Santa and the Three Bears

A 1970 animated Christmas film directed by Barry Mahon and Tony Benedict. When a park ranger tells two bear cubs, Nikomi and Chinook, about Christmas and Santa Claus, they become determined to stay awake instead of hibernating so they can meet Santa. Their mother, Nana, cynically tells them there is no Santa, but the cubs' faith persists. The ranger is eventually persuaded to impersonate Santa to fulfill their wish. The theatrical release includes live-action bookend sequences directed by Barry Mahon, often edited out in television broadcasts. The film aired in syndication regularly during the holiday season for decades and is marked Public Domain on Archive.org.