NATIONAL POST NEWSPAPER (CANADA) 12-19-06 by ROB McKENZIE (part 1)

Here is an excerpt from Rob's article...the rest is at www.nationalpost.com (look under the LIFE & ARTS Stories)
Oddly, in the 32 years since their remarkable run came to an end, no new contender has come along to knock Rankin-Bass off their perch as the masters of Christmas television. Indeed it can be argued that as their shows become more entrenched in family tradition each year, it becomes harder and harder for a newcomer to usurp them.
"To this day it's amazing to me that these programs, which were rather simply made, have lasted in the marketplace," Bass said from his New York loft in a rare interview.
"We cornered the market," observes Rankin. He lives in Bermuda now, in a house of his own design that looks onto the ocean and is shaped like the prow of a boat.
- Tomorrow, Rudolph and the creative prime of Rankin-Bass.
Rmckenzie@nationalpost.com
© National Post 2006