The Mysterious Death of Woody Woodpecker

speaker1

Welcome, everyone, to another thrilling episode of our podcast! I'm your host, [Name], and today we're delving into a truly dark and mysterious story. We're going to explore the cancelled episode of 'Woody Woodpecker' where the character met his end. This is a tale that combines the history of animation with a chilling twist. Joining me today is my co-host [Name]. So, let's dive in!

speaker2

Hi, [Name]! I'm so excited to be here. I've always been a fan of Woody Woodpecker, but I had no idea about this dark episode. What can you tell us about it?

speaker1

Well, it all started with the episode 'The Gas Bandit', which was the last of the 'Woody Woodpecker Biruta' phase. After this episode, the character underwent a significant transformation to become more light and friendly. But the original version of this episode was much, much darker. Walter Lantz, the creator of Woody Woodpecker, was under immense pressure from parents and the Universal Studios to change the character. They found Woody Woodpecker to be an apology for drugs and a source of nightmares for children.

speaker2

That's really interesting. So, what did Walter Lantz do in response to this pressure? Did he just give in?

speaker1

Not at all. Lantz was a man of principles. He didn't want to see his creation turned into something completely different. He believed that the only way to truly end the controversy was to end the character himself. So, he wrote a dark and disturbing ending for the episode, where Woody Woodpecker actually dies. He gathered a small group of animators he trusted and recorded the story. It was a version of 'The Gas Bandit' that was very different from what we know today.

speaker2

Wow, that's intense. I can't imagine what it must have looked like. Did they manage to show this dark version?

speaker1

Almost. Just days before the episode was set to air, Universal offered Lantz a substantial financial incentive to keep the character. Lantz eventually agreed, and the dark version had to be quickly reworked. About 95% of the original episode was used, but the ending was completely changed. A single line was added at the beginning, where Woody says, 'I'm a necessary evil,' which clearly reflects Lantz's feelings about the changes being a 'necessary evil.'

speaker2

That's so fascinating. It's like he was leaving a hidden message. But what happened to the original dark version? Was it ever found again?

speaker1

Yes, it was. In the late 1950s, as Woody Woodpecker's popularity soared, Lantz decided to hide the original film because he knew it could be very upsetting for fans. But in the mid-1990s, a group of interns at the Walter Lantz Studios were tasked with searching through old archives to find rare animations for a commemorative VHS release. They stumbled upon the cancelled episode. After watching it, six of the interns quit the project, they were so disturbed by what they saw. The rest of the team sent the film to the coordinator, who immediately hid it and told everyone to forget about it.

speaker2

That's wild! What did the coordinator do with the film? Did anyone else see it?

speaker1

The coordinator was unaware that one of the interns had secretly recorded a low-quality copy of the episode by filming the screen with a handheld camera. This copy was eventually digitized and briefly circulated on the internet. However, the internet wasn't as fast or widespread as it is today, so the Lantz company managed to suppress its distribution quite effectively.

speaker2

It's incredible how much effort they put into hiding it. What was the dark version actually like? Can you describe it in more detail?

speaker1

Absolutely. In the dark version, after the explosion, the camera shows Woody and the police officer on a small cloud, kneeling and crying. They don't have wings or halos; they're depicted as translucent spirits. The background is bleak and stormy, with a profoundly sad and depressive soundtrack. The camera zooms in on the police officer's face, showing him in deep distress, pulling at his skin. The scene then cuts to the fragmented body of the officer, and then to Woody's head, which is also in pieces. The iris of Woody's eyes, which are usually green, are completely black. The choral sound is especially haunting, possibly even the voice of Walter Lantz himself.

speaker2

That's really intense. The psychological impact of that must have been huge. Do you think this dark version would have been too much for the audience back then?

speaker1

Absolutely. The dark version would have been a major shock to the audience, especially to children. It's a stark contrast to the light and humorous character we know today. The cultural significance of Woody Woodpecker is that he represents a pivotal moment in animation history, where the balance between entertainment and controversy had to be carefully managed. The dark ending, if it had been shown, could have had a profound impact on the character's legacy and the industry as a whole.

speaker2

It's amazing how much thought and effort went into creating this dark version. What do you think were the artistic choices behind it, and how did they contribute to the overall impact?

speaker1

The artistic choices in the dark version were deliberate and impactful. The use of a stormy, gray background and the sad, low-volume soundtrack were designed to create a sense of despair and loss. The fragmented bodies and the black eyes of Woody were symbolic of the character's destruction and the darkness that Lantz felt was being imposed on his creation. The choral sound, possibly Lantz's own, added a personal touch, making the scene even more haunting and personal. These choices made the dark version a powerful statement about the character and the industry.

speaker2

That's really deep. It's like the episode itself was a reflection of Lantz's own struggle. What do you think is the legacy of this cancelled episode today, and how has it influenced the way we think about Woody Woodpecker?

speaker1

The legacy of the cancelled episode is a testament to the power of creative integrity and the impact of cultural pressure. It shows how a single piece of media can carry a deeper meaning and how the choices we make as creators can have lasting effects. The episode, although never officially released, has become a part of urban legend and creepypasta lore, adding a layer of mystery and intrigue to the Woody Woodpecker character. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving the original vision of creators, even in the face of external pressures.

speaker2

That's a great way to wrap it up. Thank you so much for sharing this fascinating story with us today, [Name]. It's been an incredible journey through the dark side of animation history.

speaker1

Thanks for joining us, [Name]. And a big thank you to all our listeners for tuning in. Join us next time for more thrilling and mysterious stories from the world of animation and beyond. Until then, keep exploring, and stay curious!