Faerie Tale Theatre

Ellen Barkin is a forlorn princess yearning for laughs. Howard Hessman is her stern father (the king) who demands to be addressed as "your seriousness". Growing up without humor, the princess becomes more and more morose, finally locking herself in the royal bedchamber and refusing to leave. The king in desperation, decrees a royal laugh-off to make his daughter happy. Enter Howie Mandell as "Weinerhead Waldo" and his pet pig Boris. Together they show the princess what the funniest act in the kingdom really is.

Sometimes getting everything you wish isn't everything you wished for. It certainly isn't in the fantastic tale of Aladdin where he is left in a cave to die with nothing but an oil lamp! But Lo and behold rubbing it produces a fantastic Blue Genie, who will grant him every wish-- even the wish to marry the princess! but the evil Moroccan Magician attempts to get in the way by stealing the lamp! an absolutely stunning version From Tim Burton.

Although not an actual Faerie Tale, this was very fun. It was a party with all the actors and actresses that made a contribution of their talents to lovely Shelley Duvall's Faerie Tale Theatre. They talk about their experiences as some of the most beloved Faerie Tale characters. Jean Stapleton also talks about how she was in more episodes of Faerie Tale Theatre more than anybody else besides Shelley Duvall herself. Stapleton appeared as the fairy godmother in Cinderella and the Giant's Wife in Jack and the Beanstalk. Unfortunately, this exclusive party was never released on video, but only time can tell...

Theres a sucker born every minute -- and 2 con men (Art Carney and Alan Arkin) find as they ride into a seaside town that it is run by the most vain King alive. The 2 set up a scheme to rob the king of his jewels and Robes! -- as they come peddling a magical cloth that any person who is truly stupid cannot see! A humorous comedy with a great moral for the entire family.

The amusing story about a millers son who inherits a cat-- not just any cat -- a cat who insists on wearing people's clothing. But all the money is not wasted -- Puss has a plan to get his master (Ben Vereen) married to the lovely Princess Lovinia-- the only thing standing in the way is the evil ogre. Puss proves that cats are clever in this funny adaption of the Perrault story!

Cinderella is once again helped to the ball by her fairy godmother (this time played by the hilarious Jean Stapleton) as the story of Cinderella unfolds and how she loses her glass slipper-- this one has an amusing twist at the end -- that shows even fairy godmothers are vindictive.

Overcoming fear is a problem for most people, but there once was a boy whose problem was his complete lack of fear! Peter MacNicol stars as that boy in this amusing production narrated by Vincent Price. The king played by Christopher Lee promises the boy treasure and a beautiful princess if he can defeat an evil sorcerer who has haunted the kings castle. The boy meets an ominous mute hunchback, a headless man and ghosts galore and finally the sorcerer himself (in a duel to the death fight). Yet, he still has no fear, until the surprise conclusion.

"Love can make a man become a beast and love can also make an ugly man beautiful." This is the moving message Susan Sarandon and Klaus Kinski deliver in their memorable performances of Beauty and the Beast. Beast takes Beauty into a mysterious world of misty gardens and candlelit chambers, in this world the shy unselfish beauty comes to know the grotesque beast. The suspense builds as Beauty discovers that ugliness can mask great goodness, and that promises should always be kept ... no matter what the cost.

In her effort to be "fairest in the land," a jealous and evil queen attempts to be rid of her beautiful stepdaughter, Snow White, who takes refuge in the forest cottage of the seven dwarfs. The queen, disguised by magic as an old peddler woman, tempts Snow White with a poisoned apple, which puts her into an enchanted sleep until the spell can be broken by love's first kiss.

Carrie Fisher and William Katt are Thumb-Sized Lovers...Video magic transforms Carrie Fisher into the diminutive heroine of Thumbelina, a girl so tiny she slept in a matchbox, so kind even field mice loved her, so beautiful she married a Prince. Raised by a kindhearted charwoman, Thumbelina is kidnapped and almost forced to marry first a Toad, then a crotchety Mole, played by Burgess Meredith. She manages, however, to escape to a beautiful garden kingdom where she meets a handsome equally tiny Prince, William Katt. This tale teaches us that everyone, no matter how unique, can find someone to love. Featuring production design based on the work of 19th century illustrator George Cruikshank. Thumbelina is a marvelous fantasy that will enchant big and small alike.

A mean and selfish stepmother convinces her husband that if they are to keep from starving he must abandon his children in the woods. Lost and Hungry the children come across a wonderful gingerbread cottage covered with candy and icing. Unknown to them the house is owned by an evil witch who uses it to trap boys and girls lost in the wood. She captures the children with the intent on baking them up in her oven-- but Gretal decides to try some home cooking herself!

Mary Steenburgen encounters a surprise on the trip to grandmas -- he has big eyes - big ears and a set of sparkling Razor sharp teeth. He has decided to take an extra liking to "Miss Hood" as he accompanies her on her trip through the forest. He hasn't counted on the cunning and ever-sweet Granny nor has he thought about what danger he might be in from Miss hoods admirer -- all in all the vain wolf learns that humans are just as cunning.

Fe-Fi-Fo-Fum... Remember the shivers you felt from the giants cry when you were a child? Now in this delightful production of Jack and the Beanstalk, a marvelous script and magical special effects recreate the adventure. Dennis Christopher is the idealistic hero who trades a cow for magic beans, then climbs the resulting beanstalk and stumbles onto an incredible adventure. A large part of that adventure is an encounter with Jean Stapleton and Elliot Gould, a giant husband and wife time that make this one of the most memorable episodes.

Christopher Reeves and Bernadette Peters star in this charming adaption of the classic story, an evil witch puts a curse on a beautiful princess which entails that by her 16th birthday she will stick her finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel and die!!, the curse is somewhat lifted by a good fairy so that instead of death it is sleep. When the evil curse comes true the good fairy puts a spell on the castle to place everyone asleep until the princess is wakened by loves first kiss.

Boasting about one's daughter is one thing, Telling the king she can spin straw into gold is quite another- especially when the penalty for failure is death!What will the millers daughter do? call on the assistance of a strange little man who in exchange for spinning straw into gold -- wants her first born child! The only way to save herself from a terrible fate is to guess the little man's name.

Robin Williams and Terri Garr star in this wonderful adaption of the frog prince. Angered by the lack of an invitation to the christening, the prince's godmother goes into a rage and transforms the baby into a frog. A few years later the beautiful and vain princess loses her magic ball down the well,the frog takes pity on her and gets it out in exchange for a night in the castle, he will eat with her and sleep with her.she tries to blow him off but the king (Rene` Auberjournois) finds out and forces her to let the frog stay.after a brilliant battle with a scorpion the princess kisses him and "POOF," he turns back into a prince.