Witch's Night Out (1978)

I don't believe I ever heard of this animated Halloween special nor do I remember seeing this when I was little/younger before finding out this was airing on This TV over a couple of months ago. I won't say no wonder I don't recall viewing nor hearing of this one because it's rare, that's not exactly the case since I also learned that after originally airing on NBC, it aired on Fox and the Disney Channel from 1983 to the late '90s. Oddly, I don't remember it ever airing on Fox either and it airing on DC was unbeknown to me.Anyway, to get to the point of my review. This is an inventive Halloween gem and Halloween high jinks abound when a witch, who's dejected that nobody has sought after her for quite some time, soon becomes upbeat once she hears of a couple of kids named Small and Tender wish they could be a real werewolf and a real ghost. In the meantime, four adults named Goodly, Nicely, Rotten, and Malicious prepare and set up everything for a Halloween party. That night, while Small and Tender are being read a bedtime story by their babysitter, Bazooey, the Witch rides on her flying broom and zooms to their house, crash landing through the kids' bedroom window upstairs. She arrives to turn Small and Tender into what they desired with her wand, then turns Bazooey into a Frankenstein's monster at his request. Afterwards, the four head to the Halloween party to have some fun scaring the party-goers. As Small, Tender, and Bazooey do so, it worked so much the party-goers are convinced they're actually the real things, maybe it worked a little too well. This leads to a misunderstanding when the townspeople decide to form a mob and pursue the foursome, but this is resolved later.Another reviewer pointed out the odd, abnormal, unconventional names of the characters. With Goodly and Nicely, as well as Rotten and Malicious, I believe they're named as such, because the former pair are supposed to represent polar opposites and counter the latter pair, especially pertaining to their differing attitudes toward the holiday. Small and Tender's names refer to what children are. Bazooey's name is simply nonsensical. One of my favorite parts is after Rotten and Malicious steal the Witch's wand, they attempt to conjure up what they want, but they fail at it, as neither seems to know what they're doing and don't seem to be well-versed in magic. Although the animation isn't quite bad, I wish it were better and it would've been great to see it on the same level as today's animated things. I like that the citizens are multicolored, which I don't find distracting, and the voice cast did great. I wonder if this served as somewhat of an inspiration for one of the Simpsons' Treehouse of Horror segments, "I've Grown a Costume On Your Face", which has a similar plot. I loved this so much, I, too, wish somehow, something else could've been done with the characters and this served as a pilot to a series. This gives a message on what the Halloween spirit is, all in the name of thrills and fun. The whole thing was/is great, I enjoyed it.

Saw this cartoon one time when it came out, with Gilda Radner as the witch.Everyone else was illustrated in one solid color, which affected my cartooning ideas later on. Characters had atypical names, which was a turnoff as a kid, but now I see it as fun.Artwork AND animation worked wonderfully, as does the unexpectedly delightful twist at the end.I found this decades later on VHS and enjoyed it even more.Surprised I don't have a review up for it.The strange little song was also fun.

I am on a search since i was 9 for this man. I am a animator working in the bizz . his film was the reason I went into animation. I was able to talk to a person that knew him but had know idea where he is now. Tony molesworth the voice of Small was very nice but had know idea where he is. If anyone has any info on this great man please let me know. I would like to thank him for putting me on the path of what I love to do. And it all started with Witch's Night Out that I watched over a million times. So much that I broke the tape back in 89. LOL. But with the power of DVD I was able to burn it. I mean really the art work the BG"s I was in love from day one. People started looking like these characters to me. i wanted to live in a world were we are all different colors. I loved the voice work as well as the music. I wish he would have used these characters more.

Although its been nearly 29 years from the first time I viewed this on its original TV broadcast. It still rings with humor in my memories. The animation is a bit choppy but the uniqueness of the story line and not the same old, same old; has made me wonder. Why this cartoon never made it to any classic so called status? Let alone sequels. Have found it recently here @ "IMdb" on line. And learned that the cast was as special as the story. But also so surprised that it is not carried at my local library. If you find it. Here, or there. It should be a definite hand me down to be enjoyed by all. There was an all-star cast of voices utilized in the production of this movie; for example Gilda Radner, one of the most talented and epic comedic talents of the 20th century! Again this animated, made for television movie should be viewed by all!!! REA