Plot: What’s it about?
This disc offers the chance to own three classic Christmas tales, which I am sure most all of us have seen at one time or another. I’ve seen all three of these pieces each and every year, as they’re usually run many times leading up the holiday season. I do like to watch these pieces on television, but I always seem to miss them or catch the tail end of one of them. Now, I can sit back and watch all three anytime I’d like, thanks to this new disc from Warner Bros. This disc features The Year Without A Santa Clause on the cover, but all three of these wonderful shows have been included here. I do admit the others aren’t quite as well known, but I do see them run on television often around the Yuletide season. The disc is good and available at a nice price, so I think would make a solid addition to any collection that needs some holiday spirit. These have always been fun to watch on television, but now we can watch them whenever we want. Below are some brief summaries for each of three shows.
1. The Year Without A Santa Claus- Santa has always been able to deliver the presents each year, but this time, it seems like he might have to sit this one out. Santa has become very ill and he doesn’t think the presents will be delivered in time, which is of course reason to panic. But Mrs. Claus and two loyal elves have plans of their own, which should ensure that the holiday spirit survives, even without Santa this time.
2. Nestor the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey- Nestor has been in trouble since he was born, thanks to his very long ears. His ears always seem to get him into hijinks, which pretty much makes the other animals and his owner want nothing to do with him. So Nestor just kind of keeps to himself when he can, but he wishes he has friends and could make a difference. When his ears get him thrown out of the stable, his mother travels with him through the snow, but soon succumbs to the cold. Can Nestor survive this snowstorm and discover his true destiny?
3. Rudolph’s Shiny New Year- We all know that Rudolph came through with his shiny nose when he was needed, but now he has been given a much more difficult task to handle. Christmas has passed and the time for the new year to dawn has come, but Father Time is unable to locate the New Year Baby, which spells disaster. So Father Time seeks out Santa’s help and since the weather is bad, Rudolph is the main reindeer for the task. With a strong will and a bright shining nose, can Rudolph locate the baby and ensure the turn of another new year?
Video: How does it look?
These three pieces are shown in full frame, which preserves the original broadcast format. These are over twenty-five years old, but these transfer don’t give that age way in the least. There is minor grain at most on the prints, which look very clean and show few age related problems. The colors look bold and true, with no evidence of bleeds or fades at all. Also no gripes with the contrast, which is even and well defined. I was surprised by this transfer, but in a very good way.
Audio: How does it sound?
Mono, which means no matter how you slice it, this one is limited in range. But it is the original format, so no real complaints, other some slight harshness in a few places. But the distortion and such is minimal, as the songs and vocals are smooth and clean throughout. The songs sound great here and really come to life, much clearer than I remember from television. No trouble with the other elements either, vocals and sound effects are loud and clear, very impressive. Again, there’s only so much you can do with mono, but this mix is more than adequate. This disc also contains subtitles in English and French.
Supplements: What are the extras?
This disc contains no bonus materials.
