The Dangerous Christmas of Red Riding Hood (DVD), Jef Films, Holiday

The delightful original musical comedy special, The Dangerous Christmas Of Red Riding Hood - or Oh Wolf, Poor Wolf was presented by General Electric Company on television for the first time on November 28, 1965 on the ABC Television Network. With music composed by Julie Styne and Bob Merrill, and script written by Robert Emmett, this updated version of the Red Riding Hood tale starred Cyril Ritchard as Lone T. Wolf. Liza Minnelli played the title role, Vic Damone portrayed the Woodsman, and appropriately, The Animals (headed by Eric Burdon) romped and sang as the Wolf Pack. We all know the story of Red Riding Hood. Some of us have known it for years. Some of you may have heard it for the first time only last night as you were tucked in bed. But no matter when you first heard her, red Riding Hood's story is the same - or at least it was until now. "Every story has two sides, " "The truth will out and Time will tell" - all of which means that the wolf in Red Riding Hood's life has finally told his side of the story, and here it is... The wolf is in jail and tries to explain that he is wrongly incarcerated and that he never meant to harm poor Little Red Riding Hood. Cyril Ritchard, in a wolf's costume being urbane and sinister at the same time, and Liza Minnelli, all innocent in her new red cloak, on her way to Grandma's house with some Christmas presents. Wolf is impressed by Red Riding Hood and, ignoring the jeers of his wolf pack, vows to climb out of their low-brow midst and become her friend. But even though Wolf shows he has good manners, Red Riding Hood is still terrified of him and this begins this delightful holiday tale.