November 7, 2006 – The Pixar Short Film Mater and the Ghostlight is Released
“Nah, don’t be too scared buddy, it ain’t real.”
On November 7, 2006, the Pixar short film Mater and the Ghostlight was released on the DVD release of Cars. It was directed by John Lasseter and Dan Scanlon, with story by Lasseter, Scanlon, and Joe Ranft. It starred Larry the Cable Guy as Mater, Owen Wilson as Lightning McQueen, and Michael Wallis as Sheriff.
It’s evening in Radiator Springs, and Mater starts playing tricks on all of the residents. After they all gather at Flo’s V-8 Cafe, Mater pulls another prank on McQueen, calling himself the Ghostlight, when garners him a stern warning from the Sheriff. When McQueen asks what the Ghostlight is, the Sheriff goes into the wretched tale, ending with a warning: what the Ghostlight hates the most is the sound of clanking metal. The cars all look around as something starts clanking, and realize that Mater is shaking from fear. After the story is over, the cars all rush home, save for Mater, who is left all alone. Mater heads home in the dark, shaking and trying to remain calm. As he heads into his home for the night, he sees a bright orange light heading towards him, and he pleas for his life as he drives backwards. He soon realizes that the light is just a lightning bug, and gives out a sigh of relief. Suddenly, a large blue light appears behind him, and Mater runs for his life as the Ghostlight trails behind him. After he flees, McQueen and Guido appear, silently congratulating each other on a prank well done. Mater is too terrified to realize that the “Ghostlight” is just a lantern with a blue bulb. Hours later, Mater returns completely worn out, and finally realizes that the Ghostlight isn’t real. However, the cars tell him there’s something else to be afraid of, the “Screaming Banshee,” before driving away as fast as they can, once again leaving Mater alone in the dark, frightened.
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