Tony Benedict

Making a film is easier than making money, but fools rush where the wise fear to tread. Joe Barbera had broadcast, A YELLOWSTONE CHRISTMAS. It was a project that Tony expected Joe to take up immediately. A private investor asked Tony to tell his three young children the story. The story of two bear cubs in Yellowstone Nation Park who learn about a big party where children get lots of presents on Christmas day. The only problem is that bears hibernate all the time. The strong reactions of the boys convinced the investor and the film was financed. Retitled Santa Claus and the Three Bears, it opened in 90 theaters nationwide from Thanksgiving to Christmas in 1970 during weekend matinees at 50 cents a ticket and grossed half a million dollars in its first year. The highly speculative idea of ​​making films about the music of contemporary songwriters seemed like a terrific idea long before music videos came along. A series of illustrated songs with live action and animation with full track widescreen audio Panavision was ahead of its time.