Synopsis:
I've created alternate bookends, using the original 1941 presentation along with the 1955 version. The opening credits have been removed & are now used as end credits instead. The intro features a bit of the Basil Rathbone narration for Mr. Toad which now ties into the Bing Crosby narration for Sleepy Hollow. Some music changes improve the mood for the opening & closing, along with a few different cues during the narrative. All of the music is sourced from the original presentation. A few scene transitions have been altered & enhanced, Brom doesn't get the girl & a post-credits shot ends the tale with suitably spooky-fun atmosphere.
I've made many changes to create my ideal version of this classic short.
Intentions:
This project aims to present this classic tale in a way that feels a bit more spooky, satisfying & complete than either the original version from the 1941 Ichabod & Mr. Toad feature or the re-edited 1955 stand-alone version, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.
Change List:
-added 35mm film grain to the entire presentation, except for one very grainy shot.
-new sound mix provides a bit more low-end, giving a fuller, more robust sound.
PRODUCTION CREDITS-
-added the fanedit.org logo.
-added my fanedit production logo.
-scored the credits & title with an instrumental version of The Headless Horseman.
-cropped the RKO Distribution credit to fill the frame.
-fade-in on the the Walt Disney credit.
-cropped the Walt Disney credit to fill the frame.
-fade-out on the Walt Disney credit.
TITLE CARD-
-fade-in on the title card.
-inserted the stand-alone tile card from the 1955 re-issue. (HD re-creation by WXM)
-fade-out on the title card.
-fade-in on the original Bing Crosby credit.
-cropped the Bing Crosby credit to fill the frame.
-fade-out on the Bing Crosby credit.
-cut the opening credits.
OPENING-
-tied Basil Rathbone's narration for Mr. Toad into Bing Crosby's for Sleepy Hollow.
-cross-fade between two shots, removing the Wind in the Willows book.
INTRODUCING SLEEPY HOLLOW-
-longer shot of Tarry Town before we pan up to Sleepy Hollow.
-cross-fade from the aerial shot of Sleepy Hollow to the church & graveyard.
-slower, longer zoom-in towards the church.
DAY DREAMING-
-cross-fade from the gold-coin-wheat to the cash-cabbage.
THE HORSEMAN ATTACKS!-
-different music cue as the Horseman throws the flaming jack-o-lantern.
-longer transition into the next morning, as the new music cue concludes.
AFTERMATH-
-fade-out on the shot of the bridge to end the scene.
BROM MARRIES KATRINA-
-cut this entire horrible thing.
END CREDITS-
-cropped the The End card to fill the frame.
-the opening credits are now the end credits.
-cropped the credits to fill the frame.
-scored the credits with an instrumental version of The Headless Horseman.
POST-CREDITS-
-added & extended the shot of the smashed pumpkin & hoof prints.
-added some spooky sounds from the hollow.
-added my production logo.
-the frog croaking "Ichabod, Ichabod" fades-out.
Additional Notes:
I just wanted to give the editing bit of polish. This thing is over 80 years old & has some moments that are very creaky by today's standards.
Other Sources:
-The Adventures of Ichabod & Mr. Toad (Disney bluray, 2018)
-The Legend of Sleepy Hollow -1955 re-issue (stwd4nder2 HD restoration, 2023)
-35mm Film Grain (holygrain.com)
Special Thanks:
Special Thanks to- stwd4nder2 for the HD re-creation of the 1955 stand-alone re-issue. That title card is essential.