AILEEN QUINN & JOHN PARAGON STARRING IN 'THE FROG PRINCE'

year: 1986 cast: Aileen Quinn, John Paragon, Helen Hunt rating: ***1/2

Like the iconic child actress Shirley Temple, ANNIE starlet Aileen Quinn grew into a lovely and talented teenager – and here’s proof...

In the Golan-Globus production of Grimm’s Fairy Tales THE FROG PRINCE, Quinn plays an insecure young princess who, without a real friend and at odds with her nefarious older cousin Henrietta (Helen Hunt), wanders the castle dreaming of one day becoming a queen.

year: 1986 cast: Aileen Quinn, John Paragon, Helen Hunt rating: ***1/2

But this won’t be easy. Henrietta is older, more dignified, and convinces Zora her future's set to lurk in the shadows. Her uncle, King William, will crown the new queen and Zora hasn't a prayer.

While she’s outside brooding above a lonely pond, she drops her lucky golden magic ball into the water and out pops our titular Frog Prince...

Played by John Paragon (pictured below in one of the very few movies he appeared in, NORTH SHORE as a surf photographer) with the kind of delightful energy liken to Jim Carrey’s THE MASK years later. Frog and Zora make an unlikely pair, sneaking around the castle and in one funny scene, “Ribbit” pretends to be a toy to trick the King.

John Paragon gives Laird Hamilton a dirty look in NORTH SHORE Google: John Paragon North Shore Frog Prince John Paragon

The catchy songs occur sporadically, helping the story without being intrusive. Aileen Quinn, with a soothing voice that captures the joys and pains of childhood reveries, provides the same timeless dynamic that made ANNIE a sensation.

The musical numbers are produced with an old-school charm, delightful to both children and adults. And while it seem "dated" for today's standards, who needs computer animation when you have great costumes (The Frog especially), plush sets and a multitalented cast?

Aileen Quinn in The Frog Prince

John Paragon and Aileen Quinn in The Frog Prince

John Paragon and Aileen Quinn in The Frog Prince