More interesting things I found on IMDB
On the VHS version when E.T. is watching the Tom and Jerry cartoon, he gasps and starts yelling. The original version and 20th anniversary have him scream like he’s scared after the gasp.
In the original theatrical release of this film, in the scene where E.T. is drinking and getting Elliot drunk, Elliot used chalk and began drawing on thin air. This scene was later cut from video and subsequent theatrical releases, but is pictured in The E.T. Storybook.
I had a telesync copy of the theatrical release back in 1982 and I don’t remember the chalk scene. Interesting.
In the original cut, Elliot and his mom go to the principal after the frog incident. The principal was played by Harrison Ford, the screenwriter’s husband. Allegedly the scene was cut because too much attention was brought to Ford, and not to the scene. The scene is not restored in the 2002 edition.
This scene never made it to the theatrical release. Apparently it’s included as an extra on the 4 disc LD set, along with the alternate ending.