The Frog Prince (1971 film)
 | This article does not cite any sources. (March 2014) |
| The Frog Prince | |
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 1994 VHS cover art | |
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| Created by | Jim Henson |
| Written by | Jerry Juhl |
| Directed by | Jim Henson |
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| Running time | 51 minutes |
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| Original network | Television syndication |
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The Frog Prince (released on home video as Tales from Muppetland: The Frog Prince) is a 1971 musical fantasy comedy television special directed by Jim Henson, and jointly produced by Robert Lawrence Productions in Canada and Henson Associates in the United States. It is a retelling of the Brothers Grimm's classic fairy tale of The Frog Prince featuring Kermit the Frog as the narrator (he also plays an active role in the story), Kermit's nephew Robin as the Frog Prince, Sir Robin the Brave, and Sweetums, among others. This special marked the debut of both Robin and Sweetums to the world of The Muppets.
Plot[]
 | This article's plot summary may be too long or excessively detailed. (March 2017) |
While swimming in a well, Kermit introduces himself as the narrator of a special about frogs. The special opens with Kermit and several other frogs sitting around a well, when a small frog they do not recognize appears. The frog introduces himself as Sir Robin the Brave, explaining that he is actually a prince. He recounts, in flashback, how he once fought an ogre named Sweetums and was transformed into a frog by Sweetums's mistress, a villainous witch named Taminella Grinderfall. Taminella intended to give Robin to Sweetums as his breakfast, but Robin hopped away before they could catch him. The other frogs laughingly dismiss Robin's story as a fairy tale. Kermit is more sympathetic, though he himself does not fully believe Robin. Robin reveals to Kermit that he cannot swim, and Kermit gives him swimming lessons. Nearby, they hear King Rupert the Second proclaiming that he will retire as king that afternoon; and his daughter, Princess Melora (who is turning nineteen that day), will be crowned queen. Robin is overjoyed, as he must be kissed by a princess in order to restore his human form.
The princess later comes to the well, and Robin learns that she is under an enchantment that prevents anyone from understanding what she says (her speech consists mostly of spoonerism). As she sits by the well, singing to herself, she accidentally drops her golden ball in the water. Robin offers to retrieve it for her if she will befriend him and take him to the palace (two conditions that must be met before she can kiss Robin). Though initially reluctant, Melora agrees; and Robin succeeds in fetching the ball, despite his limited swimming skills. Melora puts him in her basket to take him back to the palace; but before they leave, Robin learns that Taminella is also at the palace, posing as the king's long-lost sister. Robin reveals Taminella's identity to Kermit, who follows him to the palace to keep an eye on him.
At the palace, it is revealed that Taminella placed the enchantment on Melora so that she could not warn her father or anyone about Taminella's true identity. Robin asks Melora to kiss him, saying he will turn into a prince. She does not believe him; but in an effort to befriend her, he points out that he can understand her jumbled speech. They sing a duet of the song that Melora had been singing at the well; but before they can kiss, Taminella catches them. Recognizing Robin, she vows she will feed him to Sweetums before being summoned to speak with the king about the upcoming coronation. Melora tells Robin the only way to destroy Taminella's power is to "bake the hall in the candle of her brain," which Robin does not understand. As Melora and Taminella leave for lunch, Robin asks Melora to kiss him good-bye; Taminella suggests she bring Robin with them instead.
In the dining room, Taminella announces that she and Rupert have decided Taminella shall be crowned queen, as Melora cannot be understood. Melora frantically tries to tell her father the truth about Taminella, but he does not understand her mixed-up speech. Robin also tries to warn the king, but Taminella silences him by stuffing his mouth with popovers. Unable to get through to her father, Melora storms out, leaving Robin behind. Taminella takes Robin to Sweetums's lair in a cage.
Robin lulls Sweetums to sleep with a lullaby, and Kermit (who had followed them) tries to free Robin. Unsuccessful, he pretends to be Taminella and tricks Sweetums into freeing Robin himself (while sleepwalking). But Sweetums, realizing he is tricked, wakes up and intents on eating Robin. He chases him and Kermit around his lair, smashing furniture to pieces with his club in the process, until a falling pillar knocks him unconscious.
Kermit and Robin escape, but learn that the coronation is starting. Robin tells Kermit to go back to the swamp and summon the other frogs, while he tries to figure out what "bake the hall in the candle of her brain" means. Kermit and the frogs return just before Taminella is to be crowned, and help Robin disrupt the coronation. Amidst the chaos of the hopping frogs, Melora yells out "The candle of her hane!"; and Robin realizes "bake the hall in the candle of her brain" really means "break the ball in the handle of her cane." He bites Taminella on the arm, causing her to drop her cane and shatter the glass ball in its handle. Taminella's power destroyed, she turns into a bird and flies off. Melora's enchantment is broken, and she tells the truth to her dumbfounded father. She expresses her thanks to the frogs, particularly Robin, whom she kisses in gratitude. Robin turns back into a prince, to everyone's amazement, and professes his love for Melora. Rupert, still confused but not wanting to spoil the happy ending, crowns Melora queen; everyone sings in celebration.
Back at the well, Kermit reveals that Robin and Melora were eventually married, and that he still sees them sometimes. They then appear with their infant son, whom they have named after Kermit. Kermit expresses how flattered he is to have a prince named after him, and leaps into the well and swims around, humming Melora's song from earlier as the credits roll.
Notes[]
Later syndicated alongside The Muppet Show.
Cast[]
- Trudy Young as Princess Melora
- Gordon Thomson as Sir Robin the Brave
- Heather Henson as Baby Prince Kermit
Muppet performers[]
- Jerry Nelson as Robin the Frog (voice), Featherstone, Sweetums (in-suit performer)
- Jim Henson as Kermit the Frog, Garth the Frog, King Rupert the Second
- Frank Oz as Gawain the Frog, Robin the Frog (puppeteer)
- Carl Banas as Sweetums (voice)
- Richard Hunt as Taminella Grinderfall (in-suit performer)
- Jerry Juhl as Kay the Frog, Taminella Grinderfall (voice)
Additional Muppets performed by Faz Fazakas, John Lovelady, and .
Home media[]
| This section does not cite any sources. (June 2016) |
The Frog Prince was first released on LP, then VHS, Betamax and LaserDisc in the United States in 1983 by the Walt Disney Telecommunications and Non-Theatrical Company through the Muppet Home Video imprint. A CED release was also issued by RCA.
On January 14, 1994, Buena Vista Home Video through the Jim Henson Video imprint re-released the special on VHS.
References[]
External links[]
- Tales from Muppetland: The Frog Prince at Internet Movie Database
- The Frog Prince on Muppet Wiki
- 1971 films
- 1971 television specials
- The Muppets television specials
- 1970s musical films
- 1970s American television specials
- Films based on Grimms' Fairy Tales
- Television shows directed by Jim Henson
- Hughes Television Network
- Television shows written by Jerry Juhl
- The Frog Prince