Mustard Pancakes – See How The Garden Grows
Picture: C+
Sound: B- Extras: C+ Episodes: C+
Fred Rogers is the quintessential children’s television
show host, but few know he had a period where he honed his craft in
Canada. The country itself has its own
self-contained TV productions and they occasionally make it out of their
country. Courtney Campbell has
established herself as a new children’s television show host and her series Mustard
Pancakes has arrived on DVD with an initial four-show offering under the
title See How The Garden Grows.
Obviously, it has one of those weird, dumb, semi-gross
titles that seem to land up on such series all the time. It is especially odd when food is at issue,
like Hot Hero Sandwich. For some
reason, such shows do not go over wildly, yet have their audience in their time
and the success of this one is no different.
The three regular shows here are See How The Garden Grows, Oogleberry
Ink Dog and Tongue Twister.
Oogleberry, Tiny Tina, Mr. D, Captain Skunk and Mo are the animal
characters, whom are all likable, but not very memorable unless you keep
watching and watching them. This is not
for all children, who might get bored quickly, but it is not awful and a show that
some children may enjoy. It is just one
too many puppet shows with limited distinction.
The 1.78 X 1/16 X 9 letterboxed image was obviously shot
in digital HD, then down traded to look color poor and faux film-like. That does not work to the show’s advantage
either. The Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
has Pro Logic surrounds, but some may find them on the weak side. They are strong enough to register, but
just. The only extra is the original
pilot for the series, but nothing is here otherwise and the pilot is not that
different as far as the final result is concerned. Also, this is the first DVD we have received with an HD-DVD logo
on the back, but such a signal is not here as far as we can see or find. Guess we know what HD format Arrow is going
to support.
- Nicholas Sheffo
