Ep 6. Puss 'n Boots

Faerie Tale Theatre is a classic anthology series that shares some of the most popular fairy tales in the tradition of Western Europe. In season 4 episode 6 titled Puss 'n Boots, Shelly Duvall presents the story of an intelligent and cunning cat named Puss who tries to make his master's fortune and land him a high social status by finding him the perfect wife.

In this episode, the audience is introduced to a young man named Jack, who is a hard-working miller's son with a good heart but no inheritance. When Jack's father passes away, he inherits a mill, a donkey and a cat, leaving him disappointed with what he has received from his father's will. However, Jack's cat is more than just an ordinary cat; he is a masterpiece of cats – clever, skilled, and sly enough to get his master out of any difficulty.

Puss recognizes that Jack is a decent man and sees potential in him, which he immediately sets about to exploit. Puss devises a plan to make Jack appear more affluent and attractive to a noblewoman he desires to marry by dressing him in fine clothes and sending him on a carriage ride with provisions in a picnic basket in hopes that he will catch her eye. The plan goes wrong, and the carriage breaks down, but Puss comes to the rescue, charming the noblewoman in the carriage and convincing her that Jack is a wealthy landowner. The lady takes a liking to Jack and asks him to visit her at her castle to formally meet her.

While Jack is away, Puss befriends the local king's cook, who tells him about the king's fondness for rabbits. Puss devises another plan to please the king by catching dozens of rabbits and offering them as a gift to the king. He also invites the king to a meeting with the wealthy and influential Jack, who Puss claims is his master, not the miller's son he actually is.

Puss then devises his most ambitious plan yet, which is to marry the king's widowed future queen off to Jack. Puss tells the widow that Jack is 'The Marquis of Carabas' and said that the king and queen would be passing by the river where he had staged Jack fishing. Puss suggests that Jack should swim in the river, then Puss would hide his clothes. When the king and queen arrived, Puss shouted for help. Jack was saved from drowning by the queen, and having no choice, he reveals to the queen that he is not, in fact, a Marquis but just a miller's son.

The queen is taken by Jack's courage and honesty, and the king agrees to give them permission to marry. Jack and the queen fall in love, and Jack's life is changed forever. The episode ends with a happy ending, with Puss being congratulated for his cleverness while Jack is now married to the queen, and his life has been changed forever.

Faerie Tale Theatre's Puss 'n Boots is an excellent adaptation of the classic fairy tale, with a great cast, excellent sets and costume design, and stunning cinematography throughout. The episode is enjoyable for all audiences, but its moralistic theme is best suited for children. Puss 'n Boots is a timeless story that leaves the viewers feeling uplifted and contented, and the Faerie Tale Theatre's adaptation celebrates all the things that make the story great.