Tuesday, February 26

Welcome to Tartonia






My favorite movie as a child was a musical version of the classic fairy tale, "The Frog Prince." Made by "Cannon Movie Tales." I watched it so many times my brother hid the tape after he couldn't take anymore. I loved it so! I still watch it frequently, and seem to find myself in the main character--Princess Zora. I sing the songs and I'm in love with the Prince and "sometimes...it helps." Helps me remember who I am and what I should be worried about, how I should act, and which things really matter to me. I love the music. In fact--if ever anyone could figure out the music-box melody and play it for me, I think I might just kiss them... which is big for me, because I've never kissed anyone. Sorry to have bored you with my personal details. It really is a good movie. Helen Hunt is in it--if that helps to endorse it.

It wasn't until just this last summer that I discovered that "The Frog Prince," as I know it, was filmed in Israel. NO WAY! That made me even more excited to go. And when I got to Israel I found a number of places that could have been duplicate locations for the film. Showing here: The fountain outside the JC (one of many that reminded me of "THE fountain" from the movie, The gate (which is really a door outside of Dormition Abbey), a clip picture from the movie, and the Woods of the Dark Heart.

I love love love love love this movie. In fact, the hard drive on my computer is actually labeled "Lucky Ball" and it has a golden colored tag. Why? After Zora's lucky golden ball. Yeah yeah yeah, I'm fully aware that I am nutso. Greg told me it was really funny to watch me when I'd find a place that reminded me of the movie-- like when everyone was gaga for the lookout tower over the cactai at Zippori, but all I wanted to do was stay in the shade of the wind-blown trees that reminded me so much of "the woods of the dark heart" when Zora risks her chance to be a princess all so she can rescue her friend Ribbit, the "too tall frog." Anyway. I just wanted to tell everyone about how cool it was for me to find similar scenery.

2 comments:

Pamela Anneliese said...

I LOVE the Cannon Movie Tales, and "The Frog Prince" from that series has always been one of my favourites! It's so awesome that you were able to go to Israel and actually take so many pictures that look as though they could have been the filming locations for the film. "The Frog Prince" made me love date trees and also has had me searching like crazy to discover the name of the bird that makes that call it does right before Zora sings "Have You Forgotten Me?" -- there's one in particular; you can hear it often in all the Movie Tales.

Okay, and I'll admit I still have a big crush on Ribbit in his human form. I'm really attracted to the "Snow White" prince as well, but it's different with The Prince of Freedly who we actually get to know through the film and his courtly manners and gentlemen way of speaking.

I actually used to have a website -- the most comprehensive, in fact -- dedicated to the Cannon Movie Tales. It's still up, but I haven't worked on it in YEARS. It's called "Cannon Movie Tales ~ The Encyclopedia." I put up high-quality MP3s of nearly all the music.

I recently paid someone who specialises in creating music box melodies to do "The Frog Prince Waltz" and thought you might enjoy it... You don't have to kiss me though, LOL. Keep an eye out on my blog on Tumblr, since I will be posting it there in the next day or so. https://www.afaerytalelife.tumblr.com



Anonymous said...

I absolutely love this movie too! It has always been my favorite. It's sad I can't find it on tv or dvd. I actually named my dog, Zora, after Princess Zora, of course. Her AKC registered name is Princess Zora of Tartonia. 🥰