Video files for everybody!
So, here's a huge file in an old standard. But with luck everyone will be able to play it. If you can't, you'll need to find something that can read the MPEG 1 format.
Now, what's in that file? The premiere episode of the Gummi Bears series, of course. Most of it is taken from my Disney Channel recordings in the mid '90s, but I decided to dig even deeper into my tape vault for something extra special, what with the anniversary coming up and all. Years ago now, a friend sent me some recordings of Gummi Bears episodes from the early days of the show- including what I believe to be the original animation for the opening and closing segments. So I decided to include them here. They aren't that much different from the modern versions, but it's still interesting to see, I think. Take the image presented above, for example- a less-detailed version of the carved-tree logo than many modern viewers would be familiar with. The only issue is that the older footage was pulled, appropriately enough, from an older tape- and a second-generation one at that. So you should expect a bit more noise- both visual and aural- there. Also, I couldn't find the old credits for A New Beginning, so if you're bored enough read what's there, you'll note that they were actually pulled from The Oracle/When You Wish Upon A Stone. Still, this should be pretty close to what you would have seen if you'd tuned in 20 years ago today. Enjoy! Oh, and don't be surprised if you hear a voice-over for another popular '80s series during the credits...
Special thanks to Orlando Baca for sending me, years ago, the tape with the original opening and closing sequences.
All images, video, etc. copyright The Walt Disney Company