MovieChat Forums > Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids (1972) Discussion > Are the Episodes on DVD Volumes 1 + 2 Un...

Are the Episodes on DVD Volumes 1 + 2 Uncut?

posted 19 years ago by hutsman
3 replies | jump to latest

I bought both of the DVD volumes 1 and 2 with 12 episodes each in original order. Volume 1 contained a handful of episodes that were 1984 syndication prints (with the 80's style colorful "FILMATION presents" on black background tag and an older Bill Cosby with shorter hair in the intro), and those episodes were actually a couple of minutes longer than the others. Most clock in slightly under 20 minutes, but the syndication prints were just under 22 minutes. Also, the ones that had the older early 70's intros had 1972 in the opening sequence and 1976 in the closing sequence. The episodes seem awfully short for having been from 1972, so are they in fact missing some footage?

[–] duran007 19 years ago

I believe they are indeed uncut. Here's a link to the wikipedia entry on Filmation shows in general:

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

In the article, it is explained that when Hallmark (the previous owner of the Filmation properties) converted the Filmation library to videotape, it only did it in the PAL format, not NTCS (region one). The master tapes were apparently discarded, and the PAL format runs at a slightly faster pace than NTCS (at about 4% or so). It also explains why the Filmation properties mainly were broadcast overseas and barely (if at all) in the USA. Hope that helps.

[–] furlough1 19 years ago

and there was a "NEW" (i.e. crappy) version that aired in the early/mid 80's.
I bought some of these losers on vhs from ebay. They suck, aren't funny and are just overall cheap junk.

[–] leighabc123 18 years ago

No! They are not uncut! I own the first and second volume! For example, in the smart guy episode, they cut out the part after the song where Bill and Fat Albert were joking together!