Pajama Sam (film)

Pajama Sam (Cantonese: 睡衣山姆 Jyutping: seoi6 ji1 saan1 mou5) is a 1963 Hong Kong animated adventure comedy horror film directed by Chi San, and starring Brandon Chow as the voice of the eponymous protagonist. In the film, fed up with his fear of the dark, Sam transforms himself into Pajama Sam, world's youngest superhero, and resolves to confront Darkness.

Produced by San Naam Animation in association with Daat Zing Film Company (now known as Braulia, Peruru and Leap Movie Co., Ltd.), the film was given a limited release by Golden Flare Pictures on 28 April 1963.

Upon its release, the film gained notoriety due to its limited animation, repetitive usage of and some music by, poor voice acting and lazy editing. Most of its scenes were traced for the cutscenes of. Over the years, it has since gained cult following.

Plot
Sam can't sleep due to a fear of the dark that fills his room. He is inspired by an issue of his favorite superhero comic, Pajama Man, to take matters into his own hands. Journeying into his closet with his purple Pajama Sam mask (Signature-Edition), All-Metal Pajama Man Lunch Box (Portable Bad Guy Containment Unit) and his Illuminator Mark 5 Jr. Flashlight, Sam tumbles down into the Land of Darkness and is soon stopped by a group of trees acting as customs, where his items are confiscated.

After freeing himself, Sam goes on an adventure to reclaim his lost equipment. He befriends a boat named Otto and a mine cart named King, who help Sam throughout his exciting search. After a quest spanning a river, a lava-filled mine, and Darkness's house, Sam goes to confront Darkness.

Sam is still afraid at first, but then he finds Darkness is friendly. Darkness tells him that he is just lonely and wants a playmate. After the two of them play together by playing the game "Cheese and Crackers" (a variation of tic-tac-toe), Sam leaves the closet and finds himself back in his own room. No longer afraid of the dark, Sam quickly falls asleep.

Release
Pajama Sam was released theatrically in Hong Kong by Golden Flare Pictures on 1 June 1963. An English-dubbed version by aired for syndication in the United States on 27 April 1964.

To promote, a new English-dubbed and colorized version by , including the soundtrack from the game, was released on VHS on 6 August 1996. The DVD release followed on 2 October 1998.

The original Cantonese version aired on on 9 February 2008. It aired again on TVB Classic Movies on 1 April 2016. Both of the airings are available on and Trifle.

Home media
The film was released on LaserDisc, VHS, DVD and Blu-Ray as part of "Braulia, Peruru & Leap Classics" and "Braulia, Peruru & Leap's Masterpiece Collection" on 8 July 1988 and 14 March 2013, respectively.

As part of their Hong Kong film retrospective, Braulia, Peruru and Leap Movie Co., Ltd. released Pajama Sam on Region 0 DVD on 8 July 2007. The DVD includes subtitles in Cantonese and English.