- 5 months ago
A kindly uncle tells his niece and nephew the story of how the American legend, Paul Bunyan, thwarted the bullying Panhandle Pete and became the world’s most famous lumberjack.
*** All character names and images within this site are the sole property of their respective copyright holders.
** The material presented here is intended for entertainment and historical purposes only.
*** All character names and images within this site are the sole property of their respective copyright holders.
** The material presented here is intended for entertainment and historical purposes only.
Category
📺
TVTranscript
00:01So, his name is Bunyan, is it?
00:05Well, no man is coming into this territory without first asking my permission.
00:12I don't care how big they say it!
00:20Timber!
00:23Every tree in the land's gonna fall.
00:26Timber!
00:28And you can thank Panhandle Pete for it all!
00:43Rankin Bass presents Festival of Family Classics.
00:58All of the tales that you know so well, features and fables will storytell.
01:13Each classic creation in new animation, today's presentation will be...
01:22A wild and woolly tale about a legendary American folk hero, Paul Bunyan.
01:28How about another one, Uncle Fred? Please, please.
01:43Well, okay. This story took place not a mile from where we're sitting at this very moment.
01:55Right out there, yonder, by the Big Falls.
01:58Folks talked about how the Big Niagara Falls was the work of one man.
02:02Wow!
02:04A man bigger than life itself.
02:07He's a legend, Paul Bunyan.
02:10Known throughout the land.
02:12Paul Bunyan.
02:13With a big axe in his hand.
02:15What a mighty name.
02:17Paul Bunyan.
02:19And here's how he earned his fame.
02:22It all started at Panhandle Pete's Lumber Camp.
02:26Now, old Panhandle was one of the orneriest lumber bosses in the North Country.
02:32And to say that he was a big fella.
02:35Well, that would really be underestimating the situation.
02:39Now, there's been too much plain loafing on the job going on here.
02:45So, from now on, everybody works 16 hours a day instead of 15.
02:51Then we got clean-up duties around the camp here.
02:55Should take another five hours.
02:57So, that'll leave you all a good three hours for loafing and sleeping and doing anything else you can think of.
03:04Now, let's get moving!
03:22Now, two of the lumberjacks, Crosscut Kelly and Stump Watson,
03:26and had about all they could take of Panhandle Pete.
03:29Stump, I can't take a minute more, I tell you.
03:32I've had it.
03:33Either we both head out of here tonight, or I'm gone alone.
03:37You're right.
03:38What's going on here?
03:40In my camp, a man either works or sleeps.
03:44Can't have nobody just a-wasting time talking.
03:47We got half a forest to cut tomorrow, so sack out!
03:58It's gotta be tonight.
03:59You're right.
04:00Let's move!
04:01And that's how it all began.
04:06Working and slaving, the ends never meet.
04:10Can't make a dollar with Panhandle Pete.
04:13He was a giant.
04:15Our home was a jail.
04:17So one day, we took off and hit the old trail.
04:21And we met our Paul Bunyan.
04:24Baby crib and all.
04:26Paul Bunyan.
04:27Half a year and six feet tall.
04:30Floating down the stream.
04:32Paul Bunyan.
04:34Seemed like a dizzy dream.
04:37I just can't believe me own eyes.
04:40Do you see what I see, Stubb?
04:43I think I do.
04:44Let's try and get it up here close by the tour line.
04:50Hey, look here.
04:52Seems to be a note scribbled out.
04:54Let me see.
04:56Dear, to home it may concern.
04:59Our baby, Paul Bunyan, was getting a mite too big for us to handle.
05:05Please try to take care of him and give him a good home.
05:11Paul Bunyan!
05:15Well, I guess we got us what you might call a handful.
05:22Well, they adopted the baby Paul right there on the spot.
05:27He kind of made them forget about their own troubles,
05:29since it was all they could do to manage to take care of him.
05:32Yes, sir.
05:34He was quite a baby.
05:36And did that boy grow?
05:38Seemed that every morning, Crosscut and Stump woke up,
05:42Paul was another foot higher.
05:44Meanwhile, Panhandle was in a rage about losing two of his men.
05:49What do you mean you can't find them?
05:53It's been munched now!
05:55I want Kelly and Watson, and I want them back now!
05:59Come on, let's get out of here!
06:01Come on, let's get out of here!
06:05But Paul and his uncles were hidden safely away in a canyon.
06:09And as the years passed, the boy began to change.
06:13Paul Bunyan, will you touch the sky today?
06:19Paul Bunyan, how big will you be?
06:22Just a boy in every way, Paul Bunyan.
06:25The tall, old pine tree.
06:28Betcha he reaches up to Panhandler Pete's belch buckle by now!
06:32Wouldn't you suppose?
06:34If when he keeps eatin' and growin' at this rate,
06:37he'll be bigger than Pete in no time!
06:40Hey!
06:41Gimme a hard grease in this here griddle!
06:43Or should I say, gimme a foot!
06:46Ha, ha, ha, ha!
07:16Whatcha doin' there?
07:18We don't need the firewood cuts so fancy, you know!
07:21These here are the beginnings of buttons for Paul's new shirt!
07:25It's a present for his tenth birthday!
07:30Whatcha doin' there, Stump?
07:31Are you in the cattle business now?
07:33Yeah!
07:34I figure it's time Paul had a new pair of shoes!
07:37And it'll take back this many cows to do it!
07:40He's twelve years old today, you know!
07:43One!
07:46Two!
07:47Three!
07:48Four!
07:49Five!
07:50Six!
07:51Now just you wait a minute!
07:53One!
07:54Two!
07:55Three!
07:56Just what do you think you're doin'?
07:57Four!
07:58Five!
07:59Five!
08:00Six!
08:01Button holes!
08:02What?
08:03Makin' Paul a shirt!
08:04And ya can't make a shirt!
08:05I mean shootin' at the grounds!
08:06Plain rocker!
08:07Six!
08:08Button holes!
08:09What?
08:10Makin' Paul a shirt!
08:11And ya can't make a shirt!
08:12For a fifteen year old boy!
08:15That don't have button holes!
08:23Well finally Paul grew to be a man!
08:27Now it was up to Paul himself to decide what his life would be!
08:32Paul Bunyan!
08:33Paul Bunyan!
08:34There's a job to do!
08:35Paul Bunyan!
08:36There's a special place for you!
08:39And suddenly the heavens shook!
08:41And the thunder had roared!
08:43And a star fell at Paul's feet!
08:45And then lightning struck the star!
08:47And the rain began to fall!
08:49And the rain began to fall!
08:50And the earth smelled fresh and sweet!
08:54And Paul Bunyan looked down!
08:56And he saw at his feet!
08:58An axe head!
08:59Still glowing from the lightning bolt's heat!
09:02And then Bunyan knew what his life's work would be!
09:06And for an axe handle!
09:07He cut down a big oak tree!
09:09And then the mighty Bunyan knew what he was meant to be!
09:14He's gonna be the king of lumbermen, he is!
09:24We'll all be!
09:25If it isn't Stump and Killie!
09:27And will you look at that boy!
09:29Never thought I'd see anyone could match the size of Panhandle!
09:33The old Panhandle's gonna be mighty interested in all this!
09:37Let's ride!
09:38So, his name is Bunyan, is it?
09:44Well, no man is coming into this territory without first asking my permission!
09:51Ha ha ha!
09:52Ha ha ha!
09:53Ha ha ha ha!
09:54I don't care how big they say he is!
09:59Timber!
10:01Every tree in the land's gonna fall!
10:05Timber!
10:07And you can thank Panhandle Pete for it all!
10:10He he!
10:11Ha ha ha!
10:12Ha ha ha!
10:13Ha ha ha!
10:14Ha ha ha!
10:15Ha ha ha!
10:20It's him alright!
10:21He's gonna be right here in our neck of the woods within the week!
10:25I think we better think about moving out!
10:30No!
10:31Hold on a minute!
10:32If this Panhandle Pete fella keeps on cutting down the forest like he has been,
10:36there's gonna be a heap of problems!
10:39You just can't cut down every tree in sight!
10:41You gotta leave parts standing!
10:43Then you have to plant seedlings!
10:45And I think it's about time I did something about this here Pete fella!
10:49Tell me a little about him!
10:51Well, he's got this awful pride!
10:54Thinks ain't nothing anybody can do better than him!
10:58That's right!
10:59He's always challenging the next guy to a contest or something!
11:03Hmm...
11:04Maybe that's how we can get him to start changing his ways!
11:08Dear Mr. Pete, I hear you're a betting man!
11:14And not past wagering on a contest that might suit your liking!
11:18Well, I heard of you, and you heard of me!
11:22So, here's my suggestion!
11:25On July 4th at Center Junction...
11:31Yup!
11:32Paul challenged old Pete to three contests!
11:35Log rolling in the river!
11:37Hole digging for water!
11:39And odd wrestling for strength!
11:42And the loser...
11:44Well...
11:45He had to leave the territory for good!
11:51Ha ha ha!
11:52Well, kinda saves me the trouble of goin' out after him now, doesn't it?
11:57So it's a contest he wants, does he?
12:00Ha ha!
12:01Well then, it's a contest he shall have!
12:05Paul, are you sure you wanna go through with this, son?
12:08He's a lot bigger than you!
12:09And he's not above a bit of cheatin'!
12:10It's the only way!
12:11Bunion!
12:12Bunion!
12:13Ha!
12:14I hear he's just a boy!
12:15Only thing is, word has it that he has an axe that has some strange power in it!
12:18So, just to even things up a bit, here's what I'll do!
12:21Here's what I want you to do!
12:51Think I'll get warmed up a bit before the first contest!
13:12Hmm...
13:13This one's rougher than I thought!
13:18We'll all be!
13:21I don't believe it!
13:23Uncle Kelly!
13:24Watson!
13:25I'm afraid you two were right when you said the panhandle Pete wasn't above a little cheat!
13:31Why, that don't look like your axe, son!
13:34Little redwood tree wouldn't have took a chunk like that out of it!
13:37Last night, I thought I heard some funny sounds!
13:42Pete must have switched axes on me!
13:44Well, he's sure gonna be in for the biggest surprise of his life when he tries to use it!
13:50Huh?
13:51What do you mean, Paul?
13:52Just you wait and see!
13:56She sure is a beauty!
14:00And sharp as a razor!
14:02Why don't you give it a try, Pete?
14:04Nah!
14:05Don't want it on the edge!
14:07Think I'll wait until the digging contest!
14:10Ha ha ha ha ha ha!
14:11Ha ha ha ha ha ha!
14:12Ladies and gentlemen!
14:13Presenting the contest of the century!
14:15Three men!
14:16Love rolling!
14:17Well done!
14:18And arm wrestling!
14:19Best two out of three to be declared the winner!
14:22And now, the champion from Double Cross Corners, Nevada!
14:23Panhandle Pete!
14:24And challenger from Straight Arrow, Colorado!
14:25Paul Bunyan!
14:26Paul Bunyan!
14:27Applause!
14:28Applause!
14:29First event!
14:30First event!
14:31First event!
14:32First event!
14:33And arm wrestling!
14:34Best two out of three to be declared the winner!
14:36And now, the champion from Double Cross Corners, Nevada!
14:38Can Handle Pete!
14:39And challenger from Straight Arrow, Colorado!
14:40Paul Bunyan!
14:41And challenger from Straight Arrow, Colorado!
14:43And challenger from Straight Arrow, Colorado!
14:44Pulled bunyan!
14:46And challenger!
14:47And the challenger, from Straight Arrow, Colorado, Paul Bunyan.
14:57First event, log rolling.
15:17All right, let's go.
15:47The winner of the first event, Panhandle Pete.
15:56And now, a feat of strength, the arm wrestling event.
16:04First knuckles to hit the ground is the loser.
16:09Ready, set, let her go.
16:17This is it, Bunyan.
16:21You haven't got a chance.
16:24Won't even need to cheat for this one.
16:27Guess you got me, Pete.
16:34You're the better man.
16:36Yahoo!
16:37Yeah!
16:38What happened?
16:39Winner of the second event, Paul Bunyan.
16:46Overconfidence.
16:47What's that got to do with it?
16:48Well, sometimes when you think you're winning and you're right near the end, a man can get too sure of himself and let up a bit.
17:02But how about this last event, Paul?
17:05Yeah, how are you going to make out without your axe, Paul?
17:08Y'all just don't worry your heads none, are you hear?
17:11Everything's going to be just fine.
17:14And now for the final event, a chopping contest.
17:26First man to chop his way down to water will be declared the winner.
17:32Ready, set, let her go!
17:52Wait!
17:53Fall!
17:54Fall!
17:55What seems to be the problem?
17:57He must have switched axes on me.
17:59I want my axe back.
18:01Bunyan?
18:02Don't make no difference to me which axe I use.
18:05All right.
18:06Let the contest continue.
18:13Finally, Paul Bunyan met Panhandle Peeler.
18:16Panhandle screamed, boy, you're gonna get beat.
18:19With that, he swung his old axe in the air.
18:22But Paul kept on digging with Mary a kid.
18:26Paul Bunyan, known throughout the land.
18:31Paul Bunyan lived up to his name with a big axe in his hands.
18:36Paul Bunyan had started to earn his fame.
18:39The winner, Paul Bunyan!
18:43Well, not only did Paul win the contest, he created a gigantic waterfall that would be a source of power for the future.
19:00And Pete, well, he kind of drifted out of sight.
19:05Humble, he said.
19:08Axe!
19:10Well, you beat him fair and square.
19:13But tell me about that axe.
19:15Yeah, what's the mystery all about?
19:18Well, when I first made that axe, I realized that it was unbalanced.
19:22So I dug out a piece of the bottom and put in a big chunk of iron ore to balance it.
19:27Well, the other night before I went to bed, I thought I'd do a little rebalancing.
19:32So I took out the iron and thought I'd work on it in the morning.
19:36And you forgot all about it next day.
19:39And you didn't remember until you realized that the axe you were using wasn't yours.
19:45Exactly.
19:46That's how I knew Pete wouldn't be able to handle it.
19:49It was too blamed unbalanced.
19:51Of course, when he gave it back to me, I just stuck back the iron piece and it was all set to rip.
19:58Well, Paul, the folks around here are mighty proud of you.
20:01They're already setting up a tower near the falls as a tourist attraction.
20:07Yup.
20:08They're calling it Niagara or something like that.
20:12Sure is a pretty sight.
20:14Let's move.
20:15There's lots of work to be done.
20:20Well, everyone knew that from here on in, their lives would be a lot better.
20:25They finally found their champion.
20:28And Paul, well, he just mopped his brow, picked up his axe and his uncles and started off into the wilderness.
20:37The man had a lot of chopping to do and a glorious life to live.
20:43What happened to Paul then?
20:44Where did he go?
20:45Did he make anything else that we know about?
20:49Oh, yes.
20:51Paul went on to adventure after adventure.
20:54He made the Great Lakes, the Aleutian Islands, the Grand Canyon.
20:59And in his spare time, he dug out a little ditch which he called the Mississippi River.
21:05So he'd have something big enough to float his cutting to market in the spring.
21:10The tall tail?
21:11Well, maybe so, maybe so.
21:14But I've never been known as a tall talking man.
21:18I call him straight and as true as I can.
21:21So slide down those eyebrows and drop round again.
21:25Cause this ain't the end, just a resting place, my friend.
21:29He's a legend.
21:30Paul Bunyan.
21:31He's a legend.
21:32Paul Bunyan.
22:04The End
22:34The End