Spoiler alert: you will need a Kleenex or two if you watch this video. I was a kid watching this when it aired on ABC in 1967 and I thought it was amazing. I had forgotten all about it, and then came YouTube, where you can find anything.
The King Family Christmas special featured the King Sisters, four singing ladies who had become popular in the 1940s. Twenty years later, they made a comeback on ABC, with a weekly music show called “The King Family.” The ladies were joined by their husbands, kids and grandkids, and it was a Saturday night hit for a few years. By 1967, the weekly show had ended, but the family still did occasional holiday specials.
During the taping of this show, Alyce King Clarke would sing “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” as a tribute to her “middle” son Ric, who was away serving in the Army. She was introduced by her youngest son, while her oldest son accompanied her on piano. Ric’s framed photo was on display, and he had recorded an audio greeting to be played during the song’s instrumental bridge.
So she started singing, and then this happened. I told you about the Kleenex, right?
