Update 9/27/2012
Shelley Duvall’s Faerie Tale Theatre
Susan Marlowe CPA Reviews Faerie Tale Theatre
Hello from Susan Marlowe. I am trying a more ambitious review today. I have always been a huge fan of the 1980’s family show Faerie Tale Theatre. I think that it has aged remarkably well and I wanted to test it out on my niece, Kimi, to see if she would enjoy it as much as I did. So, we set aside some time (quite a bit, actually), made some snacks and sat down to enjoy the show together. We also each read a book of classic fairy tales to prepare ourselves and put ourselves into a fairy tale mood. Also, we wore princess hats but that is neither here not there. Susan Marlowe CPA and her niece were ready for action!
First, the history of the show
This show has an interesting history. It seems that actress Shelley Duvall, inspired by Shirley Temple’s own childrens story show a few decades before, came up with the idea for the show while filming Popeye. I am not a fan of the Popeye movie but this is an example of something great coming out of a so-so production.
What makes Faerie Tale Theatre so great is that it uses fabulous character actors, established as well as up-and-coming stars and some great directors. While some of the special effects may have aged, the basic talent of the cast and crew remain irresistible. While I enjoyed Jim Henson’s Storyteller series, I feel that the show is a little dark for kids. Faerie Tale Theatre found that delicate balance between the darkness of the source materials and the happy entertainment that today’s parents want for their children. Shelley Duvall introduces each episode of the series and stars in a few of them.
Since each episode is so different, I have decided to review each one by itself. That’s part of what makes this review more ambitious. I will also be giving a rating for myself and one for my niece, Kimi (who still, by the way, has a thing for Gregory Peck) The Susan Marlowe Rating and the Kimi Rating will be clearly marked. I will not spend much time on the plots of these stories. You already know them! Instead I will be focused on the cast, crew and style.
Here we go!
The Frog Prince
The Cast and Crew: The first episode of the series is written and directed by Eric Idle (of Monty Python) and stars Robin Williams and Teri Garr and has a young Michael Richards.
Susan Marlowe Rating: 4/10
I know it is the first episode but I really did not care much for this one. I think that some of the humor is too “adult” for younger children. That said, the cast is charming and the overall fairy tale feel is excellent.
Kimi Rating 7/10
Kimi didn’t get a lot of the more off color jokes (though she was a little embarrassed by the nude Robin Williams) and she thought Teri Garr’s spoiled princess was really funny.
Rumpelstiltskin
The Cast and Crew: Shelley Duvall is the leading lady and Ned Beatty (Otis in the Superman films or Lotso in Toy Story 3, depending on your generation) is the greedy king. Hervé Villechaize (Fantasy Island, The Man with the Golden Gun) is the title character.
Susan Marlowe Rating: 7/10
This one was a real winner for me. I liked Ned Beatty particularly. Having the king be less than Prince Charming is a fun and obvious twist on the story.
Kimi Rating 6/10
Kimi would have liked a little more romance but she was charmed (and scared!) by Hervé Villechaize.
Rapunzel
The Cast and Crew: Shelley Duvall is the leading lady and title character. Jeff Bridges (True Grit) is the genuinely handsome prince, Gena Rowlands is the witch Roddy McDowell narrates and Gilbert Cates directs.
Susan Marlowe Rating: 9/10
I was really curious to see how Kimi would enjoy this one, given her absolute love of the animated Disney film Tangled. I found this episode to be sweet and fun and with great chemistry between the leads. Jeff Bridges and Shelley Duvall also play Rapunzel’s parents and have great fun with their roles. This episode has some double entendre but Kimi didn’t get most of it.
Kimi Rating: 8/10
In spite of her love of Tangled, Kimi really like the more traditional take on the classic tale. She was also fascinated with the mechanics of Rapunzel’s hair. Just how much would it hurt to have someone climbing up your hair?
The Nightingale
Cast and Crew: Stars Mick Jagger and Barbara Hershey.
Susan Marlowe Rating: 4/10
Doing the whole Asian-fairy-tale-with-no-Asians-in-lead-roles thing is a lot less common nowadays (but both Prince of Persia and The Last Airbender had their whitewashing woes) and this episode just feels a little uncomfortable to me now. Yes, I know it is just a kids show and it was made 30 years ago but I wish that it had taken advantage of the wonderful Asian talent available. That being said, the set design is very cool.
Kimi Rating: 3/10
Kimi was a little bored by the episode, especially coming off an excellent episode like Rapunzel.
Sleeping Beauty
Cast and Crew: Christopher Reeve and Bernadette Peters. Wow!
Susan Marlowe Raiting: 8/10
I loved this episode! First, Reeve and Peters make a fantastic couple. Second, the script adds a lot more for the prince to do besides show up and kiss the princess. Bernadette Peters has fun playing both the title princess and an evil version sent forth to turn Christopher Reeve off to the idea of princesses. All in all, another high point.
Kimi Rating: 9/10
Kimi went nuts for this one. She loved Bernadette Peters singing and I suspect that Christopher Reeve may have replaced Gregory Peck in her heart as favorite handsome movie star.
Jack and the Beanstalk
Cast and Crew: Dennis Christopher as Jack, Elliot Gould (Trapper in the MASH movie) as the giant, Jerry Hall and Jean Stapleton in supporting roles.
Susan Marlowe Rating: 5/10
This one was a bit of a snoozer. There was nothing technically wrong with it. It just didn’t bring anything new to the table.
Kimi Rating: 5/10
Kimi was little bored by this one too. Oh well.
Little Red Riding Hood
Cast and Crew: Mary Steenburgen as Red, Malcolm McDowell as the Wolf.
Susan Marlowe Rating: 9/10
Wow! Loved this one! Steenburgen and McDowell (married at the time) have a ton of fun with their roles. The whole wolf-symbolizes-seducer theme is played to hilt. The result is slightly less family friendly but a lot more artistically interesting. You decide where to find the balance.
Kimi Rating: 6/10
Kimi was not as enchanted with this episode. She is a little young to appreciate McDowell’s creepiness. She also is used to the idea of Red being a little girl and found the 30-something Steenburgen in the role to be disconcerting.
Hansel and Gretel
Cast and Crew: Ricky Schroder (before he was Rick) and Bridgette Anderson as the title characters. Joan Collins as the wicked stepmother and the witch. The screenplay was written by Patricia Resnick (who co-wrote the screenplay for the classic 9 to 5)
Susan Marlowe Rating: 7/10
A solid episode with Joan Collins chewing scenery to tiny pieces in her dual role as the evil stepmother and the cannibalistic witch. This episode strikes a great balance between the scariness of the source material and the needs of family-friendly entertainment. I just wish that there was more unique about the way the plot was handled. Also, there is a little “husband and wife talk” that might concern parents.
Kimi Peck Rating: 8/10
Kimi liked this one, especially the campy witch. The happier ending also suited her, since she felt sorry for the earlier victims of the witch.
End of Part 1
Well, that’s all for now. Kimi Peck had a marvelous time reviewing movies with her auntie is looking forward to sharing these shows with her friends from grade school. As for Susan Marlowe CPA, well, just keep your eyes out for part 2 of this review.
Thanks from Susan Marlowe CPA!
Susan Marlowe CPA 