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Then, there was the Isle of Man cabbie who
was recruited for the role of Thomas, and was later never heard of again. Here, we recount what happened to John Bellis and
the original voice of Thomas in Magic Railroad.
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On what he thought would be a routine pick up from Douglas
Airport on the Isle of Man, Fireman, and part time Taxi Driver, John Bellis
found himself in the company of Britt Allcroft and her associates, who had arrived on the Island to scout locations for the
Magic Railroad film. However, what was meant to be an ordinary job for Mr Bellis, instead turned out to be
an extraordinary event. Having only heard him utter a meagre few words, Britt knew that John was the right man to voice
Thomas himself, turning to tell her colleagues "I
have just heard the voice of Thomas. The man is exactly how Thomas would sound!" A few days later, she offered John the part, and he accepted.
Speaking of his good fortune at the time to BBC News,
"It's fantastic. I'm a bit shelI-shocked and have to keep pinching myself to remind myself that it has really happened."
He continued: "All the lads at work
have been really supportive, all the management have been really supportive and they are all going round singing Thomas The
Tank Engine tunes."
But despite being flown out to Toronto to begin recording with his co-stars,
John's fate was later changed a meagre few months before the film was due to go on release.
American test audiences, who viewed the Director's
cut of the film, disliked the Liverpudlian tones that John used for Thomas, and argued that he made Thomas sound too
old. And so, suffering the same fate as fellow cast-member Doug Lennox, ended up losing his part and sinking without
trace, returning, as he had intended to do so, to his own job as a Fire-Fighter on the Isle of Man. In a statement following
the decision in April 2000, Mr Bellis said he was "gutted",
but wished the film-makers well. "It was supposed to be my big break,"
he said. "But it hasn't put me off and I am hoping something else will come along."
The part of Thomas later went to Eddie Glen, who, despite
giving Thomas a more youthful English accent, was actually a Canadian (Toronto) voiceover who had starred in numerous
other children's productions such as Nickelodeon's Angela Aneconda.
In the end, John Bellis was acknowledged in the movie's
credits as the 'Transportation Coordinator' with the 'Isle of Man Unit'.
Longtime Series Storyteller Michael Angelis
was initially not overlooked by the movie's producers, and was invited by Britt to voice James and Percy.
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The faithful UK Thomas narrator from 1991 onward, Michael
Angelis also suffered at the hands of the American Test Audiences that the Magic Railroad Director's cut was subjected
to.
During the same test screening, the American audience opined
that Angelis sounded too old and unconvincing to the viewer who were alledgedly expecting younger-sounding characters.
In the UK narrative, James is particularly notorious for his very strong and rather animated Liverpudlian accent.
For want of a set of more youthful sounding voices, the
parts later went to Canadian character actresses Linda Ballantyne (Sailor Moon) for
Percy; while Susan Roman, (Sailor Moon, Care Bears, Beyblade, Tin Tin) took over
the role of James (albeit again, like Thomas, voiced with British accents).
We were surprised to learn that
both Cranky the Crane and George the Steamroller had roles in the early script versions of Thomas and the Magic Railroad!
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About Cranky
Cranky had a non-speaking
cameo role in two scenes throughout the course of the movie - first in a cut music video (The Friendship Song) and
later in the scene where Splatter and Dodge question Diesel 10 about why he let Mr. Conductor escape. Cranky drops
a crate of fruits and vegetables on top of Splatter and Dodge for comedic effect. Quite a contrast to
the theatrical version in which the script was altered to have Diesel 10 covered in coal beneath the coal hopper. For
yet another version of this scene, refer to Bruce Simpson's artwork in the Storyboards section of this site!
Although it has been revealed by Dave Axford that Cranky's scenes were never filmed, the crane was definitely
briefly present on the set. In this photo from this Canadian Society of Cinematographers article (see Feature Articles page), Cranky can be seen in the background. It turns out that he was in the process of being refurbished by
Dave Axford when word came down from the producers that Cranky's scenes would not be featured in the movie.
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| Can you see Cranky? Photo: CSC |
But that did not stop Cranky from making a cameo of
sorts in the final movie.
We can support fan claims that Cranky's base can
be seen in the movie. Watch the scene where Diesel-10 slinks out of the engine shed at Knapford. If you compare
the screencaptures from the movie and the Series 5 episode of Cranky Bugs, you'll notice that the superstructure
and rear portion of the crane match up with 99.9% certainty.
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| Scene from the movie (with magnified section), compared with one (mirrored) from Cranky Bugs (1998) |
Further enquiries to our movie contact Dave Asling revealed this:
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With regards to Cranky on set: We did
set up the crane but it wasn't as a 'character' crane like Cranky. It was strictly set dressing. Virtually all of the original
Thomas sets and models were shipped to Toronto so that we could assess which ones were in any way useable as 'filler' items
when we were building the shooting environments. We had a large selection of generic train depot components that we could
reposition around the sets to create visual interest or fill in blank looking areas. That's what this crane is, static set
dressing.
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We'd like to extend our thanks to Dave
Asling for his insight and to SiF's Angus Su for pinpointing the scene.
About George
George,
however, was a major player in the film, and a reluctant player in the plan between Diesel 10, Splatter and Dodge. He
was instructed to hit every one of the buffers on the railway to find out which ones led to the Magic Railroad, and ordered
to destroy them. His reward for doing this was to be the destruction of the Tidmouth Turntable which would instead be
used as his own private roller-rink!
George's model was never taken out of storage, and his scenes
were removed altogether from later versions of the script. We've summarized his scenes below for posterity's sake - in sequential
order of appearance.
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After Mr. C's scenes with James at the sheds.
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Thomas stops at level crossing to let George by.
This scene also includes Bertie's drive-by as seen in the movie.
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Mr. C. is on top of the waterfall/mountain.
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Mr. C. looks for a bellflower to call Junior.
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George watches Gordon enviously on the turntable.
Diesel promises it to him.
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George's daydream sequence
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With D-10's prompting, George imagines himself on
the turntable now converted to his own personal roller rink.
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D-10 reveals his sinister plan
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Diesel-10 orders George to destroy all of the buffers
on the island to ensure that the Magic Railroad connection is severed, and by doing so eliminating any threat Mr. C.
may pose to his plans for diesel domination of Sodor.
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A weakening Mr. C. lies down.
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George smashes a buffer, but Diesel-10 wants him
to destroy them all no matter the consequence. George is beginning to have second doubts.
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Patch spies PT Boomer on Muffle Mountain. Lily arrives
in Shining Time Station.
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Toby eavesdrops on Diesel-10, splatter and Dodge
in the scrapyards.
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George, Splatter and Dodge begin to fear Diesel-10's
obsession with destroying all links to the Magic Railroad.
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Toby's whistle causes Diesel-10 to lash his claw
about and bring the shed down upon them (as seen in the movie)
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Percy travelling at night along old siding.
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Night: Splatter and Dodge try to bully an ever-reluctant
George into destroying another set of buffers in the siding.
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Night: Campfire scene with Mr. C and Lily.
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James and Junior rematerialize after escaping Diesel-10
at the smelter.
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George refuses to listen to Splatter and Dodge's
orders to destroy the Magic Buffer. During the ensuing confusion, they derail themselves,
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Lady materializes on Sodor through the Magic Buffers,
as seen in the movie.
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More revelations about Magic Railroad's mechanical
menace: Diesel-10!
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When you compare Diesel-10's
role in the filmed version to that in the original script, the post-edit villain's persona appears to have adopted parts of
the now-dropped PT Boomer's character.
Diesel-10 is introduced in the script at the same
point where we meet him in the filmed version, but as a new engine brought in by the Fat Controller to help
out while he is away.
Pinchy isn't revealed until Diesel-10 meets
up with Splatter and Dodge to reveal his takeover plans. A hatch built into Diesel 10 opens up to reveal his big
snapping claw.
The scene where Thomas was meant to be covered in dust
by Harold the Helicopter was intended to carry on through to the night Tidmouth Sheds scene to provide a bit of comic
relief. Diesel 10 returns that evening following his initial attack
and pours sneezing powder down Thomas's funnel. This causes Thomas to whistle rather strangely, and provides the reason
for the sneezing-fit scene while at the gathering with the other engines the following day...another reason why James
believes Diesel wants to destroy them!
We’ve been able to contact Canadian actor and improv
comedian Neil Crone, whose character-voicing talents were heard in the
movie as Diesel 10, Splatter and Gordon. What Neil shared with us is most revealing!
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Hi Jim...thanks for getting in touch. Diesel 10 was a lot of fun. The weird thing is that
my improv partner, Kevin Frank, and I first went in together to audition for the roles of the Troublesome Trucks. We had a
ball improvising dialogue and we were hired.
While we were in the studio recording the troublesome truck stuff, there was a break in
recording. On the screen at the time was some footage of Diesel 10. I was just fooling around and began to do a voice for
him. I did a large, gruff, Russian dialect and it seemed to fit him perfectly. I didn't even realize that the mic was on.
All of a sudden Britt (Allcroft) who was directing the session cuts in on her talkback
mic and says 'Say that again!'. I said 'Say what again?'. She asked me to do the Russian voice. So I did. She fell in love
with it for the voice of Diesel 10 and that was that. We recorded the whole movie using that very cool (and very funny) Russian
voice.
Unfortunately when the print of the film went to Los Angeles, somebody somewhere there
said they were worried somebody might find it a little offensive somehow. Totally dumb, but, they ended up by coming back
to me and having me use essentially the same voice but without the accent. Unfortunate, as I (and I am sure Britt) thought
the original was so much more perfect.
Anyway, we had a load of fun recording those voices. Our improv background came in
very handy as we did a lot of the lines on the fly. Kevin and I were actually asked to take the script and punch it up a little.
My only regret about the film is that most of the cast received beautifully embroidered jackets. We got squat. Maybe because
we were behind the scenes.
Anyway, I loved doing the film, largely as I was a huge Thomas fan. My kids, at the time
of the recording, were just outgrowing their Thomas days. As far as the Eric Idle thing goes, I dont think it was him.
I'm not sure who the original voice for Diesel 10 was.
Hope this helps out with the site. Send me along the web url and I'll check it out.
Cheers,
Neil (11 April, 2007)
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Sodor Island Fansite would like to thank Mr. Crone for his very
insightful reply and candid glimpse into what could have been! Even without the Russian accent, Neil's characterization
of Diesel 10 is memorable. Visitors can check out Neil's other projects on his website.
The true origin of Pinchy's
name.
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Throughout the script, Diesel 10's appendage is always referred to as
a 'claw' and never 'Pinchy', Diesel 10 is also in total control of its movements. In the movie, "Pinchy" has
a will of its own, with Diesel 10 oftentimes addressing it. This intrigued me so I asked Neil Crone...
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Neil, was the
name 'Pinchy' your innovation for the movie?
Yes, Pinchy was something I came
up with in the studio. Kevin and I improvised a whack of that dialogue.
~ Neil Crone, 11 May, 2007
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As a footnote, in Calling All Engines, the rehabilitated
Diesel 10's appendage is referred to as 'the giant claw'.
The original voice of Diesel-10, as can still
be heard in the movie's trailer and teaser!
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| photo used courtesy of Keith Scott to SiF |
Our research has finally identified the mystery voice
behind Diesel 10 as heard in the movie's trailer and teaser. It belongs to no one other than renowned Australian
voice impresario Keith Scott! Keith recorded his lines with the original voice
talent (Michael Angelis, John Bellis, Patrick Breen) on the 1st and 2nd September, 1999 at D.A.V.E. recording studios on 49
Ontario Street, Toronto. Below is a clip from the trailer featuring Keith's voice.
We've at last heard from Keith himself who has kindly shed
some light on this mystery!
From an email received from Keith Scott dated 22 August,
2008:
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James --
My involvement with
the THOMAS movie came out of the blue. I was just preparing to leave LA after finishing work on the ROCKY AND BULLWINKLE movie,
when the producer of Thomas called me to a meeting saying she was after a "new" type of voice for Diesel, and could I do a
kind of Orson Welles villain interpretation. (The ladies who had cast R&B had recommended me to her.)
After accepting
me, I was as you note, quickly flown to Toronto and recorded my lines with the cast over two days.
The voice I ended
up using changed a little during the recording, almost becoming the Billy Bletcher voice of The Big Bad Wolf (from Disney's
"Three Little Pigs").
I then flew back to Sydney but was told I would be required for further work later in the year.
A
couple of weeks later my US agent informed me that I was being replaced on the THOMAS movie but no hard feelings, etc. I was
a little disappointed, but to be realistic that sort of thing happens on a daily basis in this crazy business.
The
only rumor I heard (and I don't know if this is true) is that my characterization was a little too "heavy" and would possibly
scare the youngest audience members.
That was 1999 and I didn't hear anything more to this day.
My own gut feeling
was that the rest of the cast had a bit of a history with the THOMAS property (I think Michael had long been associated with
the British TV version) and I was an outsider with no particular passion for the enterprise. Maybe they felt I just didn't
have the right THOMAS "feel"
Let me know if you need any more from me. And good luck with your project.
Keith
Scott
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We'd like to personally thank Keith again for his insight
and permission to use his photo. To get an idea of his vocal range for characters, visit Keith's website. We also extend our thanks to Keith's agent Melinda, owner of Blah Blah Blah for putting us in touch with Keith.
More about Diesel-10's bumbling
sidekicks!
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In the script we initially meet Splatter and Dodge in the
shadows of the Scrap Yard where they're watching Toby and Percy going in to collect materials -NOT when
they meet Diesel 10 at their rendez-vous.
In the actual film, these two reform their ways at the
last minute with no explanation. However, in the film script we have obtained, it's George who reforms at the
last minute and changes his mind, telling them to ram the magic buffers themselves, just before Thomas and Lady appear.
They do so, and ram into one another, much like Bill and Ben in Double Teething Troubles.
Diesel 10 would never have been seen in Calling All Engines
had the original script been filmed verbatim.
When Diesel-10 and Boomer fall into the barge of sludge,
they lie there for a second or two before either vanishing or turned into sludge through the magic of C Junior's
bandana. We can only speculate that the vanishing sequence was removed for the benefit of children, or that there were 'sequel'
potential by not having them disappear altogether.
Mr. Conductor's role in the script was much
more extensive and physically demanding!
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In his scenes on Sodor in the filmed version, Mr. Conductor
is in-scale with his surroundings (normal-sized). In the scripted version, he seems to switch to his diminutive form
of 18 inches tall in a few scenes, namely...
- The Fat Controller's Office: TFC's letter and the telephone are described as being
nearly as big as he is.
- Engine shed
(night): Mr. C. sleeps in a 'little
hammock' instead of a bed (as seen in the movie).
Curiously, we didn't get the impression of 'Junior' being similarly proportioned in any of his 'Sodor' scenes.
In the movie, Mr Conductor has no means of knowing that
his sparkle has gone. In the script, he decides not to travel with Thomas to the top of the waterfall where the clue
is hidden. The depleted gold dust materializes Mr. C. a few hundred metres from his intended target.
In doing so, he loses the last of his gold dust, and grows
noticably weaker as the time goes on. In some scenes he is resigned to the fact that he doesn't have the strength to
reach Thomas again.
The scripted scene where the engines are gathered together
intended to have James fretting about Diesel destroying them all, Gordon blaming Thomas for losing Mr Conductor and Toby trying
to provide a voice of reason!
In the scene where Mr. Conductor is captured by Diesel 10's claw
near the viaduct, the script describes him escaping by cutting a green/blue wire instead of a hydraulic hose
as seen in the movie. Instead of being catapulted to the windmill by Diesel 10's claw, Mr. C. instead falls and bounces off
a bush, which in turn sends him flying off to the windmill!
C Junior was never intended initially
to be played as a Scottish character. In the script, he's written in as a "British" character, but when mentioned
by Mr Conductor to The Fat Controller - he's referred to as an "English Puppy in need of a good trainer".
An explanation for the change is revealed in this interview
that Michael E. Rodgers gave to the Daily Record (Glasgow) on the 7th July, 2000 where he talks
about auditioning for the part of C Junior.
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Michael landed the role of the junior conductor
in the film, which mixes model animation and live action, after the director fell for his Scottish accent.
Michael says: "They were looking for someone
of about 19 and I was about 29 at the time. I didn't bother shaving and the casting director said I was good, but told me
to come back looking like a surfer. The next day the director asked if I could do it in a British accent. I told her I was
from Scotland and she said she loved Scotland, so I got to do it in my Scottish accent and got the part."
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In the character notes in the script, Patch is described
as a 12/13 year-old Irish boy. At the end of the story, we flash forward to the future where the now-adult Patch is married
to Lily, and reside in Indian Valley with their children (and Mutt's descendant). A remnant of this extended scene can be
seen at the end of the movie where you can see the "future" family in an overhead shot descending into the valley (see Filmed
Scenes that were Cut section on this page).
In the movie's credits, the 'adult' Patch is listed as being played
by actor Robert Tinkler.
A few scenes were reordered after the test
screening
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The point where Patch finds Lady and Burnett Stone in the
Workshop was initially intended to take place later while Lily was returning from Sodor - NOT
at the point early on in the movie before Diesel 10 begins talking to Splatter and Dodge.
Lady was never intended to speak in Magic Railroad.
Her only means of communication throughout were telepathic where Thomas could somehow feel her pain and sadness while
he is stood on Muffle Mountain. He talks to her, but gets no verbal response.
Obviously, she was later written with lines to give Britt
Allcroft her part in the movie, possibly to compensate for what will be revealed further down this page!
Our Sodor is part of the UK!
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These lines were never intended to alienate the British
audience, and in some points, the differences in American and British rail trminology were made fun of in the writing of the
movie.
When Thomas is reading the sign at the beginning of the
movie, he refers to the signature at the end as being Sir Topham Hatt. In this version of the script, he is corrected
by Gordon who refers to him as "The Fat Controller".
In one scene at the sheds, Mr Conductor refers to him again
as being Sir Topham Hatt, and is corrected by James or Gordon who tell him it's "The Fat Controller".
Again, Conductor makes the faux pas of refering to the
Sodor Railroad, but is corrected again by the engines who tell him it's the Sodor Railway!
Throughout the film, The Fat Controller is the
a common reference of choice and endearment for Sir Topham Hatt.
However, the phrase "Fat Hatt" is coined more
than once by Diesel 10...prior to it's single use in the filmed version where snatches Mr Conductor at the
viaduct.
The past and future Lily!
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The biggest surprise of all would have to be that Mr Conductor
was never intended to be the storyteller at all...
This honor was intended for Lily, 20 years on recounting
the story to her young son. Pouring over an album of old photos of the days following the events of Magic Railroad,
with pictures of her, Mr Conductor, Stacy, Billy, Junior and The Fat Controller...!
Mutt is the great-grandfather to Lily's own dog,
Jeff. And 20 years on, she's married to Patch and now lives in Indian Valley. After visiting her grandfather
Burnett every summer following her adventure on the Island of Sodor, Lily has become a railroad engineer just
like her Grandpa was!
Lines intended for characters that were dropped
from the final cut of the movie!
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Two sets of lines were left in that I know of which were
intended to be aimed at characters who never appeared:
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Come in, and join the party, George!
(changed to Splodge in the movie)
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Now I'll get you, Burnett Stone, and that engine too!
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No you won't (to Boomer), because the magic you refuse
to believe in, will get the better of you!
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I forget which one of SiF's Sir Topham Hatt's Monologues compared
The Fat Controller to Alfred Hitchcock, but in the descriptive notes of the Magic Railroad script, he is referred
to as having a Hitchcockian appearance on his posters...
Well done Ross Hayes or David Monash for unintentionally
uncovering THAT one prior to our discovery of the original script!
In one scene in the movie, Patch and Lily ride the horse
through the valley on the Magic Railroad's 'ley lines' (for lack of a better analogy*).
In the setup scene that was either unfilmed or cut from
the movie, the horse is energized by magic gold dust that coats its hooves as it passed through a puddle of water. This explains
why the horse is seen galloping to beat the band in the movie.
But how did the magic gold dust get into the puddle?
The answer to that question is provided below.
The gold dust residue drifted onto Lily's clothes when
Junior dematerializes at Shining Time Station. It is subtly explained in the script later where Lily firsts meets her grandfather.
The gold dust falls off of her dungarees and into the puddle as she gets out of Stacy's car.
More about the missing coal truck seen inside
the Magic Railroad portal!
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In the movie, Thomas spots the truck inside the magic railroad
portal, then reverses to retrieve and deliver it to Muffle Mountain. Later in the hideout, Lily makes the Sodor coal/Lady
connection and sends Patch to retrieve the truck from the top of the mountain.
In the draft version of the script, Thomas realizes that
it's the missing truck, but doesn't stop to retrieve it. It's only after arriving at the top of Muffle mountain that
he realizes its significance. Lily makes the same connection in the hideout. But Patch and his horse retrieve it from inside
the Magic Railroad. The horse's hooves are permanently etched with magic gold dust, which enables it to access the Magic
Railroad portal to retrieve the truck.
More about TATMR's canny canine!
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In the scripted scene where Patch is painting the Shining Time Station
sign, Billy Two-Feathers is described as being Mutt's owner. Mutt is also attributed with preternatural abilities far
above and beyond those of your typical canine.
And believe it or not, we've found 'Mutt'! 'Dita' is
affiliated with a reknown troupe of stage actors - the Royal Shakespeare Company! She's (yes, she!) was
still in the business as of March 18, 2005 in this article found on the Davidson College (NC) website: 'Dog's Life' is the Good Life for RSC Canine Star
More information about Dita and Mutt can be found in
our Animal Co-Stars of TATMR page!
Evidence of deleted scenes abound in the movie!
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We have found evidence in the movie that lends
credence to our claims that certain scenes were indeed filmed, but later cut from the final version.
In the movie, the scene where Billy Two-Feathers sees Patch off on his horse ends
with Patch's line:
"So I don't think he's (Stone) a bad
man, I think he's just sad."
In the script, the scene is extended to include Billy's warning to Patch to
keep an eye out for a 'stranger'.
After Patch rides off, Billy and Mutt encounter PT Boomer waiting for
them on the Shining Time Station platform. After a confrontational exchange about Burnett Stone's whereabouts and
being stonewalled by Billy, an enraged Boomer leaves, but not before taking a swing at the hanging flower basket that Mr.
Conductor had watered earlier. The script describes Billy picking up the broken-off flowers that have dropped onto
the ground.
In the movie, the extended scene was replaced with a cutaway scene
where Burnett Stone enters his Muffle Mountain workshop, then picks up where the script left off with Billy entering the station to see Stacy
Jones. Pay close attention to what Billy is holding in his hand in the screencapture below...
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| not just flowers for a pretty lady! |
In the script as in the movie, Stacy discusses Burnett
Stone's drawing with Billy. This scene is extended is the script with Billy handing the flowers over to Stacy, and telling
her how they were knocked out of the basket.
Further to the cut Burnett Stone/PT Boomer crossroads scene,
the script makes reference to a photograph being shown by Lily to Stacy Jones during the drive from Shining
Time to Muffle Mountain to meet Lily's grandfather.
The old black-and-white photo is described earlier in the script as
being that of a school dance, where Lily's then-teenaged grandparents (Burnett and Tasha) can be seen dancing. In the
same photo, a sulky PT Boomer is watching the couple.
As Stacy and Lily drive up to the crossroads, they notice the two men
arguing, and Stacy asks Lily if she can borrow the photograph.
For a split second in the movie, you can see this vey photograph in
Stacy's hand!
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| Spotted by SiF veteran 'Ci' in this split-second scene in the movie. |
The script includes a scene depicting Patch and Lily 20 years
later as adults with two children of their own having a picnic. We're fairly certian that a remnant of this scene has been
recycled and included in the final cut of the film, just before the movie ends.
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| Patch, Lily and their two children, 20 years after the events of TATMR. |
In this section, we investigate the rumors
about Thomas and the Magic Railroad that have been circulating for years in the Thomas Community...
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We were puzzled by this rumor, since there was no mention
of this in the May 19, 1999 or later versions of the script. Given how scenes and storylines may change during production,
we again asked actor Doug Lennox for his insight...
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Hi James
Thanks for taking the time to keep me informed ...
There was never any mention of tearing up the tracks for a freeway that I know of but what a wonderful villainous idea ...
no I was just out to make Burnett's life as miserable as possible ... our feud goes back to our childhood... he just p*sses
my character off ...
Doug Lennox, 25 May, 2007
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A possible explanation for the origin of this rumor may
stem from Mr. Conductor's dream sequence scene in the movie. In it, Stacy Jones laments the loss of the special
magic that once protected the valley. Shining Time Station is seen in a state of disorder and decay, and a roadway can
be seen to the left of the screen.
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| With the magic gone, Shining Time Station is a special place no more |
In our earlier correspondence with Doug Lennox, we asked
him about 'Pete Boom' to which Doug replied...
Furthermore, we could not find any mention of a 'PT Bomber'
in any of the major news media archives searched.
We may have a plausible explanation for how the name 'Pete Boom'
began circulating amongst fans several years ago. Bobwinkle007 discovered a reference to the character
on an archived ERTL product page from the Totally Thomas webstore. In the listing of ERTL 1/64 die-cast figures that were to be released in the spring of 2000, a 'Pete Boom'
figure is listed.
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| A screencapture from the archived Totally Thomas.com ERTL product page |
It's obvious that the news of PT Boomer's character being
cut from the film reached ERTL just prior or during production of # 34327. The corruption of the name from PT Boomer to Pete
Boom might be explained by how the name may have been pronounced e.g. PT (Petey). In any event, the figurine
never made it to retail.
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SiF's 'Blue Train Dude' alerted us to this rumor that appeared in the
Saturday 14 August, 1999 issue of the Toronto Star by reporter York Membery for
an article originally published in the Sunday Times. "Will film wreck Thomas' train?- Tank Engine gets makeover"
"Insiders say Henry and James, Thomas' chums from the Island
of Sodor, are set to become Brad and Chuck."
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Aside from the sheer absurdity of the notion to the Thomas community,
we speculated that the 'insider' deliberately provided misinformation to this journalist for unknown motives. We
tracked down and contacted York Membery to see whether he could recall any specifics about his conversation with this insider. Here then, is York's
reply:
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Hi James,
You are indeed correct... the information
I was given by a previously reliable source turned out to be incorrect, and as you are no doubt aware, getting the truth out
of film company PRs (in time for a deadline) can sometimes be a challenge, if not impossible ... in short, the story turned
out not to be true, and I believed we printed a retraction.
Hope this is of help.
Best, York
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SiF would like to extend our thanks and gratitude to Mr. Membery
for clearing up this matter for us. :)
This extravagant claim surfaced in April, 2009
stating that a YouTube member had at last discovered where the Director's Cut of Thomas and the Magic Railroad
was safely tucked away - of all places, the Lloydminster Public Library in the small city of Lloydminster that straddles
the Alberta and Saskatchewan border.
Being very skeptical of just how the DC would've ended
up in a typical Canadian library warranted an investigation. Our suspicions were confirmed upon contacting the LPL by telephone: They
had no knowledge of a Director's Cut, and in talking further with one of the Librarians - Michelle, we found that the
rumor likely began from someone reading a passage in the Library's Winter, 2006 Newsletter about upcoming movie screenings at the Library. The aforementioned entry found on p.4 of the Newsletter
is reproduced below:
We can see how that description alone would lead someone to believe
that they had at last found this movie's holy grail.
Michelle, who also authored the newsletter revealed that she had copied
the movie's synopsis verbatim from the Audio Cine Films Inc. (ACF) website, a Quebec-based film distribution company with whom the Library has a licence with to procure movies from.
The run-time alone for the VHS tape (85 mins) is a dead giveaway that this was never the real deal.
ACF most likely received an early synopsis from the studio
- Destination Films for the upcoming film either late 1999 or early 2000, before PT Boomer's character was removed from
the storyline. ACF obviously did not update their site entry with the updated movie description that we're all familiar with.
For the record, if the Director's Cut resides anywhere, it will
be in the Sony Pictures Films archival vaults in L.A, with whom Britt Allcroft had been investigating once we established
a direct contact for her at Sony Pictures.
We wish to thank Michelle and the staff at the Lloydminster Public
Library for their assistance in clearing up this misconception :)
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