I have seen all the versions of Once Upon a Mattress that Carol Burnett made: she played Princess Winnifred in the 1964 black and white version and this 1972 color version, and then years later in the 2005 Disney version where she played Queen Aggravain.
The Mary Rodgers & Marshall Barer musical is fun and filled with some wonderful songs. I enjoyed the 1972 version, but I think I prefer Carol's performance more in the 1964 version. I thought this version was a bit more slapstick than the 1964 version. This version also used some camera tricks, most notably in The Polish Panic dance. Overall, it was still a solid and entertaining production.
In addition to Carol Burnett, I did enjoy Ken Berry and Lyle Wagonner in their respective roles as Prince Dauntless the Drab and Sir Studley. It was also great to be able to see Jack Gilford and Jane White repeat their Broadway stage roles and then again in 1964 and then once again in 1972. Bernadette Peters and Ron Husmann in their roles as Lady Larken and Sir Harry both turned in charming performances as the young lovers who are expecting a baby out of wedlock. Wally Cox also was in the cast as the Jester, and he fit in with the rest of the kingdom.
There were some differences between the original 1959 Broadway musical and this 1972 version:
There is no Minstrel in this version. The Jester takes over for most of the Minstrel.
There is no Wizard. Sir Studley has his lines and job responsibilities, including being Queen Aggravain's lover and confidant.
In the Broadway version, the Minstrel, the Jester, and the King attempt to convince Sir Harry to cheat. Here in the 1972 version, it is Lady Larken.
The King discovers the Queen's pea plot when he is hidden in a suit of armor, while in the Broadway version it is the Minstrel.
Lady Larken does not attempt to drown herself in the Broadway version. She only attempts to run away and leave the kingdom.
There are only two ladies in waiting versus three from the Broadway version helping the Queen with her devices to provide Winnifred with a good night's sleep. The revolving mirror and the extract of opium and warm milk are included in this version, but the incense has been left out.
There is no Nightingale of Samarkand sequence.
For those who are interested in the musical score, the songs used in this 1972 production were: Many Moons Ago (Parts of it sung by Carol Burnett as a mother singing to her child in a prologue and also partly sung by the ensemble) ; Shy (only done with a male ensemble); In a Little While; Sensitivity; The Swamps of Home; The Polish Panic (changed from The Spanish Panic); Song of Love; Quiet; Happily Ever After; In a Little While (reprise); Man to Man Talk; Finale.
So, in conclusion, all three versions of Once Upon a Mattress are worth watching and comparing them. We are fortunate that the great Carol Burnett was involved with each version, so we will always be able to enjoy her talent and ability.
The Mary Rodgers & Marshall Barer musical is fun and filled with some wonderful songs. I enjoyed the 1972 version, but I think I prefer Carol's performance more in the 1964 version. I thought this version was a bit more slapstick than the 1964 version. This version also used some camera tricks, most notably in The Polish Panic dance. Overall, it was still a solid and entertaining production.
In addition to Carol Burnett, I did enjoy Ken Berry and Lyle Wagonner in their respective roles as Prince Dauntless the Drab and Sir Studley. It was also great to be able to see Jack Gilford and Jane White repeat their Broadway stage roles and then again in 1964 and then once again in 1972. Bernadette Peters and Ron Husmann in their roles as Lady Larken and Sir Harry both turned in charming performances as the young lovers who are expecting a baby out of wedlock. Wally Cox also was in the cast as the Jester, and he fit in with the rest of the kingdom.
There were some differences between the original 1959 Broadway musical and this 1972 version:
There is no Minstrel in this version. The Jester takes over for most of the Minstrel.
There is no Wizard. Sir Studley has his lines and job responsibilities, including being Queen Aggravain's lover and confidant.
In the Broadway version, the Minstrel, the Jester, and the King attempt to convince Sir Harry to cheat. Here in the 1972 version, it is Lady Larken.
The King discovers the Queen's pea plot when he is hidden in a suit of armor, while in the Broadway version it is the Minstrel.
Lady Larken does not attempt to drown herself in the Broadway version. She only attempts to run away and leave the kingdom.
There are only two ladies in waiting versus three from the Broadway version helping the Queen with her devices to provide Winnifred with a good night's sleep. The revolving mirror and the extract of opium and warm milk are included in this version, but the incense has been left out.
There is no Nightingale of Samarkand sequence.
For those who are interested in the musical score, the songs used in this 1972 production were: Many Moons Ago (Parts of it sung by Carol Burnett as a mother singing to her child in a prologue and also partly sung by the ensemble) ; Shy (only done with a male ensemble); In a Little While; Sensitivity; The Swamps of Home; The Polish Panic (changed from The Spanish Panic); Song of Love; Quiet; Happily Ever After; In a Little While (reprise); Man to Man Talk; Finale.
So, in conclusion, all three versions of Once Upon a Mattress are worth watching and comparing them. We are fortunate that the great Carol Burnett was involved with each version, so we will always be able to enjoy her talent and ability.