User Reviews

Every year at holiday times, my family always watches the same specials. Come Halloween time, this is one of our favorites. My only complaint with this special is the colors. Every single person is a different color, and it is kind of annoying and distracting the first couple of times that you watch it. But it has a great voice cast, and is worth seeing.

In paying tribute to the spooky month of horror, it's time to look back at old relics not often talked about due to their obscure presence. One notable example is the Canadian animated Halloween special, Witch's Night Out, a peculiarly corny cartoon from 1978. Despite being played on FOX and the Disney Channel throughout the 80s and 90s, the special became relatively unknown outside of those who grew up with it. Nowadays, it has garnished a minor cult following amongst cheesy Halloween enthusiasts, and there is a lot of charm to see why, albeit more so for the reasons one might not expect.

The special follows a witch who feels as if her magical powers are not what they used to be. Upon overhearing a little boy and girl wishing to be scary themselves, the witch transforms them into classic spooks, as well as the rest of the town the film takes place in. While a fairly straightforward Halloween tale for children, what makes the special stand out is how dated it feels, in the best possible way too. The corny humor, quirky tone, strange voices, groovy music, and squiggly character designs sets the film in a world all its own, giving it its own unique style beyond anything else in the competition. The spirit of Halloween remains intact during the film's short runtime, even if it does go a bit all over the place in embracing the witches' endless magic. In delivering its themes of proving how much people care for the spookiness of Halloween, the special holds up more for its alienesque charm than anything else.

As far as any highlights are concerned, the real star of the show is Gilda Radner as the witch herself. Just from hearing her performance alone, it's easy to tell how much fun she had letting loose as this old tired empress feeling so ecstatic to spread magic and terror in so long, aided by some hysterically grotesque facial expressions. The remaining cast are pretty solid in their own right too, although some sound a lot more distorted and cartoony than others. Fitting for the kind of special this is, the art direction and animation style feel like an overly simplistic children's book brought to life, complete with basic shapes and colors for each character design. Had the special gone in a more realistic visual direction, it might've taken away from what is otherwise a trippy embrace for Halloween decor. On top of everything else, the music score feels oddly experimental and scratchy, adding into the cosmically bizarre tone already established. As soon as the opening / ending song plays, the audience will know exactly what kind of thrill ride they'll be in for.

If one were to discover a Halloween special that indulges itself in cheesy horror fun rather than cynical pandering, one just needs to look towards works like Witches Night Out. While by no means timeless, the delightful cheesiness makes the special hold up just enough as a fascinating relic of its era, the late 1970s. If you're in the mood for an appropriately corny Halloween cartoon that doesn't take itself too seriously or if you've got a family audience, then definitely give this flick a watch. Besides, once you're off a sugar high from all the candy and ghouls, this will be worth letting the spirits roam free.

This is a really interesting cartoon that I remember watching on the Disney Channel back in the 80's and 90's. It even appeared on HBO back in the 80's and a clip of it appeared on THE GREAT SPACE COASTER. Speaking of which (no pun intended) when I watched it for the first time, one title came to mind: SESAME STREET. Now why that? Are the characters Small and Tender like Ernie and Bert? (Because one is orange and one is yellow?) Do you think that the characters Rotten and Malicious are like Oscar the Grouch and Grundgetta? (Because of their negative attitudes?) Does Goodly look like Mr. Johnson, the fat blue guy who gets annoyed by Grover, with a makeover? (Because he is blue and has a mustache?) Does Nicely look like a mixture between Big Bird and Prairie Dawn? (Because she is pink and fluffy looking?) Oh shut up already! While that could be a possibility, the reason why SESAME STREET came to my mind was that because John Leach, created that cartoon as well as various animated segments for SESAME STREET. Going back to the review, I would like to point out that Gilda Radner voiced the title witch in the cartoon. Also, I would like to point out that the music is really cool. Dig that Casio synthesizer! That is my guess. All in all, it is not scary, but the design and animation is no SCOOBY-DOO, so it is trippy. Bottom line: Give it a watch the kids will enjoy it and they won't get scared. This is purely family fun. Not rated, but a TV-G would work. Happy Halloween.

Now many people may not know but Leach and Rankin , the husband and wife team, was one of the earlier Canadian animation studio's. The backgrounds are gently rendered by Jean Rankin and the animation is drawn by JohnLeach and a small crew. The voice of Gilda Radner supplies a beautiful Gloria Swanson , Sunset Blvd type witch . Having had success with another earlier film " Gift Of Winter" , John and Jean managed to get this film produced. Their animation process was unique in both how the backgrounds and animation were rendered. The animation was drawn directly on cel with ink pens and with no predrawings . This was Johns way of forcing himself to let it happen and quite frankly his animation was odd yet terrific. He was a powerful painter and his hand was sure and dynamic because of it . It blended beautifully with Gildas eccentric witch voice and is still unique after all these years . The two creators broke up later just before John started work on the ill fated "Lets Play Grown Ups" but they have left a wonderful film that is worthy of being rescued and restored as a Canadian Classic. Definately worthy of watching.

Great for kids! A classic must have for your Halloween munchkin. A wonderful look at a washed up witch, & a town that has forgotten how much fun Halloween can be. Gilda Radner is hilarious! The animation although a little outdated is still engaging. So pick up a copy, & enjoy!

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.

I saw this when it first aired, I was 9 at the time and loved it, it was different, it had a bizarre yet oddly engrossing animation style, and a clever wit about it. Now 29 years later I found an old rental copy (this was out briefly on VHS and has never been out on DVD). This is just as odd and cool as I remembered. I don't understand why this never became a yearly special on TV. After its initial broadcast, it just seemed to fade into obscurity. Hopefully someone will see fit to release it on disc. I mean copies on ebay routinely sell for $20 - $60, so someone remembers this sucker other than me. Well, I'm glad I found a copy, as now my kids who are crazy for anything Halloween, will be one of the very few of their generation to ever see it.

Oh, it also has one of the coolest theme songs, it stuck in my head for 29 years.

Witch's Night Out is a bizarre late 70s Halloween cartoon with some surprisingly adult subtexts. It follows the adventures of a witch who helps some trick or treaters by changing them into their favorite monsters.

There are a number of things that set this special apart, starting with its soundtrack. It has an electronic, disco-influenced score, reminding one a bit of Electric Light Orchestra. This goes well with the at times psychedelic animation style. Although the animation itself is rather clunky, the character designs are rather interesting, with the witch looking like a dominatrix.

However, the film's most distinctive quality is a subtext of emotional and even sexual repression. For example, one timid character ends up transformed into a very sexualized vampire. It'll go over the kids' heads, but adults might have a laugh.

I haven't seen this cartoon since I was a kid in the late 70's and until I found some info on the web (search under Bazooey) I couldn't even remember its name. All these years I've remembered the name Bazooey.......friends though I made it up... It was a great cartoon, although very dated. I recommend it to anyone who has kids. With reference to the previous comments regarding sexual innuendo or imagery, I can tell you it would be totally lost on most kids, so nothing to worry about.

I really liked the artistry and the animation; the weird nature of the characters, the odd shapes and mono colored people.

I remember watching this as a kid and that witch still creeps me out! Like she's serious nightmare fuel for me. It's a strange flashback to my childhood.

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

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.

This is one of my favorite Halloween specials to watch every year. I first remember watching this on Disney Channel back in the '90s, but I'm also grateful to be able to own it on iTunes and find it on other digital streaming platforms.

This Halloween favorite consists of a colorful cast of characters, and I mean literally colorful. You'll have to see it to believe it. Two key characters, Small and Tender, try to scare people when they go trick-or-treating but meet with no success. Until a witch comes to grant their wishes to become real monsters, that is when it all happens. Everyone at an old haunted house where the witch lives are having a Halloween party when the monsters scare them all.

Make watching this Halloween favorite an annual tradition every October. Among other Halloween favorites, I also recommend Dr. Seuss' Halloween Is Grinch Night, Casper's Halloween, and The Halloween Tree.

I love, love, love this movie! I remember watching it as a kid. Then, when I was lucky enough to find a copy on a "bargain basement" online shop, I was thrilled! My three year old watched it 4 times, yesterday (It's 26 minutes long, so I suppose that wasn't long enough for her). The only questionable portion, for me, is the suggestiveness of the females in the animation. It's not terrible, but when one of the characters becomes a vampiress, It's kind of funny that her costume is a bikini.

A great holiday film!