MovieChat Forums > Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town (1970) Discussion > Wow - ABC Family cut this to ribbons

Wow - ABC Family cut this to ribbons

posted 19 years ago by frakamazog
20 replies | jump to latest

I just watched it for the bazillionth time since I was a little kid.
ABC Family (very badly) edited every song, cut the ending with the
"people who didn't have the Christmas spirit", and a few other little
tidbits were missing.

I know they "need" more time for commercials and whatnot, but for
cryin' out loud, that was just PLAIN BAD. Who edited this? A monkey
with a wrench? We're going to be getting the DVD of this and all our
other favorite specials for next year, and just bypass ABC Family next
year.

[–] Ishtar318 19 years ago

I know what you mean. I had my DVD on my computer at the same time as the show and I noticed so many snippets and cuts that it wasn't even funny! They even cut out the part with Rudolph, a part of the "Toymaker To The King", an entire verse from "One Foot In Front Of The Other", Winter's "Bark is worse than it's bite" joke, Burgermiester's scene that takes place after Kris escapes from his jail, etc.

[–] chaozengine 19 years ago

Agreed, it looks like the editor was in a particularly bad mood. And it's not just the cuts, but the fact that the cuts are obvious and sloppy. Maybe the editor didn't want to do it and just decided to take his frustrations out on the film? Either way, buying the DVD now (maybe that's the point???).

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[–] momster64 19 years ago

The one part I noticed missing that I just don't get - was after all the reindeer are given the magic feedcorn and are all named, a child's voice says something like "and don't forget Rudolph", and the deer's nose lights up with a beep, then the narrater says well that's a different story. That 5-second bit was one of my favorite parts. I don't see why they had to cut that.

Watch out for snakes!!

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[–] Meadowlark1985 19 years ago

i noticed the cuts too. i kinda like the new version because it shows a bit of everything now, when they used to cut the toy burning, On My Lap Today and the beuatiful song Jessica sings. At least in this new version you get a bit of everything now, of course I don't see why they can't just extend the airing to an hour and a half and just show the whole thing. a lot of the cuts in the songs were kind of wierd but I am glad they that did it so that they could add in the new songs

[–] melbatoast78 19 years ago

I just watched this on ABC Family last night and it doesn't seem like they cut anything out this time. They showed both the "On My Lap" song and Jessica's trippy psychadelic solo. That was the first time I had seen either and was pleasantly surprised that they didn't edit them. But I did just watch it last week on the same channel and both of those songs were cut out. I wonder if they got enough complaints about not airing them?

Anyway, the one I saw last night seemed to be in its entirety, but I could be wrong because I've only ever saw this on TV.

"Shut yer hole, Wang Chung"

[–] shipoopi 17 years ago

That was the first time I had seen either and was pleasantly surprised that they didn't edit them.

If that was your first viewing how would know if it had been edited?

"What's with the soap?"

[–] maynardjamesfan 18 years ago

They have a really cute box set of these TV shows for sale. It's in the shape of a red book and it includes, Rudolf the Red nosed Reindeer, Santa Claus is coming to town, Little Drummer Boy, Frosty the Snowman, and Frosty Returns...plus it includes a CD of all the Christmas songs sung in the movies. It was around $20.00 which I thought was a great buy...if you can I suggest picking it up! Love it!

Stinkfist!!

[–] hereminton 18 years ago

I've never seen this on the ABC Family, as I have not had acess to any TV/home video since 1996. But I did see it often on TV in December from the mid 1970s into the 1990s, and I do remember the scenes you mentioned, and most of this hour long special. I guess that was on another network, and was as it was originally shown in the early 1970s (I was born in 1968). I do hope to see it on DVD when get this acess, as I really did like watching it all those Decembers, just like I did all the other yearly Christmas specials that came on TV every December. It gave a near perfect account of how an ordinary boy and then man became the mythical Santa Clause, as well as Mrs. Clause's origins. And it explained so well all about the other aspects of his existance. The songs were also good, and the Winter Warlock transformation from villian to good guy was also a nice added touch (ie Jaws and May Day). The Burgon Master was also an effective villian, and his character was essential to the overall telling of this story, and how certain Christmas themes took effect. Too bad this ABC Family channel cut things out (if they really did), but if it is on DVD I hope everyone will try to see it that way this December.

"I happen to be a vegetarian". Lex, from Jurrasic Park

[–] stevenackerman69 17 years ago

Yes, they cut it for time. However, they ended up changing the cuts. They showed the BurgerMeister burning the toys after catching Kris but didn't show the mailman's talk after we see the BurgerMeister's decendants, which is pretty nice. Also, they cut the ending song. Basically, if you have a DVD player, go out and buy this and forget ABC Family.

[–] rufustfirefly 17 years ago

Why would they need to cut it for time when it originally aired on TV. Are there more commercials on ABC Family?

[–] iamthemook 17 years ago

they chopped it up bad on this year's airing on abc. they showed the burning of the toys. jessica's psychedelic song (the most trippy thing i've seen since the pink elephants number from dumbo), the ending song, and one other number were cut.

[–] stevenackerman69 17 years ago

I guess so. They just had in on regular ABC last night and I caught the last half of it (from the part where Kris can't get into the houses due to the doors being locked under orders). Everything was there, from the Rudolph gag to the descendants of the Burgermeister, to the narrator's closing speech. Maybe it is best to catch it this way, if you don't have a DVD player.

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[–] infoed 17 years ago

There's no real point in watching these on TV any longer. They've been so badly butchered and compressed for time that they don't resemble what they once did. Thank god for home video. The DVDs are great as you get the entire special. Jessica's song is a classic and should never have been left out. It's one of the most fondly rememebred scenes for its all out psychedelia and wackiness. (I mean really - a torch song in the middle of the town square??)

I was born in 1971 and those around my age will all remember the excitement we'd feel whenever CBS would have their rainbow colored "SPECIAL" logo came flying at us.

[–] sosanavar 17 years ago

So far i'm watching this, and both songs are present! That is the first time this has happened! But there appear to be other cuts though, they removed the bit about Rodolph and lyrics from the "Toymaker to the King" songs.

Pity the soul who dont boogie!

[–] Blackjack254 17 years ago

I just saw the DVD for the first time tonight. and until now, I have Never seen the whole Wedding scene! how can they do something like this with a clear conscience? usually scenes like that get spared.

Don't look into the Death Star, or you will die.