For over four decades, the animated Christmas film The Snowman has enchanted audiences with its magical story of a boy's adventure with a living snowman. Yet, one of its most enduring mysteries involves the legendary pop star David Bowie and a simple knitted scarf.
The Bowie Introduction: A Transatlantic Swap
When The Snowman first aired on Channel 4 in 1982, it featured a preface from its creator, author and illustrator Raymond Briggs. However, for its American broadcast, producers sought a more recognisable face. They enlisted David Bowie to film a new, live-action introduction.
In the short segment, Bowie explores a childhood attic and discovers a blue and white scarf identical to the one worn by the film's protagonist, James. This cleverly suggested Bowie was playing an adult version of the boy, adding a poignant layer to the festive classic.
The Scarf's Sentimental Journey
The story behind that scarf is where true warmth lies. In 2020, Bowie's son, film director Duncan Jones (known as a child as Zowie Bowie), revealed he had found the very scarf while sorting through old boxes. He posted a picture wearing it online.
This prompted Brian Harding, the producer of Bowie's segment, to share the heartwarming origin. He explained that the scarf was hand-knitted by a lady from the accounts department of TVC, the animation studio. She presented it to Bowie on set.
"When filming was over," Harding wrote, "David asked very politely if he could keep the scarf to give to his son, Zowie. This was the only fee he charged for the filming... He was charming throughout and totally professional." Harding expressed his joy that the scarf had finally reached its intended recipient: "from the dude to another dude."
Jones, reportedly responding before his account was deleted, thanked Harding for the "lovely true tale." Interestingly, The Guardian noted a second scarf was made for narrator Bernard Cribbins, who allegedly left it in a taxi.
Briggs' Blunt Assessment and Bowie's Later Collaboration
Not everyone was a fan of the starry introduction. Raymond Briggs himself was famously unimpressed. Speaking to the BBC in 2017, he quipped that the Americans wanted "somebody more important than me, quite rightly." Of Bowie's performance, he stated: "He got it all wrong, terribly. Hopeless."
Briggs did recall meeting the star, noting his "wonderful, glittering pink shoes," and recounted a dry exchange. When Bowie said, "I greatly admire your work," Briggs muttered in response: "God, I wish I could say the same."
Despite this, Bowie later collaborated with Briggs, contributing the title track to the 1986 film adaptation of the author's book When the Wind Blows. Reports suggest Bowie wanted to record the entire soundtrack but was prevented by his record label, EMI.
The Snowman, alongside its 2012 sequel The Snowman and the Snowdog, remains a festive staple. It will be broadcast multiple times on Channel 4 over Christmas and is available to stream on channel4.com. The tale of Bowie's scarf ensures a piece of that magic continues off-screen, a touching legacy from a father to his son.
