'Twas the Night Before Christmas is a 1974 animated Christmas television special produced by Rankin/Bass Productions[1] that features Clement Clarke Moore's famous 1823 poem A Visit from St. Nicholas, the opening line of which is the source of the title of this animated special.

[4] Although the opening credits mention "told and sung by Joel Grey", it is really narrated by George Gobel, as there is more emphasis on the point of view of Father Mouse, with Moore's poem read by Grey as a secondary plot.

Santa Claus is offended by an anonymous letter printed in a Junctionville, USA newspaper claiming that he does not exist.

There are three musical numbers in the program: "Even a Miracle Needs a Hand" later appeared on South Park in the Season 4 episode "A Very Crappy Christmas".

Similar to its use in the original special, the song is sung by Kyle to Stan and Kenny during a seemingly hopeless situation.