 Best Sellers | | Home The Original Christmas Classics (Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer / Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town / Frosty the Snowman / Frosty Returns / Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol / Little Drummer Boy / Cricket on the Hearth) | |
|  | |  | | | The Original Christmas Classics (Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer / Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town / Frosty the Snowman / Frosty Returns / Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol / Little Drummer Boy / Cricket on the Hearth) | | | | | | | |
List Price:
| $29.93 | |
Our Price:
| $24.99 | |
You Save:
| $4.94 (17%)
| | Shipping: | Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. | |
*Shipping:
| |
| | | SKU:
2227195 | | In Stock | | Availability:
Usually ships in 1 business days | | Only 2 left in stock, order soon! | | |
|
| | Features | ORIGINAL CHRISTMAS CLASSICS GIFT SET 07 (DVD MOVIE)
| |
| | Description | Includes 7 Holiday Favorites:
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Who’s got a nose for Christmas? Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer! Just in time for the holidays, here comes Rudolph in the most beloved special of all time! Packed with a sleigh full of memorable songs and unforgettable characters, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer lights up the hearts of young and old alike.
Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town
Where does Santa’s suit come from? Why does he slide down the chimney? Why does he live at the North Pole? The answers to all these questions and the origins of our favorite holiday traditions are revealed in this delightful classic about Kris Kringle, the world’s most famous gift giver.
Frosty the Snowman
Look at Frosty Go! What’s become a bigger holiday tradition than building a snowman? Watching the original Christmas classic, Frosty the Snowman! Grab your scarf, bundle up, and get ready for the incredible adventure of a magical snowman who’s got enough personality to win over the whole family. You can’t go wrong with Frosty!
Frosty Returns
Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol
Bah Humbug, Mr. Magoo! In this first-ever animated holiday TV special, the bumbling and loveable Mr. Magoo is Ebeneezer Scrooge in a hilarious and heartwarming musical retelling of Charles Dickens’ classic, "A Christmas Carol".
The Little Drummer Boy
This story has touched the hearts of families everywhere. In this holiday classic, the true spirit of Christmas is revealed when a lonely orphan stumbles upon the birth of the baby Jesus and affirms what the holidays are really about – giving and love. Featuring a beautiful soundtrack by the Vienna Boys’ Choir, this timeless tale of generosity makes the perfect addition to your holiday collection.
Cricket on the Hearth
A delightful, animated musical version of Charles Dickens’ classic tale, Cricket on the Hearth, tells the story of a poor toymaker and his daughter whom a helpful Cricket named Crocket befriends on Christmas morning. When tragedy strikes the family, it’s Crocket who comes to the rescue and restores peace and happiness. | |
| | Product Details | | Format: | Animated, Box set, Color, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC | | Language: | English | | Number of Discs: | 4 | | Studio: | Classic Media | | Run Time: | 275 minutes | | DVD Release Date: | September 04, 2007 | | Average Customer Rating: |  based on 320 reviews |
| |
| | Used and New |
| All | |
| $4.43+ $7.47 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $4.43+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Good | | | $4.44+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $4.47+ $4.62 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $4.50+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Good | | | $5.61+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $5.99+ $4.62 *Shipping | Used
- Good | | | $6.06+ $4.62 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $6.06+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $6.57+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $6.99+ $7.99 *Shipping | Used
- Good | | | $7.01+ $2.98 *Shipping This item is eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. | Used
- Mint | | | $7.14+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $7.20+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Good | | | $7.27+ $2.98 *Shipping This item is eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. | Used
- VeryGood | | | $7.95+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $8.03+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $9.49+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Mint | | | $9.95+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $9.95+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $9.99+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $10.00+ $2.98 *Shipping This item is eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. | Used
- Mint | | | $11.54+ $4.12 *Shipping | Used
- Good | | | $12.99+ $4.62 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $13.73+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Mint | | | $14.77+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $14.77+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $14.99+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Mint | | | $14.99+ $4.62 *Shipping | New | | | $14.99+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $15.88+ $4.62 *Shipping | Used
- Good | | | $15.88+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $15.99+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $16.25+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $16.95+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $16.96+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $16.99+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $16.99+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $16.99+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $17.29+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $17.99+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $18.50+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $18.50+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $18.50+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $18.66+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Mint | | | $18.99+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $19.12+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $19.28+ $4.62 *Shipping | New | | | $19.95+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $19.99+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Mint | | | $19.99+ $4.62 *Shipping | Collectible
- Acceptable | | | $19.99+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $20.00+ $2.98 *Shipping This item is eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. | Used
- Mint | | | $22.35+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $22.44+ $3.99 *Shipping | New | | | $23.26+ $2.93 *Shipping | New | | | $24.95+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $24.96+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $24.99+ $2.98 *Shipping This item is eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. | New | | | $24.99+ $2.98 *Shipping This item is eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. | New | | | $24.99+ $2.98 *Shipping This item is eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. | New | | | $24.99+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $25.11+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Mint | | | $25.11+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $25.40+ $4.62 *Shipping | New | | | $26.44+ $4.62 *Shipping | New | | | $26.84+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $29.87+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $29.95 This item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. | New | | | $29.99+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Mint | | | $34.94+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $34.95+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $35.64+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $36.95 This item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. | New | | | $37.88+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $39.98+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $39.99 This item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. | New | | | $45.10+ $4.62 *Shipping | New | | | $47.95 This item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. | New | | | $47.95 This item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. | New | | | $49.99 This item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. | New | | | $49.99+ $4.62 *Shipping | Used
- Mint | | | $55.00+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $55.00+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $58.88 This item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. | New | | | $65.55+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Good | | | $100.99+ $4.62 *Shipping | New | | | $200.01+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | |
| New | |
| $14.77+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $14.77+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $14.99+ $4.62 *Shipping | New | | | $14.99+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $16.25+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $16.95+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $16.99+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $17.99+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $18.99+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $19.12+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $19.28+ $4.62 *Shipping | New | | | $19.99+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $22.35+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $22.44+ $3.99 *Shipping | New | | | $23.26+ $2.93 *Shipping | New | | | $24.95+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $24.99+ $2.98 *Shipping This item is eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. | New | | | $24.99+ $2.98 *Shipping This item is eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. | New | | | $24.99+ $2.98 *Shipping This item is eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. | New | | | $24.99+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $25.11+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $25.40+ $4.62 *Shipping | New | | | $26.44+ $4.62 *Shipping | New | | | $26.84+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $29.87+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $29.95 This item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. | New | | | $34.94+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $34.95+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $35.64+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $36.95 This item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. | New | | | $37.88+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $39.99 This item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. | New | | | $45.10+ $4.62 *Shipping | New | | | $47.95 This item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. | New | | | $47.95 This item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. | New | | | $49.99 This item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. | New | | | $55.00+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | | | $58.88 This item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. | New | | | $100.99+ $4.62 *Shipping | New | | | $200.01+ $4.99 *Shipping | New | |
| Used | |
| $4.43+ $7.47 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $4.43+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Good | | | $4.44+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $4.47+ $4.62 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $4.50+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Good | | | $5.61+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $5.99+ $4.62 *Shipping | Used
- Good | | | $6.06+ $4.62 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $6.06+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $6.57+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $6.99+ $7.99 *Shipping | Used
- Good | | | $7.01+ $2.98 *Shipping This item is eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. | Used
- Mint | | | $7.14+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $7.20+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Good | | | $7.27+ $2.98 *Shipping This item is eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. | Used
- VeryGood | | | $7.95+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $8.03+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $9.49+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Mint | | | $9.95+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $9.95+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $9.99+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $10.00+ $2.98 *Shipping This item is eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. | Used
- Mint | | | $11.54+ $4.12 *Shipping | Used
- Good | | | $12.99+ $4.62 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $13.73+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Mint | | | $14.99+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Mint | | | $15.88+ $4.62 *Shipping | Used
- Good | | | $15.88+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $15.99+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $16.96+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $16.99+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $16.99+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $17.29+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $18.50+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $18.50+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $18.50+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $18.66+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Mint | | | $19.95+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $19.99+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Mint | | | $20.00+ $2.98 *Shipping This item is eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. | Used
- Mint | | | $24.96+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $25.11+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Mint | | | $29.99+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Mint | | | $39.98+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $49.99+ $4.62 *Shipping | Used
- Mint | | | $55.00+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- VeryGood | | | $65.55+ $4.99 *Shipping | Used
- Good | |
| Collectible | |
| $19.99+ $4.62 *Shipping | Collectible
- Acceptable | |
| |
| | Customer Reviews | Average Customer Review: ( 320 customer reviews )
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
119 of 127 found the following review helpful:
 Holiday Must Haves and More! Jan 08, 2008
By Monty Moonlight
Classic Media brings us 7 Christmas specials in one gorgeous package in its "Original Christmas Classics" DVD collection. The headliners of this set are the three greatest Rankin/Bass Christmas TV specials of all-time: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, and Santa Claus is Comin' to Town! In addition to these, we are treated to "The Little Drummer Boy", "Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol", "Cricket on the Hearth", and "Frosty Returns". Plus, a CD of holiday music selections is even included as a bonus!
Disc One features everyone's favorite Rankin/Bass special, "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." Based on the beloved song, it's the stop-motion "animagic" classic from 1964 about a little reindeer born with a nose that glows red! Teased about his nose as a child, Rudolph runs away from Santa's village and makes new friends along the way but also encounters the frightening Bumble snow-beast! Then, when a fog comes up to threaten Santa's Christmas Eve flight, it's only Rudolph's nose that can save the day! Featuring unforgettable songs from Burl Ives (who plays Sam the Snowman) and others, "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" has become a holiday tradition loved by millions!
Also on Disc One is "Cricket on the Hearth." Introduced by Danny Thomas and starring the voices of himself, his daughter Marlo, Roddy McDowall, Hans Conried, Paul Frees, and more, this 1967 traditionally animated special is a musical version of Charles Dickens' classic. It's the story of a toymaker and his daughter who befriend a helpful cricket that saves the day after the family falls on hard times. "Cricket on the Hearth" is a lesser known Rankin/Bass production and not as endearing as their bigger hits, but it is still a nice holiday viewing you probably haven't seen before.
Disc Two holds a classic that is nearly as beloved as Rudolph, "Frosty the Snowman". This 1969 classic is traditionally animated and probably Rankin/Bass's best work in 2D. The charming character designs, voices, music, and simple story are absolutely wonderful. Based on another classic song, this is the story of a snowman that comes to life when the children who built him add a discarded magic hat. Unfortunately, snowmen can't last forever unless they are in a place that is always snowy, and the nasty Professor Hinkle, the frustrated magician who threw out his hat, wants the hat back now that he knows it holds real magical power! Hosted by an animated Jimmy Durante, "Frosty the Snowman" is such a treat that it even inspired three 2D sequels so far, though only "Frosty's Winter Wonderland", from the same creators and with Jackie Vernon back as Frosty's voice, is really good. Disc Two also includes the only DVD bonus feature in this set, a Frosty pencil test.
Also on Disc Two is one of the more recent and very disappointing sequels, "Frosty Returns." Truthfully, I don't think this can be called an official sequel, as I don't think Rankin/Bass had anything to do with this 1992 rip-off. Surprisingly, this one is from the creators of the wonderful Peanuts specials, sans Charles Schulz, but it has none of that magic. "Frosty Returns", which depicts a Frosty voiced by John Goodman and with nothing in common with the original aside from being made of snow, is hosted by an animated (and for some reason miniature) Jonathan Winters in an attempt to mimic the host-character style of the Rankin/Bass faves. He presents the story of a town that is becoming snow-free thanks to a businessman's spray can invention, "Summer Wheeze." Frosty and his friends go on a mission to prove to the townsfolk that snow can actually be a good thing, but all in all it's a story that is pretty uninvolving and forgettable. What a shame they never couple the original Frosty with "Frosty's Winter Wonderland". Unfortunately, you have to buy the other boxed set to get that one.
Disc Three features what is, in my opinion, the definitive version of how Santa became Santa. Well, along with "Santa Claus, the Movie" anyway. "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" is the name of the special, and it's the third of the three big-name classics in this DVD set. The 1970 animagic film, hosted by a stop-motion Fred Astaire, gives us the story of Santa being left at the doorstep of a toymaking elf family when he was a baby, being raised by them and amongst the forest animals, going on missions to deliver toys to the children of Sombertown, meeting Winter the warlock and Jessica, the future Mrs. Claus, and going up against the awful Burgermeister Meisterburger. This charming take on Santa's origins includes the voices of Mickey Rooney as Santa Claus, Keenan Wynn as Winter, and the great Paul Frees in several roles. Like most Rankin/Bass holiday classics, this is based on a classic song.
The remaining two holiday specials are also included on Disc Three. They are the lesser known but still much loved "The Little Drummer Boy," a somewhat dark Rankin/Bass animagic tale from 1968 about an orphaned drummer boy who hates people and only loves his animal friends until a visit to the original nativity scene shows him the light, and 1962's "Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol," which presents the classic, nearsighted cartoon character as an actor in a Broadway production of his own version of "A Christmas Carol." Both specials are charming and appreciated inclusions in this DVD set.
Lastly, there's the CD, which is a mixed bag of 7 Christmas songs. They include a very brief "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" from Burl Ives, "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" from Bobby Rydell, "A Holly Jolly Christmas" from Burl Ives, "Silver and Gold" from Burl Ives, "Let it Snow" from Chicago, "Winter Wonderland" from Jewel, and "Merry Christmas Baby" from Otis Redding. The CD is an okay addition, but a 4th disc of more holiday specials or more DVD bonus features would have been preferred, or even a genuine soundtrack to one or more of the included specials.
Overall, this set is a must own for the Christmas classics lover, and my only major complaint is how hard it is to remove the discs from the lovely packaging. I also highly recommend the following DVDs and DVD sets: Christmas Television Favorites (featuring other Rankin/Bass faves and the Grinch!), Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas, Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas, Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas, Disney's Classic Holiday Stories, Peanuts Classic Holiday Collection, The Happy Elf, Garfield Holiday Celebrations, Elf, A Muppet Family Christmas, The Muppet Christmas Carol, Warner Bros. Classic Holiday Collection, MGM Holiday Classics Collection, Santa Claus (1960), It's a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street (1947), A Christmas Story, The Nativity, A Christmas Carol (1951), Scrooged, Santa Claus the Movie, Santa Claus Conquers the Martians, Scrooge (1935), How the Grinch Stole Christmas (live-action), One Magic Christmas, Babes in Toyland (Disney), National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, Ernest Saves Christmas, A Chipmunk Christmas, the Santa Clause films, A Flintstones Christmas Carol, Benji's Very Own Christmas Story, Sabrina the Animated Series: A Witchmas Carol, and more! And don't forget the many specials only available on VHS! Also, if you're into the bizarre, seek out the Star Wars Holiday Special!
136 of 149 found the following review helpful:
 Great classics + a show that does not belong here Nov 26, 2007
By Vintagegal
We all love "Rudolph," and "Frosty," and "Santa Claus is Coming to Town." "Little Drummer Boy" still makes me weep like a baby and the little known "Cricket on the Hearth" is a buried gem. I can even accept the odd addition of "Mr Magoo" (which is not a Rankin-Bass product) to the collection, but I have no idea who thought it was a good idea to put the NON-Rankin Bass Frosty special here instead of the "real" Frosty sequel: "Frosty's Winter Wonderland."
Don't be fooled. "Frosty Returns" is NOT by Rankin Bass and does not feature Jackie Vernon as voice of the venerable snowman or Karen the little girl or the story of Jack Frost trying to steal the hat so all the children will appreciate him instead of Frosty. "Frosty Returns" is a poorly written and poorly animated "special" and does not belong surrounded by these other true Christmas classics. But if you don't mind that and Magoo, it is a great collection of some of the TRUE holiday classics.Frosty's Winter Wonderland/Twas the Night Before Christmas
27 of 30 found the following review helpful:
Complete Christmas Classics Jun 24, 2009
By Colliemom
Just wanted to say that "Siver and Gold" is right in there where it's supposed to be, right after The Misfits meet Yukon Cornelius. Plus there's a cute little scene at very end (not included in the broadcast TV version) where Yukon discovers a peppermint mine...
...if your kids haven't seen these classics they're missing out!
Colliemom
31 of 35 found the following review helpful:
 Blu Ray set is OK Nov 12, 2011
By Stephen M. Lerch
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer is my favorite Christmas classic, as it likely it is for many people. Getting it in HD without having to watching it with commercials, is a treat for sure!
In the latest set (2011 release, this review is for the Blu Ray set, NOT DVD set), you only get 2 discs instead of 3. You get Santa Claus is Coming to Town on one discs and Rudolph and Frosty on another disc.
Santa Claus is Coming to Town - looks OK, but for a film in HD, I guess I expected something better. My understanding is this is due to the original masters and not a lack of trying. I would say this looks better than it likely ever did when it aired.
For the audio portion, you get English 5.1/2.0 and Spanish 2.0. For those of you thinking that you'd like to hear the film in 5.1, I can say... don't even bother. To me it sounds like all they've done is done some matrixing of the audio, with the majority of it coming from the center channel, and ALL of the same audio kind of sounds like an echo in the other speakers. A complete and utter waste. Watch it in the original stereo audio for a more genuine aural experience.
Frosty the Snowman - This one looks pretty good. They did a really good job on the restoration of this one (might have been easier being a cartoon, I don't know). Of the three (4 if you count the Frosty Returns extra), this probably was served the best during remastering.
Audio is presented in stereo 2.0 and sounds good. No pops, hiss or crackle.
Rudolph - Every year I see this coming out on home video (DVD, BD... VHS) format, I get excited that this might be the year Rudolph gets the royal treatment. Every year I am disappointed.
Video quality on Rudolph is really good. If you've seen the HD broadcast of Rudolph, you know what this looks like on Blu Ray. They did a decent enough job when they remastered it.
In terms of audio, it's presented in stereo 2.0. No pops, crackle, hisses or any other blemishes.
So if it's so good in terms of audio and video, why am I disappointed? Well, when I grew up I watch Rudolph (during the 80s) with Fame and Fortune as the song Hermey and Rudolph sing. In 1998 they returned to the original film elements for cleaning the show up and at this time they restored the original Christmas classic to it's original presentation, without Fame and Fortune and this is how it has been broadcast since.
However, this alone doesn't get me to drop the star ranking. I actually really enjoy the original as it was first aired in the early 60s.
What bothers me is that year after year, after the 2004 release, they've dropped Fame and Fortune as an extra. At least on the 2004 DVD I could watch and hear the song, even if it wasn't embedded in the video.
As I know how DVD/BD creation works, to some small extent, while it would be some work, it wouldn't be terribly difficult to create a DVD/BD that would allow you to watch with either Fame and Fortune OR We're a Couple of Misfits embedded in playback. This is a gripe, and if Fame and Fortune was at least included as a bonus, I'd have been much happier.
The other thing I hope for is a complete release. As above, give me Fame and Fortune in some fashion, but how about also restoring the Rankin intro from the 2004 DVD? How about giving us the GE commercials, the commercials that aired in the early 60s with the show, that used the Rudolph puppets to advertise for different GE products? I actually have these on DVD in a raw, non-restored format, and even if they included them without cleaning them up, I'd be so happy! How about an interview with the official Rankin/Bass historian, Rick Goldschmidt on the show?
And as a bonus, we get "Frosty Returns." I have no idea what Classic Media was thinking, but they put this on the Blu Ray in SD format. It plays back in 480p. This wouldn't be so bad, but the video is wretchedly horrible. Audio is OK, but the video issues are glaring.
Over all, I'm not sure the set is worth $30. It's essentially the same release as last year, without the third disc, so if you already have last year's (2010) release, you don't need this one. The audio and video is good given the original source material, but there's so much more that could be done with these classics, yet Classic Media seems to be satisfied by putting out "good enough" releases instead of taking the year between each release to really pull together something magical and worth rebuying.
On a final note. Keep in mind that Mr Magoo and the others, are NOT on the Blu Ray. You ONLY get Rudolph, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Frosty and Frosty Returns. The DVD does indeed have more shows. Not sure why Classic Media did this, but they did.
53 of 65 found the following review helpful:
Blu Ray Review Oct 13, 2010
By Tate
Alright, so I got this collection in the mail today and popped all 3 movies in to see how the transfers look.
Overall, I'm fairly disappointed. I think Rudolph looks the least remastered. It might just be because the setting is so white but there's very little detail and often the lighting was inconsistant (though that's probably stuck in the original film). Santa Claus is Comin' to Town looks the best. There's lots of nice, vibrant colors in it. Frosty is somewhere in the middle. The audio is incredibly soft on all 3 and not really worth noting. I'd be very interested in a more professional review from someone who knows more about the original negatives and whatnot, but as for my eye-based review I'd give it an overall C-grade.
There are, of course, some improvements. I've yet to see a 1080p transfer that doesn't do any good, but, to be honest, I wish I had been able to resist and saved $30. At $15 I'd be satisfied, but not $30.
As for bonus features there aren't any except the not-so-classic "Frosty Returns" and a CD featuring a collection of favorite Christmas songs.
Here's the tracklist of the bonus audio CD:
01. Burl Ives - Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
02. Brenda Lee - Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree
03. Jackson 5 - Santa Claus is Coming to Town
04. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - Jingle Bells
05. Jimmy Durante - Frosty the Snowman
06. Burl Ives - A Holly Jolly Christmas
07. Bobby Helms - Jingle Bell Rock
See all 320 customer reviews on Amazon.com
| |
| |
| |  | |  |
|
Recently Viewed
| You may also like ...
|
