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FROSTY THE SNOWMAN
FROSTY THE SNOWMAN is a wonderful holiday treat that belongs in every Christmas DVD collection. While FROSTY RETURNS may only be watched once, FROSTY THE SNOWMAN has shown that it has genuine staying power and will be watched year after year. FROSTY THE SNOWMAN/FROSTY RETURNS is available on DVD individually for $19.98 or as part of a boxed set along with SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN' TO TOWN and RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER for $56.98. |
This DVD review
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DVD
reviews are Copyright © 2001 THE CINEMA LASER and may not be copied
or reprinted without the written consent of the publisher. |
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Unlike
their other holiday specials, which used stop motion puppetry, Rankin/Bass
employed tradition 2D cell animation for FROSTY THE SNOWMAN. The
style of the animation for FROSTY THE SNOWMAN is quite charming,
since the filmmakers were aiming for the look of a greeting card brought
to life, sort of like the story’s protagonist Frosty. The plot of FROSTY
THE SNOWMAN utilizes the popular Christmas song as the inspiration
for this animated tale. Taking place on Christmas Eve, FROSTY THE SNOWMAN
tells the story of a group of children that are being entertained in school
by a third rate magician named Professor Hinkle. Of course, none of his
magic tricks work and the frustrated magician throws away his hat just
as the school day ends. The children decide to take advantage of the Christmas
snow and build a snowman in the schoolyard. They finish off their creation
with the castoff magician’s hat, which magically brings Frosty The Snowman
to life.
When
Professor Hinkle discovers that his discarded hat actually contains some
magic, he tries to get it back. However, with a little help from the magician’s
rabbit, Frosty is able to hold onto the hat. Unfortunately, a rise in
temperature forces Frosty to leave town and all his new friends behind.
A young girl named Karen decides to accompany Frosty on his trek to the
North Pole- the only place he is sure he won’t melt. However, Frosty and
Karen soon discover that Professor Hinkle is following them in an effort
to get the magic hat back. FROSTY THE SNOWMAN features the vocal
talents of Jimmy Durante, Billy De Wolfe, Jackie Vernon, Paul Frees and
June Foray.
Golden
Books Family Entertainment/Sony-Wonder has made FROSTY THE SNOWMAN
available on DVD in its correct 4:3 television ratio. The image on the
DVD is very appealing; with only minor blemishes to remind one that FROSTY
THE SNOWMAN was produced in 1969. Everything appears as crisp and
well defined as is possible with cell animation. Colors are nicely rendered
with some dusty wintry hues contrasting nicely with the strong Christmas
reds. All of the colors appear stable, with no signs of noise or smearing.
The Dolby Digital monaural soundtrack sounds reasonably good, but one
must remember that FROSTY THE SNOWMAN was produced for television
more than thirty years ago. The mid-range music sounds pleasant enough
and is reproduced without any real signs of distortion. Dialogue is clean
sounding and always completely understandable.
As
a second feature, the DVD includes another holiday special entitled FROSTY
RETURNS. FROSTY RETURNS abandons the premise of the original
and tells the story of another snowman named Frosty and his new friend,
a young girl named Holly, who tries to save her town’s winter carnival
from a grouchy old businessman who invents a product that makes snow disappear.
FROSTY RETURNS is a rather uninspired special, whose characters
bear a vague resemblance to members of the Peanuts gang. FROSTY RETURNS
features the vocal talents of Jonathan Winters, Jan Hooks, Andrea Martin,
Brian Doyle-Murray, Elisabeth Moss and John Goodman as Frosty. This 1993
special looks as good as the animation will allow and the Dolby Digital
stereo soundtrack is reasonably warm and clean sounding.
Animation
and music enhance the DVD's interactive menus. Through the menus, one
has access to the program selection and scene selection features, as well
as a couple of extras. Arthur Rankin is on hand to introduce FROSTY
THE SNOWMAN and to talk about the production of this beloved Christmas
special. Also included on the DVD are original pencil tests for the special’s
animation.
