Once Upon a Mattress Ending Explained: What Happened and Why?
Complete breakdown of the climax, final twists, and spoilers for Once Upon a Mattress.
Once Upon a Mattress Ending Explained: The second television adaptation of Once Upon a Mattress was broadcast on December 12, 1972, on CBS. Directed by Dave Powers, this 1972 comedy film stars Carol Burnett (Princess Winifred the Woebegone), alongside Ken Berry as Prince Dauntless, Jane White as Queen Aggravain, Bernadette Peters as Lady Larkin. Rated 7.8/10 by audiences, the conclusion brings the story to a satisfying close.
What Happens at the End of Once Upon a Mattress?
The second television adaptation of Once Upon a Mattress was broadcast on December 12, 1972, on CBS. This production, videotaped in color, included original Broadway cast members Burnett, Gilford and White, and also featured Bernadette Peters as Lady Larken, Ken Berry as Prince Dauntless, Ron Husmann as Harry, and Wally Cox as The Jester. It was directed by Ron Field and Dave Powers. Again, several songs were eliminated and characters were combined or altered. Since the parts of the Minstrel and the Wizard were cut from this adaptation, a new prologue was written with Burnett singing "Many Moons Ago" as a bedtime story.
Dave Powers's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Carol Burnett (Princess Winifred the Woebegone)'s journey. This production, videotaped in color, included original Broadway cast members Burnett, Gilford and White, and also featured Bernadette Peters as Lady Larken, Ken Berry as Prince Dauntless, Ron Husmann as Harry, and Wally Cox as The Jester.
How Does Carol Burnett (Princess Winifred the Woebegone)'s Story End?
- Carol Burnett: Carol Burnett's arc reaches a definitive conclusion by the final act, with Dave Powers delivering a resolution that feels earned after the film's 1h 18m runtime.
- Ken Berry (Prince Dauntless): Ken Berry's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
- Jane White (Queen Aggravain): Jane White's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.
What Does the Ending of Once Upon a Mattress Mean?
The ending of Once Upon a Mattress ties together the narrative threads involving Carol Burnett. Dave Powers chooses a conclusion that prioritizes thematic consistency over surprise, resulting in an ending that rewards viewers who engaged with the story's central themes.