Archive notice: This article was originally published on December 14, 2009. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
Around 320,000 film fans young and old visited German cinemas during the opening weekend to be enchanted by Disney’s Christmas highlight “The Princess and the Frog.” This means second place in the cinema charts. The frog also kissed the box office in America: during its opening weekend there, “The Princess and the Frog” reached number one in the cinema charts with revenue of USD 25 million and recorded the best December opening for a hand-drawn animated film—and it is not only the frog who is pleased.
About the film: “The Princess and the Frog” transports us to the beauty of Louisiana, to New Orleans in the American South, where jazz and blues run through people’s veins, paddle steamers travel the Mississippi and voodoo is more than dark magic…
In this city full of life, passion and love, funny, unique and touching characters meet, brought to life as only Disney artists can. Alongside the beautiful Tiana, who dreams of her own restaurant, and the fun-loving Prince Naveen, who falls into the clutches of voodoo magician Dr Facilier, “The Princess and the Frog” features many other delightful characters, including jazz-mad alligator Louis, hopelessly lovestruck firefly Ray and the wonderfully eccentric Mama Odie with her extraordinary walking aid.
Let Disney’s new masterpiece surprise you this Christmas with its warm-hearted, funny and magical moments. In the style of classics such as “Beauty and the Beast” and “The Lion King,” the studio’s finest artists, led by John Musker and Ron Clements, creators of “The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin” and “Hercules,” tell a fantastic, colourful fairy tale and a timeless adventure full of delightful characters. Legendary Oscar winner Randy Newman underscores the magic of New Orleans with his rousing songs. Another highlight: Cassandra Steen, Roger Cicero, Marianne Rosenberg and Bill Ramsey were secured for the German version, lending musical brilliance to their characters not only as voice actors, but also as singers.