4/5 four all-time FTT classics!
  by Byron Kolln (the corner where Broadway meets Hollywood)
Collected in this DVD are four unforgettable stories from Shelley Duvall's beloved FAERIE TALE THEATRE series. However, the title for this compilation ("Magical Tales") is quite curious, because most (if not all) of the stories from the show can be described as "magical"! Still, your family will adore seeing these fairytale classics, enacted by a star-studded cast: Susan Sarandon, Ben Vereen, Leonard Nimoy and Vanessa Redgrave among them.

SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS:
Elizabeth McGovern is luminous in the title role of Snow White. Her acting is very understated and she perfectly captures the innocence and bewilderment of the character. Vanessa Redgrave offers a tour-de-force performance as the Wicked Queen, who dons several magical disguises to ensnare our heroine. Rex Smith gives us a Prince who is handsome yet goofy (a refreshing change), and Vincent Price is a delight as both the Magic Mirror and Narrator. Series creator Shelley Duvall has a brief role as Snow White's mother during the prologue.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST:
Beauty's (Susan Sarandon) merchant father steals a white rose from the castle of the Beast (Klaus Kinski). As punishment, the Beast orders that the merchant return to the castle in 3 days, or else one of his daughters must go in his place. Beauty selflessly sacrifices her own freedom to release her father. Once in the castle, Beauty slowly begins to win the friendship and trust of the Beast, who hides a gentle and kind heart beneath his frightening exterior.

PUSS IN BOOTS:
In return for some swanky new clothes, a clever cat (Ben Vereen) promises his master Edgar (Gregory Hines) a kingdom of his own and wealth beyond his wildest dreams. And with an extra bit of cunning Edgar might just win the hand of the fair Princess Lovinia (Alfre Woodard)!

ALADDIN AND HIS WONDERFUL LAMP:
Aladdin (played by Robert Carradine) is thrown into a world of wonder, danger and romance after discovering a lamp which contains a Genie (James Earl Jones) who will grant his every wish. Unfortunately, a scheming magician (Leonard Nimoy) also knows about the magical lamp and will stop at nothing to get it...