Deck the Halls with Wacky Walls

1983 American animated Christmas special

Deck the Halls with Wacky WallsGenreAnimated TV specialWritten byMark EvanierDirected byCandy KugelAl KouzelVincent CafarelliVoices ofDaws ButlerPeter CullenTress MacNeilleMarvin KaplanHoward MorrisFrank WelkerScott MenvilleComposersElliot LawrenceAmy LawrenceCountry of originUnited StatesOriginal languageEnglishProductionProducerBuzz PotamkinRunning time30 minutesProduction companyNBC Productions in association with Buzzco AssociatesOriginal releaseNetworkNBCReleaseDecember 11, 1983 (1983-12-11) Deck the Halls with Wacky Walls is an American television Christmas special that aired on NBC on December 11, 1983. The special is inspired by the Wacky WallWalker toys that were imported from Japan and merchandised by Ken Hakuta in 1982. The toys are small plastic octopus-like figures molded out of a sticky elastomer; when thrown against a wall, the figures slowly "walk" down as the appendages briefly adhere to the surface. More than 200 million of the toys were sold in the early 1980s. Hakuta set up the TV deal with NBC, and the young boy in the special bore a "distinct resemblance to Mr. Hakuta's 4-year-old son, Kenzo." In the special, the WallWalkers are extraterrestrial octopoids from the planet Kling-Kling, sent to Earth to discover the true meaning of Christmas. The team of aliens — Wacky, Big Blue, Springette, Stickum, Crazy Legs and Bouncing Baby Boo — disguise themselves as Santa Claus, but they're discovered by a spoiled human boy, Darryl, who needs a lesson in the Yuletide spirit. Darryl threatens to inform the U.S. Air Force about the aliens, unless they help him earn money to buy an expensive toy car. At an orphanage, Crazy Legs discovers the kindness of strangers, and Darryl and the WallWalkers listen to the story of the Three Wise Men and the Star of Bethlehem. Learning his lesson, Darryl donates his presents to the orphanage. The special was not well-received, and was in the bottom five of the Nielsen TV ratings for the week.

[edit] Daws Butler: Wacky Peter Cullen: Big Blue Tress MacNeille: Springette Marvin Kaplan: Stickum Howard Morris: Crazy Legs Frank Welker: Bouncing Baby Boo, Darryl's Dad, Kenzo, Alien Astronomer Scott Menville: Darryl Cheri Steinkellner: Darryl's Mom Bill Scott: King Kling-Kling Sharman Di Vono: Additional voices

[edit] Suzanne Barnes of The Cedar Rapids Gazette observed, "I personally don't believe that the whole purpose of Deck the Halls with Wacky Walls was to illustrate the true meaning of Christmas. I believe it was simply a 30-minute commercial for Wacky Wallwalkers."

The 1980s saw an explosion of novelty toys, but the Wacky WallWalkers hit a sweet spot for Christmas: low price, instant visual appeal, and a built‑in sense of wonder. Their sticky, slow‑motion descent made them perfect for table‑top décor, turning a simple gift into a kinetic ornament that could be watched all evening. Parents loved the harmless, reusable fun, while kids were fascinated by the alien‑octopus back‑story introduced in the TV special. This blend of toy‑marketing and festive storytelling cemented the WallWalkers as a nostalgic must‑have for families looking to relive a bit of 80s magic each December.

Original 1982‑84 WallWalkers were sold in bright, translucent packaging with the distinctive "Kling‑Kling" logo. Look for the slightly rubbery feel of the original elastomer; later re‑issues tend to be softer and less sticky. Colours were limited to a palette of primary hues—red, blue, green, yellow—so any neon or pastel shades are likely reproductions. When buying second‑hand, check that the limbs still cling to surfaces; a loss of tack means the toy has aged past its prime. For collectors, sealed boxes fetch the best price, but a fresh‑out‑the‑bag set still makes a charming gift for the whole family.

Give the octopoids a festive stage by attaching a thin ribbon or fairy‑light strand to a sturdy wall, then gently toss the toys onto the line. As they crawl down, the lights will catch their glossy bodies, creating a moving star‑burst effect. For a themed display, arrange the six alien characters in a circle around a small Christmas tree, letting each one “decorate” a different ornament. The slow descent works best on smooth surfaces like glass or polished wood, so avoid textured wallpaper. A quick mist of water can revive any lost stickiness, but be careful not to over‑wet— the toy should glide, not slide.