Puss in Boots (Faerie Tale Theatre episode)

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“Puss in Boots”
Faerie Tale Theatre episode
Episode no. Season 4
Episode 6
Written by
Directed by Robert Iscove
Original airdate September 9, 1985
Episode chronology
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"Cinderella" "The Emperor's New Clothes"

Puss in Boots is the 21st episode of the television anthology Faerie Tale Theatre. The story is based on the Charles Perrault fairy tale Puss in Boots and stars Ben Vereen as the title character.

[edit] Plot

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

When an old miller dies, he leaves his mill to his eldest son, his donkey to his middle son and his cat Puss to his youngest son, Edgar. Although at first Edgar hates the cat, Puss keeps insisting that he has a plan to bring wealth and success to Edgar by means of a master plan. The first step of the plan is to obtain finery for Puss, including a pair of extraordinary boots.

The second part of the plan is to obtain the trust of King Fortuitous. Using trickery, Puss obtains various presents for the King which he says are from his master, the Marquis of Carabas. After many presents, King Fortuitous and his daughter Princess Lovinia are curious to meet the Marquis. Puss eventually sends a message to the King and his daughter that the Marquis of Carabas has invited them to his castle for the weekend.

In preparation for the King and Princess, Edgar is buried up to his neck in earth just as they are arriving. Puss rushes to the royal carriage where he says that thieves have waylaid the Marquis' carriage and clothes. The King believes him and happily gives Edgar new finery to wear. Edgar and Princess Lovinia are immediately smitten with each other and the three of them travel in the carriage while Puss goes ahead first to set up the rest of the plan.

Puss crosses paths with peasants who are working on a piece of farmland. He tells them that he is working for the fierce ogre who lives in the nearby castle, and at the ogre's request they are to tell anyone who comes by that the land belongs to the Marquis of Carabas. When the carriage reaches this plot of land, King Fortuitous asks them who owns all the land and they reply that it is the Marquis of Carabas.

Meanwhile, Puss has reached the ogre's castle. Puss says that he is the servant of the Marquis of Carabas, who he claims can defeat the ogre easily. The ogre is piqued by this statement and is tricked by Puss into changing into various animals. The final animal the ogre turns into is a mouse, which Puss immediately eats up. When the carriage arrives at the castle, Puss greets Edgar, Princess Lovinia and King Fortuitous, welcoming them into the extravagant palace filled with treasure, which now really belongs to the Marquis of Carabas.

Spoilers end here.

[edit] Cast

Actor Character
Ben Vereen Puss
Gregory Hines Edgar
Alfre Woodard Princess Lovinia
George Kirby King Fortuitous
Brock Peters Ogre
Fuddle Bagley Bootmaker
John Schuck Farmer
Stan Haze Coachman
Tony Cox Herald
Daniel Frishman Herald
Peter Risch Herald
David McCharen Peasant #1
Darrow Igus Peasant #2
Milton Murrill Peasant #3
Rod Gist Elder Brother
Fitz Houson Middle Brothers

[edit] See Also

List of Faerie Tale Theatre episodes