What a shame this is the only version available on DVD. The original 1964 TV production had all the verve and charm that this sanitized version lacks. Carol Burnett, Tommy Smothers and Tracy Ullman do their best, but not even they can give any life to this dead mackerel of a show. This is a prime example of the bland, sanitized havoc Disney can wreak on a good property. The theoretically pregnant and desperate Lady Larkin is slim as a whisper, making Aggravain's line about laying off the goodies nonsensical. Sir Harry's struggle between his conscience and his lady-love comes off more like a manicurist contemplating a hangnail. Tracy Ullman is a competent Winnifred, and turns in the best performance here. Carol Burnett, great comedic talent that she is, just doesn't have the delicious wickedness of Jane White, and Tommy Smothers' Sextimus can't quite get off the ground. Too bad...literally.
Review of Once Upon a Mattress
