Well, I've finally gotten hold of a copy of the French version of the Holiday Special (aired the year after it aired in the USA), which I then had converted to DVD from VHS. Quality is not great, but passable, and better than many copies out there.

What's different about this one, you ask?

For one thing, it's dubbed in French! By the same voice actors who dubbed the French version of Star Wars, apparently, which lends it more authenticity. And the title logo is different: it's called "Au Temps de la Guerre des Etoiles" (In the Time of Star Wars). You haven't heard anything until you've heard a French voice sounding EXACTLY like Art Carney speaking French.

But even more odd: it's been heavily edited compared to the US version. In fact, it's FAR BETTER than the US version!

Here is the list of segments that were cut:

- Diahann Carroll introduction during the intro sequence
- Lumpy flying his ship around Itchy, stealing a cookie, taking the garbage out, walking the railing, Malla looking at Chewie's picture, Itchy comforting her, Itchy taking a tape for Lumpy down from the shelf
- Saun Dann giving Itchy his gift, Itchy sitting in the Mind Evaporator, Diahann Carroll as Mermeia singing
- abrupt edit of Jefferson Starship video from beginning to "What are they watching us for?"
- from beginning of Ackmena's song to the end - cut to Leia and Threepio on viewscreen in Wookiee house
- the entire end ceremony set with Leia singing, Chewbacca's flashback

Basically, they trimmed all the most painful parts of the film, making it much more watchable. All the edits are done well, except the inexplicable jump cut in the Jefferson Starship segment (most of it is still there).

Was this done for the original broadcast, or was it done later by an ambitious fan? I can't say for sure. It sure seems like it was broadcast that way. In any case, who knew the French could recognize bad comedy when they saw it?

--SKot

That sounds like it might be an interesting thing to tackle with one of the high-q versions around. Perhaps re-edit it to those specifications to see what it's like in English?

Also, checking out the WMAR w/commercials DVD (thanks Rik!), it's not the broadcast with the classic "fighting the frizzies" news promo. I've got this on VHS an dI don't remember it looking all that terrible. I think it was the first bootleg of any sort that I bought, too. If anyone wants to make a DVD from that for the hell of it is welcome.

For those who have no idea what I'm talking about, check here and scroll down to the South Park heading. Read the last paragraph in the section. The promo itself is incredibly amusing.

Two different captures - The old one is from KCMO Channel 5 Kansas City, Missouri and the new one (better quality) is from KCCI Channel 8 Des Moines, Iowa

PM sent. There are at least a couple of other first generation copies of the HS that have turned up out there, but they still don't seem to touch the KCCI version in terms of quality. I'm sure the official Blu-Ray and HD-DVD versions are just around the corner, though. Top of Lucasfilm's list for sure.

--SKot

If anyone is interested, I've seen mention of a DVDR released in 2004 by "FORCE.Edition", which may still be available on the eDonkey network. I have no first-hand information for this release, but some details can be found on scifi.dead-donkey.com. DVD cover is here:
http://img130.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dvdcoverstarwarsholidayspecial.jpg

I can't wait to watch the Star Wars Holhiday Special!!

Whats [sic] mean - other than being an understatement

So, all that [sic]starwars stuff on the one DVD?

So whats [swar]-not that i care for askin ........

can somebody post a screen shot of the menu screens for the KCCI and KCMO HS DVDRs? I spleened one a long time ago (in a gal... never mind), and I'm trying to figure out which one I have/need. It's getting rather difficult to keep track of this wealth of OT preservation!

The easiest way to figure out which version you have, generally, is by checking for the TV station ID logo which is usually shown during the cartoon. Here is a link showing the various known versions with their logos:

http://www.starwarsholidayspecial.com/versions.htm

The only one I know of so far that was broadcast in the US with no logo during the show was the WCBS one in New York. But if it has the newscaster breaks intact with the "fighting the frizzies" bit, the logo is shown there.

Hope that helps,

--SKot