The Princess and the Pea (Faerie Tale Theatre episode)
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| Faerie Tale Theatre episode | |
|---|---|
| “The Princess and the Pea” | |
| Episode no. | Season 3 Episode 2 |
| Writer(s) | Rod Ash Mark Curtis |
| Director | Tony Bill |
| Production no. | – |
| Original airdate | April 16, 1984 |
| Episode chronology | |
| ← Previous | Next → |
| "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" | "Pinocchio" |
The Princess and the Pea is the 10th episode of the television anthology Faerie Tale Theatre. The story is adapted from the Hans Christian Andersen story of The Princess and the Pea and stars Liza Minnelli as the princess of the title.
This interpretation of the story of the Princess and the Pea is notable in that it is one of few modern fairy tale adaptations where the prince is not typically "charming", but is instead a scatterbrained fool. Additionally, the plot about the pea test is depicted not as an obligation of a princess to prove her worth, but instead an impossible test set by the queen to prevent the princess from marrying the prince.
Contents |
[edit] Plot
Prince Richard, the only son of Queen Veronica and King Fredericko in a small kingdom, is bored with his life. He decides that what he needs is something to love, and his companion The Fool suggests that he get married. After bringing the suggestion to his mother, Queen Veronica lists up all the available princesses from nearby kingdoms and arranges them to arrive at the castle for interviews.
At this time, a cheerful young woman named Alecia arrives at the castle, seeking shelter from the rain and a place for her to rest her swollen ankle. Although initially Richard tries to shoo her off, Alecia's enthusiasm manages to secure her lodgings in his castle for a few days until her ankle heals. She mentions in passing that she is a princess, but Richard doesn't believe her.
The other princess candidates come and go, and Queen Veronica eventually decides that the best choice is Princess Elizabeth, an arrogant woman who hates Richard but showers flattery to his mother in order to gain her favour. Richard woes that his plan to find happiness has backfired, and Alecia tries to cheer him up. As they talk, Richard realises that Alecia is exactly what he has been looking for all this time.
Richard confronts his mother with his new choice, but Queen Veronica balks and sets up the impossible princess test of sleeping on twelve mattresses set on top of a tiny pea, confident that Alecia will fail to be sensitive enough to feel the pea. However, the next morning Alecia confesses that she couldn't sleep a wink the entire night because it felt like there was a huge boulder underneath the mattresses. Richard is ecstatic, but Alecia is disappointed to learn that it was a test to prove her worth. Richard apologises to Alecia, who counters with a "prince" test for Richard. When he passes it, the two get married.
[edit] Cast
| Actor | Character |
|---|---|
| Tom Conti | Prince Richard |
| Liza Minnelli | Princess Alecia |
| Tim Kazurinsky | The Fool/Museum Guard |
| Beatrice Straight | Queen Veronica |
| Nancy Allen | Princess Elizabeth |
| Diane Stilwell | Princess Rebecca |
| Pat McCormick | King Fredericko |
| Jane Alden | Agricultural Princess |
| John Achorn | Suspicious Guard |
| Charlie Dell | Servant |
| David McCharen | Royal Messenger |
[edit] Trivia
- Liza Minnelli was pregnant at the time of filming.
[edit] Quotes
- Prince Richard: Why can't I find a woman who's... who's kind, and gentle and understanding?
- Princess Alecia: And fun, Richard, and fun.
- Prince Richard: And fun. Someone who's... who's... Well, just like you. Oh, I say.
