Has anyone successfully downloaded that clip yet? Every time I try it stops cold around 83 megs.

I got the whole clip... but the sound is not synched properly

That's not difficult to fix, any chance you could upload it elsewhere and I'll give it a tweak.

http://rapidshare.de/files/30759906/harrison.rar.html

There ya go... let me know how it turns out.

EDIT: Fixed Link

So is this project moving forward then?

I'm not sure that particular clip's any good. When I import it into Premiere the video seems to run at 1 1/2 speed of the audio. Maybe someone more skilled in video editing could take a look at it.

Folks,

There *is* a project like this moving forward, the completion of which is drawing nearer. I can't say much more about it now, but when it's ready it should be very impressive, and it will be coming from a source that is familiar to you (and that's not me). No, it's not official, but it promises to be the best substitute that you could have for the real thing.

That said, I wanted to encourage Mathiias to do his project as well. It's always better to have more to choose from. Matthias, you can unofficially use anything I have out there on the website. Officially, starwarsholidayspecial.com does not condemn or condone your work. Unofficially, more power to you! If there's anything I can help you out with, don't hesitate to ask. I'll do everything I can.

--SKot

Thanks SKot, I am heartily trudging away with the subtitles right now, even though I had finished about 45 minutes worth and lost it all due to a power outage (keep telling yourself "ALWAYS BACKUP!"). And thanks to you boba feta for taking a look at that clip. Was starting to think you weren't bothering and I didn't want to hound you.

I am still working on traking down materials for this project, any help is (as always) appreciated. Thinking about including all the "Fight the Frizzies" clips as an easter egg as well...the original as well as the clips from South Park. SKot sent me a brief message about the project he just mentioned; sounds intriguing and will definitely be more feature packed than mine, but it is a project I am still embarking on.

I'm a big Weird Al fan and just recently grabbed the latest leaked music video from one of the big torrent sites. Just letting SKot (and anybody else interested) know: the music video for "White and Nerdy" features Weird Al suspiciously paying off someone, as if for drugs, and then he opens a paper bag which contains a bootleg VHS of the Star Wars Holiday Special. I plan on buying the CD/DVD of Al's new album when it comes out very soon, so perhaps I can rip and upload the video for you (maybe even just that short bit).

I'm not linking to the video due to forum rules, but search for "weird al" around the torrent sites and check it out (it was on YouTube but got pulled).

I have the two Angrysun versions.

By far, the best in terms of quality is the unauthorized KCCI-broadcast White edition with the huge DVD-ROM folder. The only problem I have with it is the menu is buggy in my DVD player and the music skips. Plus the buttons are really hard to see when they highlight.

I know what you're talking about when you say smooth the video, and there's really nothing that can be done about it since 70s television technology had that flaw in it in the first place. Not to mention the fact that it was recorded on VHS in the 70s.

Unless someone gets their hands on a master tape, and that master tape is still in good shape (I've seen footage from one that wasn't), it's unlikely we'll ever see a better transfer than the KCCI version. That one is in remarkably good shape for a VHS (not even Beta!) tape. It's possible someone could come up with a Beta tape that's slightly better, but the odds against it having with no major glitches or bad edits are rather high. We lucked out in that the KCCI version has the complete intro and the complete credits and everything inbetween. Most of the other bootlegs out there are missing pieces, or are glitchy at the beginning or end.

It's a shame that the KCCI transfer out there now doesn't have the commercials intact, and that the commercial breaks have been slightly edited to eliminate duplication of frames. But that may be rectified in the near future.

--SKot

Not as good as the KCCI edition, but worthy of preserving for the fact that the commercials are intact. Basically, the commercials are more important there than the quality of the whole show.

--SKot

Really, though, arent the commercials kind of relative? The HS was shown on stations all over the country. Wouldn't they have different commercials with each showing?

My suspicion is that somebody already has, they're just waiting for the opportune time to release it.

There was a core set of commercials that were the same for all broadcasts in the US, and then spaces left for "local programming" type commercials. This included car dealerships and trailers for films promoted by local cinemas.

Here's the breakdown for all the commercials aired during the Holiday Special:

(after Saun Dann's shop)
- General Motors: People Building Transportation To Serve People
- Kenner Trailtracker

(after stormtroopers show up)
- CBS: 60 Minutes/All In The Family/Alice/Lucy Comes To Nashville/Dallas promo
- SWHS bumper
- Comtrex cold reliever
- ILGWU: International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union
- Bell: Be Choosey
- SWHS bumper
- CBS: The Bible promo
- [local spots]

(after "What is it now?")
- General Motors: People Building Transportation To Serve People (#2)
- Pilsbury Plus Yellow Cake
- Hungry Jack Buttermilk Flaky Biscuits
- SWHS bumper
- CBS News Newsbreak / Contac
- CBS: Bobby Vinton's Rock 'n Rollers
- CBS station ID
- [local spots]

(after Dromboid segment)
- Schaper: Tobor the Sonic Robot
- Revlon Cream-On Blush
- Whirlpool: Made In USA

(after stormtrooper comes up behind Lumpy)
- Anacin: Safety With Extra Strength
- Woolite: Clothes That Deserve A Second Look Deserve Woolite
- Sheer Indulgence panty hose
- McDonalds: There's More In The Middle Of An Egg McMuffin
- SWHS bumper
- CBS: Flying High promo
- CBS station ID
- [local spots]

(after Wookiees go into the light)
- FTD: Those FTD Florists Really Get Around
- Fruit Of The Loom: A Great Buy In Briefs
- Bell System: Long Distance Is The Next Best Thing To Being There
- No Nonsense panty hose

(after Chewie's flashback)
- Twice As Fresh air freshener
- Kenner Star Wars Collection
- Colony Wine: Impress Yourself With Colony

(after credits)
- voiceover promo for Flying High
- Wonder Woman/Incredible Hulk promo

There you have it. I may do an article on the commercials in the future on starwarsholidayspecial.com.

--SKot

Check HERE to determine which broadcast was the source. As for lineage or specific version, there's no telling since it is without menus which would have provided some sort of identification. Your best bet may be to send a copy to one of the resident experts for 1:1 comparison.

The best way to tell is usually by checking for the station ID during the cartoon segment (see the link to my site that auximenies gave above for details). If there is no station ID, it may be the New York WCBS version, which only showed the ID during commercial breaks.

The picture there looks fairly sharp compared to most, but the color is absolutely horrible (the reds in particular). I don't think I've seen one that looked quite like that. If you find you can't identify it by my list, let me know and I'll help you out.

--SKot

If you adjusted the colours you'd have quite a nice copy.