Pac-Man Cartoon / "Christmas Comes to Pac-Land"

[InsaneDavid]

Alright, most of us know of the Pac-Man cartoon that began somewhere around 1982. (okay, I was one year old at the time, but do remember watching it a few years later) The series was done by Hanna-Barbera and perpetuated the era of Pac-Man excess in all media. While browsing eBay last week I came across an auction for an "M&M's cel used in a commercial" - clicked on the link and what is it but Pac-Man! And this was Pac-Man decked out in his winter attire. Four days and $16 (including shipping) later it was mine. So here it is...

http://www.classicplastic.net/digitalpress/DP-PacManCel01.jpg

Yeah, it's probably my eBay find of the year but that's not what this thread is about. Now if I remember correctly Pac-Man was only ever dressed like this in the Christmas special, "Christmas Comes to Pac-Land."

There lies the question, can anyone confirm / deny this? Anyone out there have the Christmas Comes to Pac-Land VHS tape and care to watch it for me, looking for this specific frame of animation (or close) and snapping a picture of it? Also if someone could give me the year that the Christmas special was released (the original air date would be excellent but I know that's asking way too much) that would be great. Lastly, if it is from the Christmas special, can anyone point me in the direction of a high resolution scan of the box cover? I'd need this for when I go to frame the cel, I like having information and a logo at the base of each.

I've searched around online and haven't found answers to these questions - if the information has been posted here at one time a link would be most appreciated, as is any assistance.

[CosmicMonkey]

All I remember is being at my Dad's one Xmas, and getting up at something daft like 5 / 6am to watch Xmas comes to Pacland.

I would have been about 11 at the time, so that's back in 1990.

[GrandAmChandler]

I do not have a way to get you a specific frame, but yes it definitely is a cel from Christmas Comes to Pac-Land. Great Episode too! I loved that show.

Try this link for some images like the one below:

http://pac-man.classicgaming.gamespy.com/Cartoon/Christmas.html

http://pac-man.classicgaming.gamespy.com/Cartoon/xmas9.jpg

[MegaDrive20XX]

http://pac-man.classicgaming.gamespy.com/Cartoon/xmas9.jpg

I love this pic, it's like Pac-Man is trying to say "Santa, don't touch my power pellets, alright? we cool on that?"

[joshnickerson]

Oh yeah, I remember seeing that up at my grandma's house one Xmas a looooong time ago. It was on during primetime if I remember correctly (since I remember it being nighttime), I have no idea what channel though.

[InsaneDavid]

I do not have a way to get you a specific frame, but yes it definitely is a cel from Christmas Comes to Pac-Land. Great Episode too! I loved that show.

Thanks GAC!

[s1lence]

Wow, plast from the past on that. I loved that cartoon and after seeing the picture I remember that X-mas special. I also remember the Q-bert cartoon as well.

[Sniderman]

Wow, plast from the past on that. I loved that cartoon and after seeing the picture I remember that X-mas special. I also remember the Q-bert cartoon as well.

As do I. :D

http://videogamecollectors.com/albums/sniderman/ebay_074.sized.jpg (http://www.videogamecollectors.com/gallery/sniderman)

(Click pic for the gaming 'toon gallery)

Nice score on the Pac-Man cel too!

[Kitsune Sniper]

Holy hell, how could ANYONE call him an M&M? LOL

Great find. Animation cels are great for displaying!

[Cryomancer]

I've got the xmas special on a disc somewhere if you REALLY want me to dig it out and watch it for the frame, heh.

[Flack]

I am selling the entire series on 2 DVDs in Buying and Selling right now. I also have the Christmas Special I taped off of Cartoon Network a couple of years ago. I'll double check and see what I can find.

[InsaneDavid]

I've got the xmas special on a disc somewhere if you REALLY want me to dig it out and watch it for the frame, heh.

LOL Well I was just wondering if Pac-Man was ever drawn like that in a regular episode. Since GrandAmChandler was able to confirm that it's from the Christmas special, that was taken care of.

I've always been impressed by the amount of quality video game related animation cels you have, Sniderman.


Holy hell, how could ANYONE call him an M&M? LOL

My thoughts exactly. I was joking with my girlfriend that when the package arrives it may have a different cel inside - a cel from an M&M commercial. LOL


Great find. Animation cels are great for displaying!

Thanks, I was just looking for random cels on eBay to pass the time when I came across it. I've bought and sold animation cels every now and then for awhile and I've given my girlfriend a cel every year for Christmas. (pictures of most of them here, under cels (http://www.classicplastic.net/anime/index.htm)) I think I'll be keeping this one however. :)

[InsaneDavid]

I am selling the entire series on 2 DVDs in Buying and Selling right now. I also have the Christmas Special I taped off of Cartoon Network a couple of years ago. I'll double check and see what I can find.

Thanks Flack!

[Cryomancer]

haha, sweet little nemo cel.

[InsaneDavid]

Found a little more information including the original air date for the Christmas special - December 16th, 1982. That seems to gel fairly well with the other information I've been able to find.

So I guess my questions have been answered, thanks everyone. :)