AT LAST!! For you obscure media fans, here is one of legendary filmmaker Tim Burton's early efforts in collaboration with The Disney Channel that aired only once on Halloween night in 1983.
This is Burton's unique, twisted, Burtonesque version of the classic Grimm Fairy Tale featuring an all Asian cast. Hansel and Gretel are the two children of a poor toymaker, whose evil stepmother wishes to do away with them to avoid starving. After being intentionally led away in the woods, they come across a gingerbread house attended to by a bizarre, but seemingly nice old hag with a candy cane nose! (played by the same male actor as the Stepmother) who turns out to have evil designs for our heroes!
After the initial airing, Disney Channel execs were so distraught by the frightening subject matter, that they never allowed the film to be shown again. Thankfully, someone managed to tape it that night, which provides us with this footage.
CAST
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Hansel - Andy Lee
Gretel - Alison Hong
Stepmother / Wicked Witch - Michael Yama
Father - Jim Ishida
Dan Dan the Gingerbread Man (voice) - David Koenigsburg
Features early work by Stephen Chiodo of the Chiodo Bros. Studio as well as the late Joe Ranft of Disney and Pixar.
Music by John Costa of Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood fame!
A very special thanks to Ricsie and his source for locating this!!
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