Christmas With Lassie

Back earlier in the year I found a list of some Lassie DVDs that were going to be released November 11, from the original television series. The title of one perplexed me mightily ("Lassie's Birthday Surprise"????) and I could never, up until this day, find anything that told me which episodes were on the DVDs (or indeed how many episodes were on each).

Nevertheless, I ordered two, just for the heck of it, the ones I figured I'd enjoy no matter what: Lassie's Christmas Stories and Lassie's Gift of Love (which is also a Christmas story.

They arrived today and I was quite pleasantly surprised. "Lassie's Christmas Stories" contains three episodes, 1958's "The Christmas Story," 1960's "A Christmas Story," and 1961's "Yochim's Christmas," which the DVD description says was also entitled "A Christmas Story." These are uncut episodes, complete with titles (albeit the syndication titles rather than the original titles, which will make little difference to most people) and credits. Meticulous English-major me has noticed a typo in the descriptions on the back of both DVDs, as well as a really silly character name blooper on "Lassie's Gift of Love" (the description says "When farmer McGregor causes a small snow avelanche..." McGregor? Where did they get the name McGregor? The character's last name is Krebs! Even his full name "Matt Krebs" doesn't sound a thing like "McGregor"! LOL!!!!), but otherwise these are nice-looking keep cases. "Lassie's Gift of Love" also contains the color Corey Stuart episode "The Greatest Gift."

The episode transfers themselves are excellent, nice contrast, little or no dust or scratches. The sound is typical TV mono sound, but it's clear and pleasant to listen to. "The Greatest Gift" is actually the most improved of the lot compared to the TV versions seen recently: the title is bright and clear, rather than dark, the color is consistent, if typical early 1960s NTSC color instead of being washed out or dark. You can still tell the stock footage from the scenes actually filmed for the show (the stock footage has begun to yellow), but it is nowhere as bad as what Discovery Kids/Animal Planet has showed in the past few years.

Also was amused at the menu screens. "Lassie's Christmas Stories" has what looks like a publicity shot with Lassie, Timmy, and a Santa Claus with a fake chimney. Very cute. "Lassie's Gift of Love" has a shot of Corey Stuart and Lassie with Bonita Granville Wrather from another episode! Her voice does appear in "Lassie's Gift of Love," though, doing a preview for the second part. I guess that's where the tie-in enters. :-)

All in all well worth your while if you're a Lassie fan or want some good Christmas stories for your child (or the child within you).