Customer Reviews

The Christmas Toy

5 star:		(41)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Kermit's opening sequence and his introduction to the cast have been edited out. Gone, too, is the entire "Old Friends, New Friends" song finale, in which Kermit shows up and joins the cast singing the song. All that's left is a brief chorus heard over the closing credits.

For those who have never seen the 1986 original, this will make no difference. For myself and my kids, who fell in love with the original version, this Kermit exorcism is quite sad. Plus, the song finale was an important closing celebration of the show.

The DVD transfer is pristine, but one star is missing, in tribute to the missing green frog dressed in a Santa suit. I'm sure there are purist Henson fans who will not be as generous as I.

There should be a lump of coal in Disney's stocking this year.

I recall this film well and we already own the old British release but the fact that Disney has not allowed Kermit to appear on this dvd is yet another example of how Henson's creative spirit is ultimately usurped by the market place. We all remember how much overlap there was between Henson's worlds; Fraggles would appear in Muppet films, Sesame Muppets appeared along side Fraggles and Muppets and this conveyed the most important thing in Henson's world, the family unit, his family was reflected here and what Disney and Hit should know by now, is that one product will support the other; these are old films, just waver the rights and someone take note, the Muppet franchise works at it's best when the Muppet family supports each other. These are old films, just leave them alone ..... by editing this film they have spoilt it, Kermit and the cast end the story in a huge sing song and musically, they have butcher the ending.

What made the magic of such Muppet specials is that they were part of the Muppet family and as an audience we were invited in to this family and made to feel apart of it. That was the magic of such work and I find it hard watching this version now, it just doesn't gel well for me. The Christmas Toy was released on to dvd in England as an extra bonus feature along with The Muppet Family Christmas dvd (in 2001 as a Columbria/Tristar release), so the original is out there still, if only second hand.

I am not a Henson purist at all and Jim Henson was a man who understood the balance between art and business, however he isn't around now and cutting up these old films spoils something of that creative spirit. I will be careful as to the Henson dvd's I buy in the future, now knowing the legalities which prevent imaginative work enduring intact and live with my childhood memorabilia as it is because that time when Henson's stories ruled the airwaves will not return again with the same level of panache and enlightened idealistic rebelliousness. It is for us to create now.

Studio Lyons should be ASHAMED of this DVD release. No extras. Missing opening by Kermit and closing finale of Old Friends, New Friends. This is one of the best Christmas films ever made and they do it no justice. To add insult to injury the disc is labeled as CC closed captioned for the hearing impaired and our friend who is hearing impaired came to watch and we assured her it has subtitles so she could enjoy the film. She was so heartbroken being a big muppets fan that she could not follow the film because there IS NO CLOSED CAPTIONING. Luckily I already own the VHS release and it has closed captions and no missing scenes. DO NOT BUY THIS DVD!!!!

I recall this film well and we already own the old British release but the fact that Disney has not allowed Kermit to appear on this dvd is yet another example of how Henson's creative spirit is ultimately usurped by the market place. We all remember how much overlap there was between Henson's worlds; Fraggles would appear in Muppet films, Sesame Muppets appeared along side Fraggles and Muppets and this conveyed the most important thing in Henson's world, the family unit, his family was reflected here and what Disney and Hit should know by now, is that one product will support the other; these are old films, just waver the rights and someone take note, the Muppet franchise works at it's best when the Muppet family supports each other. These are old films, just leave them alone ..... by editing this film they have spoilt it, Kermit and the cast end the story in a huge sing song and musically, they have butcher the ending.

What made the magic of such Muppet specials is that they were part of the Muppet family and as an audience we were invited in to this family and made to feel apart of it. That was the magic of such work and I find it hard watching this version now, it just doesn't gel well for me. The Christmas Toy was released on to dvd in England as an extra bonus feature along with The Muppet Family Christmas dvd (in 2001 as a Columbria/Tristar release), so the original is out there still, if only second hand.

I am not a Henson purist at all and Jim Henson was a man who understood the balance between art and business, however he isn't around now and cutting up these old films spoils something of that creative spirit. I will be careful as to the Henson dvd's I buy in the future, now knowing the legalities which prevent imaginative work enduring intact and live with my childhood memorabilia as it is because that time when Henson's stories ruled the airwaves will not return again with the same level of panache and enlightened idealistic rebelliousness. It is for us to create now.

First of all, Amazon has the YEAR this was produced wrong, it's 1986 as any good Muppet fan will tell you. Also, it's about DANG TIME! I've been waiting for this DVD.

Second, this is the story of Rugby Tiger who is rather self centered. He thinks he's the ONLY Christmas Toy his little girl should ever receive. He learns a lesson and makes friends with the other toys, finally...even with Mew, the cat toy.

Apple, a little girl doll helps Rugby learn his lesson as does Mew. While Kermit introduces the story, he isn't in it.

What's not to love about singing and dancing toys? This is just a fabulous Christmas special and great for the whole family. I have it on VHS and watch it EVERY year.

While I haven't received my DVD yet, I am very excited. My VHS copy from years ago is almost worn through. Watching this touching Christmas story is a family tradition. The kids love it and so do the adults. If you haven't seen it you should, and if you have seen it you already know that the DVD is worth owning and will bring joy for years to come.

I have fond memories of this special, and when I saw the DVD release I had to get a copy. The first thing I noticed with dissapointment was the missing opening with Kermit.On instinct I searched for the final chapter and alas, Kermits gone there too and the closing song as well.
As far as the story goes, it appears untouched, but its a realy big let down to see yet another special edited for no apparent reason. Something just seems to be missing for me from this special, and thankfully I still have my VHS copy.

I am so happy I saw that this is coming out on DVD. As someone else said, I also have this on VHS from when it was on TV. I can't wait to see it on DVD. I HOPE that Kermit is in it. It won't be the same without him narrating and then being dressed up as Santa going down the chimney.

This is my favorite childhood Christmas movie. After watching it I always wondered if my toys came to life when I wasn't in the room. It's funny what you think when your a child.

I can't wait to get this and show my cousins. This is way better than the crap they make for kids today. It may be because this is what I grew up with, but I prefer this to CGI and that other stuff they make kid's movies with today.

Trust me, if you have never seen this and you were a kid in the 80s, get it. You will enjoy it. True classic (at least for me).

The Christmas Toy Movie

I sat with both of my grown children watching this tender, heart-tugging Christmas show when they were young. I've pre-ordered one all three of us so each of us can relive that magical Christmassy time when they were small. I've encouraged both of them to share this classic with their children. The well-defined, amusing, yet life-teaching characters practically jump off the screen and into your heart. You won't regret THIS purchase!

i have this movie recoreded off the tv and when i saw that it is comming out on dvd i literally jumped in my seat! this is one of my favs from a kid and i love sharing it with my children. it is one of those movies they help teach that christmas is about love family and friendship. it is one of the movies that truely get me into the xmas mood after thanksgiving. "even if i am just a 'CAT TOY'" i love that lil mouse!