Disney has just released The Muppet Christmas Carol for the second time on DVD. The first release was no-frills pan-and-scan only. This time the disc does contain the threatrical cut in 16:9, but only the pan-and-scan version contains the crucial song that the studio insisted that the director cut for its theatrical release. (Execs thougt scene with no Muppets would make the kiddies squirm.) The song had been included in all previous home video releases. But to finally release this in its proper widescreen version, but omit the song is maddening. Also the director’s commentary can ONLY be listened to while watching the pan-and-scan version. Unbelievable!

I do not have the computer skills to re-author a disc to my liking, but perhaps someone here who is as big a fan of this film as I am will be able to create what Disney Home Video should have in the first place:

A single layer DVD with only the enhanced widescreen version of the film, including the deleted song (“When Love is Gone” w/ a young Scrooge and his fiance) inserted in its proper place. The song sequence would have to be taken from either–

the pan and scan verson, cropped to the proper 1.85:1 ratio and then anamorphically squeezed

from the widescreen laserdisc, cleaned up and resized for anamorphic 16:9 display

& edited into the proper place. Then add the second audio track (director’s commentary). Oh, and stripping all the annoying shilling for the other Disney products…

Anyone here have the skills and willingness to have a go at it? Please!?