2 comments about Holiday Double Feature: The Tin Soldier/Rumpelstiltskin.

1. I have loved this version of Rumpelstiltskin my whole life. I CANNOT believe it is on DVD soon. I am forever grateful. The cartoon version on the front made me think it might be him, and it was! The exact one I grew up with!
   
   The animation is haunting and his personality is amazing. I love the songs. I'm sorry, but this DVD release is going to be a MUST-BUY for me. THANK YOU FHE!!!



2. Screen acting legend Christopher Plummer narrates these two cherished tales based on the works of Hans Christian Andersen and The Brothers Grimm. Children of all ages can sing along with these animated classics that the whole family will enjoy! The toys come to life in "The Tin Soldier!" This poignant tale of a steadfast, one-legged grenadier has inspired children since it first appeared in print in 1838, and remains a beloved parable of duty and sacrifice. It even inspired the smash hit "Toy Story!" "Rumpelstiltskin" is perhaps the most famous dwarf in all of folklore! This tale of the mysterious little man who could spin straw into gold has fascinated children for nearly two centuries, and remains a popular bed-time story around the holidays and year 'round!.

5 comments about Santa Claus Conquers the Martians.

1. If you say "Santa Clause Conquers Martians" is the worst film ever made, I won't disagree. I think I have recently seen much worse (and more costly) films coming from Hollywood (how about "Son of the Mask"?), but I am sure that even kids would find "SCCM" stunningly terrible with its wooden acting, impossible plot and incredible dialogues (a girl says to a Martian with antennae in his head: "Are you a television set?") and the cheaply set obviously made from cardboard.
   
   For some die-hard filmgoers, certain "bad" films become good because of their badness, but I seriously doubt "Santa" would be one of them. I enjoyed watching it - its robot, miniature spaceship and fearful "Polar bear" - they all look cheap, and kind of fun to be sure, but the film's pace is very slack. The "joy" of watching silly things like a bargain-basement robot moving awkwardly (and suddenly forgotten in the middle of the plot) soon evaporates because of the poor, really poor direction.
   
   [PIA ZADRA] But I couldn't hate the film for ... how can I? Pia Zadra (her debut, with her face painted green) appears as "Girmar" ("Girl" + "Martian"), who keeps watching television (or intergalactic TV from Earth). Concerned daddy Kimar insists that kids on the Mars needs Santa Claus, travels to the Earth and kidnaps him from his workshop. It's family and love!
   
   Oh, and the story. "Santa Clause Conquers Martians" - this silly title tells you all, you may think. Well, it surely conveys to us the film's utter silliness, but not exactly the content. Actually, in this film Santa (or Santy Claus as the film calls him) does not "conquer" the Mars and its green-faced residents. As I said, he is only abducted by them (together with two earthling kids Billy and Betty); Santa in fact "conquers" the Martians with toys, humor and his routine Ho-ho-ho! Here is a film waiting to be remade by Tim Burton.
   
   But seriously, the most charming part is that Martians here are mostly kind and gentle, not ferocious, brutal and ruthless killers of H. G. Wells. The leader Kimar strictly forbids destroying anything and anybody and sticks to his principle to the end. Considering the time it was made (it was 1964), maybe we shouldn't make fun of its apparently silly story about the benevolent aliens "conquered" by Santa Claus and his toys.
   
   Well, anyway, sit back and enjoy yourself. This is a "family picture" Ed Wood might have done.



2. As a kid this was probably my favorite x-mas movie because it was the only time I ever saw a kid that looked like me. I'm talking about the martian children. Also because it was just silly but then what isn't when it's associated to Santa Claus. Seriously, mix up a batch of martini's, stoke the fire and enjoy watching Pia Zadora's debut in tinsel town. If anything at least least dance to the groovy title music.



3. I've actually grown up watching this terrible 1964 "classic". As other have said, the acting is over the top, the plot is cheezy, the sets are cheaply made.
   
   But that's what makes it so much fun. There's no way Ebert & Roeper would give this thing 5 stars, but this is MY review! ;-) It's one of my favorite Christmas movies, and in my household... if Santa Claus doesn't conquer the Martians, it just isn't Christmas!



4. I loved and seen this movie many times as a kid. I have owned this on VHS for years and have not been able get myself to watch it. In fact it is still in the shrink wrap. LOL I think it's because my brother makes fun of me. (We are both in our 40's)
   I just wanted to point out that if I remember correctly, Jamie Farr is also in it....I didn't see any reviews mentioning him.
   I think I will sit down with a few drinks and watch it. I need a good laugh.



5. You can get it for a dollar at Target. And, for only a dollar, it is the best value-to-price ratio ever. You and your friends will spend hours laughing at the silly quirks this movie is made up of. Voldar, Droppo, the whole gang are going to entertain your socks off.

2 comments about Holiday Greetings From The Ed Sullivan Show.

1. just like the great one(jackie gleason).ed made sundays a treat.this brings back the good old days.now i can show my youngest daughter the meaning of holiday spirit.really big show



2. When they originally aired this Sullivan Christmas Special on network television a few years ago, it was packed with oldie rock 'n roll clips as well as old Sullivan holiday clips. On the TV special were classic performances by Neil Diamond, the Animals, Petula Clark, Sam & Dave, etc etc. For some reason they wiped all of those great clips and left only the Christmas-oriented performances on the DVD release. On other Sullivan DVD releases, they released pretty much the same content as the TV specials. I cry FOUL on this one!!

4 comments about Home for the Holidays.

1. Home for the holidays is a great little horror, suspense film with a Christmas, family homecoming setting. Sally Field is very young, and surrounded by more mature and experienced actors but really manages to hold her own. Eleanor Parker and Julie Harris give excellent performances as well and this little gem will hopefully find it way to DVD in the very near future. From there it will quickly add to its considerable cult following. I can't believe it hasn't already been released on DVD. Don't miss this film and don't forget the popcorn.



2. Little did they know! Several academy award nominees, Julie Harris, Eleanor Parker and Jessica Walters not to mention veteran British actress Jill Haworth starred in this scary suspense flick directed by Dan Curtis. We also have Academy Award winner Walter Brennan in one of his last screen roles. Little did they know they were working with a future two time Academy Award winner, Sally Field. She isn't my favorite actress, but she was cute. This film has a lot of mood and music touches by "Dark Shadows" director Dan Curtis. Searched in vain for the out of print laserdisc, perhaps there will be a DVD release.



3. I was really happy with the tape and the fast service.I remember seeing this on T.V and really being scared.The entire cast is wonderful.I recomend this film it's a gem!



4. I was surprised to be able to find this movie. I haven't seen it since I was little. I really liked it and watching it again was enjoyable.

5 comments about Bugs Bunny's Looney Christmas Tales.

1. If you're going to watch a Looney Tunes TV special (most of which [stink] compared to the true classics that inspired them) watch this. It's great! 3 all new cartoons: "The Fright Before christmas", in which Bugs Bunny and his nephew, Clyde, are awaiting Santa Claus, and end up with Taz instead. "Bugs Bunny's Christmas Carol" is a good retelling of "A Christmas Carol", and "Freeze Frame" is a very funny Roadrunner cartoon. Arguably some of the best modern Looney Tunes.



2. These cartoons are not only great Bugs Bunny cartoons, but they're great holiday cartoons as well, and certainly a far better collection than the other Looney Tunes holiday specials. My mom taped this program off TV for me one Christmas when I was little, and I've watched them every year since. My only fear is that my VHS tape will wear out. I really hope that this collection is released on DVD soon - I would buy the DVD without even thinking about it!



3. The 3 stories are all pretty good - especially the Taz Devil as Santa Claus (Santa Claws?). The only downfall of the item is that it isn't available on DVD (yet?).
   If you can still find a copy, it is worth adding to your Christmas viewing collection.



4. When my family moved, we lost our beloved copy but I'm getting us a new one this Christmas. It's great to watch with any baby boomer or kids of all ages...anyone who can really appreciate Yosemite Sam's rendition of Scrooge. This is a really fun set...not nearly long enough, but so watchable you won't mind seeing it 50 times. :-)



5. There's only one thing that bugs me about this tape. Bugs Bunny is SO lethargic compared to his performance in the old school cartoons. It's like he was turned into a slow, uncrazy, less funny, Mickey-Mouse-type character. That's not how he's supposed to be at all!
   
   Thank goodness Yosemite Sam and Wile E. Coyote continue to remain great. And Porky's stuttering is just what you'd expect. I just wish Bugs wasn't so darn slow in this one. He's less funny here than he was when playing the bad guy in the tortise and hare cartoons.

1 comments about The Christmas Dinosaur.

1. My 3 yr old daughter fell in love with this story over a year ago. Then our DVR went out and I had to return it. I had not backed it up, so I thought to look on Amazon..... thank you so much, because the holiday season was on us once again and we HAD to watch this story!!

3 comments about Lambchop's Chanukah and Passover Surprise.

1. Lamb Chop's Chanukah and Shari's Passover Surprise are both entertaining, hysterical masterpieces. Shari Lewis outdid herself in these two splendid works in which she incorporates the story behind these two very special holidays among song, dance, special guest stars, and brilliant comedy. Your family will be in uproarious laughter as you see Lamb Chop, Charlie Horse, and Hush Puppy's antics. Not Jewish? Don't fret! This video explains everything you need to know about our special holidays. It is so wonderful that in our world in which X-mas/Easter celebration is ubiquitous, you can find out about other holiday traditions. Adding to the fun is an introduction in which Mallory Lewis (Shari's daughter) revives the act with Lamb Chop!! (Shari died much too young)



2. This is an excellent and fun production. The Chanukah segment is better than the Passover part of this DVD but it's a DVD we would recomment for anyone's home library. Pure enjoyment.



3. I agree with another reviewer that the Chanukah show is a bit more entertaining than the Passover show, but both have some good, creative songs and are imbued with simple lessons about the true meanings behind these two holidays.
   
   Some of the highlights of the Chanukah show include a really cute number Shari and Lamb Chop do in the kitchen while making potato latkes, a comic bit about how Chanukah is spelled and how the "Ch" should be pronounced, and a very creative and catchy song entitled "The Eight Nights of Chanukah"--which is sung to the tune of the Twelve Days of Christmas.
   
   Among the highlights of the Passover show is a number that Dom DeLuise and Shari perform together. But there's one scene with Robert Guillaume portraying Pharaoh that could be a little scary for little ones because he looks and sounds very mean; even the way he is filmed is slightly distorted.
   
   There are plenty of corny moments within these shows, some intentional, some not. Especially corny are some of the scenes with the 'stars'--Alan Thicke in particular seems to really enjoy playing the cornball. You may have moments where you're rolling your eyes at some of the jokes. And some of the non-musical scenes can run a bit long. But all in all, there's no denying that these shows were made with the best of intentions, and they are entertaining and educational. Clearly, everyone had fun making these.
   
   There aren't a lot of Jewish holiday specials out there, so give this a chance. You won't be disappointed.

5 comments about Fat Albert's Halloween Special.

1. The late 70's and 80's were the prime times for cartoon characters. Garfield, the Smurfs, the Muppet Babies and Fat Albert were brightening up television screens on Saturday mornings for many children, me included.
   
   Holiday specials were always something I looked forward to as a child. Garfield's Halloween and Christmas specials were not to be missed as well as Fat Albert's Christmas and my favorite, Fat Albert's Halloween Special. Suddenly these annual treats disappeared off of tv and vhs copies were hard to get a hold of. Now that we have dvd technology, Fat Albert's Halloween special is going to be released in time for Halloween 2005!
   
   This special, shown for the first time in 1977, includes all the characters from the show who decide to dress up and trick people around town. Their antics result in getting kicked out of the neighborhood theater, and a visit to an old man results in him eating all of the gang's treats. They then decide to visit Old Lady Blackwell's place, and end up scaring themselves more than the old lady, who they are sure is the meanest woman in town. When one of the gang's sisters disappears into the old lady's house, they are sure she is gone forever, but are very surprised to find out that not only is she okay but happy to be with Old Lady Blackwell. Bill Cosby did a great job voicing the characters and the cheesy music was equally as memorable. This special ran through much of the 80's and I looked forward to it every year. Now I can look forward to revisiting my Halloween memories of the 80's and seeing this great special in the dvd quality we have all come to expect.



2. I have been looking for this for many many years!! So HAPPY that it is finally being released so I can have my kids now watch it!
   
   Thanks!



3. If it weren't enough we are getting all those wonderful Fat Albert cartoons from our childhoods, we're getting this special that ranks among my favorites along with It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown. I have small glimpses of this that pop up in my head but I can't remember so much about it. I just know I loved it at a younger age and the Crosby kids present many things that made that time of year a happy one...just like the whole series shows what being a kid was all about.



4. As a 30 Something year old father, it was great to stroll down memory lane with Fat Albert's Halloween Special. I remember this more than the other holiday specials from Fat Albert. My son now enjoys it, although I suppose the whole "Fat" Albert thing is a bit politically incorrect in 2005. Not that it has stopped me from purchasing it. Not too many extras on this DVD. A lame game that even my 4 year old figured out how to master after the first couple of tries. That is the reason for the 4 out of 5 stars. "Your like School on a Saturday.....No CLASS......"



5. What can I say about Fat Albert - if you grew up on this like I did, then you just have to have the Halloween special. My father used to rave about the talented Mr. Cosby and I remember watching Fat Albert all of the time with him. My brothers and sisters and I used to look forward to watching the special every Halloween and just laughing and laughing - good stuff! It is a shame my kids don't seem to wait in anticipation the way we did when we were kids for this and other holiday specials, but after I put them to bed I can stay up and be a kid again and enjoy a piece of my youth in peace! Enjoy!

1 comments about Holiday Affair.

1. I was looking forward to watching this DVD and adding it to my Christmas viewing collection. The script is very similar to the original 1949 movie; sometimes word for word; though some of the scenes and script were modified and changed for the television broadcast.
   
   The picture quality on this DVD however, is extremely, very poor; and I wouldn't have purchased it, if I had known before hand.
   
   Interviews with the performers and vintage commercials are also on this DVD at the end of this production, which was originally a live broadcast. However, The Truman Show was funny, but this was `for real' blatant, commercial phoniness; constantly conversing about how good LUX soap is and how they didn't use any other brand; and the constant false smile that Otto Kruger wore throughout, looked too painful to uphold.
   
   Many whom enjoy archive viewing such as this, may find the commercialised conversation to be quite amusing and part of the entertainment; and it would be generally recommendable if it wasn't for the almost blurred picture quality throughout this entire DVD.
   
   The sponsorship tooting their whistle at the end of the show would have left me less cynical and more entertained, if it wasn't for the almost unwatchable quality of this DVD which was certainly un-digitally re-mastered.

5 comments about Mannheim Steamroller - The Christmas Angel: A Story on Ice.

1. This definitely has to be near the bottom of the barrel when it comes to Christmas specials, although it seems not to prevent this monstrosity from blighting the airwaves every Christmas season. It is so bad on so many levels --- a typically cheesy good vs. evil Christmas story, mundane "stars on ice" skating, and of course the always godawful music of Mannheim Steamroller. In a day & age when the airwaves are littered with embarrassingly tacky holiday specials, "The Christmas Angel" dexterously combines several dreadful elements which result in a holiday experience which will burn itself onto your memory --- unfortunately --- for all time. If you like this sort of stuff, you may be grateful for this, but if you possess a modicum of good taste, you may want to avoid this like the plague.



2. This was an excellent production and enjoyed by our 8 and 10 year old grand daughters. We previewed the DVD first and then prior to showing it to our grand daughters talked about good and evil in life and that there was good and evil in what they were going to see. We thought the devil looking skaters would bother them.



3. GREAT ALBUM! Not quite as BIG as Trans Siberian but still a keeper!



4. when i saw this on TV the first time i knew i had to own it. its Dorothy at her absolute best. she is a gem in the skating world and she really shines in this production, along with the wonderful cast and my favorite Christmas music. we watch it every holiday season as well as throughout the year. thanks, Chip!



5. Thoroughly enjoyable DVD. I have long followed the skaters and skating shows. So I am familiar with the cast of this show. The addition of Mannheim Steamroller music adds to its uniqueness. I bought a sample of this DVD last year and decided I must have the complete show. Well executed wih a cute story line. Randy Gardner's choreography is amazing.