- There are two major versions of the film. John Korty's original version, and a version which added profanity and vulgar dialogue to several scenes (Botch's opening monologue to his minions, Botch's dialogue while he's in his bathtub, Botch ordering his minions out to get the spring, Botch's ecstatic response when Rudy returns with the spring, and some muttering by Scuzzbopper after his manuscript was dropped from the Murkworks (through a window) by Botch). This latter version had a very limited theatrical release in 1983, and was shown at least twice on HBO in 1984-1985 (see Trivia for why there were two versions in the first place). Warner Archive's 2015 DVD version gives viewers the option to watch the film with the original audio or the more vulgar re-recorded dialogue.
- Another different version was broadcast by Showtime in the mid-1980s (it was mostly similar to the version released for home video systems with the additions of the scenes with Ralph and Mum following Botch behind a panel of a wall and some profanity used in at least one other version made before this one).
- John Korty's personal 35mm print, which has only been screened twice -once at Cinefamily in Los Angeles in 2012, and once at the BAM Rose Cinemas in Brooklyn, New York in 2015- features different sound mixing from either the HBO or home video versions. The Lawrence Welk music plays over the entirety of the first Frivoli scene, wherein the other versions of the film there is no music when Flora and the Chef of State are speaking. Additionally, Ralph and Mum's introduction, along with the foreman yelling at them, is completely free of dialogue. There is also different dialogue from FGM after she gets zapped by the transformer, from Ralph when the Cosmic Clock stops, and again from Ralph before and after the nightmare sequence (for instance, in the 35mm print, he no longer says, "What a jerk" after Rod Rescueman leaves).
- The version released in 1991 on VHS and LaserDisc has the original, non-vulgar dialogue, but is missing about 30 seconds of footage. The end of the scene where Ralph and Mum are chasing the spring (set to the song "Out on My Own"), including the interlude of Botch watching the two via Ibor, is cut. The scene where Ralph and Mum pursue Botch behind a control panel (after Scuzzbopper has tricked Ratatooie with the bowling ball) has a very noticeable jump cut that shows the first few frames of the scene, then the last few, with Scuzzbopper suddenly appearing on screen.
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