear,

who says he's going
to stay awake all winter

to look for Christmas.

Ted, tell us,
where do you think

you're gonna find it?

Uh, uh...I really--

I really don't know yet.

Well, aren't you afraid
that if you do find it,

you might not be able
to find your way back?

Gee. Yeah, I-- I--
Well, I--

See, I have to get
there first,

and then I'll see,
you know.

Before you go
anywhere, young man,

I've got
a few words for you.

So there it is.

While every other bear
sleeps,

Ted Edward Bear
will be wide awake

and out looking
for Christmas,

for heaven's sakes.

The
Bearwitness Newswent

to the Grizzly University
today

to find out about Christmas.

We talked with Professor
Werner Von Bear.

Well, uh,

we don't know an awful lot

about this, uh,
uh, oh, uh,

uh, uh, Chris--
uh, Chrism--

Christmas.
It's-- It's a shame.

You know, we could put
a bear on the moon.

We could put
toothpaste in a tube,

put milk in a cow,

but we can't find out
about Christmas.

Now, this man--
this man.

This cute-- this--
this sweetheart
in the red suit--

Santa Claus.
He's in charge
from Christmas.

Now, he's still using
this primitive means
of propulsion.

Could you believe it?
At this stage of--

He's supposed to go
all over the world

in-- in-- um--
and, um-- oh, you--

And he does it
while everybody's asleep.

Ha ha ha ha ha!

The whole concept
isreally farfetched.

Maybe with
a government grant,

a few years of research,
you could find Christmas.

But a bear would
have to be cuckoo

to go looking
all by himself.

And that's
the
Bearwitness News.
We'll be

back with the sports
and weather

after this message
from Bear-Air.

I've put up
with your philosophizing.

I've put up
with your spilled honey.

But now you've done it.

You've dragged the good name
of the Organic Honey Works
into your foolishness.

You're fired!

[brakes screech]

[snoring]

Okay, next. Where to?
East, west, north, south,
the woods, the mountains, where?

The mountains west.

Mountains west it is.
Okay, next. Where to?

East, west, north, south,
the woods, the mountain,
where?

Uh, Christmas.

Come again, pal?

I said,
uh, Christmas.

I'd like to go
to Christmas.

Christmas?
Ha ha ha ha.

Ha ha ha ha ha!

Ha ha ha ha
ha ha ha ha!

Did you hear that, folks?
We got a bear here

wants to buy
a ticket to Christmas!
[laughter]

He wants to find
Christmas!

[laughter]

Look, pal, you can't buy
a ticket to Christmas.

Christmas isn't a place.
It's a thing.

♪ I'm goin' on
my bear vacation ♪

♪ My once a year
fun hibernation ♪

[hums sleepily]

Oh, next year
you've gotta try

hibernating up north,
Henry, by the river.

That's where all
the movie bears go.

I wonder where Ted is.

He said
he'd meet us here.

[laughter]

Oh, no.

What'd you do
now, man?

I just-- I just tryin'
to buy a ticket
to Christmas.

Why, Ted?

Because-- Because
ever since I was a cub,

I wanted to know
what Christmas was.

And every year,
I tried to stay
awake and see,

and-- and I couldn't
stay awake, and--

and be-- Maybe this year,
things'll be different.

Things won't be different.

It's youwho are different.

Oh, Ted, they're
all laughing at you.

Final call
for Bear-Air flight 145,

vacation hibernation service
for Polarville,

Forest City,
and beautiful downtown
Bearbank.

Now in the final
boarding stages
at Gate 11.

Well...

good luck, man.

Goodbye, Ted.

Goodbye, Patty. I--

I really wish
things could be
different.

So do I, Ted.

[Narrator]
And so it was

that a very tired
Ted Edward Bear

set off one winter's day
to find out for himself

what Christmas was all about.

Looking for Christmas

isn't the easiest thing
a bear can do.

But Ted, as tired
as he was, pushed on.

He was one determined bear.

In spite of whatever
hardships he might encounter,

he was confident
that he would eventually
find Christmas.

[animal howling]

[howling]

[howling]

[panting]

[growling]

[cracking]

Excuse me, sir.

Which way to,
uh, Christmas?

Whatcha hollering
about, pal?

You see, I'm-- I'm
trying to find Christmas.

Well! Ain't that
just so sweet!

Listen, mac.

Why don't you try
33rd Street?

[traffic noises]

[dog barking]

[horn honks]

[horn honks]

♪♪ [band playing
"Good King Wenceslas"]

[chorus]
♪ It's a very merry

♪ Holly berry

♪ Happy Christmas Day

♪ And we wish you all
a Merry Christmas ♪

♪ In the Christmas way

♪ Merry Christmas to you

♪ And may the season
bring you joy ♪

♪ Merry Christmas

♪ Merry Christmas

♪ Merry Christmas,
every girl and boy ♪

♪ It's a very
Merry Christmas ♪

♪ And we wish you
Christmas cheer ♪

♪ And we hope you keep
this happy Christmas ♪

♪ Feeling through the year

♪ Merry Christmas

♪ Merry Christmas

♪ May the dreams
you dream come true ♪

♪ Have a very
Merry Christmas ♪

♪ Merry Christmas to you

♪♪ [pipes playing notes]

♪ Merry Christmas

♪ Merry Christmas

♪ May the dreams
you dream come true ♪

♪ Have a very
Merry Christmas ♪

♪ Merry Christmas

♪ To you

♪♪ [bells playing
"Jingle Bells"]

Is this where
Christmas is?

He won't talk.

Well, why not?

Been asleep for weeks.

Uh, hey, can you
help me, then, Miss?

Well, hey, what
about you, Captain?

I just gotta find Christmas

before I fall asleep
like everybody else.

It won't be long now.

Christmas is just
a few hours away.

Few hours away?

Wow! That's the closest
I've ever come to it.

That's why
we're half off.

You're half off?

That's right, pal.

On the last night,
they mark us half off.

I used to be $25.

Now I'm only 12.98.

If we don't
get bought,

there's no Christmas
for us.

It's back to the stockroom
instead.

To wait
another whole year.

You mean--
You don't mean that--

You mean Christmas
isn't coming here?

I'm afraid not.
You see,

[slowing down]
they're shutting us
down already.

But I-- But I stayed
awake so long.

Longer than I've ever
been able to stay awake
before in my life.

And I've come
so far from home.

I just can't miss
Christmas now.

Then you'd better
get out real quick.

[slowing down]
They're locking
the doors right now.

They're-- Hey, wait!

Hey, don't lock me in!
Wait!

No! This--

This can't be
happening to me.

Not to me, not now.

Not after
I've tried so hard.

Someone...

please help me!

That window.

Maybe it's open. That--

Oh, no! It's locked!

Yii!

Ohh!

Uhh. Oh, thank goodness.
Oh, thank goodness.

Hey, wait!
Hey, wait, please!

Well. Can I help you,
young bear?

Uh. Oh, I-- I don't think
that anybody can.

What are you
looking for?

You see, I'm tryin'--
I'm tryin' to find
Christmas.

I heard stories about it,
and I know I'm close.

But, you know, you--
I'm so tired.

May-- Maybe I was crazy
for trying to find Christmas.

No, you're not.

Christmas is
a very important thing
to discover.

Only you won't
find it on a map.

Then where will I find it?

It's inside yourself.

I don't understand.

Well, you see,

Christmas isn't
a place or a thing

or even a time.

It's something
you carry around
in your heart.

It's a way of acting
towards others,

a way of feeling
about the world.

Christmas
is a way of giving.

But, you see, I don't
have anything to give.

Let me tell you,

the greatest gifts
that anybody can give

are not those presents
you buy.

And youhave
very much to give.

I do?

You mean-- You mean
like your sign says?

Something like that.

Yeah, but if--
if Christmas is so great,

why-- why do they have it
only once a year?

That, my boy, is something
I wish I could answer.

Wake up. Wake up.

Now, listen.

If you
can stay awake,

I will help you
find Christmas.

You will?

Tell you what.

Go down this street
about three blocks

to number 501.

Go up to the top floor.

That's where
you'll find Christmas.

Yeah, but how will I know?

You'll know.

It'll be everything you ever
dreamed Christmas would be.

Oh. Thanks a lot.

You're welcome.

And Merry Christmas!

[chorus]
♪ Where can I
find Christmas? ♪

♪ Where can Christmas be?

♪ Where and what
is Christmas? ♪

♪ Is it something

♪ I can see?

♪ Where can I
find Christmas ♪

♪ And the dreams
I'm dreaming of? ♪

♪ I know that there's
a Christmas somewhere ♪

♪ That is filled
with joy and love ♪

That's the most
beautiful Christmas tree
in the world, Daddy.

Doesn't seem like
very much under the tree,
does it, dear?

Oh, there'll be more.

I told Santa
what I wanted.

[Mother]
Well, you'd better
get to bed, dear.

Good night, Mommy.

Good night, Daddy.

Merry Christmas.

This is Christmas?

Well, maybe I got
the wrong place.

Well...I know I'm close,

so I'll just--

Maybe I'll just
take a short nap,

and then I'll go out
and look again.

Hey. Little bear.
Wake up.

Huh? Wh--

Oh. Oh.
Am I glad to see you.

I-- I-- I think
must've gotten probably
the wrong address.

No. You got
the right one.

You mean I can find
Christmas here?

Yes, you can.

Christmas is going
to be here in just
a few minutes.

But you must remember
what I told you.

Christmas
is that certain glow

that just, uh--

it just can't
be defined.

It's a happy,
happy feeling

deep inside

that you get

when you are kind.

[door opens]

I thought I heard
a noise in here.

I did, too.

Oh, Mommy!
Daddy, look!

It's the little bear.

I knew Santa
would bring him.

♪ Now that I've
found Christmas ♪

♪ And the joy
I'm thinking of ♪

♪ I'll tell the world

♪ That finding Christmas

♪ Is a simple thing
called love ♪

[Narrator]
And at that,

Ted Edward Bear smiled

and went to sleep.

He found Christmas.