Ep 1. The Tale of the Frog Prince

Once upon a time, there was a magical show known as Faerie Tale Theatre. In the first episode of its first season, viewers were transported to a world of frogs and princesses in The Tale of the Frog Prince.

In this classic fairy tale, a spoiled princess named Princess Zora is playing with her golden ball in the forest when it falls into a pond. She is upset and begins to cry when a frog jumps out of the pond and offers to retrieve it for her. In exchange, he asks to be her companion and eat from her plate, drink from her cup, and sleep on her pillow.

Princess Zora agrees and the frog returns her ball. But when the frog comes to the castle that evening, the princess is disgusted by him and does not keep her promise. She throws him across the room and he transforms back into a prince. The prince informs her that he was under a spell and could only be freed by a princess who would keep her promise to be his companion.

The two fall in love and live happily ever after.

The episode was directed by Eric Idle, a member of the comedy group Monty Python. The cast included Robin Williams as the frog prince, Teri Garr as Princess Zora, and Michael Richards (known for his role as Kramer in the show Seinfeld) as the prime minister who tries to convince the princess to keep her promise to the frog.

The set design and costumes brought the fairy tale to life, with the castle appearing grand and extravagant, and the pond looking mystical and enchanting. The forest where the princess loses her ball is also filled with rich and vibrant colors.

The Tale of the Frog Prince was just the beginning of the magical world of Faerie Tale Theatre, which went on to produce over 25 episodes featuring classic tales such as Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and Jack and the Beanstalk. The show has become a beloved classic for its whimsical storytelling and star-studded casts.

Overall, The Tale of the Frog Prince was a delightful introduction to the fantastical world of Faerie Tale Theatre. Viewers were able to escape their own world for a brief moment and get lost in a fairy tale filled with love, magic, and adventure.