Why 1968’s ‘The Little Drummer Boy’ Was Taken Off TV

The Little Drummer Boy is a Christmas classic that became a fan favorite in the late ’60s due to its relatable storyline. The timeless special, which made its debut in 1968 and derived its name from a song originally titled “Carol of the Drum,” tells the story of the age-old biblical narrative of the Nativity.

Despite the popularity of the Christmas special produced by the renowned animation studio Rankin/Bass, it created a number of controversies regarding the racial-centered depiction of some of its characters.

‘The Little Drummer Boy’ painted Arabs as unintelligent and greedy people

Set against the backdrop of the Middle East in the year of Christ’s birth, The Little Drummer Boy offers a glimpse into the lives of individuals from diverse backgrounds, including Jews, Arabs, and members of various races. While most of the characters in the film are portrayed in a conventional style similar to other Rankin/Bass productions, the Arab characters are depicted in a less-than-favorable manner.

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The main villain, Ben Haramad, and his assistant were animated with features that conform to certain stereotypes, including a curved nose, prominent mustache, and opulent Arab attire. Furthermore, the Arab characters are portrayed with an offensive level of crudeness, which paints them as sly, driven by greed, and cunning while simultaneously lacking genuine intellect.

‘The Little Drummer Boy’ faced massive backlash due to its racially discriminatory portrayal of Arabs

In the ’90s, a significant wave of public outrage emerged in response to the TV special. This backlash primarily centered around the portrayal of Arab characters within the show, the primary concern of the dissatisfied viewers being rooted in the belief that these characters were depicted racially insensitively. They also contended that Arab individuals were negatively stereotyped as materialistic and child abductors within the narrative.

The widespread criticism had such a substantial impact on broadcasters that it led to some television channels making the difficult decision to remove The Little Drummer Boy, from their program lineup.