Hoyt Axton is the unsuccessful inventor. Zach Galligan is the film's nominal hero, the inventor's son who receives the Mogwai as a present and the only one who can stop the Gremlins when they run amok. Phoebe Cates is the film's leading lady, who has a heck of a Christmas tale to spin. The pan and scan transfer crops the frame, which allows characters to fall off the edges of the screen. The pan and scan transfer is acceptable, but nothing too great.
Colors are rich, but the image is a bit soft and dark looking.
As for the Letterboxed transfer, it isn't up to Warner's usual high standard of excellence. The transfer is good, but lacks the crispness and clarity of their most recent offerings. Colors are nicely saturated, but the image is a bit softer and a bit darker than I'm used to. The rear channels add ambiance to the proceedings and some directional effects. Other soundtrack options include a matrixed Dolby Surround soundtrack as well as French and Spanish language tracks.