A lanky mailman with the voice of Fred Astaire explains Santa's origins in this animated 1970 special, which sidesteps the St. Nicholas part. In this version, the future jolly old elf is a foundling adopted by the Kringles, a family of toymakers. He grows up with toys in his blood, so to speak, and feels called to give them away to the local youngsters – but mean old Burgermeister Meisterburger will have none of that.