Customer Reviews

Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends - Cranky Bugs & Other Thomas Stories [VHS]

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Cranky Bugs, along with Make Someone Happy, is one of my favorite Thomas video. The stories on here are hilarious. Especially in Lady Hatt's Birthday Party. In that one we get to see Sir Topham Hatt like we've never seen him before. This is also a very important Thomas video because it was the first one that Alec Baldwin narrated. I think that Alec Baldwin is one of the better storytellers because he was creative with the voices. James and Gordon were the only trains that he made sound bad, but in the later ones, he changes their voices back to normal. Here are the story stops:

Cranky Bugs 5/5:
Meet Cranky, the rude and cranky crane, hence his name. He starts bossing Percy and Thomas around at the docks. This soon causes confusion and delay and Sir Topham Hatt thinks that Thomas and Percy are to blame. But when a huge storm comes and knocks Cranky over, he ends up confessing that he caused all the confusion and delay.

Lady Hatt's Birthday Party 5/5:
It is Lady Hatt's birthday and Sir Topham Hatt must not be late to her party. But his car breaks down and that causes him to run a little late. Then he falls in a ditch. Sir Topham Hatt's nice suit is soiled and he has no source of transportation, will he be able to get to his wive's birthday party?

Double Teething Troubles 4/5:
Sir Topham Hatt gets a new diesel to help Bill and Ben at the quarry. But the new diesel has teething troubles because he is new and nervous. This causes some trouble for Bill and Ben.

Thomas, Percy And Old Slow Coach 5/5:
Thomas and Percy find an old coach at the scrapyard named Old Slow Coach. She is going to be broken up pretty soon because she is old and slow. Thomas and Percy want more than anything to help her but they can't figure out how. Meanwhile, there is a fire at the workman's hut. Their hut is destroyed and they don't have a home anymore, but there is an ideal home for them that they don't know about yet.

Busy Going Backwards 5/5:
Toad, Oliver's faithful breakvan companion, wishes that he could go foreward for a change, instead of going backwards all the time. The freight cars get mad at Toad because they think that he has no right to complain because he lucky enough to be able to look after them. So the freight cars come up with a plan that will teach Toad a lesson and make his wish of going foreward finally come true.

A Better View For Gordon 6/5:
Gordon is boasting again about being the finest engine in the world. One day, he is sent to test out the new station. When he gets there, he is disappointed with the view. He thinks he should have a panoramic view, where he can see people and people can see him. He soon gets his view, but in an unexpected way.

"Night Train"(Music Video) 4.5/5
A slower music video that is mostly about Henry and The Flying Kipper.

Again, Cranky Bugs is a great Thomas video and Alec Baldwin did great in this one. If you don't already have this one, buy it today.

I have this one on video instead of DVD. Most of the stories are good, ecspcially Lady Hatt's Birthday Party, and Cranky Bugs. Busy Going Backwards isn't too bad either. Alec Baldwin's narration is good, although his Toad voice is a bit iffy! Alec B. is on my good Thomas list! The story "A Better View For Gordon is okay, but it has an unrealistic crash. Put aside that episode and you've got yourself a pretty good Thomas video. I got it when I was 4 and I loved it. I am now 10 years old and I still watch it!

This tape was our first exposure to the Thomas series and quickly became a favorite of our collection. Remarkably, after watching it 500+ times, I can still sit through it and find that I enjoy it! I attribute it to Alec Baldwin's wonderful narraration. He puts great effort into giving each of the characters their own personality. The older tapes seem monotonous in comparison. I look forward to getting the next tape he works on!

This is a great video! It's one of my favorites, along with Thomas and the Special Letter, The Gallant Old Engine, and Trust Thomas.
In "Cranky Bugs", a new crane named Cranky comes to work at the docks and causes trouble for Thomas and Percy. But, when there's a storm, the two little engines come to his rescue. In "Lady Hatt's Birthday Party", Sir Topham Hatt needs to prepare for his wife's birthday party. While he's getting ready however, disaster strikes. In "Double Teething Troubles", Bill and Ben need a new diesel to help out. Unfortunately, the diesel has teething troubles. In "Thomas, Percy, and Old Slow Coach", Thomas and Percy meet Old Slow Coach. She was about to get sent to the scrapyards. However, when the workman's hut gets destroyed in a fire, Thomas and Percy find a need for her. In "Busy Going Backwards", Toad is tired of going backwards. When some freight cars trick him and make him go forwards, he soon learns that it's O.K. to go backwards. In "A Better View for Gordon", Gordon brags about knowing everything. When he tests out a new station, he wants a panoramic view. During the grand opening, Gordon crashes into the wall and gets his "panoramic view". This is my favorite story of the 6. The video contains these six stories and the music video "Night Train".

I have this one on video rather than DVD. I love this Thomas video! Most of the stories are good, ecspecialy Cranky Bugs, and Lady Hatt's Birthday. Alec Baldwin is a good narrater, although his toad voice is a bit iffy! Toad sounds like he has something cought in his throat. Also, A Better View For Gordon is okay, but it has an unrealistic crash. Put aside That episode and Alec Baldwin's Toad voice, and you've got yourself a pretty good Thomas video. I got it when I 4 and a half. I am now 10 years old and I still watch it! If you get this video, It will be cherished forever.

my son likes to watch this video, but not as much as the others. alec baldwin's voice is annoying and his james role is obnoxious. the character cranky is not the best; the way the diesel is treated by the other engines for being the new guy is not the greatest either. the toad story is nice, but lady hatt's birthday is certainly not the best--more negative female roles (caroline doesn't want to work or drive fast; lady hatt is really shallow). there are better videos out there, such as "make someone happy" (if you don't mind baldwin's characterization of james) or maybe "the best of percy."

My sons love Thomas. They enjoyed this VHS because of the new stories. The only drawback is Alec Baldwin. He's no George Carlin or even Ringo Starr. There is not much distinction in his voices, but the kids seem to like it. The movie grates a little on the nerves because of the sameness in the voices. George Carlin's and Ringo Starr's movies were more entertaining for adults - easier to listen to for multiple repititions. Overall, this is a worthwhile buy.

Thomas & his friends like to get the job done, but Cranky, a new
crane, thinks it's fun to call Thomas & Percy little bugs. Cranky laughs until a storm knocks him over & Thomas & Percy have to rescue him. This video is a must own to your collecion!
The stories on the tape are very good. The songs are good too.
I quite like the one where Toad the brakevan goes a little too
far when he goes forwards for a change. The one about the new
diesel gets teething troubles is good too. I hope you enjoy it!

my son, jack, 2 1/2, loves loves loves all of the thomas and friends movies. as a family we highly recommend any and all of the movies. they teach patience, understanding, cooperation, and many other valuable lessons. my husband loves the narrations by george carlin and i especially love alec baldwin's female impersonations. pick one or all of them up today, you'll be glad that you did!!!

We were dissapointed with the narration on this one. Baldwin doesn't have the voice quality, inflection or ability to give each charactor a unique voice. However, the story where Toad goes into a muddy ditch is one of our boys favorites.