This was the first television adaptation of this musical, which originally aired June 3, 1964 on CBS. The production was videotaped in black and white in front of a live audience and featured Carol Burnett as Princess Winnifred, Joseph Bova as Prince Dauntless, Jack Gilford as King Sextimus the Silent, and Jane White as the Queen, from the original Broadway cast.
New principals Bill Hayes, well known as Doug on Days of Our Lives, as the Minstrel, Shani Wallis, known to many as Nancy in the 1967 movie Oliver!, as Lady Larken, and Elliott Gould (in his first appearance on any screen) as the Jester were added to the cast.
Due to the reduced running time of 90 minutes, several songs, characters, and scenes were either cut or shortened. Some differences between the 1959 stage version and this 1964 version are:
There is no Sir Harry. The character of Sir Harry, who made Lady Larken pregnant, from the stage version has been omitted and replaced by the Minstrel as Lady Larken's love interest.
The pregnancy conflict concerning Sir Harry and Lady Larken from the original stage play was downplayed to the two lovers having been secretly married against the laws of the kingdom in this television version.
Lady Larken and the Minstrel sing Normandy as a place to escape the kingdom to as their new home. In the stage version, it is sung by Lady Larken, the Minstrel, and the Jester.
The Minstrel is fired for mocking the Queen in song.
The Minstrel is to be beheaded since he attempted to take Lady Larken out of the kingdom.
The King discovers the plot of the pea while in the stage version it is the Minstrel who does.
The Queen uses only the revolving mirror and the warm milk with opium. She doesn't use the incense, so there are only two ladies in waiting.
Songs Used:
Shy (first number sung in this production); Normandy (sung by the Minstrel and Lady Larken); Sensitivity; The Swamps of Home; The Spanish Panic (with a different melody); Song of Love; Quiet; Daddy's Soft Shoes; Man to Man Talk; Nightingale Lullaby; Finale (A princess is a delicate thing...).
Songs Not Used:
Many Moons Ago; We Have an Opening for a Princess; In a Little While; Happily Ever After; Yesterday I Loved You.
Overall, I think this 1964 version of Once Upon a Mattress is the best version. There were two other versions with Carol Burnett: a color version in 1972 where she once again played Princess Winnifred and a 2005 Disney version where she played Queen Aggravain.
It is fun to watch all three and compare them and see the many changes made in each version.
New principals Bill Hayes, well known as Doug on Days of Our Lives, as the Minstrel, Shani Wallis, known to many as Nancy in the 1967 movie Oliver!, as Lady Larken, and Elliott Gould (in his first appearance on any screen) as the Jester were added to the cast.
Due to the reduced running time of 90 minutes, several songs, characters, and scenes were either cut or shortened. Some differences between the 1959 stage version and this 1964 version are:
There is no Sir Harry. The character of Sir Harry, who made Lady Larken pregnant, from the stage version has been omitted and replaced by the Minstrel as Lady Larken's love interest.
The pregnancy conflict concerning Sir Harry and Lady Larken from the original stage play was downplayed to the two lovers having been secretly married against the laws of the kingdom in this television version.
Lady Larken and the Minstrel sing Normandy as a place to escape the kingdom to as their new home. In the stage version, it is sung by Lady Larken, the Minstrel, and the Jester.
The Minstrel is fired for mocking the Queen in song.
The Minstrel is to be beheaded since he attempted to take Lady Larken out of the kingdom.
The King discovers the plot of the pea while in the stage version it is the Minstrel who does.
The Queen uses only the revolving mirror and the warm milk with opium. She doesn't use the incense, so there are only two ladies in waiting.
Songs Used:
Shy (first number sung in this production); Normandy (sung by the Minstrel and Lady Larken); Sensitivity; The Swamps of Home; The Spanish Panic (with a different melody); Song of Love; Quiet; Daddy's Soft Shoes; Man to Man Talk; Nightingale Lullaby; Finale (A princess is a delicate thing...).
Songs Not Used:
Many Moons Ago; We Have an Opening for a Princess; In a Little While; Happily Ever After; Yesterday I Loved You.
Overall, I think this 1964 version of Once Upon a Mattress is the best version. There were two other versions with Carol Burnett: a color version in 1972 where she once again played Princess Winnifred and a 2005 Disney version where she played Queen Aggravain.
It is fun to watch all three and compare them and see the many changes made in each version.