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{{Italic title}}
{{title|image=ArthursPerfectChristmasTitle.jpg|director=Greg Bailey|writer=Peter K. Hirsch|release=September 12, 2000|runtime=60 minutes|rating=|available=VHS<br>DVD}}
 
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'''''Arthur's Perfect Christmas''''' is an hour-length [[Christmas]] special based on the ''Arthur'' children's books by [[wikipedia:Marc Brown|Marc Brown]] and the animated series on {{w|PBS}}. It debuted on VHS and DVD on September 12, 2000, before airing in prime-time on PBS on Thanksgiving Day of that year.
 
  +
{{title
  +
|image=ArthursPerfectChristmasTitle.jpg
  +
|director=Greg Bailey
  +
|writer=Peter K. Hirsch
  +
|release=September 12, 2000
  +
|runtime=60 minutes
  +
|available=VHS<br>DVD
  +
|rating=TV-Y}}
  +
{{Quote|Happy holidays, everyone!|Arthur talking to the viewers}}
 
'''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is an hour-length [[Christmas]] special spin-off from the [[PBS]] Kids animated show ''{{W|Arthur (TV series)|Arthur}}'', based on the ''Arthur'' book series by {{w|Marc Brown}}. It debuted on VHS and DVD on September 12, 2000, before airing in prime-time on PBS on Thanksgiving Day of that year.
   
 
==Synopsis==
 
==Synopsis==
 
[[File:ArthursPerfectChristmasImage.jpg|thumb|250px]]
 
[[File:ArthursPerfectChristmasImage.jpg|thumb|250px]]
 
The special opens with scenes of citizens of Elwood City busy preparing for Christmas, while Pachelbel's Canon is played in the background on piano. [[Arthur Read|Arthur]] then sings the first of many of the special's musical numbers, "[[Perfect Christmas (song)|Perfect Christmas]]", in which he lays out his list of the things he wants in the upcoming Christmas:
[[File:ArthursPerfectChristmas_DVD.jpg|thumb|250px|The cover to the original DVD release]]
 
The special opens with scenes of citizens of Elwood City busy preparing for Christmas, while Pachelbel's Canon is played in the background on piano. Arthur then sings the first of many of the special's musical numbers, "Perfect Christmas," in which he lays out his list of the things he wants in the upcoming Christmas:
 
   
# A large amount of snow
+
#A large amount of snow
# An amazing dinner
+
#An amazing dinner-turkey and the whole works
# A spectacular Christmas tree (most importantly, without tinsel)
+
#A spectacular Christmas tree—most importantly, one without tinsel
# Everyone will love the presents he gets for them.
+
#Everyone will love the presents he gets for them.
   
  +
However, matters don't always work out quite as Arthur wanted it to. As the special progresses, a number of other storylines are revealed: [[D.W. Read|D.W.]] wants a new toy called "Tina the Talking Tabby", for Christmas and [[Santa Claus]] is unable to find it at any store as soon as he gets her letter. So on Christmas morning, she gets a duck called Quackers and throws a big temper tantrum. However, she changes her mind and eventually takes a liking to it.
However, things don't always work out quite as he wanted them to.
 
   
 
[[Fred (Arthur's Perfect Christmas)|Uncle Fred]] is going on a trip to Florida, but his car just so happens to break down in Elwood City on the way there. So for the meantime, he and his dog, Rory, are staying at the Reads' for Christmas. Eventually on Christmas Day, his car is fixed.
As the special progresses, a number of other storylines are revealed:
 
   
 
The timing of [[Francine Frensky|Francine]]'s family's celebration of [[Hanukkah]] conflicts with that of [[Muffy Crosswire|Muffy]]'s "holiday extravaganza", causing her to miss it. When Muffy states that Hanukkah isn't as important as Christmas, Francine feels offended because she is Jewish, and yells, "Well, it is to me!" and stops speaking to and calling Muffy. Eventually, they make up after Francine shows Muffy how important Hanukkah can be; all because her family is Jewish.
* D.W. wants a new toy called "Tina the Talking Tabby," for Christmas and [[Santa Claus]] is unable to find it at any store as soon as he gets the letter.
 
  +
* Uncle Fred is going on a trip to Florida, but his car just so happens to break down in Elwood City on the way there. So for the meantime, he and his dog, Rory, are staying at the Reads' house for Christmas.
 
 
And ever since [[Buster Baxter|Buster]]'s parents got divorced, Christmas has been a difficult time for him and his mother, [[Bitzi Baxter|Bitzi]]. She wakes him up early on the days before Christmas and makes him pancakes, thinking that it's Christmas Day. Then he has to explain to her that it isn't so yet. While he, Arthur, and their friends are at the party, they suggest he create his own holiday, Baxter Day. He is unsure, but he agrees to give it a try.
* The timing of the Frenskys' celebration of [[Hanukkah]] conflicts with that of Muffy's "holiday extravaganza," causing Francine to miss the party. When Muffy states that Hanukkah isn't as important as Christmas, Francine stops speaking to and calling her.
 
  +
* Ever since Buster's parents got divorced, Christmas has been a difficult time for him and his mother, Bitsy. She wakes him up early on the days before Christmas and makes him pancakes, thinking that it's Christmas Day. Then he has to explain to her that it isn't yet. While he, Arthur, and their friends are at the party they suggest he create his own holiday, Baxter Day. He is skeptical, but he agrees to give it a try.
 
* Every Christmas, Binky volunteers at a homeless shelter with his father and this year, he's trying to bake something special to bring. However, he's forgetting some things in the recipe, like not taking the shells off the pecans when he makes a pecan pie.
+
Every Christmas, [[Binky Barnes|Binky]] volunteers at a homeless shelter with his dad, and this year, he's trying to bake something special to bring. However, he's forgetting some things in every recipe, like not removing the shells from the pecans when he makes pecan pie, unpeeling the bananas when he makes banana bread, and adding sugar when he makes brownies. As soon as Muffy's party is over, Arthur walks into the living room.
  +
* The Brain's family is celebrating [[Kwanzaa]].
 
  +
Meanwhile, [[Alan Powers|Brain]]'s family is celebrating [[Kwanzaa]]. George's family is revealed to be Swedish and celebrate Saint Lucia Day. In the end, things don't work out quite as everybody may have hoped they would, but it seems to be for the better (assuming Arthur can ever get D.W. to stop her new Quackers from singing "Quick, quack, quaddy-quack") as he wishes the audience a happy holiday.
* George's family is revealed to be Swedish and they celebrate St. Lucia Day.
 
   
In the end, things don't work out quite as everybody may have hoped they would, but it seems to be for the better.
 
 
==Songs==
 
==Songs==
*"Perfect Christmas" (by Arthur and his family)
+
*"[[Perfect Christmas (song)|Perfect Christmas]]" (by Arthur and the Read family)
*"Boogie Woogie Christmas" (Rock and roll song by The Squabs)
+
*"[[Boogie Woogie Christmas]]" (Rock and roll song by The Squabs)
*"What's the Use of Presents?" (by Muffy, with Arthur on soundtrack version)
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*"[[What's the Use of Presents?]]" (by Muffy, with Arthur on soundtrack version)
*"Baxter Day" (by Buster)
+
*"[[Baxter Day]]" (by Buster)
 
*"Santa Lucia" (by George and the Lundgren family)
 
*"Santa Lucia" (by George and the Lundgren family)
*"Perfect Christmas [Reprise]" (by Arthur)
+
*"[[Perfect Christmas (song)|Perfect Christmas]] (Reprise)" (by Arthur)
  +
  +
==Releases==
  +
The DVD and VHS releases were distributed by Sony Wonder in 2000 and was later released by PBS Distribution under the PBS Kids label in 2012.
  +
<gallery widths=200 bordersize=none spacing=small>
  +
8E693B5A-D8A6-467E-850C-434511458733.jpeg|{{GNH|VHS|Random House Home Video/Sony Wonder<br>September 12, 2000}}
  +
ArthursPerfectChristmas DVD.jpg|{{GNH|DVD|Random House Home Video/Sony Wonder<br>September 12, 2000}}
  +
8FEBE056-AA82-4F85-B373-8B9711829B6C.jpeg|{{GNH|DVD|PBS Distribution)<br>October 9, 2012}}
  +
</gallery>
  +
  +
==Notes==
  +
*The special was the last episode of ''Arthur'' in which Michael Yarmush voiced Arthur, and the last one in which Ricky Mabe voiced of Timmy Tibble.
  +
*After D.W. walks in on Arthur and laughs, stock audio by Michael Caloz is used.
  +
*Brain and his family are shown preparing to celebrate Kwanzaa. It does not start until December 26, the day after Christmas Day.
  +
*There is a stocking with the name "Chip" hanging in Muffy's house. This is the first time her older brother, Chip, is acknowledged in the television series.
  +
*Even though both the televised and home video versions are almost identical, there are some slight differences:
  +
**In the beginning before the title card, the animation on the smoke from the Reads' chimney is going slow. However, in the home video release, it's going fast.
  +
**After Uncle Fred's video, Arthur and D.W. laughed immediately right after. In the home video release, they didn't laugh until a few seconds after.
  +
**In the televised version during the "Baxter Day" song, a vintage "tires screeching" sound effect is added when Buster and Bitzi's rocket skids to a halt in front of the Mill Creek Mall. At the end of the song, the word "baby" is cut from Buster's lyrics in newer versions of the special.
  +
**During "What's the Use of Presents?" a fade effect is missing in the home video release. Also, Muffy's singing in both versions are slightly different.
  +
  +
===Cultural references===
  +
*Bitzi states that she and Buster are going to watch ''[[It's a Wonderful Life (1946)|It's a Wonderful Life]]''.
  +
*The game that Muffy plays during "What's the Use of Presents?" is a parody of ''Super Mario Bros.''
  +
  +
===Edits===
  +
*Two versions were aired on PBS: an uncut version aired during prime time on the original Thanksgiving Day airing and an edited version aired during a pledge drive.
  +
  +
===Goofs===
  +
*During the scene where Mr. Ratburn eats one of Binky's brownies, we see a brown rabbit in the background on the other side of Mr. Ratburn in his normal wear, but seconds later we see him in a red vest talking to Brain, but when Mr. Ratburn asks Binky if he put sugar in the brownies, the rabbit is white and is wearing a green shirt.
  +
*When Francine groans, her mouth doesn't move.
  +
*In Arthur's fantasy when [[Jane Read]]|his mother]] opens the gift, she pulls the top off, but when opens it to see if it is okay, he pulls the ribbon off to do so.
  +
*When Arthur was imagining his family in the stable, [[Dave (Arthur)|Grandpa Dave]] offered his roasted camel to him. Camel is not considered kosher in Judaism, so they wouldn't have eaten it (although Arthur probably doesn't understand that).
  +
  +
==Cast==
  +
{|class=wikitable
  +
!Voice actor/actress!!Character(s)
  +
|-
  +
|{{w|Michael Yarmush}} (speaking)<br />Philip Penalosa (singing) || [[Arthur Read]]
  +
|-
  +
|{{w|Oliver Grainger}} || [[D.W. Read]]
  +
|-valign=top
  +
|{{w|Bruce Dinsmore}} || [[Binky Barnes]]<br />[[David Read]]
  +
|-
  +
|{{w|Daniel Brochu}} || [[Buster Baxter]]
  +
|-
  +
|{{w|Jodie Resther}} || [[Francine Frensky]]
  +
|-
  +
|{{w|Melissa Altro}} || [[Muffy Crosswire]]
  +
|-
  +
|{{w|Steven Crowder}} || [[Alan Powers|Brain]]
  +
|-
  +
|{{w|Arthur Holden}} || Mr. Ratburn
  +
|-valign=top
  +
|[[Sonja Ball]] || [[Jane Read]]<br />Quackers
  +
|-
  +
|Joanna Noyes || [[Thora Read|Grandma Thora]]
  +
|-
  +
|Jonathon Koensgen || Tommy Tibble
  +
|-
  +
|{{w|Ricky Mabe}} || Timmy Tibble
  +
|-valign=top
  +
|{{w|Mark Camacho}} || [[Oliver Frensky]]<br />Security Guard
  +
|-
  +
|Mitchell Rothpan || George Lundgren
  +
|-valign=top
  +
|{{w|Ellen David}} || [[Bitzi Baxter|Bitzi]]<br />Old Woman
  +
|-valign=top
  +
|{{w|A. J. Henderson}} || [[Dave (Arthur)|Grandpa Dave]]<br />[[Ed Crosswire]]
  +
|-
  +
|{{w|Harry Standjofski}} || [[Fred (Arthur's Perfect Christmas)|Uncle Fred]]
  +
|}
  +
  +
==See also==
  +
*[[Arthur's Perfect Christmas (album)|Soundtrack]]
   
 
==External links==
 
==External links==
* [[w:c:arthur:Arthur's Perfect Christmas|Arthur Wiki: Arthur's Perfect Christmas]]
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*{{interwiki|arthur|Arthur Wiki}}
* {{Imdb title|0268948}}
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*{{Imdb title|0268948}}
   
 
{{Wikipedia}}
 
{{Wikipedia}}
  +
{{WildBrain}}
{{Cookie Jar Group}}
 
 
[[Category:Specials]]
 
[[Category:Specials]]
 
[[Category:Direct-to-video specials]]
 
[[Category:Direct-to-video specials]]
 
[[Category:2000 releases]]
 
[[Category:2000 releases]]
 
[[Category:Specials prominently featuring other holidays]]
 
[[Category:Specials prominently featuring other holidays]]
  +
[[Category:Originally aired on PBS]]
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[[Category:Cookie Jar Entertainment]]
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[[Category:Musicals]]
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[[Category:Based on books]]
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[[Category:Canadian Christmas Specials]]

Revision as of 23:14, 25 January 2021


Happy holidays, everyone!

— Arthur talking to the viewers

Arthur's Perfect Christmas is an hour-length Christmas special spin-off from the PBS Kids animated show Arthur, based on the Arthur book series by Marc Brown. It debuted on VHS and DVD on September 12, 2000, before airing in prime-time on PBS on Thanksgiving Day of that year.

Synopsis

ArthursPerfectChristmasImage

The special opens with scenes of citizens of Elwood City busy preparing for Christmas, while Pachelbel's Canon is played in the background on piano. Arthur then sings the first of many of the special's musical numbers, "Perfect Christmas", in which he lays out his list of the things he wants in the upcoming Christmas:

  1. A large amount of snow
  2. An amazing dinner-turkey and the whole works
  3. A spectacular Christmas tree—most importantly, one without tinsel
  4. Everyone will love the presents he gets for them.

However, matters don't always work out quite as Arthur wanted it to. As the special progresses, a number of other storylines are revealed: D.W. wants a new toy called "Tina the Talking Tabby", for Christmas and Santa Claus is unable to find it at any store as soon as he gets her letter. So on Christmas morning, she gets a duck called Quackers and throws a big temper tantrum. However, she changes her mind and eventually takes a liking to it.

Uncle Fred is going on a trip to Florida, but his car just so happens to break down in Elwood City on the way there. So for the meantime, he and his dog, Rory, are staying at the Reads' for Christmas. Eventually on Christmas Day, his car is fixed.

The timing of Francine's family's celebration of Hanukkah conflicts with that of Muffy's "holiday extravaganza", causing her to miss it. When Muffy states that Hanukkah isn't as important as Christmas, Francine feels offended because she is Jewish, and yells, "Well, it is to me!" and stops speaking to and calling Muffy. Eventually, they make up after Francine shows Muffy how important Hanukkah can be; all because her family is Jewish.

And ever since Buster's parents got divorced, Christmas has been a difficult time for him and his mother, Bitzi. She wakes him up early on the days before Christmas and makes him pancakes, thinking that it's Christmas Day. Then he has to explain to her that it isn't so yet. While he, Arthur, and their friends are at the party, they suggest he create his own holiday, Baxter Day. He is unsure, but he agrees to give it a try.

Every Christmas, Binky volunteers at a homeless shelter with his dad, and this year, he's trying to bake something special to bring. However, he's forgetting some things in every recipe, like not removing the shells from the pecans when he makes pecan pie, unpeeling the bananas when he makes banana bread, and adding sugar when he makes brownies. As soon as Muffy's party is over, Arthur walks into the living room.

Meanwhile, Brain's family is celebrating Kwanzaa. George's family is revealed to be Swedish and celebrate Saint Lucia Day. In the end, things don't work out quite as everybody may have hoped they would, but it seems to be for the better (assuming Arthur can ever get D.W. to stop her new Quackers from singing "Quick, quack, quaddy-quack") as he wishes the audience a happy holiday.

Songs

Releases

The DVD and VHS releases were distributed by Sony Wonder in 2000 and was later released by PBS Distribution under the PBS Kids label in 2012.

Notes

  • The special was the last episode of Arthur in which Michael Yarmush voiced Arthur, and the last one in which Ricky Mabe voiced of Timmy Tibble.
  • After D.W. walks in on Arthur and laughs, stock audio by Michael Caloz is used.
  • Brain and his family are shown preparing to celebrate Kwanzaa. It does not start until December 26, the day after Christmas Day.
  • There is a stocking with the name "Chip" hanging in Muffy's house. This is the first time her older brother, Chip, is acknowledged in the television series.
  • Even though both the televised and home video versions are almost identical, there are some slight differences:
    • In the beginning before the title card, the animation on the smoke from the Reads' chimney is going slow. However, in the home video release, it's going fast.
    • After Uncle Fred's video, Arthur and D.W. laughed immediately right after. In the home video release, they didn't laugh until a few seconds after.
    • In the televised version during the "Baxter Day" song, a vintage "tires screeching" sound effect is added when Buster and Bitzi's rocket skids to a halt in front of the Mill Creek Mall. At the end of the song, the word "baby" is cut from Buster's lyrics in newer versions of the special.
    • During "What's the Use of Presents?" a fade effect is missing in the home video release. Also, Muffy's singing in both versions are slightly different.

Cultural references

  • Bitzi states that she and Buster are going to watch It's a Wonderful Life.
  • The game that Muffy plays during "What's the Use of Presents?" is a parody of Super Mario Bros.

Edits

  • Two versions were aired on PBS: an uncut version aired during prime time on the original Thanksgiving Day airing and an edited version aired during a pledge drive.

Goofs

  • During the scene where Mr. Ratburn eats one of Binky's brownies, we see a brown rabbit in the background on the other side of Mr. Ratburn in his normal wear, but seconds later we see him in a red vest talking to Brain, but when Mr. Ratburn asks Binky if he put sugar in the brownies, the rabbit is white and is wearing a green shirt.
  • When Francine groans, her mouth doesn't move.
  • In Arthur's fantasy when Jane Read|his mother]] opens the gift, she pulls the top off, but when opens it to see if it is okay, he pulls the ribbon off to do so.
  • When Arthur was imagining his family in the stable, Grandpa Dave offered his roasted camel to him. Camel is not considered kosher in Judaism, so they wouldn't have eaten it (although Arthur probably doesn't understand that).

Cast

Voice actor/actress Character(s)
Michael Yarmush (speaking)
Philip Penalosa (singing)
Arthur Read
Oliver Grainger D.W. Read
Bruce Dinsmore Binky Barnes
David Read
Daniel Brochu Buster Baxter
Jodie Resther Francine Frensky
Melissa Altro Muffy Crosswire
Steven Crowder Brain
Arthur Holden Mr. Ratburn
Sonja Ball Jane Read
Quackers
Joanna Noyes Grandma Thora
Jonathon Koensgen Tommy Tibble
Ricky Mabe Timmy Tibble
Mark Camacho Oliver Frensky
Security Guard
Mitchell Rothpan George Lundgren
Ellen David Bitzi
Old Woman
A. J. Henderson Grandpa Dave
Ed Crosswire
Harry Standjofski Uncle Fred

See also

External links

This page uses Creative Commons Licensed
content from Wikipedia (view authors).
Smallwikipedialogo
WildBrain
WildBrain Spark "Christmas Tree" • "Twinkle's Wish" • A Holly Johnny Christmas • "Christmas" (Yo Gabba Gabba!) • "A Very Awesome Christmas" • Yo Gabba Gabba!: A Very Awesome Live Holiday Show! • "SheZon's Greetings" • Dorg and the Christmas Fairy • "Johnny's Holiday Light Fight" • "Christmas at Malory Towers"
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DiC Entertainment "Christmas Memories" • "North Pole Cat" • "Xmas Marks the Spot" • "There's No Such Thing as Stego-Claws" • "The Year Scroogenip Swiped Christmas" • "Koopa Klaus" • "Santa Claus is Coming to Flatbush" • "Merry Christmas, Mr. Carroll" • "Christmas in July" • "The Night Before Cave Christmas" • A Christmas Adventure • "Merry Christmas, Super Dave!" • Inspector Gadget Saves ChristmasA Hollywood Hounds Christmas • "Do Not Reboot 'Til Christmas" • "Kilo Is Coming to Town" • "It's a Gorganus Life" • "Madeline at the North Pole" • "Just Like Old Times" • Twas the Night Before BumpyJingle Bell RockSonic Christmas BlastThe Adventures of SnowdenA Christmas Carol • "Holiday on Ice" • "A Gadget Boy Christmas Around the World" • "The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle" • "Witchmas Carole" • "The Christmas Phantom" • "Across the Delaware" • "Berry Merry Christmas" • "Santa Claw" • "The Claw Who Stole Christmas"
Ragdoll Productions "Magical Lights" • "Christmas Tree" • "Making Christmas Cards" • "Crackers" • "Christmas Carols" • "The Perfect Tree"
Decode Entertainment "Santa Sword is Coming to Town" • "Secret Santa" • "Last Day of Christmas" • "A Very Sadie Christmas" • "His Master's Choice" • "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" • "The Nutcracker" • "The Happy Holidays Issue" • "How to Make a Christmas Miracle" • "Lobster Claus is Coming to Town"
Halifax Films "Bob's Broken Sleigh" • "A Wish World Christmas"
Iconix Brand Group A Charlie Brown Christmas • "The Play" • It's Christmastime Again, Charlie BrownCharlie Brown's Christmas Tales • "Berry Merry Christmas" • I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown • "Dear Santa Claus" • "Happy First Frost" • "Christmas is Coming" • "Christmas is on Its Way" • "It's Your 50th Christmas, Charlie Brown" • "Berry Merry Melody" • "Lemon's Name in Lights" • "Happiness is the Gift of Giving" • "Mission Unfrostable" • "Happiness Is Holiday Traditions"
FilmFair "Paddington's Christmas" • "Paddington and the Christmas Shopping" • "Christmas in Fabuland" • "Huxley Pig's Cinderella"
Nerd Corps Entertainment "A Christmas Wish" • "Monster Machine Christmas" • Lego Friends: Holiday Special • "Happy Sniffmas" • "A Blazing Amazing Christmas"