FROSTY THE SNOWMAN Returns to CBS, 12/9

Frosty, that "jolly, happy soul" whose old silk hat full of magic has turned him into a musical Christmas legend, once again demonstrates his unique showmanship in FROSTY THE SNOWMAN, the popular animated musical special narrated by Jimmy Durante, to be rebroadcast Friday, Dec. 9 (8:00-8:30 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

Comedian Jackie Vernon provides the voice of Frosty in the Christmas fable, originally broadcast Dec. 7, 1969 on the Network. The special, based on the popular song of the same title by Jack Rollins and Steve Nelson about the happy-go-lucky snowman with the "corncob pipe, a button nose and two eyes made out of coal," features Billy De Wolfe as the voice of the villainous Professor Hinkle, a magician whose stovepipe hat transforms the lifeless snow figure into an enchanting song-and-dance man.

Pursued by the hatless professor and rising temperatures, Frosty sets off for the North Pole to keep from melting. En route, the indomitable snowman weathers a whirl of adventures and overcomes the threat of evaporation.

The special was produced and directed by Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass, with additional lyrics and music by Bass and Maury Laws. The story was written by Romeo Muller.

Voices for all the additional characters are provided by Paul Frees and June Foray.

FROSTY THE SNOWMAN is followed by "Frosty Returns" from 8:30 to 9:00 PM, ET/PT.