Help!...It’s
The Hair Bear Bunch! (1971/Warner Archive DVD
Set)
Picture: B- Sound: C Extras: D Episodes: C
PLEASE NOTE: This release is only available from Warner Bros. in their Warner
Archive series and can be ordered from the link below.
There are a variety of short lived
animated series out there (especially from Hanna Barbera) and Warner Archives
has done an overwhelmingly amazing job of bringing those cult classics and
forgotten favorites to home video. This
time around we are treated to Help! It’s the
Hair Bear Bunch!, an animated series that follows the outlandish escapades
of a group of bears.
The Hair Bear Bunch is a 2-Disc, 16 episode collection that is not as great as I
remember, but fun nevertheless. The
laugh track touting animated series originally aired on CBS in 1971 as it
showcased three fun loving bears. The
three bears are Alfroed, Bubi Bear, and Square Bear; each with their own unique
personalities. The bears spend their
days plotting to escape the Wonderland Zoo to go on some wacky
misadventure. Mr. Eustace Peevly is the
Zoo Keeper who attempts to wrangle the bears, but most of the time fails. In this, Hair Bear Bunch is very
similar to other Hanna-Barbera animated series like that of Yogi Bear or
Magilla Gorilla; though not as memorable. Hair Bear Bunch also features a host
of other animal characters that help the bears on their adventures or out of
the zoo.
The voice cast is stunning with the likes
of Joe E. Ross, William Callaway, Daws Butler, and Paul Winchell lending their
talents to the series. The thrills the
series could offer end with the voice cast, however, being fun but sadly
forgettable. The series has the elements
other classic Hanna-Barbera series have, but lacks the heart and comedic
timing. I felt the series was a nice
trip down memory lane, but does not have the repeat
viewing quality like other animated series from the same era.
The technical features aren’t so
impressive as the picture is only slightly better than the sound and extras are
absent. Being a Warner Archive release
this is more about getting the product out there than it is about delivering a
top grade High Def viewing experience.
The picture feels like it was transferred from VHS as the 1.37 X 1 full
screen image is often faded and gritty, but not overly damaged or distracting,
while color is nice when it is at its best.
The sound is a simple Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono that gets the job done
without being overly distorted, coming solely from the front. Both picture and sound adequately get the job
done without too many hiccups.
No extras are available here.
The Hair Bear Bunch is a solid trip down memory lane, but not too solid in other
ways. The quality of this Hanna-Barbera
feature leaves something to be desired as it feels formulaic when compared to The
Flintstones or Yogi Bear. It
is not as unique as other animated series, but for those who fondly remember The
Hair Bear Bunch now is the time to pick of this on-line only release.
To order the Hair Bear Bunch, go
to this link for it and many more great web-exclusive releases at:
http://www.warnerarchive.com/
- Michael P. Dougherty II
