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The Frog Prince (1971 film)
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Wikipedia article
'The Frog Prince' (released on home video as 'Tales from Muppetland: The Frog Prince') is a 1971 musical fantasy comedy television special directed by Jim Henson, and jointly produced by Robert Lawrence Productions in Canada and Henson Associates in the United States. It is a retelling of the Brothers Grimm's classic fairy tale of 'The Frog Prince' featuring Kermit the Frog as the narrator, Kermit's nephew Robin as Sir Robin the Frog Prince, and Sweetums. This special marked the debut of both Robin and Sweetums to the world of The Muppets.
Plot
Kermit and several other frogs are sitting around a well, when a small frog they do not recognize appears. The frog introduces himself as Sir Robin the Brave, explaining that he is actually a prince. He recounts, in flashback, how he once fought an ogre named Sweetums and was transformed into a frog by a witch named Taminella Grinderfall. Nearby, they hear King Rupert the Second proclaiming that he will retire as king that afternoon; and his daughter, Princess Melora will be crowned queen. Robin is overjoyed, as he must be kissed by a princess in order to restore his human form.
The princess comes to the well, and Robin learns that she is under an enchantment that prevents anyone from understanding what she says. As she sits by the well, singing to herself, she accidentally drops her golden ball in the water. Robin offers to retrieve it for her if she will befriend him and take him to the palace. Melora reluctantly agrees and Robin fetches the ball.
At the palace, Robin asks Melora to kiss him, saying he will turn into a prince, but Taminella catches them. Melora tells Robin the only way to destroy Taminella's power is to "bake the hall in the candle of her brain," which Robin does not understand. Taminella takes Robin to Sweetums's lair in a cage.
Robin lulls Sweetums to sleep with a lullaby, and Kermit tries to free Robin. Sweetums wakes up intent on eating Robin. Kermit and Robin escape, but learn that the coronation is starting. Kermit and the frogs help Robin disrupt the coronation. Amidst the chaos, Melora yells out "The candle of her hane!"; and Robin realizes "bake the hall in the candle of her brain" really means "break the ball in the handle of her cane." He bites Taminella on the arm, causing her to drop her cane and shatter the glass ball in its handle. Taminella's power destroyed, she turns into a bird and flies off. Melora's enchantment is broken, and she kisses Robin in gratitude. Robin turns back into a prince and professes his love for Melora.
Back at the well, Kermit reveals that Robin and Melora were eventually married.
Notes
Later syndicated alongside 'The Muppet Show'.
Cast
* Trudy Young as Princess Melora
* Gordon Thomson as Sir Robin the Brave
* Heather Henson as Baby Prince Kermit
Muppet performers
* Jerry Nelson as Robin the Frog (voice), Featherstone, Sweetums (in-suit performer)* Jim Henson as Kermit the Frog, Garth the Frog, King Rupert the Second
* Frank Oz as Gawain the Frog, Robin the Frog (puppeteer)
* Carl Banas as Sweetums (voice)
* Richard Hunt as Taminella Grinderfall (in-suit performer)
* Jerry Juhl as Kay the Frog, Taminella Grinderfall (voice)
Additional Muppets performed by Faz Fazakas, John Lovelady, and Daniel Seagren.
Home media
'The Frog Prince' was first released on LP, then VHS, Betamax and LaserDisc in the United States in 1983 by the Walt Disney Telecommunications and Non-Theatrical Company through the Muppet Home Video imprint. A CED release was also issued by RCA.
On January 14, 1994, Buena Vista Home Video through the Jim Henson Video imprint re-released the special on VHS.
References
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