Puppets

Pinocchio (Disney Gold Classic Collection)

This Disney masterpiece from 1940 will hold up forever precisely because it doesn't restrain or temper the most elemental emotions and themes germane to its story. Based on the Collodi tale about a wooden puppet who wants to become a real boy, Pinocchio is among the most magical, mythical, and frightening films to come from the studio in its long history. A number of scenes make permanent impressions on young minds (just ask Steven Spielberg, who quoted the film more than once in Close Encounters of the Third Kind), and the songs ("When You Wish upon a Star") can't be beat. --Tom Keogh

Disney's second full length movie after Snow White. Delightful, hand-drawn images.

Sesame Street - 123 Count With Me

Join Ernie at The Furry Arms Hotel for a musical lesson in just how useful counting can be. When Ernie finds and returns a misplaced key, he uses his knowledge of numbers to return the key to the correct guest. As Ernie begins to learn about the hotel business, he finds many common situations in which counting is essential. Throughout the 30-minute video, Ernie and his friends help children learn to count from 1 to 20 with such songs as the jazzy "That's How the Numbers Go," an original version of the Chorus Line show tune "One," and "Rap Song #11." Favorite Sesame Street characters Elmo and The Count are joined by new characters including Ding the Dinger, a furry fellow with a bell on his head, and Benny, the bellboy that responds to Ding the Dinger's dings. Children as young as 18 months will bounce happily along with the catchy tunes and 2-year-olds will be inspired to count aloud with Ernie. Kids up to age 5 will hone their counting skills and laugh at the increasingly frustrated Benny as he delivers everything from 1 bucket of ice to 15 stampeding elephants! If you're looking for a fun video that teaches counting skills, here it is. --Tami Horiuchi

Barney - Let's Play School

Like perky Kathie Lee Gifford, Barney, the ubiquitous magical purple dinosaur, can elicit violent hatred and fierce loyalty. You're likely to get the latter from the average toddler, weaned on the inexplicably popular (to some) PBS series. Parents may want to first teach their children the original classic songs before they're invariably introduced to Barney and his lyric-altering renditions. (By now countless children think "This Old Man" is the "Barney I Love You" song.) This 50-minute video, never seen on television, focuses on Baby Bop (Barney's yellow baby dino friend), envious and curious about school. Barney and friends Ashley, Hannah, Robert, and Jeff offer to play school, with Baby Bop as teacher. Their songs include the Barney versions of "The Alphabet Song," "One, Two, Buckle My Shoe," "The Itsy Bitsy Spider," "Where Is Thumbkin?", and more. Let's Play School! offers a gentle introduction to toddlers curious about preschool and may waylay any apprehensions. With its emphasis on how school is both fun and educational it also entices its youngest audience by showing that Ashley, Hannah, Robert, and Jeff (who are about 8 or 9) represent those awe-inspiring older kids. They like school. Therefore, it can't be that bad. And neither is this video's ultimate message. --N.F. Mendoza

Barney plays school with Baby Bop and friends and every lesson includes unexpected surprises.
Genre: Children's Video
Rating: NR
Release Date: 27-JUL-1999
Media Type: DVD

25th Birthday Musical Celebration

Sesame Street celebrates its 25th anniversary. Features many old favorites, both songs and friends.
Genre: Children's Video
Rating: NR
Release Date: 31-AUG-1999
Media Type: DVD

Yes, Virginia, there was a Sesame Street before the Age of Elmo. This 1993 collection highlights the role of music in the long-running series from Children's Television Workshop, and reminds us that such Jim Henson creations as Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch, Cookie Monster, and Ernie and Bert were once part of a true ensemble of Muppet superstars. Nothing against Elmo, of course: kids adore him and he makes enough appearances in this anthology (including the show-stopping "Happy Tappin' with Elmo") to keep today's tykes happy. Also included is Ernie's classic "Rubber Duckie" (really, who doesn't know the words to that?), Oscar's anthemic "I Love Trash," you-know-who's "C Is for Cookie," and Big Bird's Big Finale, a rendition of "Sing" that includes the entire cast. There are 27 tunes in all, and they don't all involve singing puppets: Ladysmith Black Mambazo turns up for one track, and the "Sesame Street Jam Session" includes some actual playing of instruments. --Tom Keogh

Sesame Street - Do the Alphabet

When Baby Bear must learn his alphabet in one day, Big Bird patiently takes him under his wing in Do the Alphabet. Only "The Method," (a hilarious combination of dance, song, visualization, and group therapy) can help Baby Bear on such short notice. The result is 40 minutes of ABC's Sesame Street style, where vibrant educational cartoons, enthusiastic kids, famous guest stars (here, Billy Joel), and harmonizing Muppets make lasting educational impressions. Children age 2 to 6 will enjoy the upbeat musical numbers dedicated to various letters; a favorite segment features the Boogie Woogie Piggies and their flashy rendition of the alphabet song. Throughout the well-paced show, Big Bird offers just the right blend of coaching and friendship, much like the ace support group leader he's mildly spoofing. Hats off to Sesame Street for helping Baby Bear--and his viewing audience--understand that learning takes time, patience, and a team effort. --Liane Thomas

Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland

Join Elmo in his biggest adventure yet! Co-starring Vanessa Williams and Mandy Patinkin. Elmo and his beloved blue blanket are inseparable. When Oscar carelessly tosses the fuzzy blanket into his trash can Elmo dives in after it. He is suddenly plunged into Grouchland the land of Grouches stinky garbage and the greedy Huxley (Mandy Patinkin) who hasn't learned how to share. Elmo and all his friends from Sesame Street embark on a fun-filled adventure with one mission: to rescue Elmo's blanket. On the way Elmo encounters a giant chicken and even the Queen of Trash (Vanessa Williams) herself! It's a grouch-loving good time filled with fun sensational songs and all of your favorite characters!System Requirements:Running Time: 72 Min.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: CHILDREN/FAMILY Rating: G UPC: 043396041684 Manufacturer No: 04168

Welcome to Grouchland, U.S.A., place of a thousand stenches. This is where everyone's favorite red monster winds up when he stars in his first feature film, The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland. Elmo learns a lesson when he refuses to share his blanket with his best friend, Zoe, then loses it in Oscar's can, where it goes all the way to Grouchland. There the beloved blanket winds up in the clutches of the greediest man alive, Huxley (played by Mandy Patinkin), and Elmo has to venture alone to Huxley's lair to get it back. The Sesame Street gang follows Elmo but ends up in the Grouchland jail. Fortunately, whenever things start looking too bleak, our hosts Ernie and Bert stop the film and offer reassurance. There are also numerous opportunities for audience participation (canned kids' voices will prevent parents from feeling too silly when viewing at home). This 73-minute film has plenty to entertain the youngsters as well as details and inside jokes for parents. And of course there are marvelous animated effects--although seeing Elmo dance in 1999 isn't quite as remarkable as it was to see Kermit ride a bicycle in 1977's The Muppet Movie. The songs are fun and bouncy, and veteran performers Patinkin and Vanessa Williams (as the Queen of Trash) contribute their exceptional talent. The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland was conceived as a film kids could see in theaters; in the safe environs of home, it's good fun for anyone over the age of 2, or even younger in small doses. --David Horiuchi

Barney's Rhyme Time Rhythm

No matter what a toddler's parent does, Barney is inescapable. No matter how cringingly irritating adults find Barney's goofy voice, he captivates his youthful audience. Barney's Rhyme Time Rhythm is no exception. The video's setting finds a frustrated Emily trying to pen a poem for school. Stepping in to help are the magical purple dinosaur and a host of friends, including Mother Goose herself. The video is an effective introduction to Mother Goose rhymes, songs, and stories (which, mercifully, are not rewritten in typical Barney fashion). As in most Barney fare, there's an emphasis on cheerfulness, creativeness, friendship, and affection. It's nice that the basic premise encourages children to read and write--especially their own rhymes. The many songs include "Did You Ever See a Lassie?" as well as "London Bridge," "Humpty Dumpty," "Baa Baa Black Sheep," "Little Boy Blue," "Little Bo Peep," "The House That Jack Built," "Little Miss Muffet," "Three Little Kittens," "The Old Lady in the Shoe," and "Old King Cole." (Ages 2 and older) --N.F. Mendoza

Elmopalooza!

Basically, this is a collection of songs from 30 years of Sesame Street, in which sweet Elmo and his Muppet pals are joined by David Alan Grier, Jon Stewart, Gloria Estefan, the Fugees, Shawn Colvin, and the Mighty Mighty Bosstones. Grier (of the comically sour face) and Stewart (of the ironic smile) provide some funny stuff, and the Muppets share songs with the musical guests. This nonstop revue is a blast for parents as well as little ones. --Tom Keogh

Muppets from Space

The film that answers the immortal question: what species is Gonzo? Kermit the Frog's curly-nosed friend feels alone in the world. When his breakfast cereal starts spelling out questions and he hears voices, Gonzo is convinced he must be from outer space, and his alien brothers are coming to earth. Of course, there are evil scientists (led by Jeffrey Tambor) who kidnap Gonzo to learn his secrets (like "What do you do with a nose like that?"). The usual brand of merriment from the gang is in good order, especially in the opening scene when the Muppets start the morning under one roof. It's not as memorable as earlier films, but nevertheless the joy and sly humor will warm most souls age 5 and up. Human cameos include Ray Liotta, Rob Schneider, Josh Charles, Andie MacDowell, David Arquette, and F. Murray Abraham (as Noah, no less). --Doug Thomas

CinderElmo

Our favorite little red monster is the star of this delightful film that playfully skews the story of Cinderella. Originally aired on Fox television in 1999, the feature is a playful mix of human actors and Sesame Street characters that is an easy watch for families with 3- to 7-year-olds. Cinderelmo (he's a boy, if you didn't know) dreams of playing in a castle and meeting the princess (Keri Russell). Unfortunately his mean--but not that mean--stepmother (Kathy Najimy) wants her two other sons to go to the ball at which the princess must declare whom she wishes to marry.

The film is certainly focused on the youngsters (as opposed to the slightly older audience of the Muppet films), but there are plenty of puns and wry humor for adults to enjoy. The handful of songs are quite pleasant, as is the length (50 minutes). Oliver Platt (as a new "fairy godperson") and French Stewart (as Cinderelmo's dog-turned-footman) enjoy their roles with relish. Appearing in various small roles are plenty of the Sesame Street gang, including Grover, Kermit, Cookie Monster, Bert, and Ernie. Great fun. --Doug Thomas