Once Upon a Mattress (1972 TV Movie) User Reviews (4)

Great story and cast

[CornanTheIowan · 9/10 · 2 August 2018]

I watched this in 1972 and I loved the ending, as I didn't know the previous history of the on-stage musical (musicals?) that preceded it. Always better the first time.

And I loved the supporting cast, especially Wally Cox's role. I sense that Wally Cox's star has faded more than others in his class of performers.

Early in the DVD era, I found somebody on eBay offering taped-from-the-air video of pretty poor quality, and I bought it. But I just learned that in 2016, TimeLife came out with UPC 610583525496, "Carol+2", which includes this show, though it's not in the cover art.

I'm only including this here because there doesn't appear to be a way to answer my fellow member's "Q".

So, it's classic, it's good, it's available, you can watch it with your kids (if you pry them away from their tech)... what else do you need to know?

Back when TV producers cared about classics for all.

[mark.waltz · 7/10 · 21 November 2017]

While this classic children's story has all the elements of a fairy tale, the stage musical and its three TV versions are more adult in nature, like a "Fractured Fairy tales" expanded and nearly as twisted as a "Family Guy" episode, although not nearly as blue. There's insinuations of unwed motherhood, a mother seemingly in love with her son (obviously having a sordid affair with an overly loyal guard), and a rather creepy jester who comments on all the action. Through the magic of it's Broadway originator Carol Burnett, Princess Winifred (aka Fred) comes alive, swimming the moat to find love with future TV brother Ken Berry.

This colorful revival of the 1964 TV special is made with an early 70's "mod" theme, utilizing Jane White and Jack Gilford as the nagging queen and her mute husband once again from the original cast. Old pal Bernadette Peters joins Carol as expectant single mom Lady Larkin, with Broadway veteran Ron Husman as her shocked Beau. Cut down to a respectable 90 minutes, this special is the type of entertainment that veteran TV audiences expected in the 1960's and '70s but rarely get now. Burnett plays every laugh for all it's worth, wearing comically garish Bob Mackie gowns, adding even more spark to the classic Mary Rogers score. If this ever becomes commercially available, don't be "shy" and take advantage of the pleasure it has given countless others in times gone by.

Fun color version once again starring Carol Burnett

[mgmstar128 · 9/10 · 19 July 2023]

I have seen all the versions of Once Upon a Mattress that Carol Burnett made: she played Princess Winnifred in the 1964 black and white version and this 1972 color version, and then years later in the 2005 Disney version where she played Queen Aggravain.

The Mary Rodgers & Marshall Barer musical is fun and filled with some wonderful songs. I enjoyed the 1972 version, but I think I prefer Carol's performance more in the 1964 version. I thought this version was a bit more slapstick than the 1964 version. This version also used some camera tricks, most notably in The Polish Panic dance. Overall, it was still a solid and entertaining production.

In addition to Carol Burnett, I did enjoy Ken Berry and Lyle Wagonner in their respective roles as Prince Dauntless the Drab and Sir Studley. It was also great to be able to see Jack Gilford and Jane White repeat their Broadway stage roles and then again in 1964 and then once again in 1972. Bernadette Peters and Ron Husmann in their roles as Lady Larken and Sir Harry both turned in charming performances as the young lovers who are expecting a baby out of wedlock. Wally Cox also was in the cast as the Jester, and he fit in with the rest of the kingdom.

There were some differences between the original 1959 Broadway musical and this 1972 version:

There is no Minstrel in this version. The Jester takes over for most of the Minstrel.

There is no Wizard. Sir Studley has his lines and job responsibilities, including being Queen Aggravain's lover and confidant.

In the Broadway version, the Minstrel, the Jester, and the King attempt to convince Sir Harry to cheat. Here in the 1972 version, it is Lady Larken.

The King discovers the Queen's pea plot when he is hidden in a suit of armor, while in the Broadway version it is the Minstrel.

Lady Larken does not attempt to drown herself in the Broadway version. She only attempts to run away and leave the kingdom.

There are only two ladies in waiting versus three from the Broadway version helping the Queen with her devices to provide Winnifred with a good night's sleep. The revolving mirror and the extract of opium and warm milk are included in this version, but the incense has been left out.

There is no Nightingale of Samarkand sequence.

For those who are interested in the musical score, the songs used in this 1972 production were: Many Moons Ago (Parts of it sung by Carol Burnett as a mother singing to her child in a prologue and also partly sung by the ensemble) ; Shy (only done with a male ensemble); In a Little While; Sensitivity; The Swamps of Home; The Polish Panic (changed from The Spanish Panic); Song of Love; Quiet; Happily Ever After; In a Little While (reprise); Man to Man Talk; Finale.

So, in conclusion, all three versions of Once Upon a Mattress are worth watching and comparing them. We are fortunate that the great Carol Burnett was involved with each version, so we will always be able to enjoy her talent and ability.

A Real Princess!

[mammamia701 · 9/10 · 13 September 2020]

I remember watching this as a child. I already was a fan of Carol Burnett and remember being excited about seeing her in this movie on television. Afterwards I wanted my mother to put a pea under my mattress! Of course, being a little girl, I knew I was a princess and wanted to prove it! Lol This was such a magical movie for me from a classic fairy tale. I wish they would air it again. Yes, by today's standards the set is tacky. That's part of what makes this movie so good. A child could use their imaginations. The colors could be whatever they imagined them to be. If my memory is correct, this was in b&w. If I could find it on dvd, I would buy it, if only for the nostalgia factor.