Sign In

Preserving the...cringe...Star Wars Holiday Special (Released) — Page 2

Author
Time
Post link
That's funny. I asked a simple question of Mr. Dirk-Steele about the quality of the extras material and he shot back a smart-ass remark. Not only is he making a profit, but he gets to be a jerk, too? Sheesh!

Sorry, didn't mean to hijack. This incident just happened the other day so I thought I'd share.
Author
Time
Post link
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

Projects:
Return Of The Ewok and Other Short Films (with OCPmovie) [COMPLETED]
Preserving the…cringe…Star Wars Holiday Special [COMPLETED]
The Star Wars TV Commercials Project [DORMANT]
Felix the Cat 1919-1930 early film shorts preservation [ONGOING]
Lights Out! (lost TV anthology shows) [ONGOING]
Iznogoud (1995 animated series) English audio preservation [ONGOING]

Author
Time
Post link
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.

I used to be very active on this forum. I’m not really anymore. Hi everybody. You’re all awesome. Keep up the good work.

Author
Time
Post link
Hey Rik:

I was wondering what the difference is between BLAK0016 and BLAK0019 (which is on your MySpleen tentative release schedule)?

Also, I noticed from your description of the contents of BLAK0016 that some of the extras from BLAK0001 had been removed (the 56 Kenner commercials and the Muppets episode); I was wondering what the reason for this was, like if they were moved to a different DVD collection or something.

Thanks!
Author
Time
Post link
Originally posted by: nabziF
Hey Rik:

I was wondering what the difference is between BLAK0016 and BLAK0019 (which is on your MySpleen tentative release schedule)?

Also, I noticed from your description of the contents of BLAK0016 that some of the extras from BLAK0001 had been removed (the 56 Kenner commercials and the Muppets episode); I was wondering what the reason for this was, like if they were moved to a different DVD collection or something.

Thanks!


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


“My skill are no longer as Mad as the once were” RiK

Author
Time
Post link
Originally posted by: Rikter


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

Hm I think either you or I am confused. In an earlier post in this thread you said this:

The Star Wars Holiday Special - KCCI - Angrysun Release
Newer Transfer with Higher Quality
- Angrysun Release BLAK0016
- 1 DVDr - Fan Preservation/Compilation
- Source - alleged 1st generation “broadcast” tape from KCCI Channel 8 Des Moines, Iowa


and on MySpleen you said this:

8-11-05 - The Star Wars Holiday Special - KCCI - Angrysun Release BLAK0019


What I meant is, what's the difference between BLAK0016 (mentioned here) and BLAK0019 (mentioned in MySpleen); or was it just a typo?

Thanks!
Author
Time
Post link
Can anyone tell me, out of all of the copies that you know are available, wherever they may be, what is the absolute best transfer of the holiday special available, and where can I find it?

SKot, are there any other deleted scenes from the holiday special than the "wasting electricity" one Garrett posted? If so, what are they? Is the copy you sent Garrett the absolute best quality copy of that particluar deleted scene?

Also, does anyone have any of the TV advertisements for the show, that aired prior to the show's airing? To have anything like that would be awesome.
Author
Time
Post link
Originally posted by: nabziF
Hm I think either you or I am confused. In an earlier post in this thread you said this:
The Star Wars Holiday Special - KCCI - Angrysun Release
Angrysun Release BLAK0016 ....

and on MySpleen you said this:8-11-05 - The Star Wars Holiday Special - KCCI - Angrysun Release BLAK0019
What I meant is, what's the difference between BLAK0016 (mentioned here) and BLAK0019 (mentioned in MySpleen); or was it just a typo?
that'd be a typo.

BLAK0016 is Forgotten Scenes and BLAK0019 is the KCCI Holiday Special, according to the Official Angrysun Release Thread: http://www.originaltrilogy.com/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=9&threadid=2910
Author
Time
Post link
So the French version doesn't have Jerry Lewis edited into it? Bizarre.
Author
Time
Post link

Thought I'd add this just in case it leads to a better DVD.

Years ago I contacted someone who claimed to have recorded the special themselves OTA, and was offering a VHS dub.
If anyone is interested in persuing a copy from this person, PM me and I can relay the contact information I'm aware of. I'd prefer to have just one person contact the guy, preferably someone with a nice vintage VHS machine (i.e. Panasonic 1970 or 1980, Sony 1000, Mitsubishi 80, etc...) and/or a nice TBC...or at least willing to send the tape to someone with that kind of equipment.
You should also be prepared to take a chance and politely pay for his tape without questions. I'll probably reply first to one of the people that's already provided a trilogy transfer due to their experience and proven willingness to follow through & release their work.

The reason for these "conditions" is like I said I contacted him about getting the tape sometime in the mid 90's, and after asking *one* question about the transfer process, he refused to sell the tape or answer any more questions. So if he received multiple requests for the tape with similar inquiries about the quality he may again refuse, and ruin the chances for a nice transfer to be made public.

It's likely that one of the available transfers originated from him, even if he isn't named as the person that provided the original. I also realize of course there are a lot of scammers selling the HS, but I actually have reason to believe the guy is legit. But I searched the formus and didn't see any transfer described as coming from a 1st gen source, so that's why I'm posting this, should anyone be interested in giving it a shot
Author
Time
Post link
The guy you need to talk to about this is SKot, who started this thread.
Author
Time
Post link
Tomland, I believe there are already 1st gen sourced DVDs of the HS in wide circulation.
Author
Time
Post link
OK thanks THX...I will have to track down a DVD until the inevitable official blu-ray.

"The station masters are all but extinct, their fire has gone out of the universe. You, my beta SP speed, are all that is left of their religion".
Author
Time
Post link
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

Projects:
Return Of The Ewok and Other Short Films (with OCPmovie) [COMPLETED]
Preserving the…cringe…Star Wars Holiday Special [COMPLETED]
The Star Wars TV Commercials Project [DORMANT]
Felix the Cat 1919-1930 early film shorts preservation [ONGOING]
Lights Out! (lost TV anthology shows) [ONGOING]
Iznogoud (1995 animated series) English audio preservation [ONGOING]

Author
Time
Post link
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

Guidelines for post content and general behaviour: read announcement here

Max. allowable image sizes in signatures: reminder here

Author
Time
Post link
I can't wait to watch the Star Wars Holhiday Special!!
Author
Time
Post link
I'm not holding my breath on quality here. This disc apparently contains:

Starwars [sic] Holiday Special
Starwars [sic] a Musical Journey
Stopmotion Effects Info - ATATs (Emp) [sic]
Original Jabba the Hut [sic] music Video
The Anchor Head [sic] Lost Footage (Swars) [sic]
Original Theatrical Trailers (Trilogy)
Casting Session (Swar) [sic]
George Lucus [sic] in Love
Troopers [sic]
Triumpth [sic] poops on Starwars [sic] Fans
Extensive Starwars [sic] Art Galleries

So, in addition to having the worst spelling and grammar of any cover I've seen, the video is going to be compressed to hell.
Author
Time
Post link
Whats [sic] mean - other than being an understatement
Author
Time
Post link
[sic] means that the writer is quoting exactly what the person says or writes. It's used to indicate that, in this case, misspellings are in the original. (Also used for bad grammar, etc.)
Author
Time
Post link
So, all that [sic]starwars stuff on the one DVD?
Author
Time
Post link
So whats [swar]-not that i care for askin ........
Author
Time
Post link
I guess that's his/her abbreviation for S[tar]war[s].
Author
Time
Post link
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!

FE<3OT

Author
Time
Post link
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

Projects:
Return Of The Ewok and Other Short Films (with OCPmovie) [COMPLETED]
Preserving the…cringe…Star Wars Holiday Special [COMPLETED]
The Star Wars TV Commercials Project [DORMANT]
Felix the Cat 1919-1930 early film shorts preservation [ONGOING]
Lights Out! (lost TV anthology shows) [ONGOING]
Iznogoud (1995 animated series) English audio preservation [ONGOING]

Author
Time
Post link
Thank you. That should make it easy. Now I have a good excuse (?) to watch the HS.

FE<3OT