I remember two versions. One with a live beginning with Hal Smith and one that went straight into the cartoon. Am I the only one who remembers the first one?
shareI think I remember too. I figured it was just editing and they took out the live part to save time for commercials.
shareMight there even be three versions? According to info on Wikipedia the original running time was 76 minutes. If so, then there are three versions. But the same article also says that it was released in an abridged edition without the live action, running 45 minutes. This may be incorrect as the live action/animated version released on DVD by EastWest has the live action portions and still runs about 46 minutes total. Now, the animated only edition is not a duplicate of the live action edition with only the live action sequences cut. The opening of both versions differ. The animated version opens with song #1, the scene is looking through a window,full credits run, then we go to a Wintry blue scenic background, then a total black screen(with song #1 continuing), then song #2 with the ranger driving around in his scooter. Only the scooter scene and song #2 is duplicated in the live action/animated version with only partial credits given.
shareYou can watch the one with the live beginning on the Roku channel (if have the ROKU device, download the Roku tv app). They have a bunch of vintage Christmas cartoons on their channel.
shareAlways saw it intact. There's a third version as thge Florida Pirate Amusement park.(not to be confused with the still in progrewss Walt Disney WOrld)
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