MovieChat Forums > Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town (1970) Discussion > Waddles v. Topper

Waddles v. Topper

posted 20 years ago by cms-18
10 replies | jump to latest

Anyone know why the penguin's name was changed from "Waddles" in the original to "Topper" in the later broadcasts and tape/dvd versions?

[–] tfaz 19 years ago

FINALLY!!! Someone else noticed this as well. I thought maybe it was one of those times when your childhood memories are just plain faulty, and I remembered it wrong. But, it sounds like they really did change it.

I have no idea why, though. Perhaps they re-recorded some audio during a restoration, and they just got the name wrong? I'd love to know the answer to this, since it's been bugging me for years!

[–] squinn2001 18 years ago

YES THERE ARE THOSE OF US WHO DO REMEMBER THE NAME WADDLES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[–] SloppyMoe 18 years ago

I don't suppose it could have anything to do with Beanie Babies? BB put out a stuffed penguin named Waddles in the 1990's, and maybe when the collectors' toys for SCICTT were going on the market they wanted to avoid trademark confusion. But the timing doesn't seem quite right for that... Mickey Rooney's been dead for a while.

[–] ackmena 18 years ago

Hmmm...maybe that's why...hard to tell.

By the way, Rooney's not dead.

[–] Potato7 14 years ago

Yep, still very much alive...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mickey_Rooney

[–] raif51 14 years ago

Nah, it's "Topper" on my VHS version, and I got that in the late 80's.

I don't remember "Waddles." It's always been Topper as far as my memory says...

[–] LindaY 10 years ago

It was Waddles in the original broadcast and original reruns. Topper as the name for a penguin makes no sense; Waddles does. Weird.

[–] LindaY 14 years ago

I have a feeling there were jokes about "Waddles" so they changed it.

[–] Superman_Is_Not_Depressed 12 years ago

I don't remember Waddles. But I never really gave the little penguin much thought when I watch it every year. He is a cute little tyke tho.

Like Matrix, I fight for love.

[–] hachmom-1 11 years ago

I remember the original airings well (I was 10) and his name was originally Waddles, though it was changed in later TV showings as well as all the VHS and DVD releases.

It is not our abilities that show who we truly are...it is our choices