Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree

1995 American TV series or program Mr. Willowby's Christmas TreeBased onMr. Willowby's Christmas Treeby Robert BarryKermit the Frogby Jim HensonWritten byMitchell KriegmanDirected byJon StoneStarringRobert Downey Jr.Stockard ChanningLeslie NielsenNarrated byKermit the FrogMusic byMichael & Patty SilversherCountry of originUnited StatesOriginal languageEnglishProductionExecutive producerMichael K. FrithProducerRitamarie PeruggiCinematographyTony CutronoEditorsJason BielskiDavid GumpelMark OberthalerRunning time30 minutesProduction companyJim Henson ProductionsOriginal releaseNetworkCBSReleaseDecember 6, 1995 (1995-12-06) Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree is a 1995 Christmas television special starring Robert Downey Jr., Stockard Channing and Leslie Nielsen, featuring Kermit the Frog as a narrator and various other Muppets created exclusively for the special. It was sponsored by Nabisco and originally aired December 6, 1995 on CBS. The special was based on a 1963 book of the same name, by Robert Barry. In 2005, Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree was adapted into a children's theater stage production by the Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre.

[edit] The special begins with the song "The Perfect Tree", which features both Mr. Willowby (Robert Downey Jr.) singing about his desire to find the perfect Christmas tree and, within Willowby's house, a father mouse singing that he will go out to get a tree for his family (his two children, Beverly and Ned, decide to come with him). After the song is finished, Willowby asks his butler, Baxter (Leslie Nielsen) where his tree is. The special then follows the family of mice out in the woods looking for a tree. Eventually, the father mouse spots "the perfect tree", but it is far too large to fit into their tiny living quarters, so the family climbs the tree so that he can chop off the very top. Right when they reach the top, however, Willowby's lumberjacks arrive at the scene and cut the entire tree down (as they sing the song "We're Lumberjacks"). The family of mice hold on to the tree as it is brought to Willowby's house. The tree is set up in the house, and Willowby notices it is slightly too tall. He has Baxter cut off the very top, and then tells him to bring up the top part of the tree (which the mouse family is in) to one of his staff, Swedish maid Miss Adelaide (Channing), whom Willowby describes as being a very lonely person who doesn't even come down for Christmas. However, this is part of Mr. Willowby's hidden agenda of getting Baxter and Adelaide to admit their secret love for each other. Baxter does so, and while he is meeting with Adelaide, she describes her family's traditions at Christmas time. While they are talking, a romantic interest between the two of them is insinuated. At one point, Baxter notices the father mouse on the floor, but Adelaide says it is Christmastime and thus would be wrong to kill the mouse at this time. She places the mouse up on a banister, and he returns to the top of the tree with his children. After Baxter leaves, Adelaide notices that the tree in her room is slightly too tall, so she cuts off the top and throws it out the window (with the mouse family in it). Before the father mouse can cut off the top, a bear picks up the tree and brings it home to her den and family to use as his own Christmas tree. The bears engage in their Christmas festivities (The Honeypot Waltz), and eventually notice that the tree is too tall. They cut off the top (which once again has the mice in it) and throw it outside. The family of mice laugh at all they've been through that evening, only to then be picked up (along with the remnants of the tree) by an owl. Meanwhile, back at the manor, Mr. Willowby is piling gifts around the tree, but notices he doesn't hear Baxter anywhere. To his great satisfaction, he quickly finds the butler standing in the snow underneath Miss Adelaide's window, listening to her sing. The owls set up the tree in their own den, and then engage in an angelic chorus (the mouse family speculates that they never knew owls could be so musical). Eventually, they too notice that the tree they have is too tall, and so they cut off the top and throw it (along with the mice) outside. The father mouse then raises his axe to cut off a tree from the remnants that have been thrown outside, but then realizes that the tree as it is actually the perfect size for his own home. He and the other mice return to the manor. But Baxter catches Beverly by the tail, grousing over the possible mouse infestation. Fortunately at that moment, Willowby's Christmas Ball is about to begin, and as the guests arrive, he hears Miss Adelaide leaving her room. Knowing how she would feel, he releases Beverly and tells her to "Hurry home for Christmas." The mice race into their den with the tree, cheering that their Christmas can begin. Meanwhile, Mr. Willowby's Christmas party is in full swing. Adelaide comes down this time, and begins to dance with Baxter. With Mr. Willowby joining their dance for a moment, he turns to gaze upon the tree, and launches into a final rendition of "The Perfect Tree". The show ends with the narrarator Kermit The Frog leaving the darkened manor at party's end, wishing the audience Happy Holidays and good night. As the credits roll, Ned and Beverly begin relating their adventure to their mother while father dozes by the fireplace.

[edit] Robert Downey Jr. as Mr. Willowby Stockard Channing as Miss Adelaide Leslie Nielsen as Baxter the Butler Muppet performers[edit] Bill Barretta as Bear Julianne Buescher as Beverly Mouse Steve Whitmire as Bear, Kermit the Frog, Owl Kevin Clash as Father Mouse, Owl Bruce Lanoil as Owl, Bear David Rudman as Ned Mouse

[edit] Score- and songwriters Patty and Michael Silversher were nominated at the 48th Primetime Emmy Awards for the song "The Perfect Tree". The special also won a Casting Society of America award for "Best Casting for TV Nighttime Special".

When CBS rolled out the half‑hour special in December 1995, it landed at a sweet spot for families craving something off the usual patter of sitcom repeats. The pairing of big‑screen talent like Robert Downey Jr. and Leslie Nielsen with the unmistakable charm of the Muppets gave the programme a dual appeal: adults could enjoy the witty banter of seasoned actors, while children were drawn in by Kermit’s friendly narration. This mix made it a convenient, all‑age option for the hectic pre‑Christmas TV schedule, cementing its place as a nostalgic favorite for those who grew up with Saturday morning puppet shows.

The special’s concise runtime means it fits neatly into a busy holiday routine. For a cosy viewing, cue it just after dinner, when the house is winding down but the appetite for light entertainment remains. Pair it with a simple snack—think buttery popcorn or a plate of mince pies—to echo the 1990s TV‑night vibe. If you have the original DVD or a streaming version, consider watching it alongside the 2005 stage adaptation; the contrast highlights how the story was re‑imagined for live theatre, giving a fuller appreciation of the original’s whimsical set pieces and puppetry craftsmanship.

While many recall the programme for its celebrity cast, it’s easy to overlook the commercial context that helped bring it to screen. Sponsored by Nabisco, the special was part of a broader 1990s trend where confectionery brands funded family‑friendly content to reinforce their holiday branding. This partnership ensured a higher production budget for the Muppets’ elaborate costumes and set design, subtly embedding the brand into the festive ambience. Understanding this backdrop explains why the special feels both lavish and comfortably familiar, and why it continues to surface in nostalgic round‑ups of brand‑backed Christmas programming.