My review was written in February 1984, after viewing various VHS releases on CBS/Fox video cassettes.
After being cablecast since 1982 by Showtime, actress-producer Shelley Duvall's ambitious videotaped series of "Faerie Tale Theater" programs has entered the home video field with an inital set of five excellent shows.
As explained by Duvall in her wrapup and comin attractions segment at the end of each tape, her concept is to illustrate her favorite tales using top acting talent, video "magic" (chromakey and other low-budget special effects) and a touch of humor. Individual filmmakers are allowed considerable autonomy, as evidenced in Monty Pythonite Eric Idle's hilarious "The Tale of he Frog Prince", a droll spoof of traditional storytelling that features very convincing miniaturization effects using Ultimatte and effects by Knott Ltd.
Amidst very effective wordplay by writer-director-narrator Idle, Robin Williams excells in heavy makeu as the froggie, even launching into a nightclub act when he entertains at the king's party. Using an arch manner reminiscent of early 1930s Katharine Hepbun or Bette Davis, co-star Teri Garr is a treat as the haughty princess whose contrariness extends to her favoring a "Save the Dragons" campaign. Rene Auberjonois, Candy Clark, Roberta Maxwell and Donovan Scott are solid in support.
Equally irreverent is director Jeremy Paul Kagan and writer Jeffrey Fiskin's "Sleeping Beauty", using the familiar tale to mock the conventions of the "Once Upon a Time..." format. Led by George Dzundza as the storyteller, cast delights in dual roles mixing verbal anachronisms with authentic fantasy material. Beverly D'Angelo is terrific as the wicked fairy, Bernadette Peters well-cast (having replaced an earlier set Jessica Lange here) as the beauty who even gets to sing a pleasant numbe, Chris Reeve suitably overbearing as tghe prince and Carol Kane a memorably cute good fairy with a squeaky voice. Support from Rene Auberjonois, Sally Kellerman, Richard Libertini, Ron Rifkin and Carol Smith is exemplary.
Best item in cassette for thus far is a more faithful rendering of "Rapunzel", directed by Gilbert Cates. Duvall takes the title role in a deeply affecting, wide-eyed and naturalistic performance, also doubling as Rapunzel's mother. Gena Rowlands, extravagantly madeup with a curly blonde wig, gives gthe wicke witch part a gripping, multi-dimensional quality, while Jeff Bridges is winning as the prince and doubling as Rapunzel's dad.
Other titles include "Jack and the Beanstalk" with Elliott Gould, and "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" with Tatum O'Neal.
After being cablecast since 1982 by Showtime, actress-producer Shelley Duvall's ambitious videotaped series of "Faerie Tale Theater" programs has entered the home video field with an inital set of five excellent shows.
As explained by Duvall in her wrapup and comin attractions segment at the end of each tape, her concept is to illustrate her favorite tales using top acting talent, video "magic" (chromakey and other low-budget special effects) and a touch of humor. Individual filmmakers are allowed considerable autonomy, as evidenced in Monty Pythonite Eric Idle's hilarious "The Tale of he Frog Prince", a droll spoof of traditional storytelling that features very convincing miniaturization effects using Ultimatte and effects by Knott Ltd.
Amidst very effective wordplay by writer-director-narrator Idle, Robin Williams excells in heavy makeu as the froggie, even launching into a nightclub act when he entertains at the king's party. Using an arch manner reminiscent of early 1930s Katharine Hepbun or Bette Davis, co-star Teri Garr is a treat as the haughty princess whose contrariness extends to her favoring a "Save the Dragons" campaign. Rene Auberjonois, Candy Clark, Roberta Maxwell and Donovan Scott are solid in support.
Equally irreverent is director Jeremy Paul Kagan and writer Jeffrey Fiskin's "Sleeping Beauty", using the familiar tale to mock the conventions of the "Once Upon a Time..." format. Led by George Dzundza as the storyteller, cast delights in dual roles mixing verbal anachronisms with authentic fantasy material. Beverly D'Angelo is terrific as the wicked fairy, Bernadette Peters well-cast (having replaced an earlier set Jessica Lange here) as the beauty who even gets to sing a pleasant numbe, Chris Reeve suitably overbearing as tghe prince and Carol Kane a memorably cute good fairy with a squeaky voice. Support from Rene Auberjonois, Sally Kellerman, Richard Libertini, Ron Rifkin and Carol Smith is exemplary.
Best item in cassette for thus far is a more faithful rendering of "Rapunzel", directed by Gilbert Cates. Duvall takes the title role in a deeply affecting, wide-eyed and naturalistic performance, also doubling as Rapunzel's mother. Gena Rowlands, extravagantly madeup with a curly blonde wig, gives gthe wicke witch part a gripping, multi-dimensional quality, while Jeff Bridges is winning as the prince and doubling as Rapunzel's dad.
Other titles include "Jack and the Beanstalk" with Elliott Gould, and "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" with Tatum O'Neal.