Mater and the Ghostlight (Video 2006)

In this short featuring the characters of the movie Cars, Mater is told the story of a Ghostlight, which causes him to be scared.

Directors:

John Lasseter, Dan Scanlon

Writers:

Joe Ranft (original story), John Lasseter (original story),

Stars:

Larry the Cable Guy, Owen Wilson, Michael Wallis

Cast

Cast overview:
Larry the Cable Guy	...	Tow Mater (voice)
Owen Wilson	...	Lightning McQueen (voice)
Michael Wallis	...	Sheriff (voice)
Bonnie Hunt	...	Sally Carrera (voice)
Paul Newman	...	Doc Hudson (voice)
Cheech Marin	...	Ramone (voice)
Paul Dooley	...	Sarge (voice)

Storyline

At night, all around town, Mater the disheveled tow truck is causing havoc, playing tricks, disturbing the peace, and scaring other motor vehicles. At Flo's V-8 café, the local cop car warns Mater about the ghostlight, a legendary orb of blue that haunts these parts. The cop car tells the story and warns one and all that the ghostlight hates the sound of clanking metal. All the cars rush home, leaving only Mater, whistling past the graveyard, alone at his junkyard. Then, a blue light appears; can Mater save himself or is there more to the story?

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Plot Keywords:

tow truck | pixar animated film | cgi animation | surrealism | police car | 

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Genres:

Animation | Short | Family

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 October 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

Bill og spøkelseslyset

Company Credits

Production Co:

Pixar Animation Studios, Walt Disney Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

7 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Although the "ghostlight" in this film is referenced in Cars, this short does not take place "in the middle" of that film (that is, a "previously unseen moment"), but at an undetermined time after. This is evident in that Mack, Lightning's transport truck, is present (but has no lines).

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Quotes

Tow Mater: The Ghostlight's gonna strip my parts, and sell them on the computer auction website.

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Connections

Spun-off from Cars (2006)

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Soundtracks

"Behind the Clouds"
Written by Brad Paisley & Frank Rogers
Performed by Brad Paisley
Produced by Frank Rogers
Brad Paisley appears courtesy of Arista Nashville

User Reviews

Gorgeously animated, but rather routine

Mater and the Gaslight is definitely not bad, but other than the animation really there is nothing special I particularly find about it. The animation is indeed gorgeous, like with all of Pixar's other work, not only beautiful in the colours but there is a sense of atmosphere too, the music fits wonderfully, the Ghostlight is creepy and the voice work especially from Paul Newman and Michael Wallis is great. However, it all feels rather routine, apart from the sight of Mater shaking and looking scared, there is never really anything that across as funny or moving, and the rather thin story holds few surprises. I also have an issue with Mater, I find him much better as a supporting character than a lead, by all means his appearance is not as problematic as it was in Cars 2, but he is rather bland here. In conclusion, worth watching for the animation but it is just lacking for me in humour, charm and heart. 6/10 Bethany Cox