Bessie Blithesome is the daughter of the Lord of Lerd and a character in the Life and Adventures of Santa Claus.
Background[]
Bessie Blithesome may be beautiful and wealthy, but she's very lonely; yet, her father is the Lord of Lerd who won't let her make friends with poor children or let Santa Claus visit her. Seeking revenge for her father's wrongdoings, Bessie wishes to see Santa and ask him for a toy, when she is really in need of a friend. Mr. Claus will make her a toy to make her happy, because whether rich or poor, he shall treat all children with kindness.
Bessie is an auburn-haired girl, later woman with blue eyes and red lipstick. She wears a purple and pink royal gown, white stockings, and pink slippers. On her forehead, she wears a beautiful jewel.
Appearance[]
In the movie when Claus is refused to visit the palace of Lerd by the lord and returns to the poor children, Bessie (as a young girl) is angry with her father for what he did, saying that it was bad enough not letting her befriend the poor children; but the Lord of Lerd refuses to undo what he did since he accepts himself for who he is too much, so Bessie vows that upon his death, she will undo his wicked deed whether he likes it or not.
Later, when Bessie is all grown up and has taken her father's place, she arrives in the Valley of Hohaho where Claus meets her in person after hearing about her from Herb. The Lady of Lerd asks Claus for a toy, when what she really wants is a friend. So the toymaker asks her to comeback in two days promising to have something for her. That night, after receiving a message from Queen Lulea of the Fairies, Claus makes the first doll out of clay to look like Necile. Two days later, he gives the Necile doll to Ms. Blithesome who is very pleased and thanks him as she says that she would like to see her father reject him now.
Later, on every Christmas Eve, Bessie even hangs her own stockings by the fireplace. She is not seen again for the ending.
Trivia[]
- Bessie appeared in the Rankin/Bass TV special, but she did not speak any lines. In the Universal movie, her name was changed to Natalie.