2/5 "Deluxe Edition" ("remastered"?) No Improvement In Either Picture Or Sound
  by Robert J. Spreitzer (West Palm Beach, FL USA)
First, let me say that I own this movie because it still retains it's charm more than three decades later, and still get a kick out of it. I can recall watching it on TV when I was a kid, and would sing the catchy Miser's songs. So having it on hand to watch it every year at Christmastime is a pleasure.

I was looking forward to upgrade from my older DVD of YWASC to this "Deluxe Edition" since I was keen on seeing a couple of documentaries and noted the product being advertised as "Newly Remastered". Well, in looking at the ORIGINAL 2000 DVD release, I realized that it is quite sharp in picture, as well as having a decent mono audio track. I noticed there were scarcely any grain or dirt on this print. So maybe I could not see a need to upgrade after all, and, as it turns out, I was correct in my assumption. I rather like to make picture comparisons with different DVD releases of a favorite movie, and I did the same with YWASC. Much to my surprise, the image is not only NOT an improvement, but to my eyes, in some instances has less sharpness and is duller in the colors! Again, in the first DVD release, one can see the finest details in say the puppet's hairs. Great clarity. With this new edition, there are periodic (though admittedly minor) inconsistancies in image. It is indeed puzzling that such a reduction in clarity (and I do know that the overwhelming majority of folks wouldn't know of them--and further, would not detract from their viewing enjoyment).

Sorry, I know I could get flack for what might be considered a minor quibble, but I feel that, apart from two (fairly interesting) documentaries, one could just as well not bother to invest in this repackaging of what was an already very adequate DVD release.

But either way, by all means enjoy and share with the family. Along with Rankin and Bass' other, earlier classic, Rudolph, The Red-nosed Reindeer, Year Without A Santa Claus is a gem that will charm for generations. So let me make very clear that the two-star rating is for this DVD release, of which the content is a decent four star.

5/5 FINALLY! A RANKIN/BASS Documentary!
  by Richard J. Goldschmidt (Oak Lawn, IL USA)
I was gald to help SPARKHILL with the documentary that is on this DVD! Finally, you will hear from the creators. While I applaud WARNER BROTHERS for including this, I wish their legal dept. would have let the RANKIN/BASS archives flourish in this doc as well BUT they did not. At least the interviews are here and you get to hear from the creators themselves! Maybe now, WB will do a RANKIN/BASS DVD box set and include what fans have been asking for: THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF SANTA CLAUS, THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY, BOOK 2, PINOCCHIO'S CHRISTMAS, THE LEAPRECHAUN'S CHRISTMAS GOLD, etc. There also needs to be a deluxe edition of THE FLIGHT OF DRAGONS. If WB owns THE BERMUDA DEPTHS, that needs to come out too. HAPPY HOLIDAYS 2007!

4/5 100% classics
  by DLO (New York State)
All three videos are classics from my 30 something childhood - 100% worth the memories relived and the new ones with my kids - go, heat miser!

5/5 Can't Do Without The Year Without a Santa Claus
  by Michelle (U.S.)
Have you heard? Christmas has been cancelled! Santa Claus (voice of Mickey Rooney) believes that there is no Christmas spirit left in the world. Why deliver presents to children who don't even care? So old Saint Nicholas declares a sick day and decides to stay in bed. His elves Jingle Bells and Jangle Bells can't believe it. Mrs. Claus (voice of Shirley Booth), however, is determined to keep her husband's gift-giving tradition alive (whether he likes it or not!). She sends Jingle and Jangle out into the world to find an example of good will so that Santa will change his mind. The elves, along with Vixen the reindeer, head for Southtown, USA...and head right into trouble! First Vixen is snatched by the town dog catcher. When Jingle and Jangle appeal to the mayor to let her go, he laughs at them. The mayor won't release their reindeer unless they use "elf magic" to make it snow in Southtown (where it hasn't snowed in 100 years). There's only way to get it to snow, so Jingle and Jangle, Mrs. Claus, and a local boy named Iggy (who thinks believing in Santa is for "little kids") pay a visit to the Snow Miser. Sorry, Santa, I've got to cheer for the "Bad Guys" here because the scenes with the tall, cool Snow Miser fighting with his short, hot-tempered step-brother Heat Miser are the best part of the show! You can't help but sing along when the brothers introduce themselves ("I'm Mr. Heat Miser, I'm Mr. Sun...). And I love Snow Miser's chilly sense of humor...

Snow Miser: "How's your hubby, Mrs. Claus?"
Mrs. Claus: "He's got a bad cold, I'm afraid."
Snow Miser: "He should've come to me. I would've given him a good one!"

My family and I watch this show every year and it never gets old. Even viewers who think they're too old for Santa will enjoy this classic animated television special.

5/5 Wondeful Movie!
  by Heidi L. Stetler (Eureka, SD USA)
Ordered this movie that I saw years ago and it is every bit of fun now as it was then. Highly recomend it for all ages.