Product Details

• Rating: G (General Audience)
• Aspect ratio: 1.66:1
• Format: PAL
• Original language: German
• Running time: 85 minutes

Amazon.com
Part of Cannon's Movietale series, The Emperor's New Clothes is a frenetic musical take on Hans Christian Andersen's fable. The good news is that Sid Caesar makes for an entertaining Emperor. The bad news is that the incessant slapstick grows tiresome, though the tunes, like "Clothes Make the Man" ("Change 'em every hour/that's how a politician stays in power") aren't bad. In David Irving's adaptation, Caesar's Emperor insists on wearing only the "most beautiful, most exquisite" outfits. When he meets tailor Henry Dispenser (two-time Tony winner Robert Morse) and his assistant, Nicholas (Babylon 5's Jason Carter), who offer to make him a suit stitched with diamond thread, he showers them with jewels. In return, the con men give him, well, nothing. Only the smart, they explain, can see their fantastic creations. Since the Emperor's minions don't wish to seem stupid, they praise his fleshy resplendence. Naturally, the Emperor discovers the awful truth--not only has he been had, but he looks like an idiot. Irving is also behind Cannon's Sleeping Beauty and Rumpelstiltskin (starring his sister, Amy Irving). Not too surprisingly, The Emperor's New Clothes feels like it was churned out fairly quickly, but the crazy costumes are a hoot. Most would give fashion critic Mr. Blackwell conniptions, but their garishness is what makes them amusing. This Movietale installment is fine for families, but more mature viewers would be better off with the Emperor's edition of Shelley Duvall's Faerie Tale Theatre. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Customer Reviews

Now on DVD
I own several other versions (animated) of this story, and this acted is the best of them all. Hope it comes out on DVD.

Update: I purchased the DVD, and it is worth owning.

not as good as the others
I have all the cannon movies that are available on DVD and I can honestly say that this one is my least favorite. The opening scene should have tipped me off when they were drowning prisoners and trying to make it seem humorous. None of the acting was very good, it was like they were trying too hard. The love relationship between the thief and the princess was so lame and without chemistry. Cheesy sound effects like springs and slide whistles were used throughout the film which made it all appear so unprofessional. It was supposed to be used to create humor, but it only appeared to be ridiculous. The ending was rushed and too perfectly handled. Thank goodness the other Canon movies aren't like this, because this one was just plain stupid.

Cannon Movie Tales Finally on DVD!
Sid Caesar stars as The Emperor in this Cannon Movie Tales musical adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's popular fairy tale.

Here's the movie's description available from Sony Pictures: "Hans Christian Andersen's classic fairy tale gets a lavish makeover in this whimsical live-action comedy starring showbiz legend Sid Caesar (Grease), who plays the eccentric Emperor with his "trademark foreign language gibberish and nervous delivery" (Variety). Full of mischief, merriment and mayhem, this delightful twist on a beloved story weaves a hilarious family adventure you won't soon forget!

"The Emperor's blinding vanity makes him an easy mark for con artists, especially the two phony tailors hired to make him a dazzling outfit for his daughter Gilda's (Lysette Anthony) wedding. While the elder crook (Robert Morse) schemes to steal the royal jewels, his nephew (Jason Carter) is busy stealing Gilda's heart. In the midst of it all, it takes a child to reveal the truth that no one else can see!"

The Cannon Movie Tale series of nine films has become nearly as popular among fairy tale enthusiasts and family film fans as Shelley Duvall's Faerie Tale Theatre. Some would argue that this series is even more popular. Either way, these musicals are suitable for the entire family and feature well-known actors from the 1980s.