I remember a very specific version of "The Steadfast Tin Soldier" that I cannot seem to find anywhere. Anyone else seen or heard of this version, and possibly know where I can find either the audio (Even on audio cassette) or video of it?
It was shown on TV a few times in the 80's and was available as an audio cassette, too. It wasn't quite live action, but it wasn't animated for the most part. I think there were 3 narrators, a woman, a gentleman, and an older gentleman with a gruffly deeper voice. The narration voices would rotate at different sections of the story, while the whole thing was set to a repetitive tune on a flute. I'm pretty sure it was made before the late 80's, and could be as far back as the 60's. The versions I tend to find are all animated, or skit based musical. In this version you really don't see anyone's faces that are live action. Just the arms and bodies. the focus is more on the toy characters. In the end the soldier seemed almost randomly thrown into the oven by a boy, and you see the live action window open and the paper doll fly into the oven. In the end the maid cleans out the stove to find the "tin soldier had melted into the shape of a tin heart and the bangle around the princess' waist was burned black as coal." I've remembered the tune for YEARS, but have never known anyone else to place it or with this seemingly rare version of the show. Probably played on PBS mainly in the 80's.