Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #9792 in DVD
• Released on: 2005-12-20
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Formats: AC-3, Dolby, NTSC, Widescreen
• Original language: English

From Amazon.com
The playful 2004 television version of Once Upon a Mattress brings everything full circle for Carol Burnett, who played klutzy Princess Winnifred, would-be fiancee of royal mama's boy Prince Dauntless, in the original 1959 Broadway cast production of the musical (as well as 1964 and 1972 television adaptations). In the new show, Burnett now essays the role of Dauntless's control-freak mom, Queen Aggravain, and is very funny in the part. An Oedipal nightmare, Aggravain is in no hurry to let the prince act his adult age, chasing off prospective wives (and queens-in-training) by putting them through unbeatable tests. Along comes Winnifred (Tracey Ullman, who manages the physically demanding role quite nicely), who turns the kingdom on its head with her goofy charm, sets Dauntless's heart aflame, and poses a serious threat to Aggravain's plans. The fun supporting cast in this tuneful take on "The Princess and the Pea" includes Tom Smothers as King Sextimus, the mute monarch who manages to impart wisdom, Zooey Deschanel as pregnant Lady Larken, who helps bring Winnifred to the castle, and Denis O'Hare (21 Grams) as the boyish Dauntless. --Tom Keogh

On the DVD
ccThe Making of Once Upon a Mattress - go behind the scenes with the director and cast to learn about the costumes, the characters, and the Broadway connection
Between Takes - you'll laugh out loud over the cast's hilarious antics on the set
Rehearsal-to-film comparison - a splitscreen presentation allows you to watch the elaborate musical numbers in rehearsal alongside footage from the final scenes

Synopsis
A love-sick nobleman seeking to marry his sweetheart does his best to find his ruling prince a suitable bride so that he himself may wed in this screen adaptation of the popular Broadway musical The Princess and the Pea. No one in Prince Dauntless (Denis O'Hare)'s kingdom is permitted to marry until the prince himself exchanges vows -- a problem hindered by the fact that the prince's overprotective mother, Queen Aggravain (Carol Burnett), has thus far thwarted all efforts to marry her son. This does not sit well with the honorable Sir Harry, a man whose heart longs to wed the fair Lady Larkin (Zooey Deschanel), and after a long and arduous journey specifically designed to find the prince a bride, Sir Harry returns to his kingdom to present Princess Winnifred of the swamps (Tracey Ullman). Immediately stricken by the princess, Prince Dauntless sets into motion plans for a lavish wedding as his scheming mother cooks up a test that's sure to send his marital plans awry. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Customer Reviews

Just average
This musical is kind of corny (even though it is supposed to be cheesy, it just over does it). Some of the songs are catchy. There are cute moments. I now own this movie, but I'm not sure it will be one that I am going to be watching over and over again.