FROSTY THE SNOWMAN/FROSTY RETURNS (DVD)

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Product Description

A double bill starring Frosty:
Frosty the Snowman
Jimmy Durante narrates this Christmas story that is based on the song of the same name. To make up for the fact that her students are in school on Christmas Eve, the local schoolteacher hires the magician Professor Hinkle to entertain the kids. Unfortunately, he's not a very good magician. Frustrated in his attempt to pull a rabbit out of his hat, he throws it away in anger. Outside, the kids build a snowman (what to call it? Harold? Oatmeal? Frosty!), and when the hat blows onto it--Happy Birthday!--it comes to life. Professor Hinkle decides he wants the hat back so he can make money off of its newfound magical properties, but the kids want to save Frosty. When the temperature starts to rise, a new problem threatens Frosty's existence. Karen, the leader of the children, comes up with a plan to save him: take him on a train to the North Pole, where it's always cold. With a cameo by Santa Claus, and the promise of Frosty's return every year, this story of life, death, and holiday cheer is glazed with the sweet frosting of hope and happiness. A true holiday classic.

Frosty Returns
In the same way that many a Hollywood sequel has little to do with the first film, Frosty Returns has almost nothing in common with the original Frosty the Snowman, aside from a man made of snow. The biggest difference is that this Frosty doesn't need a magic hat to come to life. The story: In the town of Beansboro, old Mr. Twitchell has invented an aerosol spray that can remove snow without the hassle of shoveling or plows. This frightens Frosty, who enlists the help of amateur magician Holly and her friend Charles to stop the old coot. Made in 1992, Frosty Returns has an animation style that looks like a cross between the old Schoolhouse Rock and Peanuts cartoons, with voice talent that includes Jonathan Winters, Andrea Martin, Jan Hooks, Brian Doyle-Murray, and John Goodman as Frosty. The story may be divisive, pitting children against adults and a pro-snow contingent against anti-snow people, but the songs are catchy and the message is one that ultimately empowers kids. Like a hero from an old Western, this Frosty is a wanderer who leaves when his job is done so he can work his magic elsewhere. --Andy Spletzer

• Actors: Jimmy Durante, Billy De Wolfe, Jackie Vernon (II), Paul Frees, June Foray
• Director: Arthur Rankin Jr.
• Director: Jules Bass
• Director: Bill Melendez
• Director: Evert Brown
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Format: Color, Dubbed, DVD-Video, Original recording remastered, NTSC
• ISBN: 0738928631
• Language (Original Language): English
• Language (Dubbed): Spanish
• Region Code: 1
• Release Date: 2004-09-14
• Running Time: 70 minutes
• Theatrical Release Date: 1969-12-07

Customer Reviews

Reviewed on 2008-01-01 Timeless Rankin and Bass Christmas Classic Paired With An Unfortunate "Update". While it is a total joy to have the classic Rankin and Bass Christmas classic "Frosty the Snowman", on DVD what is disappointing is that it is unfortunately paired on this DVD with a dour "update", of the adventures of the most famous Snowman in the world titled "Frosty Returns", that is a clear victim of "politically correct", agendas. The original 1969 classic "Frosty the Snowman", is a story beloved by generations of television viewers with its catchy tunes, beautiful animation, likeable characters, and unabashed celebration of Christmas and all its traditions. "Frosty Returns", however is seemingly driven by a desire to down play the importance of Christmas traditions altogether, indeed Christmas amazingly is never even referred to once in the story, being instead replaced by a rather unfortunate "Winter festival". Imagining Frosty the Snowman without Christmas is like trying to picture Rudolph without his shiny nose! While the original has charm aplenty "Frosty Returns", also displays a number of less than charming characters, namely Frosty himself who in this story is more sarcastic and jive talking and far less jolly than in the memorable original. This sequel also has some of the most woeful animation and songs in it that you could imagine which only succeeds in making the original classic shine ever more brightly. Seeing these two features side by side on this disk made a number of decades apart clearly illustrates the often discussed "war on Christmas", that seems to be taking place in our western culture and after one screening of the "update" "Frosty Returns", I know I'll be sticking with the original classic "Frosty the Snowman", which still charms all these decades after it was produced by the legendary team of Arthur Rankin and Jules Bass.

Reviewed on 2007-12-08 Two Thumbs Way Up For the original FROSTY But Way Down For FROSTY RETURNS The original FROSTY THE SNOWMAN is a true Christmas classic. Jimmy Durante is the perfect narrator for this clever holiday cartoon from the early 50's. The story has humor, suspense and even pathos (who can forget the sight of our friend Frosty turned in to a big puddle of water on the greenhouse floor?) as well as themes of rebirth and friendship. And of course there's that wonderful title song. Unfortunately FROSTY RETURNS is inferior to the original in every respect. There are so many technical goofs in the animation I at times wondered if this was supposed to be self mocking. I have always found Jonathan Winters annoying and his performance here does nothing to change my opinion. As other reviewers have said the kid characters have strange similarities to certain friends of a beagle named Snoopy and I swear at least one of the adults was a Mr. Magoo clone. The songs are nothing special and it is never a good thing when an adult finds the plot of a children's cartoon difficult to follow.

Reviewed on 2007-12-06 Frosty Returns Stinks!! Frosty the Snowman is a wonderful story! A classic! Frosty Returns was horribly disappointing! Other reviewers already mentioned the socio-political agenda which was obvious, but I would like to add that the music was BAD, BAD, BAD! Not only were they melodically boring, but the lyrics sounded like they were written by a 4 year old. The fact that the characters couldn't carry a tune in a bucket didn't help either! They could have at least found people who can sing!!! Buy it for Frosty... Chuck Frosty Returns in the garbage! Don't waste your time!

Reviewed on 2007-11-25 love it My three year old daughter loves this...it was one of my favorites growing up too so I don't mind watching it over and over and over again with her.

Reviewed on 2007-11-04 CLASSIC Great Christmas time movie for the whole family. Old school animation brings this movie to life. Story line is great and it will not let any age down as far as being a worth while Holiday flick!

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