"The Smurfs" Are Coming to DVD!

[Kolbar]

While making my way through the new Popeye DVD set, I came across the trailer for the upcoming, yet-to-be-announced "Smurfs: The Complete First Season" DVD! Has anyone else heard any official word yet?

http://www.hbshows.com/images/smurfsdvd1.jpg

[PeppeRaskell1]

About time.

[Darklordavaitor]

Good for you, Smurfs fans. I personally dispise this show, but nice to see you all get a season set.

[The Wolverine]

This has been known for a while. About a year, actually. The DVD is meant to correspond with the upcoming theatrical movie.

[Jave]

That's a pretty appealing cover. Good to see some original Peyo comic art in it.

[dth1971]

I thought DIC bought the rights to revive the Smurfs rather than Hanna-Barbera!

[ZumbidoMetal]

I thought DIC bought the rights to revive the Smurfs rather than Hanna-Barbera!

DiC simply bought syndication rights, that is all.

[Kolbar]

This has been known for a while. About a year, actually. The DVD is meant to correspond with the upcoming theatrical movie.Well of course there was speculation and we all knew it would eventually come out but now we know its sometime in the near future.

[j3rricab]

Ohh how exciting! Hopefully its the complete first season, not like the local release here only about 3/4 of S1 episodes were released and just went straight onto S2. Hopefully it will be announced soon.

*adds to list*:sweat:

[dtemplar]

I wonder why Warner hasn't announced it at Comic-Con?

[Mandouga]

WHOOOOOOOOAA!!!

(makes "time out" sign)

Wait a minute, wait a minute. Time out for just a minute.

Until we learn more about this, I don't think we should celebrate just yet. After all, are these the ORIGINAL versions, or were they (like other Hanna-Barbera DVDs) just sourced from the USA Network (where applicable)/Cartoon Network/Boomerang repeats (i.e., only featuring the opening from the first 4 seasons)? Until this question can be answered, I don't think we should celebrate (or should I say "smurf-ebrate") just yet, and "leave" us not forget that Boomerang hasn't exactly been showing EVERY episode of the show (I can't even remember the last time I saw that four-parter where Nat Smurfling runs away to live with Wild Smurf).

On a related note, are we (meaning we, the viewers; age notwithstanding) EVER going to see "Smurfs and the Magic Flute" (again)? (too bad only Tribute Broadcasting has that answer)...

EDIT: @Top Cat: What live-action movie?

[Dub]

Gawd I hope we get all the episodes with the original intros intact and not any of the syndication releases. There's like 8 or 9 seasons of this darn show and tons of episodes were left out of syndication. I have been waiting on this set for freaking FOREVER. :D

I.E. The Wild Smurf 4 parter and the 4 part Grandpa Smurf story and practically all of Seasons 7 and 8 among other things.

**HUGE OLD SCHOOL SMURFS FAN**

[veemonjosh]

What live-action movie?

The one that Nickelodeon is making for theaters.

[Super Leviathan]

Earl Kress actually suggested that the Smurfs DVD wasn't happening anytime soon. Since this had to have been in the pipeline for some time (DVD's aren't exactly compiled overnight, you know), did he not know this was happening?

Sure, the Smurfs are popular (I liked the Snorks better, but that's neither here nor there), but will people support 9 releases of the Smurfs (I'm always afraid of DVD's of cartoons underperforming and releases of those shows being dropped)

[Dub]

Smurfs predated Pokemon, Ninja Turtles, and Real Ghostbusters as "the super huge must watch" cartoon from back in the day and was one of HB's most successful cartoons of the 80's. Many people still remember it fondly and I think the other HB DVD's have been selling fairly well. I think that with the right marketing this'll do pretty well. ESPECIALLY overseas where its still shown frequently in some places from what I understand.

[Tobias]

http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/newsitem.cfm?NewsID=7768

The first half of Season 1 (13 half hour episodes plus the Prime Time 'Smurfs Springtime Special).

I know it says 19 episodes, but like the Superfriends sets, a few of the episodes are made of two 10 minute segments.

I'm hoping they're uncut with the original theme song instead of the 'Smurf's Adventures' syndicated opening.

[Wanted]

I honestly don't know what they're trying to pull... why not release all the episodes at once? Well, the price might not be that appealing if they did that; but, still.

[Tobias]

If they were using the original prints that ran on NBC I could see them releasing the full season at once. Season 1 had 39 episodes (or 13 1 hour episodes), so they might just be testing the waters for future releases.

EVERY season of the Smurfs ran for a full hour, and at one point was even on for 90 minutes, so this might be WB's way of breaking things down and keeping the releases relatively cheap.

[John Pannozzi]

I wonder why Warner hasn't announced it at Comic-Con?
They did. At Cartoon Brew, Jerry Beck showed a tattoo from WHV's booth advertising it.

The one that Nickelodeon is making for theaters.
Actually, it's a CGI movie. And hope it's true to the original Peyo stories (which I hope get rereleased in English soon).

[Kolbar]

Why is Nickelodeon making it? Doesn't Warner own some kind of stake in it because of Hanna-Barbera?

[Wanted]

Well, the cartoon, yes... the property itself belongs to Peyo's estate, or something like that.

[AarHan3]

I'm hoping they're uncut with the original theme song instead of the 'Smurf's Adventures' syndicated opening.

It can go one way or the other. And given how WHV has disrespectfully mishandled a lion's share of Hanna-Barbera DVD releases, I'd put my smart money on the other. :sad:

Guess we'll just have to wait and see... :shrug: :confused:

[Jave]

Well, the cartoon, yes... the property itself belongs to Peyo's estate, or something like that.I believe it's something like that. In Europe, they're still making new comic books, under the supervision of Peyo's son.

[jinx]

It's about Smurfin time!!!.. I can't wait to get this. I'll make sure to ask Santa for it.

P.S Any preorders being taken yet?

[lordsmurf]

Some more information about Smurfs DVDs/episodes/videos/movies:

1. Notice the artwork says "Season One - Volume One". The Smurfs half-hour episodes, as mentioned by another poster, sometimes had two stories. So the "19 episodes" wording is misleading. It's only 13 episodes, which is half of the 26-episode season (and the 345 minutes quoted on the package verifies that). I have never understood why people want to split episodes in half. If you cut a CSI episode in half and labeled it Part 1 and Part 2 (half hour each), people would raise bloody hell, especially if you put it out of order.

2. The supposed "upcoming theatrical movie" has not even entered production from the information that is available. It was announced in 2005, and almost nothing has happened with it. It's similar to the never-happened Johnny Bravo movie. Being a CG movie, it would take several years to complete, not enough time for a 2008 release. At best, it might come out in 2009-2010, and this has been discussed on Smurfs sites.

3. DIC only bought syndication rights for 26 episodes (mostly season 1), and those long ago expired, from the information I've seen. It was part of the DIC E/I block in 2005. The DIC rights did not seem to be exclusive, as Boomerang still ran the episodes too.

4. WB does not seem to own all of the rights for the entire Smurfs series. Seasons 7-9 never air in syndication in North America. NBC might still control some rights? We may have another Batman (Adam West) situation for several seasons of this show. They do show S8-S9 in Australia about once a year. Some years ago, part of S7 was also shown in Australia.

5. The Smurfs trailer on the Popeye DVD uses broadcast masters. You'll notice some of the clips have a cyan or blue tint and/or a brightness problem. The Australian volume releases came from film scans, judging from the high quality and lack of visual flaws. This does not look good for the USA release.

6. Most of The Smurfs S1 and part of S2 made it on DVD in Australia. There were 12 individual releases from 2004-2007.

7. The Smurfs Complete S1 was first announced (unofficially?) in 2004 for a USA release in Q4 2005. It was even available for pre-order on a few sites in Q1 2005 (Amazon.com was one of them). Like any number of false-start DVD releases, it just disappeared one day, many months before release, and most people forgot it was ever announced.

8. I.M.P.S. Belgium owns the Smurfs property and Peyo's creations. Smurfs are still very popular in Europe. Germany and France both have monthly magazines in fact. I just got the new issue a few days ago. New PVC Smurfs figures are released every year, sold worldwide (USA too!). This year was Native American (Indian) themed figures.

9. The Cartoon Network / Boomerang / DIC / etc intros are not the original ones. Those are special syndication cuts. Each season had it's own credits originally. You can see these on the Australian volume releases. The syndicated S6 episode "Don Smurfo & Gargamel's Dummy" (when shown on Boomerang) has the original S6 intro on it. The original S9 intro can be seen on the official S9 Malaysian VCD release. One episode in S4, as shown on Cartoon Network in the 1990s (not Boomerang), has the original intro too, but I forget which one.

10. There are a number of "banned" episodes. Whether these are actually banned is unknown, however the fact remains that they are simply not shown in syndication. S3, S6 and S7 have these episodes. Will these be included on DVD releases?

11. Episode lists online are wrong. Pure, flat-out wrong. There are 262 HB-made half-hour episodes, 7 HB-made specials and the non-HB European movie. There is also a short B&W film from the 1960s out there, also a non-HB production. Most guides online have episodes and shorts all mixed up. Do not rely on them for accurate information.

It's a real mess, ain't it? :sad:

[Mandouga]

Why is Nickelodeon making it? Doesn't Warner own some kind of stake in it because of Hanna-Barbera?

Unlikely. The Smurfs (original French title: "Les Schtroumpfs") originally existed in Belgium (Peyo's home country, where they speak French) before it went int'l. NICK more than likely licensed it directly from either Spirou (the French-Belgian company, or magazine [not sure which] who publishes it), or Peyo's estate.

Actually, it's a CGI movie. And hope it's true to the original Peyo stories

Fat chance...

FYI: For those who may not know, Les Schtroumpfs/The Smurfs was originally a spinoff of "Johan et Pirlouit" (or "Johan and Peewit" in English), another comic Peyo made. In the latter, J&P first met the Smurfs during the whole "Magic Flute" thing.

DIC only bought syndication rights for season 1

Correction. They bought syndication rights for "26 select episodes" which came from various seasons (one of the episodes they showed was "Sasette" which introduced that character).

[Tobias]

4. WB does not seem to own all of the rights for the entire Smurfs series. Seasons 7-9 never air in syndication in North America. NBC might still control some rights? We may have another Batman (Adam West) situation for several seasons of this show. They do show S8-S9 in Australia about once a year. Some years ago, part of S7 was also shown in Australia.



Either that, or WB just doesn't want to put out the money to edit the remaining episodes (cut for commercial time/add the 'Smurfs Adventures' opening/Cut it down from the original Hour broadcast, etc)

Or it just might be the fact that they're thinking 'Well, we have enough episodes to fill out the rotation, why bother spending the time and effort to put the rest in?' As you said, that's 262 half hour episodes. It'd take a whole year to get through one run.

[wizard55]

11. Episode lists online are wrong. Pure, flat-out wrong. There are 262 HB-made half-hour episodes, 7 HB-made specials and the non-HB European movie. There is also a short B&W film from the 1960s out there, also a non-HB production. Most guides online have episodes and shorts all mixed up. Do not rely on them for accurate information.

It's a real mess, ain't it? :sad:

Where can we find a correct episode list then? I usually check tv.com or epguides.com but these are incorrect ??

[lordsmurf]

Where can we find a correct episode list then? I usually check tv.com or epguides.com but these are incorrect ??
You're not going to find one.

I'd say at least half of all guides of shows aired before 2000 are going to be wrong on epguides/tv/tvtome. The tvtome was well-known for this back when it was still new. I can think of more guides that were wrong than I can of guides that were correct. And it's hard to correct this info, because of the abundance of ego-driven slobs out there who won't allow you to change their wrong information. The same thing happens on wikipedia and imdb. What I find ridiculous is how people link between wikipedia, tv, and imdb for "proof" of information, but the reality is anybody can edit those sites. I'd often bet the same person is editing all three sites. The epguides/tv sites are also very guilty of splitting episodes in their listings, and this is how you get people believing shows like Smurfs have 400+ episodes. In reality, they did a butcher job on the listing of ~262 half-hour shows.

I actually have recordings of 254 of the half-hour episodes, so I can say without a doubt what is and is not correct on those (which shorts go together, and in which order). Sadly, I'm missing 8 episodes, and actually cannot even verify if they exist. It may be another case of invented information on somebody's guide out there, which is where I started. Also have the specials and movie.

Currently sorting out season 9. It was not even aired in order in syndication, so the time traveling almost gives you a headache. They often spend a few shorts in the same location, but for whatever reason, they're not being aired back-to-back. So it makes them seem like they're traveling a lot more than just a dozen or so times, and re-visiting the same places.

When my guide is a bit more finished, I'll share it. But it's not done yet, still a work in progress. It's very different than what you'll see at the popular guide sites. The only thing really the same is the breakdown by season, they at least got that part correct.

[Dub]

I thought so. The episode guides that I've seen of smurfs have always felt WILDLY innacurate and several things felt like they were missing or incomplete out of it. I'd be interested in seeing a proper one done for once.

[Jave]

Nearly every guide lists "The Astrosmurf" as episode 1, but I'm positive that the real episode 1 is supposed to be "The Smurfette"

[lordsmurf]

Nearly every guide lists "The Astrosmurf" as episode 1, but I'm positive that the real episode 1 is supposed to be "The Smurfette"
Well, there are two schools of thought on this one:

#1 - Astrosmurf was the first produced and aired episode. The Smurfette, being later in the season, was like a flashback ... just not as obvious.

#2 - If you really want to go chronological, then there are a couple of Smurfette-less episodes that come before The Smurfette. I believe, if memory serves, that The Hundredth Smurf was the first episode.

[Tobias]

Yeah, as far back as I can recall, 'The AstroSmurf' has always been the first episode aired, even when it entered syndication, they started off with that one. That's also the first episode out of the gate whenever Boomerang gets back to the start of the series.

I was always curious why 'The Smurfette' was never aired first. You'd think they'd start off with that episode, or at least put it on the Volume 1 set.

BTW, they aired 'Don Smurfo/Gargamel's Dummy' on Boomerang Saturday, complete with the original intro. I think they don't air that intro because the last half of the intro's scenes are taken from the season premiere that's never been shown on CN or Boomerang, where they travel the world to find the Life Force Stone, or whatever it was called.

[Dark Fact]

http://www.hbshows.com/images/smurfsdvd1.jpg
Does anyone else notice a contradiction in this ad? It says "Complete first season" at the bottom yet the DVD case says "Season One". Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't Season One simply mean getting all or almost all of the episodes with some footage missing due to bungling or legal issues whereas the Complete First Season includes ALL footage and tracks from the first season?

[Tobias]

It doesn't really matter, since we're only getting HALF of season 1 come December. As long as the final box art says 'Season 1, Volume 1' we can't really cry false advertising as long as the box tells us we're not getting it all at once.

[Dark Fact]

Ok, but HB should've been more clear with their advertising. Besides, if you notice in the picture, Volume One isn't even on the box. That's what got me confused.

[Wanted]

Well, technically, Warner Home Video's pulling the strings.

[lordsmurf]

"Season One - Volume One" is on the spine of the DVD case. The marketing is very misleading. In fact, I'd go so far as to call them liars. Then again, I lost all respect for WB a few years ago. They basically crap on everything that is not brand new AND bringing in tons of merchandising money. More than anybody, I'd love pristine film scans of the complete Smurfs show released on DVD, but I live in the real world, where WB probably won't make that dream come true. At least not in this country. It's so sad how UK and Australia get so many good DVD releases of American 80s cartoons, yet USA and Canada get almost nothing.

[veemonjosh]

The thing is, at least WB IS releasing this. They could just as easily be like Disney and only release series sets of their own original characters.

It's so sad how UK and Australia get so many good DVD releases of American 80s cartoons, yet USA and Canada get almost nothing.

...We get just as many, if not more, 80's cartoons on DVD than the UK and Australia do.

Name one series that's been released in the UK and not in North America.

[lordsmurf]

Name one series that's been released in the UK and not in North America.

I did not refer to just the UK. Australia, Spain, France, Germany, Honk Kong, Malaysia, Japan and many other places have good DVDs too.

If you want to just talk about Hanna Barbera Show, then here's one:
- Tom & Jerry MGM
- Tom & Jerry (Deitch Years)
- The Smurfs volumes ... the topic of this thread, ironically

Okay, not 80s HB? Well, there weren't too many 80s HB, now were there? Jetsons, Smurfs... ?

I was referring to general 80s genre cartoons. Try these:
- Voltron Vehicle
- Transformers Headmasters, Masterforce, Victory -- UK release for HM
- Voltron Lion (completed already, two years ago)
- Incredible Hulk
- M.A.S.K.
- Dino-Riders

Those are just ones I can remember off the top of my head. Doesn't even includes 1960s-1970s and 1990s-2000s cartoons not released in the USA.

Want more eras:
- Marvel 1960s toons (Cap, Iron Man, etc) -- UK release
- Avengers -- UK release
- TMNT Next Mutation volumes -- UK release
- TMNT 2003 unaired 5th season
- Fantastic Four (1978)

It was almost 2-3 years (or more!) later that the USA got some releases:
- Pink Panther -- UK release
- Dungeons & Dragons -- UK release
- Inspector Gadget volumes

I also ignore the many VCD releases.

The USA is not getting more cartoon releases than the rest of the world. I'm excluding modern 90s-2000s anime too (not really a cartoon for the purpose of this discussion).

We really were in the same situation in the VHS days. That's the whole reason I own a German VCR and a stack of PAL tapes (almost all of them from UK).

Yeah, we're getting a lot of good releases, but we're not even close to getting them all. If you only look at amazon.com or Best Buy for your DVDs, you're missing out on a lot of good DVDs.

Yeah, I'm glad WB is releasing shows, but I'm not going to get on my knees and bow in worship of them. They do a passable job at best, especially considering how often they screw up (T&J, Thundercats, Superman Ultimate, etc).

[veemonjosh]

Yes, but I was talking about shows that were aired in the US and aren't currently scheduled.

For example:

- Voltron Vehicle

That's coming out in the US soon enough.

- Transformers Headmasters, Masterforce, Victory -- UK release for HM

Those never even aired in the US.

- Voltron Lion (completed already, two years ago)

The series is almost finished being released in the US.


- TMNT 2003 unaired 5th season

4Kids is going to air that season in January, so the DVD won't be too far behind.

The rest are what I was getting at (though, I blame the lack of Hulk squarely on Disney).

[lordsmurf]

"Soon enough" on Voltron? I don't even think we have an announcement yet.

TF:HM wasn't aired in UK either.

Voltron Lion's "almost" has hit delays for years now. Have they finally announced the final volume? WEP isn't very good about releases either.

While airing something is nice, it's still not a DVD release. It takes a lot of effort to watch and/or record a show. This also assumes 4KidsTV does not cancel or otherwise move it around. The 4Kids DVDs are usually a good 6-12 months (or more, if ever) behind the show. So what is that? 2009?

[veemonjosh]

"Soon enough" on Voltron? I don't even think we have an announcement yet.

Media Blasters has announced SEVERAL times thay they will release Vehicle Voltron AS SOON as they're done with Voltron Lion's releases.

TF:HM wasn't aired in UK either.

Then it doesn't count.

Voltron Lion's "almost" has hit delays for years now. Have they finally announced the final volume? WEP isn't very good about releases either.

Media Blasters is the company releasing it in North America, and I think volume 4 has just come out. Volume 5 (the final volume of Lion Voltron) is scheduled, and WILL BE RELEASED, this winter.

Trust me, Media Blasters is definately going to release all of Voltron. They even had to put one of their own series on hiatus to give Voltron more focus.

[lordsmurf]

Why does it matter where a show was aired? I don't understand this "does not count" thing. I've lived in markets where things did not air, usually because it did not carry that affiliate. Does that not count for me, then?

Are we really having this conversation? :sad:

[Mandouga]

If we want to keep this thread on topic, we won't be...

Anyway, I again hope this DVD release isn't sourced from the syndication prints like so many H-B releases have been.

[veemonjosh]

Why does it matter where a show was aired? I don't understand this "does not count" thing. I've lived in markets where things did not air, usually because it did not carry that affiliate. Does that not count for me, then?

Are we really having this conversation? :sad:

Headmasters, Masterforce, and Victory don't count because they never aired outside of Asia.

I meant 80's series on DVD that were aired in North America, Europe, and Australia.

[Caswin]

Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't Season One simply mean getting all or almost all of the episodes with some footage missingNo.
whereas the Complete First Season includes ALL footage and tracks from the first season?Unfortunately, also no. (The 90s Fantastic Four set attests to this.)

[lordsmurf]

The F4 set really was not much different than what aired. In fact, for that reason, I don't know why they re-did everything. A number of them sounded like Stan Lee was reading the same script from 10+ years ago.

[Caswin]

The F4 set really was not much different than what aired. In fact, for that reason, I don't know why they re-did everything. A number of them sounded like Stan Lee was reading the same script from 10+ years ago.They "re-did" (which is to say cut or replaced while adding nothing) everything because the most convenient versions of the episodes were the ones that had just aired on JETIX, and were cut to allow for more commercials - obviously not on the DVD, but that didn't stop them.

[lordsmurf]

They "re-did" (which is to say cut or replaced while adding nothing) everything because the most convenient versions of the episodes were the ones that had just aired on JETIX, and were cut to allow for more commercials - obviously not on the DVD, but that didn't stop them.
But how cut were they? Commercial time in the 1990s wasn't much different than it is now. It's not like older toons where they lopped off 5 minutes. I'm not saying they are uncut, but I don't recall any glaring omissions (like Spiderman & His Amazing Friends, for example).

[Undrave]

Maybe those 'banned' episodes that never seem to air are the ones where they crossover with Johan and Peewit? Those guys had a short lived serie of their own (I loved the French theme song :p ), in French it was often looped amidst Smurf reruns :p , and they often appeared in Smurf eps.


Man this make me feel like buying some Schtroumpfs DVDs to have some episodes to call my own ^^;

[Tobias]

I don't know about Boomerang, but CN aired the Johan and Peewit episodes in the rotation. I think the banned episodes might have to do with some heavy moral issues, like the anti-drug episode and the episode where Smurfette's mouse dies.

On that note, there's a Flintstone Kids episode missing that dealt with an anti-drug message as well.

[lordsmurf]

These are the half-hour episodes that never air with the rest of the seasons:

Season 3:
- No Time For Smurfs & A Wolf in Peewit's Clothing
- All Hallow's Eve

Season 6:
- The Smurfquest, Part 1 (aka Pt1-2)
- The Smurfquest, Part 2 (aka Pt3-4)
- A Myna Problem & Bringing Up Bigfeet

Everything else from S1-S6 airs.

Also, half of S7 never airs, the other half aired in Australia a number of years ago. S8-S9 does not air in North American, only in Australia about once per year. Some of S8 was released in UK on VHS (now OOP). S9 was released on VCD (officially) in Malaysia some years back.

Most of the specials never air either, but can be found on various VHS and DVD releases that exist.

Most all of the Johan and Peewit episodes air. I've never seen a solo series.

The so-called controversial shorts/episodes "Revenge of the Smurfs" (revenge on Gargamel) and "Squeaky" (Smurfette's pet mouse dies) are both aired in regular syndication. I saw both of these this year (2007) on Boomerang.

The anti-drug special was not a Smurf episode, it was a network special with many characters.

[Jave]

The anti-drug special was not a Smurf episode, it was a network special with many characters.The anti-drug episode is "Lure of the Orb" (the one where a witch gives Poet a crystal ball that grants energy to anyone who touches it for a short amount of time) and I'm pretty sure it's an actual episode, not a special.

The one you're thinking of is "Cartoon All-Stars to the Rescue"

[Undrave]

These are the half-hour episodes that never air with the rest of the seasons:

Season 3:
- No Time For Smurfs & A Wolf in Peewit's Clothing
- All Hallow's Eve

Season 6:
- The Smurfquest, Part 1 (aka Pt1-2)
- The Smurfquest, Part 2 (aka Pt3-4)
- A Myna Problem & Bringing Up Bigfeet

Everything else from S1-S6 airs.

Also, half of S7 never airs, the other half aired in Australia a number of years ago. S8-S9 does not air in North American, only in Australia about once per year. Some of S8 was released in UK on VHS (now OOP). S9 was released on VCD (officially) in Malaysia some years back.

Most of the specials never air either, but can be found on various VHS and DVD releases that exist.

Most all of the Johan and Peewit episodes air. I've never seen a solo series.

The so-called controversial shorts/episodes "Revenge of the Smurfs" (revenge on Gargamel) and "Squeaky" (Smurfette's pet mouse dies) are both aired in regular syndication. I saw both of these this year (2007) on Boomerang.

The anti-drug special was not a Smurf episode, it was a network special with many characters.

The Smurfquest...isn't that the eps where Grampa Smurf comes back and they go on a quest to find the essence of the four Elements all over the world in order to rejuvenate the Stone of Long Life (or whatever) which gives, as the name indicate, Smurfs their longevity (Papa Smurf is about 500 years old to give an exemple).

Johan and Peewit had their own theme song, title card AND solo episodes without smurfs (though the Smurfs were integrated to stories they never appeared in originaly if I recall) , so I'd count that as a 'solo' serie, even if its now integrated to the Smurfs rotation.

[lordsmurf]

Yes, the Smurfquest was the introduction of Grandpa. From the information I have available, it originally aired on cable, as a 45-50 minute movie (Disney Channel was probably the one, as they did a lot of Hanna-Barbera movies back then), later to be broken into episodes (later being a few months at most).

The Johan & Peewit episodes had their own title cards, yes. You'll notice the broadcast masters are always brighter and washed out on these. The Smurfs appear in every episode, usually as an important part of the plot. Those were all in season 2:
Ep29 The Cursed Country - starts in village, 10 minutes of Johan/Peewit getting into trouble, Smurfs help last 10 min
Ep31 The Black Hellebore - starts in village, 10 minutes of Johan/Peewit getting into trouble, Smurfs help last 10 min
Ep34 The Sorcery Of Maltrochu - flashback episode, Johan/Peewit telling story in village, story happens most of episode, finish story in village
Ep38 Johans Army - Smurfs appear in middle and end of episode, helping their friends
Ep40 The Magic Fountain - Smurfs prominent throughout story
Ep41 The Imposter King - starts in village, 10 minutes of Johan/Peewit getting into trouble, Smurfs help last 10 min
Ep43 The Haunted Castle - Smurfs prominent throughout story
Ep47 The Raven Wizard - starts in village, 10 minutes of Johan/Peewit getting into trouble, Smurfs help last 10 min, although it's more of a cameo for them in this episode
Ep48 The Ring Of Castellac - starts in village, and then Smurfs are seen throughout the episode, however they mostly just watch and make comments (narration for children)
Ep50 The Return Of The Clockwork Smurf - Smurfs make a brief appearance in the middle and end, mostly a cameo, story revolves around Clockwork and side characters in the kingdom
Ep53 The Prince And The Peewit - the Smurfs are with Johan the whole episode, who is seen briefly between the Peewit scenes, as the episode is Peewit-centric
Ep54 The Enchanted Baby - Smurfs are prominent at the beginning and end of episodeLater seasons had some shorts and episodes too, but they did not have a special title card, and Smurfs still appeared. These include:
Ep73.1 Peewit Meets Bigmouth
Ep85 The Moors Baby
.... just to name a few, there are at least 3-4 moreI just looked at all of those and wrote this up from scratch, hope it's appreciated. ;)

The season 6 episode "Lure Of The Orb" is also shown on Boomerang, and it was on this year, within the past few months. It was about depending on things that are not necessarily good for you. I guess you could interpret that as drugs, but you could interpret it any number of ways (eating cookies, for example, or your favorite childhood blankey). It combats the childhood tendency to cry for something because you "need it".

If it involves Smurfs, I tend to know it. :D

[Caswin]

But how cut were they? Commercial time in the 1990s wasn't much different than it is now. It's not like older toons where they lopped off 5 minutes. I'm not saying they are uncut, but I don't recall any glaring omissions (like Spiderman & His Amazing Friends, for example).Apart from the Stan Lee intros, not too much, admittedly - but there were definite scene cuts, one of the more notable ones being the final shot of the series.

[Undrave]

Yes, the Smurfquest was the introduction of Grandpa. From the information I have available, it originally aired on cable, as a 45-50 minute movie (Disney Channel was probably the one, as they did a lot of Hanna-Barbera movies back then), later to be broken into episodes (later being a few months at most).

The Johan & Peewit episodes had their own title cards, yes. You'll notice the broadcast masters are always brighter and washed out on these. The Smurfs appear in every episode, usually as an important part of the plot. Those were all in season 2:
Ep29 The Cursed Country - starts in village, 10 minutes of Johan/Peewit getting into trouble, Smurfs help last 10 min
Ep31 The Black Hellebore - starts in village, 10 minutes of Johan/Peewit getting into trouble, Smurfs help last 10 min
Ep34 The Sorcery Of Maltrochu - flashback episode, Johan/Peewit telling story in village, story happens most of episode, finish story in village
Ep38 Johans Army - Smurfs appear in middle and end of episode, helping their friends
Ep40 The Magic Fountain - Smurfs prominent throughout story
Ep41 The Imposter King - starts in village, 10 minutes of Johan/Peewit getting into trouble, Smurfs help last 10 min
Ep43 The Haunted Castle - Smurfs prominent throughout story
Ep47 The Raven Wizard - starts in village, 10 minutes of Johan/Peewit getting into trouble, Smurfs help last 10 min, although it's more of a cameo for them in this episode
Ep48 The Ring Of Castellac - starts in village, and then Smurfs are seen throughout the episode, however they mostly just watch and make comments (narration for children)
Ep50 The Return Of The Clockwork Smurf - Smurfs make a brief appearance in the middle and end, mostly a cameo, story revolves around Clockwork and side characters in the kingdom
Ep53 The Prince And The Peewit - the Smurfs are with Johan the whole episode, who is seen briefly between the Peewit scenes, as the episode is Peewit-centric
Ep54 The Enchanted Baby - Smurfs are prominent at the beginning and end of episodeLater seasons had some shorts and episodes too, but they did not have a special title card, and Smurfs still appeared. These include:
Ep73.1 Peewit Meets Bigmouth
Ep85 The Moors Baby
.... just to name a few, there are at least 3-4 moreI just looked at all of those and wrote this up from scratch, hope it's appreciated. ;)

The season 6 episode "Lure Of The Orb" is also shown on Boomerang, and it was on this year, within the past few months. It was about depending on things that are not necessarily good for you. I guess you could interpret that as drugs, but you could interpret it any number of ways (eating cookies, for example, or your favorite childhood blankey). It combats the childhood tendency to cry for something because you "need it".

If it involves Smurfs, I tend to know it. :D

All of them? Wow... well I guess I mixed my memories of the Johan and Peewit episodes with the original comics (which actually only had like 2 or 3 stories with Smurfs in them... heck even Peewit didn't show up until like the third story!).

[lordsmurf]

Yeah, the comics are a whole different critter. Definitely solo action there. :anime:

[caboose]

Has anybody notice how much The Snork are alike to The Smurfs.

[Jave]

Has anybody notice how much The Snork are alike to The Smurfs.Yeah, for years. But that's another discussion for another thread. Please don't go off-topic.

[Undrave]

Yeah, the comics are a whole different critter. Definitely solo action there. :anime:

^^ when I was younger I lived right next to the public library. During the summer I would run there, grab five comic books (the limit), all of Franco-Belgian origin, go home, read them in under an hour then dash right back out to the library to get more :p I could do that multiple times a day.

I read all they had of Peyo. The Smurfs, Johan and Peewit, Benoit Brisefer...not his comedy serie with the cat though... I've never been big on comedy only series (in the Franco-Belgian style I mean) except for a few rare cases like the Leonardo series.

And around that time the Smurfs were airing intensely everyday of the week on the local kid channel. I probably saw every episode at least two or three times XD

[loonylouie]

It's good that they're putting Smurfs on DVD finally! In my opinion, it was the last truly good show that Hanna-Barbera ever produced before all their product went down the toilet, and I'm only referring to the first few seasons too!
They were still doing all the production work here in the U.S., and I'm sure the first season was the last time that Bill and Joe's old guard--their animation crew on the classic MGM Tom and Jerrys which consisted of Kenneth Muse, Irv Spence, Ed Barge and Ray Patterson--worked together on an H-B series (Muse died in 1984 and Barge left the world not long after; Spence died in 1994 and Patterson in I think 2003, so they were around for the entire run) and you even saw the likes of Richard Thompson--one of Chuck Jones' top guys at Warners, the great old Betty Boop--Popeye animator Dave Tendlar, Tom Ray--before he left to Marvel to work on G. I. Joe and Dungeons and Dragons, and I swear I saw Bob Bentley's name in the credits as well, so the level of animation was pretty high for a Saturday morning cartoon, no matter what John K. says (he's right in some respects, but TV animation today, with some very notable exceptions, his work included, doesn't compare to what was done back then) and that's what kept me glued to the screen--for most of the animators/directors/layout artists/background painters on the series, it was their last hurrah before they retired, or even sadder, passed away, so it was an honor to watch!

In short I can't wait for this to show up at my local video shop!;)

[HucksLilGrl]

I was so happy whenever I found this out bc the Smurfs have always been one of my fave. Hanna Barbera cartoons! I wish that they would release the Shirttales next!!!!:ack:

[Tobias]

Who knows? If Smurfs does well, WB might start looking at other *cute character* properties like Shirt Tales, Pound Puppies, The Biskits, and the rest.

[dtemplar]

Official announcement:

February 26, 2008

The Smurfs release date.

http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Smurfs-Season-1-Volume-1-Official_Announcement/8337

[dth1971]

Finally, the new release date for the Smurfs Volume 1 DVD, now I hope there's a new release date for a Get Along Gang DIC series DVD set!

[Chris Wood]

I really only need a single "Best of Gargamel" disc for nostalgia. I couldn't stand to sit through an entire season.

[Mandouga]

Finally, the new release date for the Smurfs Volume 1 DVD, now I hope there's a new release date for a Get Along Gang DIC series DVD set!

I don't know if you remember, but the planned Get-Along Gang DVD was cancelled because AG (who owns the characters) wouldn't officially approve the release. Because of that, the show won't be released for quite some time (the worst case scenario suggesting it will never be released at all).

Back on topic, I'm concerned as to whether or not this DVD will be based on the syndication masters (currently airing on BOOM). IMHO, it would be a real travesty if the DVD was just the same version we could see on BOOM anytime. I truly hope it features the original opening(s) (and not as some lousy extra, but as the actual opening sequence).

[Tobias]

It always bothered me that this show never runs UNCUT on Boomerang, considering it's a commercial free network. Even the episodes that premiered on Boomerang (The few from S7 featuring Wild Smurf that were rolled out) have the 'Smurfs Adventures' opening.

Just by listening to the end credits of the last few seasons, you can tell some real effort was put into the theme song each year. I REALLY want to see the openings of Seasons 4 - 7. (FYI, the openings of 8 and 9 are on Youtube)

[DrTooth]

You know, I was reading the first page of this thread, and I misread the part about Dic having the rights to the series or something like that. I'm glad it's just reruns. I'd hate to see a new Smurf cartoon come out of that festering scab. UGH. Anyone see the stuff they have now? Plus, while not a Care bears fan by any stretch, I hear nothing but bad things about the new series from CB fans.

But I'm glad that Warners is no longer denying this release. Can't wait for it, myself.

Too bad some American company can't get the rights to translate the comics in English to release along side it.

[Chris Wood]

Too bad some American company can't get the rights to translate the comics in English to release along side it.

I have (or had) one comic volume in English. I think Brainy wants to visit the moon or something, so the rest of the Smurfs put on an elaborate masquerade to make him believe he's there. It's much wittier than the cartoon.

[Mandouga]

If memory serves, I believe that was Dreamy Smurf (at least in the TV show it was...).

[Chris Wood]

If memory serves, I believe that was Dreamy Smurf (at least in the TV show it was...).

Yeah, maybe. Haven't seen it in years.

[ThePeterNetwork]

I have a theory as to why the release date was pushed back to where it is now.

Matt. Murray, resident "Smurfologist" was flown out to Burbank to be interviewed for the Smurfs DVD. He possibly provided more information than what the producers knew about the Smurfs, and so they did more research to put out a better product.

So maybe we'll get to see the original opening titles after all. :)

[Dub]

Gawd I hope we get the original openings and missing episodes. That would make this so excellent and worth getting.

I doubt we'll get the movies actually in movie form but beggars can't be choosers.

Here's my question - "The Smurfs and the Magic Flute" was not done by HB but is still "animated smurfs". Who owns it?

[Mandouga]

I believe that Tribune Broadcasting owns the TV rights to that one (or at the very least were the last ones to). I forget who owned the home video rights, but they expired a long time ago.

[Undrave]

Yeah, maybe. Haven't seen it in years.

Yeah I believe it was Dreamy. They haul him all the way to a volcano while he sleeps due to a potion and there they set up an alien village and transform their appearance with a spell. The problem is that Dreamy gets so comfortable that he wants to stay there!! So the transformed Smurfs make up a bunch of ridiculously difficult trials so he can join the 'tribe', only for Dreamy to succeed at all of them.

It's one of the earliest story put in animation. It's like episode 2 or something :p and it's also a somewhat early story (I can't recall if it was pre or post Smurfette). The Smurf's 'alien' alter egos are not the same color in the cartoon than in the comic book.

In a later episode of the cartoon he wants to go back to visit his 'alien' friends. This time the Smurfs don't want to go ALL the way to the volcano crater (plus I think Gargamel sorta blew it up :p ) so instead they use cardboard rocks to disguise the village XD silly episode really.

[ThePeterNetwork]

Yeah I believe it was Dreamy. They haul him all the way to a volcano while he sleeps due to a potion and there they set up an alien village and transform their appearance with a spell. The problem is that Dreamy gets so comfortable that he wants to stay there!! So the transformed Smurfs make up a bunch of ridiculously difficult trials so he can join the 'tribe', only for Dreamy to succeed at all of them.

It's one of the earliest story put in animation. It's like episode 2 or something :p and it's also a somewhat early story (I can't recall if it was pre or post Smurfette). The Smurf's 'alien' alter egos are not the same color in the cartoon than in the comic book.

The reason why the Swoofs (the alien alter-egos) are not the same color in the cartoon than in the comics is because the comic Swoofs looked aboriginal in appearance, and rather than perpetuate a visual stereotype, the artists for the cartoons gave them a "cosmetic makeover".

A similar situation happened in this one Smurf episode where a bug infected one of the Smurfs and turned it purple and angry, and that Smurf went around infecting the other Smurfs. In the comic story, the "Angry Smurf" was originally colored black. Again, to avoid the appearance of negative stereotypes, Angry Smurf was made purple.

[Mandouga]

According to this:

http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Smurfs-Rear-Box-Art-Corrected/8455

The rear box art's previous reference to the syndicated title of "Smurfs Adventures" was an error, and has been corrected to say "The Smurfs". More importantly, the article states that it will have the original opening sequence for the episodes.

Hmph! Error, schmerror.

I have no doubt that it will have the original opening as they say, but if you ask me, what gets my goat is the possibility that this "error" was done on purpose in order to either generate interest for the release as a whole, or to see whether or not people really do want the original opening(s).

Let's face it. Wacky Races, Penelope Pitstop, and Dasatardly and Muttley are all based on the syndicated versions (WR is missing the closing narrative from the credits, Penelope is missing the next episode previews). They could easily do the same thing with this show if they wanted to. That being said, this "error" could easily have been intentional for all we know. Why couldn't they just simply tell us whether or not the original opening(s) were being included? I think certain people have a right to know. Also consider that it was originally going to be released this month, so it may have had the syndicated openings originally, but WB delayed it in order to "evaluate the possibility" of including the original openings, which they either didn't have or were able to locate in a short amount of time.

In any case, I'll look at the glass half full this time, and assume it was an error. I just hope that future releases also have the original openings.

[Jave]

Yeah I believe it was Dreamy. They haul him all the way to a volcano while he sleeps due to a potion and there they set up an alien village and transform their appearance with a spell. The problem is that Dreamy gets so comfortable that he wants to stay there!! So the transformed Smurfs make up a bunch of ridiculously difficult trials so he can join the 'tribe', only for Dreamy to succeed at all of them.

It's one of the earliest story put in animation. It's like episode 2 or something :p and it's also a somewhat early story (I can't recall if it was pre or post Smurfette). The Smurf's 'alien' alter egos are not the same color in the cartoon than in the comic book.

In a later episode of the cartoon he wants to go back to visit his 'alien' friends. This time the Smurfs don't want to go ALL the way to the volcano crater (plus I think Gargamel sorta blew it up :p ) so instead they use cardboard rocks to disguise the village XD silly episode really.
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y194/Javeman/smurfs35.jpg

Yeah, it's post-Smurfette, but in the original comic, Smurfette leaves the village at the end of her first story, she'll return later on a couple of occasions.

After the show premiered, the comic adapted some of the things the show created, including making Smurfette a regular and several wardrobe changes. They also made their own stories that introduced Baby Smurf, the Smurflings, Clockwork Smurf and Wild Smurf.

Peyo also co-wrote all the stories in the comic until his death, usually assisted by Yvan Delporte or Gos (or both). "The Astrosmurf" was actually one of the few stories written entirely by Peyo. After Peyo died, Luc Parthoens and Thierry Culliford (Peyo's son) took over the writing.

[Dub]

Seeing the original openings intact makes me a happy little nerd. Seeing all nine seasons put out however, will make me an EXTREMELY happy little nerd.

Funny how out of all the DVD's that I'm anticipating, this is the one I'm looking forward to the most. XD

[DrTooth]

I wonder if with this DVD and an upcoming movie, we'll get some new Smurfs Merchandise. I'm tempted to start collecting the Schliech PVC figures myself.

[Tobias]

I don't know, Smurf's merchandise (outside of DVDs and t-shirts at Hot Topic) might be a licensing disagreement between Paramount/Nickelodeon and WB/Hanna Barbera. I guess we'll see when Nick starts cramming the movie down our throats via commercials/promos on Nick/Nicktoons a full year before it's actual release.

[DrTooth]

So, Peyo has no clout in the merchandising of his characters? or is it just a US copyright thing?

[ewomack]

I wonder if the set includes UNICEF's bombing of the Smurf village (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MAYrF1PDks) as a bonus feature? Oiy... :eek: That still disturbs me.

[Tobias]

I wonder if the set includes UNICEF's bombing of the Smurf village (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MAYrF1PDks) as a bonus feature? Oiy... :eek: That still disturbs me.

WB would never everevereverevereverever put this on one of their releases aimed at families, just like they'd never put the 'Not for air' Adult Swim bumps on the Superfriends releases.

[lordsmurf]

Even the episodes that premiered on Boomerang (The few from S7 featuring Wild Smurf that were rolled out) have the 'Smurfs Adventures' opening.

Smurfs ran until 1990.
Cartoon Network didn't exist until 1992.
Boomerang was some years later (a spin-off network).

Smurfs never premiered on Boomerang. Only re-runs.

[Tobias]

Smurfs ran until 1990.
Cartoon Network didn't exist until 1992.
Boomerang was some years later (a spin-off network).

Smurfs never premiered on Boomerang. Only re-runs.

The S7-S9 episodes that ran on NBC were never shown after their initial network airing, not even on CN. Boomerang's started to roll out these episodes (at least a few of them) in the last few years or so, hence making them 'premieres'.

[lordsmurf]

The S7-S9 episodes that ran on NBC were never shown after their initial network airing, not even on CN. Boomerang's started to roll out these episodes (at least a few of them) in the last few years or so, hence making them 'premieres'.
Most of S7 and all of S8-S9 were being aired in Australia (Boomerang) back in 2002-2003. Been off-air since 2005-2006 or so.