WALT DISNEY'S WONDERFUL WORLD OF COLOR: HANS BRINKER OR THE SILVER SKATES, PART 2 (TV)
Summary
One in this series of family programs, presented under the umbrella title of "Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color," hosted by Walt Disney.
This episode presents part two of a two-part adaptation of Mary Mapes Dodge's classic children's book, "Hans Brinker or the Silver Skates." Following a recap of part one, the action begins with Gretel racing across the ice in the village's much-anticipated skating competition's preliminary round, during which the six finalists will be reduced to three. Gretel comes in first, followed by Hilda. When the boys race, Hans, Ludwig, and Peter emerge as the three finalists. The next day, Hans returns to Amsterdam to ask Dr. Boekman to see his father. Upon examining Raff, Dr. Boekman concludes that a dangerous brain operation is required, after which he schedules Raff's hospitalization. Hans and Hilda return to practicing for the big race, during which Ludwig spies them and admits to having told the burgermeister about their meeting in the mill. Ludwig demands to fight Hans, with Hans reluctantly agreeing before triumphing. That night, Ludwig's father unsuccessfully appeals to the burgermeister to have Hans disqualified from the race as a troublemaker.
The next morning, Raff enters the hospital as Hans and Gretel tearfully stress that the following day's cross-country skating competition -- and the prize money it could bring them -- is the sole reason for their departure. Hans then goes to see if his pencil drawings were sold by the art dealer who took them on commission. He leaves the shop upon learning that the drawings were unpopular. Just then, a thief enters and robs the owner. Hans chases the man and is attacked before being pushed down a flight of stairs and locked in a cellar. Gretel searches for her brother to no avail, as do the police. Hans finds himself tortured by dreams as he shivers throughout the night. However, Hans' cries are heard by a longshoreman the next day. When the police arrive, Hans leads them to the ship where he saw the thief retreat. The robber is quickly captured and the art dealer gives Hans a reward, after which Hans buys himself a pair of silver skates for the race.
Hans and Gretel head for the competition, arriving just before the girls' four-mile race begins. After a spirited effort, Gretel and Hilda watch as another girl is declared the champion. As the boys begin their twenty-six mile race, they are warned about patches of thin ice. Hans skates forcefully, particularly after passing under a bridge from which Metje yells to him that Raff is out of danger. As the finish line looms, Ludwig takes a shortcut and falls through the ice. Though realizing that he'll lose the race, Hans goes back and rescues Ludwig. As a result, Peter is first to cross the finish line. When Hans and Ludwig finally manage to skate back to the crowd, Ludwig admits what he did and thanks Hans for saving his life.
Once back at the Brinkers' home, Dr. Boekman states that Raff's recovery will go quickly. The Brinkers learn that Ludwig's father has paid Dr. Boekman's fees, though the surgeon asks for Hans' painting of Raff as well. Raff then tells his family where the thousand guilders is hidden as they celebrate their rediscovered nest egg. Finally, the burgermeister's family and the Brinkers go sailing together. As Hans and Hilda's mutual affection grows, all aboard the boat cheer them on. Commercials deleted.
(Series title varies: From 1954 to 1958 this series was telecast under the title "Disneyland"; from 1958 to 1961 this series was telecast under the title "Walt Disney Presents"; from 1961 to 1969 this series was telecast under the title "Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color"; from 1969 to 1979 this series was telecast under the title "The Wonderful World of Walt Disney"; from 1979 to 1981 this series was telecast under the title, "Disney's Wonderful World"; and from 1997-2005 this series was telecast under the title "The Wonderful World of Disney.")
(Network varies; this series was telecast on ABC from 1954-1961, on NBC from 1961 to 1981; on CBS from 1981 to 1983; and on ABC from 1997-2005.)
Details
- NETWORK: NBC
- DATE: January 14, 1962 Sunday 7:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:48:44
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:00400
- GENRE: Drama
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama
- SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1961-1969
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Walt Disney … Producer
- Norman Foster … Associate Producer, Director, Writer
- Hamilton S. Luske … Associate Producer
- Otto Englander … Writer
- Mary Mapes Dodge … Based on the book by
- Oliver Wallace … Music by
- Rony Zeaner … Cast, Hans Brinker
- Carin Rossby … Cast, Gretel Brinker
- Gunilla Jelf … Cast, Hilda van Gleck
- Erik Strandmark … Cast, Raff Brinker
- Inga Landgre … Cast, Metje Brinker
- Lennart Klefborn … Cast, Ludwig Schimmel
- Claes-Hakan Westergren … Cast, Peter Bouman
- Gunnar Sjoberg … Cast, Dr. Boekman
- Lauritz Falk … Cast, Kaps Bouman
- Alf Kjellin … Cast, Frans Ruisdael