Before the Howdy

Narratique

Before he said “Howdy,” he was Santa Claus. In 1949, Kerens, Texas, built a giant Santa to bring Christmas shoppers back to town. That unlikely attraction became Big Tex. This six-part documentary follows the builders, setbacks, $750 sale, transformation, fire, and enduring legacy of a Texas icon. With historical accounts, dramatic readings, music, and sound effects. Production note: AI-generated voices and music; recreated effects. Historical readings and newly written questions are dramatizations, not archival recordings or new interviews.

Episodes

  1. Sep 29

    6. The Town Inside the Cowboy

    The 2012 fire destroys the familiar cowboy, but the character returns through a new undertaking. The finale follows the rebuilding, the memories attached to Big Tex, and the Kerens work that remains essential to his story. Season 1, episode 6 of 6. A Narratique production. This documentary uses AI-generated narration and character voices, with original AI-generated music and recreated sound effects. Historical quotations are identified dramatic readings, not archival recordings or newly conducted interviews. Questions are newly written.

  2. Sep 29

    5. Making Big Tex

    Artist Jack Bridges transforms the Kerens Santa into a cowboy. Big Tex debuts in 1952, gains a voice the following year, and becomes an annual presence. How design, performance, and repeated visits turn an attraction into a tradition. Season 1, episode 5 of 6. A Narratique production. This documentary uses AI-generated narration and character voices, with original AI-generated music and recreated sound effects. Historical quotations are identified dramatic readings, not archival recordings or newly conducted interviews. Questions are newly written.

  3. Sep 29

    4. Santa for Sale

    Two Christmas seasons later, the novelty is fading. Santa is offered for sale: a thousand dollars with the chimney, seven hundred fifty without. Brister’s sales effort leads to a photograph, a meeting in Dallas, and the transaction that changes the giant’s future. Season 1, episode 4 of 6. A Narratique production. This documentary uses AI-generated narration and character voices, with original AI-generated music and recreated sound effects. Historical quotations are identified dramatic readings, not archival recordings or newly conducted interviews. Questions are newly written.

  4. Sep 29

    3. The Giant Falls

    Publicity brings attention to Kerens. Then a storm brings Santa down. The town repairs its giant, photographs travel, and Brister remembers trains stopping to give passengers a look. A story of spectacle, setback, and persistence. Season 1, episode 3 of 6. A Narratique production. This documentary uses AI-generated narration and character voices, with original AI-generated music and recreated sound effects. Historical quotations are identified dramatic readings, not archival recordings or newly conducted interviews. Questions are newly written.

  5. Sep 29

    2. Everybody Builds Santa

    Pipe, chicken wire, red oilcloth, a papier-mâché face, and a beard unraveled by hand: the giant Santa takes shape. Students, factory workers, artists, and utility crews turn a promoter’s idea into a public surprise. Season 1, episode 2 of 6. A Narratique production. This documentary uses AI-generated narration and character voices, with original AI-generated music and recreated sound effects. Historical quotations are identified dramatic readings, not archival recordings or newly conducted interviews. Questions are newly written.

  6. Sep 29

    1. A Town Needs a Miracle

    In 1949, Kerens, Texas needed a reason for Christmas shoppers to stay in town. Howell Brister proposed an enormous Santa Claus—and asked his neighbors to help make it real. The opening chapter of the story behind Big Tex. Season 1, episode 1 of 6. A Narratique production. This documentary uses AI-generated narration and character voices, with original AI-generated music and recreated sound effects. Historical quotations are identified dramatic readings, not archival recordings or newly conducted interviews. Questions are newly written.

  • 6 Episodes

About

Before he said “Howdy,” he was Santa Claus. In 1949, Kerens, Texas, built a giant Santa to bring Christmas shoppers back to town. That unlikely attraction became Big Tex. This six-part documentary follows the builders, setbacks, $750 sale, transformation, fire, and enduring legacy of a Texas icon. With historical accounts, dramatic readings, music, and sound effects. Production note: AI-generated voices and music; recreated effects. Historical readings and newly written questions are dramatizations, not archival recordings or new interviews.

Information

  • Creator
    Narratique
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    6
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Narratique
  • Show Website
    Before the Howdy