Very Merry Christmas Songs - Old VHS from the 1980s

[VolvoManiac850]

Hi everyone,

This is my first post, so please bear with me as I get settled on these forums...

I have a very old VHS tape entitled "Very Merry Christmas Songs", which was part of the "Sing Along Songs" series. I received this as a gift from my mom in 1989 and have played it every Christmas since.

I have some questions on this old gem and am hoping one of the experts here can help me out!

1. I am aware that this is now available on DVD and am thinking about getting one this Christmas season (since my old VCR is getting quirky with age). I have read that this DVD is somewhat different from the VHS. While I wouldn't mind the addition of a new song or two, my concern would be the omission of songs present on the VHS. Were any songs deleted when the movie was converted to VHS?

2. Most of the animated cartoons seem to be taken from other Disney films. In particular, there are clips from Fantasia and Mickey's Christmas Carol used throughout the video. Many others seem to be from classic Disney cartoons of years past. However, I am unsure which cartoon is used as the backdrop of "Jingle Bells" (with the couple who emerge from the picture frame to go on a sleigh ride). Was this cartoon made specifically for the video (which seems unlikely since the Sing Along series was usually never original--even the owl who opened most of the videos was from a cartoon short--I want to say "Toot Whistle Plunk and Boom"?) or is this a cartoon in of itself that Disney made years ago?

3. Along the same line, was "From All of Us to All of You" made specifically for the video or was this taken from an old Jiminy Cricket short? I recall other Sing Along videos using Jiminy Cricket as a host and I'm almost positive none of that footage was made for the videos.

4. Has Disney ever released a CD or tape of the songs featured on "Very Merry Christmas Songs"? It's a good mix--I especially like the Larry Groce version of "Joy to the World" and "Winter Wonderland" as well as Bing Crosby's "Let it Snow" and Living Voices' "Silent Night".

5. If I recall the copyright date on the video is 1988. Because of that date I'm thinking the parade used for "Here Comes Santa Claus" is from 1987. Can anyone verify that?

6. Does Disney still make this on VHS, just in case my old tape ever wears out? (If they did I'd imagine they redid the box; I have the original style box from the 1980s).

Any answers to these questions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Towncrier]

We have the same VHS tape. In fact, I think that we have ALL of the Sing-Along Songs VHS tapes from Disney. From your post (and the lack of responses), it appears that you may know more about this tape than anyone here on the Community Board. You certainly know more that I do about it.

I searched Google Groups and found someone who started an FAQ about the Disney Sing Along Songs series, but didn't find anything that could specifically answer your questions.

Perhaps by bumping this thread back to the top, someone might see it and have some additional information.

Here is a review that I found on Amazon of the DVD that mentions the VHS tape:

By Lee Neville "Lee" (London, ENGLAND)

In the 1980s Disney released Disney's Sing Along Songs: Very Merry Christmas Songs on VHS. This program featured Christmas songs with scenes from Disney cartoons on screen along with the words, often highlighted by a Mickey Mouse head. It lasted 30 minutes and had the following songs- Deck The Halls, Up On The Housetop, Joy To The World, Let It Snow, Sleigh Ride, Winter Wonderland, Here Comes Santa Claus (At Disneyland), Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer, Jingle Bells, Silent Night and We Wish You A Merry Christmas.

In 2002, Disney released Disney's Sing Along Songs: Very Merry Christmas Songs on DVD. Unlike what the ... Editorial Review states, this version lasts 54 minutes, and not just 30 minutes. This new DVD edition features the same songs from the VHS version, along with some additions. These include- a new version of Jingle Bells, Toyland, All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth, The Best Christmas Of All, White Christmas, Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree, Jingle Bell Rock, As Long As There's A Christmas and Seasons Of Giving.

This program on DVD is just great for the children just as it was on VHS so I do recommend it. The special features which include a Words Of The Season Vocabulary Game, a Very Merry Musical Game and Create-A-Card Activity are also great fun for the children and very appropriate for this kind of DVD.

Of course not everyone agrees:

By J. S. Powley (Texas)


This review is from: Disney's Sing Along Songs - Very Merry Christmas Songs (VHS Tape)
I completely agree that they really messed this one up. The original was charming and heart warming, but the new one is...well, a little creepy. I think the voiceover reminds me of The Nightmare Before Christmas, which is a great film, but not at all what this video was about. The new songs don't flow well, and the differences in animation are jarring at best. I really can't see why they changed it at all, except maybe to lengthen it. I just shelved my DVD and ordered another VHS to replace my old one. I don't think the DVD wil get pulled out anytime soon....

 

[Cool-Beans]

I had the old tape and got the new DVD. I remember being disappointed with the DVD version, but no longer remember why. If you can, get your tape turned into a DVD - that's my advice.

I do wish Disney would put the audio on a CD or sell it on iTunes. I've been calling each year for about ten years to ask if that has been done. The answer is always, "No." Last year, the girl on the phone said that would be a really good idea, though. Her three year old likes the songs and she'd like to play it in the car. So, maybe there's hope.

I wish they'd re-release all the old Sing Along Songs on DVD.

Can't help other than that. Good luck!

 

[Mickeyistheman]

I LOVED the old Sing a Long VHS's. I didn't realize they had them all on DVD. My younger brother who is now 21 and a Marine used to love watching them.

What a great memory! Thanks guys.

 

[VolvoManiac850]

Thanks to all who looked into this...

I did some more searches myself and have yet to find anything about the mystery "Jingle Bells" cartoon in particular.

I'm surprised they haven't released a Sing Along Songs DVD since 2006. There could have been lots of them to go with the Pixar releases, High School Musical, etc.

UPDATE: I found the answer to my question about Jingle Bells!!!

The scenes are from the old short "Once Upon a Wintertime", which I think came out in the late 1940s.

 

[Cool-Beans]

Thanks to all who looked into this...

I did some more searches myself and have yet to find anything about the mystery "Jingle Bells" cartoon in particular.

I'm surprised they haven't released a Sing Along Songs DVD since 2006. There could have been lots of them to go with the Pixar releases, High School Musical, etc.

UPDATE: I found the answer to my question about Jingle Bells!!!

The scenes are from the old short "Once Upon a Wintertime", which I think came out in the late 1940s.

Thanks for posting that. Glad to learn that. I love the Very Merry Christmas Sing Along.

I was thinking about it and I think the DVD has more annoying breaks between songs than the VHS did. I think the VHS had a better flow. I don't think it had all that Paul Whatshisname (Winfeld?) narration - who needs that?

 

[VolvoManiac850]

I've heard mostly bad things about the narration. I love the transitional music on the VHS!!!

Might have to give the old VCR one last hurrah at Christmas!!! As much as I'd like this on a digital disc instead of an analog tape, I would want the original undoctored work!!!

 

[eyckmans]

I loved that video. My copy got ruined
The Christmas parade in that video was what gave me my first obsession to visit Disney World. I didn't realize that it was now out on DVD, I'll have to order a copy.
Val

 

[agnes!]

Do a Google search for "VHS Very Merry Christmas Songs". You'll get a LOT of hits.
An EBay seller (renee's bargain basement) has a used/very good VHS copy for $1.09.
Amazon.com has at least one VHS copy interspersed amongst the DVDs. LOOK CAREFULLY.
Alibris and EBay have copies for $9.99.
Some YouTube hits came up on the Google search as well. Seems to be the DVD version with the narration - folks can test-drive the creepiness factor.

agnes!