Thursday, February 18, 2021

A twist on a tale: The Harlem Globetrotters Meet Snow White (1980)

 After the abysmal Super Globetrotters tanked, the Harlem Globetrotters dusted off the team bus and took a trip to Storybook Land, if you will.

"The Harlem Globetrotters Meet Snow White" has the team subbing for the Seven Dwarves, largely because Hanna-Barbera couldn't get the license to use the Dwarves, and probably had to fulfill a contract for the 'Trotters' likenesses, which was coming due.

Long story short, the guys cross into the classic tale of Snow White (Russi Taylor), targeted by the jealous Queen. Otherwise, it follows the familiar formula of the 1970 Globetrotters series.

Scatman Crothers and Adam Wade are among the actors voicing the 'Trotters. H-B standbys John Stephenson & Michael Bell are also heard. Reportedly, this was originally presented as a 4 part serial as part of Fred & Barney Meet The Shmoo.


This would be the coda to the 'Trotters' 10 year association with H-B.

Rating: B.

2 comments:

Silverstar said...

I first saw this in its' entirety as the third part of a syndicated H-B triple feature along with 'specials' (i.e. TV pilots) based on then popular toy products Pound Puppies and Star Faeries, the former of which receiving a series shortly thereafter, albeit noticeably altered from the pilot and would be altered again for its' second season and renamed All-New Pound Puppies; Star Faeries never graced TV again outside of commercials for the dolls. I reckon the Globetrotters' outing was just tacked on to the end to fill out the running time.

Conceptually and chronologically, this Globies story was all over the place; it was never made clear precisely when or where this story was taking place. It was presumably set in pseudo-medieval Europe like the original Grimm Brothers fairy tale, yet they had modern devices like cars, helicopters and computers. And of course the Harlem Globetrotters are there...somehow. Furthermore, the Trotters already know the story of Snow White and how it turns/turned out, which would imply that this is after the original story, but Snow White is still hiding out in the Dwarfs' cottage rather than living it up with the Prince. In addition, Snow White knows who the Globetrotters are...somehow. This one was a head-scratcher to be sure.

hobbyfan said...

I think H-B's contract with the Globetrotters, as I said earlier, was coming due, and this was to fulfill said contract. It's hard finding a stand-alone entry for this online, though.