My husband keeps telling me that the original version of "The Snowman" aired on the telly in the 80s had a voice over narrating the events (Bernard Cribbins', he says).
I think he is wrong, I don't remember any words spoken, apart from Raymond Brigg's introduction. In the audio CD, however, there's the story narrated by Bernard Cribbings over the soundtrack.
Does anyone know who is right?
For the first ever screening on Channel Four on Boxing Day 1982, Raymond Briggs provided a prologue. This was the version shown several times in the eighties. Bernard Cribbins later provided narration for a popular commercially released soundtrack album (with 'Walking In the Air' sung by Aled Jones rather than the original television version's Peter Auty). He did not introduce or narrate the television version.
Only three introductions to the television version of 'The Snowman' have ever been made. The first was by Raymond Briggs, the second (made for American audiences, but later screened here as well) by David Bowie, and the third by Mel Smith who introduces it in the character of Father Christmas.
"For the first ever screening on Channel Four on Boxing Day 1982, Raymond Briggs provided a prologue. This was the version shown several times in the eighties. Bernard Cribbins later provided narration for a popular commercially released soundtrack album (with 'Walking In the Air' sung by Aled Jones rather than the original television version's Peter Auty)."
This is correct apart from one point. The album that "Bernard Cribbins" narrates has "Peter Auty's" recording of "walking in the air" not "Aled Jones". Aled did not record the song untill about 2 years after. I know this to be correct because I own the cd. The recording on the album is the soundtrack of the film with the narration added (tracks 1-3) plus the soundtrack without the narration (tacks 4-6).