The Happy Elf, a new CG-animated holiday special boasting the vocal talents of Grammy and Emmy winner Harry Connick Jr., will air on NBC on Dec. 2 at 8 p.m. ET. The one-hour family film is produced by IDT Ent. in association with HC Prods.
Featuring narration and all-new original holiday songs by Connick, The Happy Elf is the story of Eubie, one of Santa’s helpers, whose overly optimistic outlook is put to the test when he tries to bring Christmas joy to the sad little town of Bluesville. The voice cast also includes screen icon Mickey Rooney (The Fox and the Hound), Carol Kane (Scrooged!), Lewis Black (The Daily Show with Jon Stewart) and Rob Paulsen (Coconut Fred’s Fruit Salad Island).
Based on Connick’s original children’s song of the same name from his 2003 album, Harry for the Holidays, the special was written by Andrew Fishman (Harry for the Holidays TV Special) from a story by Fishman and Scott Landis. Landis is a partner in HC Prods., along with Connick and Ann Marie Wilkins.
Following the world premiere broadcast on NBC, The Happy Elf will be released on DVD by IDT Ent.’s Anchor Bay Ent. on Dec. 6. The disc will come in a push-button-activated package with blinking lights and a speaker that plays a short snippet of the title song.
More information about the special can be found at www.thehappyelf.com, which also offers holiday activities and games for kids, sneak previews, a promotional trailer and chances to win $500 every week from Oct. 31st through Dec. 25. One Grand Prize winner will have the opportunity to meet Connick at a live performance.
