Once Upon a Mattress

This is only the second film made from the fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen, "The Princess and the Pea." Both of these were TV films. The first carried the same title as the story and was a drama. But this first adapted musical comedy is of a play with a different title, "Once Upon a Mattress." What a fantastic, funny and enjoyable movie it is.

The success is in no small part due to Carol Burnett who plays and sings the part of Princess Winnifred. She has great support from Jane White as Queen Aggravain and Joseph Bova as Prince Dauntless. Others lend to this fine performance, including Jack Gilford as King Sextimus, Elliott Gould as Jester and Shani Wallis as Lady Larken.

Burnett was the original star of the show when it opened on Broadway in 1959. She received a Tony nomination, as did the play as best musical. Most of the leading cast from the stage production are in this TV movie. White, Bova and Gilford return along with Burnett.

I watched a TV recording of the show that was poor quality. I think this would go over well if it ever comes out on DVD.

Every fairy tale set to music should be as funny and as much fun. This is a wonderful film for the whole family.

This version is closer to the Broadway show than Carol's 1972 TV production--and its a better show than the '72 version. Carol is perfect as Winnifred, and the rest of the cast are also in top form. Elliot Gould is a nice surprise in his role, and Jane White is absolutely WONDERFUL. Shani Wallis and Bill Hayes are fun, and the chorus is very good, too. The only weaknesses are replacing the original Spanish PANIC with a newly composed dance number (who actually wrote this music, anyway?--its not nearly as fun as that from the B'way show)and taking out HAPPILY EVER AFTER and replacing it with a love song for Carol. The love song doesn't fit at all. . .otherwise, this is a great TV production from the 1960s and it should be released on DVD for all to enjoy.

I actually own all 3 versions of this fantastic musical and all I can say is that each has its high points. Also where the heck is the song "an opening for a princess"??? Is that only from the Broadway production? Carol is perfect as Winnifred - and also as the Queen. My favorite Larkin is naturally Bernadette Peters! One of my favorite songs is "Normandy" - which is missing from the '72 and used incorrectly in the 2005. I love Wally Cox as the jester and of course Jack Gilford was perfect in both the early versions! I have always wished I was old enough to have seen the original Broadway play but I remember the '72 fondly!

Owning both the 64 and the 72 versions (that heavens for DVD), I thought I'd put in my two cents about which one is better. First the 64's high points, Ms. Burnett has a energy (especially in "I'm Shy) that she doesn't have in the latter (not that she's "phoning it in by any means) and it has Eliot Gould as the jester. You have probably never thought of Mr. Gould as a song and dance man, but, after seeing "My fathers Very Soft Shoes" you'll never look at his Hawkeye in the same way. He is head and shoulders above Wally Cox in the 72. What is better about the 72 is the casting of some secondary characters. Ken Berry connects with Ms. Burnett as Prince Dantless as Joseph Bova doesn't. And as Lady Larkin, while Shani Wallis does a good job, she can't compare to a 20 year old Bernadette Peters. Also, the 74 has a great song ("Happily ever after") missing from the first on. All in all, I'd say I prefer the 74. (By the way, avoid at all cost the 2005 version). 8.5 for the 64, 9 for the 72 and 2 for the 05.

Despite the cuts, this early TV adaptation of "Once Upon a Mattress" is a treasure. Many of the original cast members re-created their roles from the 1959 Broadway production, among them Jane White, Jack Gilford and Joseph Bova. But it's Carol as swampy Winnifred the Woebegone that's the center of attention, and deservedly so. Elliott Gould, then a Broadway musical comedy performer ("Irma la Douce", etc), is fine as the Jester and look closely and you'll spot Michael Bennett (years before his work on "Follies" and "A Chorus Line") in the chorus. Shani Wallis later was a lead in the Oscar-winner "Oliver!"