The Prince and the Pauper (1990 film)
The Prince and the Pauper | |
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Directed by | George Scribner |
Screenplay by | Gerrit Graham Sam Graham Chris Hubbell Charles Fleischer (additional screenplay material) |
Story by |
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Based on | The Prince and the Pauper 1881 novel by Mark Twain |
Produced by | Dan Rounds |
Starring | Wayne Allwine Bill Farmer Arthur Burghardt Charlie Adler Tony Anselmo |
Narrated by | Roy Dotrice |
Music by | Nicholas Pike |
Animation by | Thom Enriquez (directing) Andreas Deja (supervising animator) Dale Baer (supervising animator) |
Production companies | |
Distributed by | Buena Vista Pictures Distribution |
Release date |
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Running time | 25 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
The Prince and the Pauper is a 1990 American animated comedy action-adventure featurette produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and directed by George Scribner. Featuring the voice of Wayne Allwine as Mickey Mouse, it is inspired by Mark Twain's 1881 novel of the same name. It was Disney's final use of the traditional ink-and-paint and camera process for a theatrical product,[1] before the CAPS digital-ink-and-paint process rendered the traditional techniques and equipment obsolete.[2] Some objects, such as the carriage, were created on computers before being printed out on paper and photocopied onto animation cels.[3] The animation was given a watercolor look and based on Disney's style from the late 30s, influenced by Fred Moore.[4]
The film was released on November 16, 1990, as the first animated short produced by Disney to accompany the original release of a Disney animated feature, accompanying the original release of Walt Disney Feature Animation's animated film The Rescuers Down Under, a sequel to the 1977 animated film, The Rescuers.
Plot
The story begins in London, England in the mid-16th century when a good and wise king ruled the country with peace and compassion. However, one day, the good king has fallen ill, and his greedy captain of the guard Pete plunders and terrorizes the country in the king's name. One winter day, Mickey Mouse, Goofy, and Pluto are three beggars, trying to get money for some food when Captain Pete's carriage, filled with stolen food, passes. Pluto sees a sausage stand out from the carriage and gives chase, pursuing it into the castle. When Mickey knocks on the door to get his dog back, one of the soldiers opens the door and lets him in, mistaking him for the prince. Pete lectures the soldier for letting anyone in, pointing out where the real prince is: in class with his teacher Horace Horsecollar and his valet Donald Duck. The prince hears Pete outside, roughly handling Mickey and Pluto. The prince orders them to be brought to him right away. Pete kicks Mickey through the door and forces Pluto out of the castle.
While in the palace, Mickey meets his
Pete is alarmed realizing that he cast out the real prince and that he may see the corruption and theft going on outside. As such, Pete plans to execute the prince and take control of the kingdom for himself by using Mickey as a puppet ruler. Mickey, still dressed as the prince, is called to see "his" father, who is now dying. Mickey enters the room of the dying king and the king tells him he must take his royal birthright and become king, unaware that who he's talking to isn't his son (Mickey tries to tell him, but is ignored). Mickey decides to find and inform the prince as quickly as possible, but Pete arrives and blackmails Mickey to be crowned king by threatening to kill a captured Pluto. Meanwhile, the true prince hears the bells announcing the death of his father and realizes that he must return immediately to the palace. Pete captures the prince and detains him with Donald, while the
Voice cast
- Wayne Allwine as Mickey Mouse and the Prince Mouse
- Arthur Burghardt as Captain Pete
- Tony Anselmo as Donald Duck
- Weasel#1
- Elvia Allman as Clarabelle Cow
- Weasel#2 & 3, Pig Driver, Peasant and Man in Street
- Frank Welker as the King and Archbishop
- Trevor Eyster as Kid #1
- Rocky Krakoff as Kid #2
- Roy Dotrice as the Narrator
Home media
VHS/LaserDisc
The short was released on VHS several times. The VHS and LaserDisc counterparts were first released in June 1991 as part of the Walt Disney Mini-Classics line. In January 1994, the Disney Favorite Stories line was introduced a couple of months after the discontinuation of the Mini-Classics line and that same date, "The Prince and the Pauper" was one of the first few Disney short films re-issued as part of it.
DVD
The short was later released on May 18, 2004 on Walt Disney Treasures: Mickey Mouse in Living Color, Volume Two: 1939-Today.[5]
See also
References
- ^ George Scribner (April 27, 2009). "Director George Scribner: Happy as a King with Prince and the Pauper!" (Interview). Interviewed by Jérémie Noyer. Animated Views. Retrieved December 7, 2015.
- ^ Hahn, Don (2009). Waking Sleeping Beauty (Documentary film). Burbank, California: Stone Circle Pictures/Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.
- ^ Tina Price | Facebook
- ^ Happy as a King with Prince and the Pauper!
- ^ "Mickey Mouse in Living Color Volume 2 DVD Review". DVD Dizzy. Retrieved 19 February 2021.