These candid pictures of classic stars are pure Christmas nostalgia

See behind the scenes images of Andy Griffith, Judy Garland and the Beatles in a pantomime show.

The Everett Collection

Seeing any pictures from decades past induces instant nostalgia, especially around Christmas. Add to that the fact that these images are of some of the most famous faces in film, television and music, and you've got one swell trip down memory lane!

Take a look at these rare, candid photographs from the 1960s and '70s. Some are cast photos taken on the sets of favorite holiday episodes, while others are celebrities celebrating with their real-life families.

There's even a silly shot of the Beatles in a London pantomime performance before their famous appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show.

Enjoy these happy holiday snapshots. All images come courtesy of The Everett Collection.

Andy poses in front of a Christmas tree with first season costar Elinor Donahue and little Ronny Howard.

The Beatles show their silly side in a Christmas Pantomime in London weeks before performing on 'The Ed Sullivan Show' in early 1964.

Irene Ryan drops Granny Clampett's normally grumpy disposition for this cute photo.

Burl Ives poses with Rudolph and the character he voices in the classic stop-motion special, Sam the Snowman.

Vivian Vance and William Frawley join Lucy and Desi in a rare color glimpse of the 'I Love Lucy' cast.

June Lockhart ('Lost in Space') and Spock himself Leonard Nimoy stop by a holiday episode of the game show 'You Don't Say.'

Bob Hope celebrates Christmas with his family at home in 1964.

The following year, Bob and Bing Crosby rehearse for 'The Bob Hope Christmas Show.'

Judy Garland smiles while shooting the Christmas episode of her variety show.

Florence Henderson and her TV children pause for a photo while shooting the Christmas episode from the first season of 'The Brady Bunch.'

Can you find Bill ''Will Robinson'' Mumy in this set photo from the Christmas episode of Gene Kelly's short-lived, early 1960s series 'Going My Way'?

Kyle Eastwood and his dad arrive at the Director's Guild Christmas party in 1971.

The cast of 'The Jeffersons' gather for a holiday snapshot while taping the show.

Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams are all smiles on set of 'Laverne & Shirley' decorated for Christmas.

The Cartwrights pose with presents on the 'Bonanza' set.

John Astin poses for a Christmas photo with his real-life family (not the Addams).

Harvey Korman played multiple roles in the infamous Star Wars Holiday Special.

Elvis reads his draft notice in front of a Christmas tree, December, 1957.

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29 Comments

Yuuji 46 months ago
My reaction for Anastasia Premiere on Cartoon Network tomorrow, CN had to remove "Wonder Woman"(2017) from the December Moviefest
https://archive.org/details/anastasia_202012
DavidBartholomew 47 months ago
Hardly "Candid" photos, all were posed for publicity stills, probably TV guide

Did the I Love Lucy photo look strange to anyone else? Like Vance and Frawley were cropped in?
Hogansucks1 47 months ago
Ron Howard has that ultimate, joyfully, elated face expressions you can’t help but to smile at. 🙂
geatornez82 47 months ago
Are we ever going to let Harvey Korman live down the Star Wars Holiday Special? Poor guy must've been DESPARATE for work!
geatornez82 geatornez82 47 months ago
Sorry, I meant "desperate." I am atroscious at spelling.
Hogansucks1 geatornez82 47 months ago
You are wise to correct your spelling on this blog- they Will tear you a new one for that- I have found out personally.😆
Hogansucks1 geatornez82 47 months ago
Harvey Korman got bragging rights, anything Star Wars related was huge back then- and still is. A true diehard S.W. Fan can appreciate that. Don’t think he knew how gaudy of a job the director/producer cut the film. 😊
MrsPhilHarris 47 months ago
Love those old snapshots.
Pacificsun MrsPhilHarris 46 months ago
You know what to do, follow the link!

https://www.metv.com/stories/barbara-baldavin-had-close-ties-to-star-trek-production-and-they-still-forgot-her-characters-name
stephaniestavropoulos 47 months ago
To my knowledge, Rankin-Bass did not do a stop-motion special called "Sam The Snowman." That was the name of the character Burl Ives voiced. The special was titled: "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer." {Which just aired last week, on CBS I think.}
How could you misread, this caption? "Burl Ives poses with Rudolph and THE CHARACTER HE VOICES in the classic stop-motion special, Sam the Snowman." (emphasis added).
It was easy. because of how they have it phrased, they make it sound, (like I said,) Sam the Snowman is the name of the special. Sue me if you think I misread something. It's not exactly a novelty top misread something, I bet there might've been some others who read it the way I did it, as well.
I agree with you. It should read “the character he voices, Sam the Snowman, in the classic stop-motion special”. In fact, I won’t even mention your typo.
You said "I won't even mention your typo," You did mention it, by saying you wouldn't mention it. But, thanks for not mentioning it, and for agreeing with me.
I thought the exact same thing.😊
stephaniestavropoulos 47 months ago
I wonder if the kids appearing with June and Leonard are June's daughter Anne and Leonard's son Adam.
lynngdance 47 months ago
Omg an article with pictures of the Beatles, Bing Crosby, Gene Kelly, And Elvis? This article must have been made especially for me (and my mom 😁)
Hogansucks1 lynngdance 47 months ago
“Hey” !! You forgot about Burl, MAN !!!!! 😂.
lynngdance Hogansucks1 47 months ago
😆 It was cool that they showed a picture involving Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer though 😁😆🤪😄
LucyImHome1951 47 months ago
A fine collection of far out photos. Thanks.
WordsmithWorks 47 months ago
Where were Mike and Alice?
Hogansucks1 WordsmithWorks 47 months ago
They were at Sam the butcher’s establishment getting some Meat ! 😆
teire 47 months ago
What fun photos, very reminiscent of the times.
daDoctah 47 months ago
To save people looking it up, that's John Astin's *first* wife, Suzanne Hahn. He didn't marry Patty Duke until 1972.
EllisClevenger daDoctah 47 months ago
Thank you.
I thought I was needing glasses.
texasluva 47 months ago
What a wonderful selection of photos from past actors and entertainers. If you right click the photos (click search Google for image.) For instance Elvis you will get 100 more below which are fabulous. Many stars loved to hang out with him because he was so dynamic. Sammy Davis Jr. Was one of the many. Thanks MeTV.............
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