Let's kick off the season of romance with two "bear-y" good specials from the 80's and 90's. These animated shorts on the funny side of love, featuring some of literature's favorite bears, will melt your heart during this long winter.
The Bernstein Bears' Comic Valentine
NBC, 1982
Voices of Ron McLarty, Pat Lysinger, Knowl Johnson, and Gabriela Glatzer
Directed by Mordecai Gerstein and Al Kouzel
Music by Elliot Lawrence; Lyrics by Stan Bernstein
The Story: Sister Bear (Glatzer) loves love, and she's a huge fan of Valentine's Day. Brother's (Johnson) only interest in February is hockey season. The Bear Country Cousins are going up against their rivals the Beartown Bullies. He tries to concentrate and practice, but it's hard with someone leaving him mysterious valentines signed "Honey Bear," and seeing the lovely Charlene (Glatzer) everywhere. Meanwhile, Papa Bear (McLarty) wants to show the depths of his feelings for Mama (Lysinger), but as usual, Mama reminds him that simple gestures are better than all the grand statements in the world.
The Animation: Not the flashiest, but that's not to be expected of a TV special from this time period. The characters can be a little stiff, but the animation does at least somewhat resemble the characters in the books, which is probably all that matters for this franchise.
The Song and Dance: All of the Bernstein Bears specials have their fun moments, this one included. It's hilarious to see Brother claim he's not interested in love, then moon over Charlene. Papa and Mama's roles are somewhat downplayed compared to the other specials, but Papa gets a few good gags in his attempts to carve mountains to show how much he loves his wife. I love whom the massive mystery goalie on the Bullies turns out to be, too!
Favorite Number: We open with the Bear Family describing what they do during the seasons "In Bear Country." "Love Is," Mama's sprightly number explaining how love is a lot simpler and more intimate than carving up mountains, is also heard under the closing credits. Brother derides Valentine's Day as "All That Mush," even as his little sibling skates heart rings around him.
What I Don't Like: As mentioned, I sort of wish Mama and Papa had more to do. Their roles are somewhat downplayed compared to some of the other specials and the early books these are inspired by.
The Big Finale: If you or your kids are fans of the earlier Bears books or the cartoon series, you'll want to check out this adorably funny hymn to love in all its forms.
Home Media: Currently on DVD bundled with a few episodes of the 1980's TV series.
Winnie the Pooh: A Valentine For You
Disney/ABC, 1999
Voices of Jim Cummings, Paul Winchell, John Fielder, and Ken Sansom
Directed by Keith Ingham
Music by Micheal Silversher; Lyrics by Patty Silversher
The Story: Pooh (Cummings) and his friends are shocked when they find Christopher Robin (Brady Bluhm) writing a valentine for a girl named Winifred. Owl convinces them he's been bitten by the "Smitten" bug, and the only way to undo it is to find another one to bite him again. They all chase after what they think is a "Smitten" and get lost, only for its glow to lead them back to each other and to Christopher Robin. Pooh sees how happy the boy is and can't bring himself to unleash it on him...but Christopher reminds him that there's always room for all kinds of friends, old and new.
The Animation: While it does move slightly better than Comic Valentine, it's still nothing flashy. Once again, all this needs to do is somewhat resemble the artwork in the books and move well enough to get the job done.
The Song and Dance: The last Pooh holiday special on TV to date is sweet and charming, and maybe even a tad dark compared to some of the other specials. The look on Pooh's face in the end when he releases the "Smitten" after he thinks he's lost his best friend is heartbreaking. On the other hand, we get the very funny search for the "Smitten," and this is one of only two holiday specials to give Owl a major role.
Favorite Number: Owl warns Pooh and his pals what happens when "The Smitten Bites," in a sequence reminiscent of the later "Backson" number in the 2011 Winnie the Pooh. Christopher Robin ends the show with a lovely ballad explaining how there are "Places In the Heart" for all friends, old and new.
Trivia: The last time Paul Winchell voiced Tigger.
What I Don't Like: This time, we have Owl and are missing Kanga and Roo. They're only seen as stuffed animals in the opening. As mentioned, this is neither the first, nor the last time Pooh and his friends went on an adventure when they thought something took Christopher Robin away from them. This seems to have been somewhat inspired by Pooh's Grand Adventure, where they were worried about the boy being trapped in "skull," and would crop up again in Winnie the Pooh.
The Big Finale: Charming and adorable, this is worth checking out on Valentine's Day for younger children and Pooh fans.
Home Media: To date, this is the only Pooh holiday special to be available on DVD and streaming in its original half-hour format, without a direct-to-home media movie surrounding it (including its release on Disney Plus). The DVD is packaged with two additional New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh shorts, "Un-Valentine's Day" and "The Three Little Piglets."
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