CASPER [1995 / 2020] [25th Anniversary Edition] [Blu-ray + DVD] [UK Release]
The Haunting Season Has Begun! Seeing is Believing!
From director Brad Silberling and Steven Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment comes a live-action fun house ride filled with laughter, excitement and ghostly surprises. "Ghost therapist" Dr. James Harvey [Bill Pullman] and his daughter Kathleen “Kat” Harvey [Christina Ricci] arrive at the drafty old Whipstaff Manor. Its greedy owner, Carrigan Crittenden [Cathy Moriarty], has hired Dr. James Harvey to exorcise the house's apparitions: a friendly but lonely young ghost named Casper, who's just looking for a friend, and his outrageous uncles Stretch, Stinkie and Fatso “The Ghostly Trio.” If the plan works, Carrigan Crittenden and Paul “Dibbs” Plutzker [Eric Idle], her partner-in-slime, can get their hands on the manor's fabled treasure. Meanwhile, Casper has found a kindred spirit in Kathleen “Kat” Harvey, but “The Ghostly Trio” will not tolerate "fleshies" in their house. With hilarious antics and dazzling special effects from many of the creators of ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit’ and’ Jurassic Park.’ ‘CASPER’ is a mile-a-minute adventure comedy for the whole family.
FILM FACT No.1: Awards and Nominations: 1995 Golden Screen, Germany: Win: Golden Screen Award for the film ‘CASPER.’ 1995 The Stinkers Bad Movie Awards: Nomination: Worst Picture for Colin Wilson. 1996 Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA: Win: Best Performance by a Younger Actor for Christina Ricci. Nomination: Best Fantasy Film. 1996 ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards: Win: Top Box Office Films for James Horner. 1996 Kids' Choice Awards, USA: Nomination: Blimp Award for Favorite Movie. 1996 Young Artist Awards: Win: Best Performance by a Young Actor for Voiceover Role for Malachi Pearson. Nomination: Best Family Feature in a Musical or Comedy. Nomination: Best Young Leading Actress in a Feature Film for Christina Ricci.
FILM FACT No.2: In the mirror scene, Dr. James Harvey [Bill Pullman] was also supposed to transform into Steven Spielberg and according to director Brad Silberling, the cameo was filmed, but was cut for pacing reasons. Steven Spielberg was of course totally relieved, feeling that he is not much of an actor himself and was quite nervous in front of the camera. With the actress Cathy Moriarty came to fame in the brilliant Joe Dante 1993 film ‘MATINEE’ playing two characters Ruth Corday and Carole.
Cast: Chauncey Leopardi, Spencer Vrooman, Malachi Pearson (Casper) (voice), Cathy Moriarty, Eric Idle, Ben Stein, Don Novello, Fred Rogers (archive footage), Terry Murphy, Bill Pullman, Christina Ricci, Ernestine Mercer, Doug Bruckner (Reporter voice), Joe Nipote (Stretch voice), Joe Alaskey (Stinkie voice), Brad Garrett (Fatso voice), John Kassir (The Crypt Keeper voice), Garette Ratliff Henson, Jessica Wesson, Wesley Thompson, Michael Dubrow, J.J. Anderson, Jess Harnell (voice), Michael McCarty, Micah Winkelspecht, Mike Simmrin, Amy Brenneman, Devon Sawa (Casper on Screen), Janette Andrade (uncredited), Dan Aykroyd (uncredited), Rodney Dangerfield (uncredited), Clint Eastwood (uncredited), Mel Gibson (uncredited), Elise Main (uncredited) and Tony Stef'Ano (uncredited)
Director: Brad Silberling
Producers: Colin Wilson, Gerald R. Molen, Jeff Franklin, Jeffrey A. Montgomery, Paul Deason, Steve Waterman and Steven Spielberg
Screenplay: Joe Oriolo (characters), Deanna Oliver (written) and Sherri Stoner (written)
Composer: James Horner
Cinematography: Dean R. Cundey, A.S.C. (Director of Photography)
Digital Character Supervision: Dennis Muren, A.S.C.
Image Resolution: 1080p (Color by DeLuxe)
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 (Anamorphic)
Audio: English: 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
Português [Brazilian]: 5.1 DTS-HD Audio
French: 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
German: 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
Italian: 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
Spanish [Latin]: 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
Russian: 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
Japanese: 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
English: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio
Subtitles: English, Português, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Spanish [Latin], Russian, Chinese [Cantonese], Chinese [Mandarin], Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, Greek, Hungarian, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Português [Brazilian], Swedish, Thai, Turkey and Japanese
Running Time: 100 minutes
Region: All Regions
Number of discs: 1
Studio: Universal Pictures / Amblin Entertainment
Andrew’s Blu-ray Review: ‘CASPER’ [1995] is based on the popular cartoon character, and this family-oriented "ghost story" is about a not-so-scary spirit who bonds with a little girl Kathleen “Kat” Harvey [Christina Ricci]. But we have the eternally irritable Carrigan Crittenden [Cathy Moriarty] who discovers that the only thing she's been left in her recently departed father's will is a rickety old house in Maine in New England. Naturally, Carrigan Crittenden is totally furious about this, until her "close personal friend" and assistant, Paul “Dibbs” Plutzker [Eric Idle], discovers a secret message that a treasure may be concealed somewhere in the house.
Carrigan Crittenden and Paul “Dibbs” Plutzker take off for Maine in New England, only to learn that the house is haunted by Casper "the friendly ghost" and his three ghostly uncles Stretch [Joe Nipote], Stinkie [Joe Alaskey] and Fatso [Brad Garrett]. After futilely recruiting an exorcist Father Guido Sarducci [Don Novello], more or less reviving his Father Guido Sarducci character from “Saturday Night Live” and a "professional ghost exterminator" Dr. Raymond Stantz [Dan Aykroyd], Carrigan Crittenden brings in a "ghost psychiatrist" Dr. James Harvey [Bill Pullman] and his daughter Kathleen “Kat” Harvey [Christina Ricci].
Innocently attracted to the young girl, Casper [Malachi Pearson] befriends Kathleen “Kat” Harvey as they try to save the ghosts home from the evil Ms. Carrigan Crittenden. The brilliant eye-popping special effects highlight this magical wonderful story that touches lightly on the theme of what lies at the heart of human desires. Clint Eastwood, Rodney Dangerfield, Mel Gibson and John Kassir [The Crypt Keeper voice] all make cameos as apparitions in the mirror as Bill Pullman looks into in the house.
Of course there is also the awesome CGI side of ‘CASPER’ and the team of animators have done a really wonderful job of making Casper and his uncles blend semi-seamlessly with the real life settings. There are no rough edges and everything works so very well together for the film ‘CASPER’ especially regarding the brilliant CGI special effects, rather instead, than using the embellishment for the laughs alone.
As for the acting, well the first thing to mention is that Malachi Pearson who provides the voice for Casper is totally brilliant and very effective, delivering cute and funny lines from that slightly high pitched yet charming voice and matching the emotion of the comedy perfectly. But the real stars are Bill Pullman as the “Ghost therapist” Dr. James Harvey and Christina Ricci as his daughter Kathleen “Kat” Harvey and Bill Pullman does a decent enough job of having fun with his 2 dimensional character never trying to make it any more than a stooge for the various jokes played upon him by Casper's uncles Stretch, Stinkie and Fatso. But it works and in the scene where the tables are turned and Kathleen “Kat” Harvey screams at seeing her first ghostly apparition and the fact that her father Dr. James Harvey also freaks out makes it a lot of fun, with totally silly characters.
What is really nice is that Christina Ricci having made her name as Wednesday Addams in ‘The Addams Family’ film, Christina Ricci gets a chance to shed the morbid outfits and play a semi normal teenager, and someone who befriends ghosts can't be completely that normal. Christina Ricci does well with the main character making her come across as your typical teenager and yet never adds too many dimensions to make her feel out of place in what is in effect a 2 dimensional cartoon. Christina Ricci manages to deliver the sweet, but nice and cute at the same time, without over doing it and Kathleen “Kat” Harvey interactions with Casper works so brilliantly, especially with the scene where Kathleen “Kat” Harvey is being dragged through the halls by Casper and Christina Ricci goes slamming into a wall as Casper flies through it.
Whilst all this is really good and ‘CASPER’ is for me a totally entertaining spookily funny film, that I know all age groups will thoroughly enjoy and will love this film, as there is something for everyone, especially when they do go for all those comical fright scenes, that has a slight horror aspect to it, but nothing too scary overall, especially in a not a nasty way but when Stretch, Stinkie and Fatso occasionally show their naughty side to their characters, the animation may give really young children a slight fright; but in fact as an adult I thought these moments were really cleverly done, but it's worth remembering when plonking young children down to watch the film, that it is all a totally harmless jolly fun film to watch.
What this all boils down to is that the film ‘CASPER’ is a thoroughly entertaining and enjoyable film, that manages to combine the use of brilliant CGI computer animation, with some more traditional elements, such as simple cartoon slapstick and blending them together brilliantly, to make this a totally amusing and fun filled film that has elements of some cuteness, but it definitely has a great deal of comedy going for it and it also has a couple of ghostly frights, making it a wonderful way to waste 100 minutes as you watch Christina Ricci and Bill Pullman interact with Casper “the friendly ghost” and his mischievous ghostly uncles. So all in all, it is a great fun film that will entertain you for many hours and it definitely has a repeat viewing enjoyment, as there is so much action going on, you sometimes miss stuff and that is why a repeat viewing is a definite must.
CASPER MUSIC TRACK LISTING
CASPER THE FRIENDLY GHOST (Written by Mack David and Jerry Livingston) [Performed by Little Richard]
THAT’S LIFE (Written by Kelly Gordon and Dean Kay) [Performed by Frank Sinatra)
SAME SONG (Written by Gregory Jacobs, Ron Brooks and Tupac Shakur) [Performed by Digital Underground]
HARD COPY BALL LOGO (Written by Edd Kalehoff)
REMEMBER ME THIS WAY (Written by David Foster and Linda Thompson) [Performed by Jordan Hill]
* * * * *
Blu-ray Image Quality – Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment brings us ‘CASPER’ Blu-ray disc a really spooky haunting experience with a stunning 1080p image, as well as a very nice 1.85:1 (Anamorphic) aspect ratio. The image is very stable to look at, and giving us an image that is very detailed. With this Blu-ray, colours are faithfully rendered, and shadow details are also better than average, which is crucial with a film of this calibre, especially with so many dimly lit environments. In addition, the image is very clean, with some slight visible film grain, but nothing too bothersome. The haunted house's strange red-tinted interior, is offset by some more traditionally black, grey and blue rooms and stands out really nicely with a few brighter scenes, such as a few of the outdoor moments and a classroom sequence, deliver a healthy, but stable palette of colour and skin tones are really good. Black levels are never problematic, but hints of a push towards a dark purple shade are occasionally evident. Overall, it is a very good and enjoyable visual presentation and top marks to Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment.
Blu-ray Audio Quality – Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment brings us ‘CASPER’ a really spooky haunting experience with a very good scary soundtrack, especially with the 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio surround sound track, that is filled with lots of quality ambient sound effects that are frequently more aggressive than they are subtle. Blowing winds, thunder, creaks, moans, and assorted haunted house scary moment effects are playfully implemented in terms of volume and stage presence and gives a brilliant robust performance. Ghostly voices float naturally and effortlessly throughout your surround speakers to good effect and are totally naturally integrated. Bigger action elements, such as when a "train" powers through the listening area, all of it is full of great fun. The James Horner composed music is aggressively big and potent yet clear and precisely placed around the sound stage, with a wide front end performance and can sometimes get slightly aggressive, but not too dominant. Generally dialogue reproduction is very strong and centre-focused. So all in all it is a very a good overall sound performance and again top marks to Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment.
* * * * *
DVD Special Features and Extras:
Special Feature: CASPER: A SPIRITED BEGINNING [1997] When Casper [Jeremy Foley] failed to show up at the Ghost Central Station, Casper instead finds himself in the world of the living where Casper befriends a young boy name Chris Carson [Brendon Ryan Barrett], a 10 year old, who loves ghosts and the supernatural and has a workaholic father Tim Carson [Steve Guttenberg] who spends little time with his son as he attempts to tear down an old mansion to update the town. Casper also meets with the Ghostly Trio where they along with Chris Carson are willing to help Casper become a better ghost. Meanwhile, a monstrous ghoul: Kibosh [James Earl Jones], who is head of the Ghost Central, discovers Casper's absence, sent out his assistant: Snivel [Pauly Shore] to find Casper and bring him back at once.
Cast: Steve Guttenberg, Lori Loughlin, Rodney Dangerfield, Michael McKean, Brendon Ryan Barrett, Richard Moll, Shannon Chandler, Steven Hartman, Logan Robbins, D'Juan Watts, Sherman Hemsley, Ben Stein, Brian Doyle-Murray, Edie McClurg, Rodger Halston, Casper Van Dien, Michael McDonald, Manny Fernandez, Michael Spagnoli, Rick Dean, Patricia Elliott, Shell Danielson, Phillip Connery, William Kendall, Emily Jennifer Grunfeld, Janet Wood, Brendan O'Brien, David Kloser, Danny Weselis, Casey Dolkas, Janet Rotblatt, Dawn Howard, Jeremy Foley (Casper voice), Bill Farmer (Stinky voice), Jess Harnell (Fatso voice), James Ward (Stretch voice), Pauly Shore (Snivel voice), James Earl Jones (Kibosh voice), Jymn Magon (Cameo) (uncredited), Debi Mazar (Angie Lyons) (uncredited) and Sean McNamara (Ghost Dude) (uncredited)
Director: Sean McNamara
Producers: Haim Saban, Jeffrey A. Montgomery, Lance H. Robbins, Mike Elliott, Mike Upton, Rob Kerchner, Vincent Bitetti and Voldi Way
Screenplay: Joseph Oriolo (book), Seymour Reit (book), Rob Kerchner (story), Thomas McCluskey (story), Jymn Magon (screenplay) and Thomas Hart (screenplay)
Composers: Inon Zur, Jeremy Sweet and Udi Harpaz
Cinematography: Christian Sebaldt (Director of Photography)
Digital Visual Effects Supervisor: Ray McIntyre Jr.
Image Resolution: 1080p
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1
Audio: English: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio
Subtitles: English
Running Time: 93:48 minutes
Region: All Regions
Number of discs: 1
Studio: 20th Century Studios Home Entertainment
CASPER: A SPIRITED BEGINNING MUSIC TRACK LIST
CASPER: THE FRIENDLY GHOST (Written by Mack David and Jerry Livingston) [Performed by KC & The Sunshine Band with Kool & The Gang]
DON’T WORRY BE HAPPY (Music by Bobby McFerrin) (Lyrics by Bobby McFerrin) [Performed by Bobby McFerrin]
I’M NOT ALONE (Music by Ellen ten Damme and Ron Kenan) (Lyrics by Ellen ten Damme and Ron Kenan) [Performed by Ellen ten Damme]
SPOOKY MADNESS (Music by Jeremy Sweet and Ron Kenan) (Lyrics by Jeremy Sweet and Ron Kenan) [Performed by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy]
NO ONE LIVES FOREVER (Music by Danny Elfman) (Lyrics by Danny Elfman) [Performed by Oingo Boingo]
KANDY POP (Music by Amanda MacKinnon, John Clark and Steve Clark) (Lyrics by Amanda MacKinnon, John Clark and Steve Clark) [Performed by BIS]
YOU’RE IN TROUBLE (Music by Ian Christian Nickus and Jeremy Sweet) (Lyrics by Ian Christian Nickus and Jeremy Sweet) [Performed by C.T.F.G.]
DELICIOUS (Music by Blake, Ashew and Fitzpatrick) (Lyrics by Blake, Ashew and Fitzpatrick) [Performed by Shampoo]
I WANNA BE WITH YOU (Music Denniz PoP and Max Martin) (Lyrics by Denniz PoP and Max Martin) [Performed by The Backstreet Boys]
MANSIZE ROOSTER (Music by Supergrass) (Lyrics by Supergrass) [Performed by Supergrass]
LOVE SENSATION (Music John McLaughlin and Gordon Gouide) (Lyrics by John McLaughlin and Gordon Gouide) [Performed by 911]
BIG BOMB BOMB (Music by Whitey Don, W. Johnson and C. Browne) (Lyrics by Whitey Don, W. Johnson and C. Browne) [Performed by Whitey Don]
BEST FRIEND (Music by Paul Gordon) (Lyrics by Paul Gordon) [Performed by C.T.F.G.]
YOU’RE IN TROUBLE (Written by Ian Nickus and Jeremy Sweet) [Performed by C.T.F.G]
* * * * *
Special Feature: CASPER’S SCARE SCHOOL [2006] Here Casper has a new assignment: get in touch with his spooky side and start scaring "fleshies" OR ELSE! It's a tough enough challenge for the world's friendliest ghost. But when he goes to Scare School to learn his craft, he uncovers a plot by Alder [Jim Belushi] and Dash [Bob Saget], the cruel, two-headed headmaster, to take over the world. With only himself and his misfit pals Ra, a mummy with "unravelling issues," and Mantha, a zombie who can't keep her limbs on, and the odds are stacked against Casper. But what Alder and Dash don't realize is that the power of friendliness is greater than any evil plot, and when friends work together nothing can stop them.
Voice Cast: John DiMaggio (Stinkie / Frankengymteacher voice), Billy West (Fatso / Figurehead voice), Dan Castellaneta (Stretch voice), Debi Derryberry (Banana Lady / History Teacher / Additional Voices), Scott Menville (Punk Kid / Scare Center Host 2 / Pumpkinhead / Brainiac / Pool Guy / Hunchback / Additional Voices), Devon Werkheiser (Casper / Casper's Shadow voice), Brett DelBuono (Jimmy voice), Pat Fraley (Scare Center Host 1 / Wolfie / Narrator / Werewolf / Additional Voices), Kevin Michael Richardson (Kibosh voice), Jim Belushi (Alder voice), Bob Saget (Dash voice), Jason Harris (Gargoyle / Flyboy / Skinny Ghost / Coach / Additional Voices), Matthew Underwood (Thatch voice), Candi Milo, Nika Futterman (Monaco voice), Christy Carlson Romano (Mantha voice), Kendre Berry (Ra voice), Maurice LaMarche (Pirate / Thurdigree Burns voice), Kevin McDonald (Parrot voice), Terri Douglas (Fish Boy / Drip / Additional Voices), John Kassir (P.A. Voice / Additional Voices), Phyllis Diller (Aunt Spitzy voice), Daryl Dragon (Murray voice), Toni Tennille (Belle voice), Danny Cooksey (Additional Voices) and Fred Tatasciore (Additional Voices)
Director: Mark Gravas
Producers: Bob Mittenthal, Eric Ellenbogen, Evan Baily, Milind D. Shinde, Nickole Kerner-Bobley, Ralph Guggenheim and Sandra Walters
Screenplay: Kirk De Micco (story), Robert Mittenthal (story), Andrew Nicholls (screenplay) and Darrell Vickers (screenplay)
Composer: Magnus Fiennes
Image Resolution: 1080p
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Audio: English: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio
Subtitles: English
Running Time: 78:00 minutes
Region: All Regions
Number of discs: 1
Studio: Classic Media / Kapow Pictures
CASPER’S SCARE SCHOOL MUSIC TRACK LIST
WHY DOES LOVE MAKE ME FEEL SO GOOD? (Written by Magnus Fiennes and Gary Go)
WORLD WITHOUT FEAR (Written by Magnus Fiennes and Gary Go)
CASPER “THE FRIENDLY GHOST” (Written by Magnus Fiennes and Gary Go)
THE SCARE SCHOOL SONG (Written by Magnus Fiennes and William Smith, Andrew Nicholls and Darrell Vickers)
* * * * *
Special Feature: 5 CASPER – The Friendly Ghost Original Theatrical Cartoons: Here you get to view five hilarious classic CASPER cartoons and they are as follows:
Casper's Spree Under the Sea [1950] Casper the Friendly Ghost is kicked out of the Society of Ghosts when he admits he does not like scaring people. Dejected, desperate and friendless, Casper decides to drown himself, but Casper is evidently confused. There, Casper discovers that he has friends among the fish. When all of his new friends, including Goldie, the pretty goldfish, are caught in the net by two fishermen, Casper rises to the occasion and the surface, frightens the two fishermen away, and Casper becomes a hero to the fish.
Voice Cast: Jackson Beck (Ghost Leader / Fish Fair Barker / Fisherman voices) (uncredited), Jack Mercer (Ghost / Fish Fair Barker / Fisherman voices) (uncredited), Mae Questel (Goldie the Goldfish voice) (uncredited) and Alan Shay (Casper voice) (uncredited)
Director: Bill Tytla and George Germanetti (animation director) (uncredited)
Producers: Izzy Sparber (uncredited), Sam Buchwald (uncredited) and Seymour Kneitel (uncredited)
Screenplay: Isadore Klein (story)
Composer: Winston Sharples
Image Resolution: 480i
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1
Audio: English: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio
Subtitles: English
Running Time: 8:00 minutes
Region: All Regions
Number of discs: 1
Studio: HARVEY FILMS
* * * * *
Once Upon a Rhyme [1950] Casper the Friendly Ghost doesn't like to haunt and wishes he could be in Mother Gooseland. Casper then gets his wish and frightens the spider away from Little Miss Muffet. Casper then comes upon the old lady in the shoe but frightens her away also. Sadly, Casper is very depressed, but when he rescues Red Riding Hood from Wolfie, so Mother Goose rewards him by making up a rhyme about him.
Voice Cast: Jackson Beck (Narrator / Spider / Wolfie voices) (uncredited), Jack Mercer (Screaming Old Woman in a Shoe / Screaming Wolfie voices) (uncredited), Sid Raymond (Wolfie voice) (uncredited), Cecil Roy (Mother Goose / Old Woman in a Shoe voice) (uncredited) and Alan Shay (Casper voice) (uncredited)
Director: Izzy Sparber
Producers: Izzy Sparber (uncredited), Sam Buchwald (uncredited) and Seymour Kneitel (uncredited)
Screenplay: Isadore Klein (story)
Composer: Winston Sharples
Image Resolution: 480i
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1
Audio: English: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio
Subtitles: English
Running Time: 7:00 minutes
Region: All Regions
Number of discs: 1
Studio: HARVEY FILMS
* * * * *
Boo Hoo Baby [1951] After running away from home, Casper the Friendly Ghost finds a baby and takes it to a foundling home, where the babies welcome him and become his playmates. Unfortunately, the nurse, not knowing that Casper's friendly, calls the police. After a cop shoots at him and naturally, misses. Casper leaves the place in tears. But the nurse and cop have a change of heart when they hear the babies crying for the friendly ghost. Casper gets a job there handing out bottles, and he is even able to provide for five baby quintuplets by attaching a glove to their bottle.
Voice Cast: Jackson Beck (Cop voice) (uncredited), Jack Mercer (Sleeping Ghosts / Man at Mailbox voices) (uncredited), Mae Questel (Babies voice) (uncredited) and Alan Shay (Casper voice) (uncredited)
Director: Seymour Kneitel
Producers: Izzy Sparber (uncredited), Sam Buchwald (uncredited) and Seymour Kneitel (uncredited)
Screenplay: Larz Bourne (story)
Composer: Winston Sharples
Image Resolution: 480i
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1
Audio: English: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio
Subtitles: English
Running Time: 7:00 minutes
Region: All Regions
Number of discs: 1
Studio: HARVEYTOONS
* * * * *
To Boo or Not to Boo [1951] [1080i] [1.37:1] [7:00] Mild-and-meek Casper, the Friendly Ghost, is depressed and glum because people will have nothing to do with him despite the fact that he has read "How To Win Friends, and Influence People" from cover-to-cover. This is especially true on Casper’s favourite holiday, Halloween, but as soon as all the children and grown-ups realize he is a real ghost, they run away. But Casper perks up when he meets a cute girl ghost at a barn dance.
Voice Cast: Jackson Beck (Narrator / Little Boy / Clown voices) (uncredited), Jack Mercer (Little Boy / Donkey / Square Dance Caller voices) (uncredited), Mae Questel (Lou / Ladies at Door voices) (uncredited) and Alan Shay (Casper voice) (uncredited)
Director: Izzy Sparber
Producers: Izzy Sparber (uncredited), Sam Buchwald (uncredited) and Seymour Kneitel (uncredited)
Screenplay: Larz Bourne (story)
Composer: Winston Sharples
Image Resolution: 480i
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1
Audio: English: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio
Subtitles: English
Running Time: 6:00 minutes
Region: All Regions
Number of discs: 1
Studio: HARVEY FILMS
* * * * *
Boo Scout [1951] [1080i] [1.37:1] [9:00] While Casper the Friendly Ghost is reading a book on how to be friendly and is studying about how to become a Boy Scout. But all the other ghosts spend their time ghosting, so Casper finds a troop of Boy Scouts, but they all run away in fear. Finally, he meets Little Billy, they were in the forest where Casper helped Billy footprints and Billy dragged a skunk and Billy stop and the skunk was about to hurt Billy and the skunk looked up top there was a ghost and scream and runaway with skunk stink who is too young to be a scout but is okay with Casper being his friend. Billy sees that a large bear has the scouts cornered, and Casper comes to their aid and scares the bear away. The grateful scouts acclaim Casper as their hero.
Voice Cast: Jackson Beck (Scout Leader voice) (uncredited), Jack Mercer (Billy's Brother / Ghosts voices) (uncredited), Mae Questel (Billy voice) (uncredited) and Alan Shay (Casper voice) (uncredited)
Director: Izzy Sparber
Producers: Izzy Sparber (uncredited) and Seymour Kneitel (uncredited)
Screenplay: Larz Bourne (story)
Composer: Winston Sharples
Image Resolution: 480i
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1
Audio: English: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio
Subtitles: English
Running Time: 7:00 minutes
Region: All Regions
Number of discs: 1
Studio: HARVEY FILMS
* * * * *
Finally, the ‘CASPER’ film is a surprisingly brilliant wonderful funny film, and one that you might think it is going to be totally bland and generic around its edges, but you will find it has a much deeper scenario story line, much more welcoming, much more tender-heart of gold with emotions and I really shed a slight tear near the end of the film. The characters are simple but strongly developed and definitely great performance from everyone in the film, even the CGI animated ghosts. The story is not all that novel, but the emotions that flow throughout the film are genuine and warm hearted and the special effects hold up extremely well. ‘CASPER’ may not be a classic, but it holds up for lots of repeat viewings, as there is so much action going on and never loses its wonderful charm and inner dramatic appeal. All in all the film ‘CASPER’ is a fantastic great deal of fun, fun, fun, and is especially for all age groups. Because I thoroughly enjoyed the film, I was hoping a follow up ‘CASPER’ film would be in the pipeline, but sadly this is not to be, that is such a shame. But with the extra DVD we have the added bonus of two extras films and also five wonderful Casper Classic Cartoons to make this whole package totally complete. Very Highly Recommended!
Andrew C. Miller – Your Ultimate No.1 Film Aficionado
Le Cinema Paradiso
United Kingdom
