Once Upon a Mattress (1964 TV Movie) User Reviews (9)

The First, and still the best!

[bobwen · 9/10 · 20 December 2005]

I wish someone would re-release this first version, even though it's in B & W. It's still, by far, the best. The cast, mostly all from the original Broadway cast, are absolutely perfect, as is the "over-the-top" pacing, acting, and comedy bits. I gave a 9 instead of 10 because of the missing number "Happily Ever After" (which COULD be cut in from the 1972 color remake--- hint- hint). One look at this version (I happen to have a very bad copy of it, full of dropouts, but none-the-less still watchable) and the '72 remake fades a bit, and the 2005 "Disney" version absolutely falls flat. This is not a children's musical. It's an adult fantasy, and that's where all the fun comes from, fun that, sadly, got "sanitized" for middle America in its latest incarnation, thus making it boring for both children and adults. See THIS version if at all possible.

Which is better?

[comcc · 9/10 · 8 May 2011]

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.

Classic Broadway on TV at its vintage finest.

[mark.waltz · 9/10 · 12 March 2017]

Practically perfect version of the 1959 hit that made Carol Burnett a star is a delightful discovery. As the "shy" princess Winifred, Burnett swims the moat when she discovers that there's an opening for a princess, raising the wrath of imperious queen Jane White yet getting the love of prince Joseph Bova. Mute king jack Gilford goes out of his way to aide his son and turn the tables on his nasty wife. This version of "The Princess and the Pea" has been done in every possible kind of venue from children's theater and summer stock to two New York revivals, but for my money Burnett is your best bet. She remade this in 1972 in color then got back into the Bob Mackie gowns for a TV remake where she played the queen to Tracy Ullman's Winifred, aka "Fred".

Then there's Bill Hayes ("Days of Our Lives") as the jester and Ken Berry and Shani Wallis as star crossed lovers who are bound to remain single by the queen's edict. A bouncy score, funny script and family friendly atmosphere make this a must, although there's a bit of tongue in cheek for those who find the phrase "family friendly" a distasteful description. While the print qualities of this that circulate are often weak, if you are lucky enough to find it, do your best to make it through. Classic TV doesn't get any better than this!

So far the best TV version. . .

[bekayess · 16 September 2004]

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.

Funny and fun musical fairy tale for the whole family

[SimonJack · 9/10 · 27 January 2016]

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 1964 version is the best version of Mary Rodgers' Once Upon a Mattress

[mgmstar128 · 10/10 · 19 July 2023]

This was the first television adaptation of this musical, which originally aired June 3, 1964 on CBS. The production was videotaped in black and white in front of a live audience and featured Carol Burnett as Princess Winnifred, Joseph Bova as Prince Dauntless, Jack Gilford as King Sextimus the Silent, and Jane White as the Queen, from the original Broadway cast.

New principals Bill Hayes, well known as Doug on Days of Our Lives, as the Minstrel, Shani Wallis, known to many as Nancy in the 1967 movie Oliver!, as Lady Larken, and Elliott Gould (in his first appearance on any screen) as the Jester were added to the cast.

Due to the reduced running time of 90 minutes, several songs, characters, and scenes were either cut or shortened. Some differences between the 1959 stage version and this 1964 version are:

There is no Sir Harry. The character of Sir Harry, who made Lady Larken pregnant, from the stage version has been omitted and replaced by the Minstrel as Lady Larken's love interest.

The pregnancy conflict concerning Sir Harry and Lady Larken from the original stage play was downplayed to the two lovers having been secretly married against the laws of the kingdom in this television version.

Lady Larken and the Minstrel sing Normandy as a place to escape the kingdom to as their new home. In the stage version, it is sung by Lady Larken, the Minstrel, and the Jester.

The Minstrel is fired for mocking the Queen in song.

The Minstrel is to be beheaded since he attempted to take Lady Larken out of the kingdom.

The King discovers the plot of the pea while in the stage version it is the Minstrel who does.

The Queen uses only the revolving mirror and the warm milk with opium. She doesn't use the incense, so there are only two ladies in waiting.

Songs Used:

Shy (first number sung in this production); Normandy (sung by the Minstrel and Lady Larken); Sensitivity; The Swamps of Home; The Spanish Panic (with a different melody); Song of Love; Quiet; Daddy's Soft Shoes; Man to Man Talk; Nightingale Lullaby; Finale (A princess is a delicate thing...).

Songs Not Used:

Many Moons Ago; We Have an Opening for a Princess; In a Little While; Happily Ever After; Yesterday I Loved You.

Overall, I think this 1964 version of Once Upon a Mattress is the best version. There were two other versions with Carol Burnett: a color version in 1972 where she once again played Princess Winnifred and a 2005 Disney version where she played Queen Aggravain.

It is fun to watch all three and compare them and see the many changes made in each version.

Overall decent TV adaptation of the classic musical

[SamwiseMusicMan · 12 February 2005]

I saw this broadcast of "Once Upon a Mattress" at the Museum of TV and Radio in New York (as a side-note, I HIGHLY recommend visiting this Museum if you are in NYC or LA--lots more great stuff where this came from). Overall, for a one-hour TV adaptation of a musical, with all the limitations which that entails, it was well done. I was quite surprised that the pregnancy storyline was kept in--would have thought that was too racy for the time. Some of the supporting characters, namely the Minstrel and Jester, fall completely flat, and another from the stage version (Sir Harry) is gone entirely. Carol Burnett, as always, is fabulous, as is Prince Dauntless and Queen Sextimus. I was a bit disappointed to see "In a Little While" and "Happily Ever After" cut, although "Spelling Test," the duet for Dauntless and Winnifred that replaces "Happily," is pretty cute. If you are a fan of musicals and/or Carol Burnett, this is worth checking out.

I love this musical!

[captgeoslady · 17 October 2015]

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!

Origination of June 3, 1964 TV show on CBS

[ujackh · 25 June 2009]

I taped the audio of the June 3, 1964 on CBS TV show of OUAM and just recently edited/processed it for CD.

This required a lot of extra careful "audio filtering" and "equalizing" because the audio transmission was less than ideal. But using the "Amadeus" software I think it came out just great and am ready to "burn" a few CD's for myself and some friends !

However, I am wondering where the show originated from, NYC or Hollywood ?

Does anybody have this info ?

Thanks, Jack