Jack O'Lantern

Jack O'Lantern
1972 | Color | 25 Min | Family | G | Rankin Bass


Directors:

Jules Bass

Arthur Rankin Jr.

Writer: 

William J. Keenan (adaptation)

Stars: 

Carl Banas

Len Birman

Bernard Cowan

A leprechaun, who had changed himself into a pumpkin seed to hibernate for the winter, comes to life as Mr. Jack O' Lantern, who then uses his pumpkin shell to help scare away Zelda the Witch and Archibald the Warlock.

So after putting up some Halloween decorations the other day we thought why not watch one of the many DVD specials we have. I settled on one I picked up a few years ago and never watched called Mad Mad Mad Monsters.  But first being the goof that I am I checked the special features because that is what you do right? Lo and behold it was one simple short called Jack O'Lantern. *Gasp* I never heard of this one let's check it out!

Immediately you could tell we were in for a treat as (for me anyway not my 9-year-old) the familiar artwork of Rankin Bass popped onto the screen! We quickly get the story of a Leprechaun that was hiding as a pumpkin seed (oh Ok) who has arrived in the nick of time before the Witch and Warlock appear.

I have no clue how I missed this growing up the familiar feeling of warmth came over me as we watched with smiles on our faces this wacky tale come to life. It was funny when my daughter turned to me and said "Dad that is Rudolph's voice" and that is not all we are treated to many of the voice actors that worked with the company on many of the specials.

Somebody should be picking up this fun little story to share still to this day no reason for this to be locked away from the public. Anyway, I did find a copy on YouTube for now not sure how long it will be around so watching it quickly. 

“I smell a rat here!” says the witch.

“Oh, I do hope so,” says the warlock. “I’m famished!”