Which Witch Is Which? is set in a national park (apparently named Chucklewood Park,
but that’s never mentioned in this special) where Ranger Jones is keeping a
watchful eye over the (talking) animals in his care. Apparently none of
the other humans but the Ranger (or Jonsey, as he is also known) notices that
the wildlife can speak or occasionally wear pants, but such is life.
Buttons and Rusty, our young fox and bear cub, have a tendency to snoop around
the human campers, much to Ranger Jones’ dismay. When the two learn about
the Ranger's upcoming Halloween party they are only too eager to celebrate this
strange new human holiday, woodland creature-style.
Meanwhile in a dingy trailer two burglars are plotting to rob the rest
of the residents blind while everyone is off at Ranger Jones' party. Do
people really live in trailer parks on the edges of national parks in
October? Probably. But even as a kid this community always seemed a little weird
to me. The pair of burglars select
their Halloween garb in which to perform their Halloween crime spree: a bear
suit and a witch. That’s Witch
#1. Pay attention-- there’s more
coming up.
The Ranger's party gets underway and we are treated to a neat musical
number, apropos of nothing remotely connected to the plot, but from which our
title is taken. It’s all bubbling cauldrons and jack-o-lanterns and a
couple of witches (that’s Witches #2 & #3). Also in attendance at the party are a local cantankerous
shop owner (Witch #4) and a random blond lady in a peaked hat (Witch #5). All of these witches play a very nominal
role in the actual storyline and
no one seems confused as to their identity. But some identity swapping is in the works, so bear with me.
While the Ranger parties (dressed as some sort of Elton John vampire
that always made my sister laugh), the aforementioned burglars snoop around,
stealing a fur coat and silver teapot (those trailer park people appreciate
fine things). Meanwhile Buttons
and Rusty attempt to trick or treat amongst their oblivious forest
friends. They get skunked by a skunk and get a bunch of acorns dropped on
them by a cantankerous squirrel.
Their hapless fathers are in search of the boys as well. Abner the bear wears overalls; George
the fox goes au naturale, and in classic cartoon fashion, no explanation is given for this sartorial discrepancy.
Everything comes to a confusing climax when Button and Rusty cross paths
with the robbers, mistaking them for trick-or-treaters. At one point Rusty dons a witch’s hat,
which I guess makes him Witch #6, but no one really cares. Buttons, Rusty, Abner, George, Ranger
Jones, the robbers, and the locals all collide. Justice is served, peace prevails and the animals return to
the forest.
I’ve learned much from Which Witch
Is Which? over the years, including:
* Halloween is for humans, not for bears and foxes.
* People in trailer parks wear fur coats and drink out of silver
teapots.
* Some animals are nudists, others are more modest. Especially overweight bears.
* Judging by his choice of Halloween costume, Ranger Jones may be gay. And I’m okay with
that.
And finally, which witch really is which?
Beats me. But it sure is fun to say the question out loud!
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