[DOWN IN NEW ORLEANS (PROLOGUE) PLAYING] The Evening Star is shining bright So make a wish and hold on tight There's magic in the air tonight And anything can happen EUDORA: "Just at that moment, "the ugly little frog looked up with his sad, round eyes and pleaded, "'Oh, please, dear princess, "'only a kiss from you can break this terrible spell "'that was inflicted on me by a wicked witch!'" (WHISPERING) Here comes my favorite part. (MEWING) "And the beautiful princess was so moved by his desperate plea "that she stooped down, picked up the slippery creature, "leaned forward, raised him to her lips, "and kissed that little frog! (EXCLAIMS ADORINGLY) (GAGGING) "Then, the frog was transformed into a handsome prince. "They were married and lived happily ever after. The end." (CHEERS) (LAUGHING) Read it again! Read it again! Sorry, Charlotte. It's time for us to be heading home. Say "good night," Tiana. There is no way in this whole wide world I would ever, ever, ever... I mean, never kiss a frog. Yuck! Is that so? Well, here's your Prince Charming, Tia. -Come on. Kiss him. -No. -Kiss him! -Stop it! -Kiss him, kiss him, kiss him! -I won't, I won't, I won't! I would do it. I would kiss a frog. I would kiss a hundred frogs if I could marry a prince and be a princess. (SCREECHING) (BOTH LAUGHING) You girls, stop tormenting that poor little kitty. Poor little thing. Mmm. Evening, Eudora. Daddy! Daddy! Look at my new dress. Isn't it pretty? Look at you. Why, I'd expect nothing less from the finest seamstress in New Orleans. Ooh! I want that dress! -Now, sugarplum... -I want that one! Please, please, please, please! Eudora, you suppose you could whip something up like that? Anything for my best customer. (CHARLOTTE CHEERS) Come along, Tiana. Your daddy should be home from work by now. All right now, princess, you're getting that dress, but that's it. No more Mr. Pushover. Now, who wants a puppy? CHARLOTTE: I do! I do! He's so cute! (TRAM BELL DINGING) (PEOPLE CHATTERING) (BELL DINGING) JAMES: Mmm. Gumbo smells good, Tiana. I think it's done, Daddy. -Yeah? Are you sure? -Mmm-hmm. -Absolutely positive? -Yes. Okay, I'm about to put this spoon in my... Wait! Done. Hmm. -What? -Well, sweetheart, this is the best gumbo I've ever tasted! Come here. Eudora, our little girl's got a gift. Mmm-hmm. I could've told you that. A gift this special just got to be shared. Hey, everybody, I made gumbo! WOMAN: Ooh, that smells good! MAN: I got some hush puppies, Tiana. Here I come! JAMES: You know the thing about good food? It brings folks together from all walks of life. It warms them right up and it puts little smiles on their faces. And when I open up my own restaurant, I tell you, people are going to line up for miles around just to get a taste of my food. Our food. (LAUGHS) That's right, baby. Our food. (GASPS) -Daddy! Look! -Where are you going? Charlotte's fairy tale book said if you make a wish on the Evening Star, it's sure to come true. Well, you wish on that star, sweetheart. Yes. You wish and you dream with all your little heart. But you remember, Tiana, that that old star can only take you part of the way. You got to help it along with some hard work of your own, and then, yeah, you can do anything you set your mind to. Just promise your daddy one thing. That you'll never, ever lose sight of what's really important. Okay? See you in the morning, babycakes. Get some sleep. Please, please, please! (CROAKS) (SCREAMING)
Well, Miss Tiana, rough night for tips, but every little penny counts. Don't you worry, Daddy. We'll be there soon. (DOWN IN NEW ORLEANS PLAYING) (SNORING) Good night, Cal's. Good morning, Duke's. (SINGING) In the south land, there's a city Way down on the river Where the women are very pretty And all the men deliver (GRUNTS) They got music, it's always playing Start in the daytime Go all through the night When you hear that music playing Hear what I'm sayin' It make you feel all right Grab somebody, come on down Bring your paintbrush We painting the town There's some sweetness goin' round Catch it down in New Orleans We got magic, good and bad Make you happy or make you real sad Get everything you want Lose what you had Down here in New Orleans (SCREAMS) Hey, partner! Don't be shy Come on down, yeah, and give us a try If you wanna do some livin' before you die Do it down in New Orleans (GIRLS EXCLAIMING) Stately homes and mansions Of the sugar barons and the cotton kings Rich people, poor people all got dreams Dreams do come true in New Orleans (SCOFFS) (HORN HONKING) (DINGS) Order up! -Another coffee here, chre. -Coming right up, Virgil. -Hey, Tiana! -Morning, Georgia. -Hey, how you doing, Tiana? -Hey, y'all. We all going out dancing tonight. Care to join us? -Yeah, come on. Live a little. -Come on, Tiana. -You can dance with me. -It's Mardi Gras. You know I got 2 left feet. Besides, I'm... You need a napkin, sweetheart? I'm going to work a double shift tonight. Here are your hotcakes. You know, so I can... So you can save for your restaurant. I know, I know. Girl, all you ever do is work. (BELL DINGS) -BUFORD: Order up! -Maybe next time. VIOLET: I told y'all she wouldn't come. Are you talking about that dang restaurant again? Buford, your eggs are burning. Oh! You ain't never going to get enough for the down payment. -I'm getting close. -Yeah, how close? Where are my flapjacks? (LAUGHING) You got about as much chance of getting that restaurant as I do of winning the Kentucky Derby! (EXCLAIMS) Saddle me up, y'all! It's post time. Giddyup, giddyup. (MIMICKING TRUMPET) -Morning, Mr. La Bouff. -Good morning, Tiana. Congratulations on being voted King of the Mardi Gras parade. Caught me completely by surprise, for the 5th year in a row! (LAUGHING) Now, how about I celebrate with... Beignets? Got a fresh batch just waiting for you. Well, keep them coming till I pass out. Oh, Tia! -Tia, Tia, Tia, did you hear the news? -Hey, Charlotte. Tell her. Oh, tell her, Big Daddy! Oh, yeah, Prince Naveen... Prince Naveen of Maldonia is coming to New Orleans! (SCREAMING) Oh! Isn't he the bee's knees? Tell her what you did, Big Daddy. Tell her! -Well, I invited... -Big Daddy invited the prince to our masquerade ball tonight! (EXCLAIMS) Tell her what else you did, Big Daddy. Go on. -And he's staying... -And he's staying... And he's staying in our house as my personal guest. (EXHALES) Oh, Lottie, that's swell. A little word of advice. My mama always said, "The quickest way to a man's heart is through his stomach." (CHUCKLING) -Ah! That's it! -What just happened? Tia! You are a bona fide genius. I'm going to need about 500 of your man-catching beignets for my ball tonight. Excuse me, Daddy. Will this about cover it? This should cover it just fine, Lottie. This is it! I'm getting my restaurant! (WHOOPS) Tonight my prince is finally coming. And I sure as heck ain't letting him go! (CHARLOTTE WHOOPING)
Everything looks peachy-keen, Mr. Fenner and Mr. Fenner. We'll have all the paperwork ready to sign, first thing after Mardi Gras. I'll do you one better. Why don't I sign them tonight when I see y'all at the La Bouffs' masquerade ball? MR. FENNER 2: You drive a hard bargain, Tiana! (HORN HONKING) Table for one, please? Oh! Mama. Here's a little something to help you get started. Daddy's gumbo pot. Oh! I know. (TIANA SNIFFLES) I miss him, too. Well, now. Hurry up and open the door! Just look at it, Mama. Doesn't it just make you want to cry? Yes. The maitre d' is going to be right where you're standing. Oh! And over here, a gourmet kitchen! And hanging from the ceiling, a big old crystal chandelier! (CHUCKLING) You're your daddy's daughter, all right. He used to go on and on about this old sugar mill, too. Babycakes, I'm sure this place is going to be just wonderful, but it's a shame you are working so hard. But how can I let up now when I'm so close? I got to make sure all Daddy's hard work means something. Tiana. Your daddy may not have gotten the place he always wanted, but he had something better. He had love. And that's all I want for you, sweetheart, to meet your Prince Charming and dance off into your happily ever after. Mama! I don't have time for dancing. (SINGING) That's just gonna have to wait a while How long we talking about here? Ain't got time for messing around And it's not my style I want some grandkids! This old town can slow you down People taking the easy way But I know exactly where I'm going I'm getting closer and closer every day And I'm almost there I'm almost there People down here think I'm crazy But I don't care Trials and tribulations I've had my share There ain't nothing gonna stop me now 'Cause I'm almost there I remember Daddy told me Fairy tales can come true You got to make them happen It all depends on you So I work real hard each and every day Now things for sure are going my way Just doing what I do Look out, boys, I'm coming through And I'm almost there (CROWD EXCLAIMING) I'm almost there People gonna come here from everywhere And I'm almost there I'm almost there There's been trials and tribulations You know I've had my share But I've climbed a mountain I've crossed a river And I'm almost there I'm almost there I'm almost there Excuse me! You need a hand there, buddy? (UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING) (CROWD CHEERING) (EXCLAIMING) Yes! (LAUGHS) (EXCLAIMING) (GIGGLING) Sire! I've been looking for you everywhere. What a coincidence, Lawrence. I have been avoiding you everywhere. We're going to be late for the masquerade. Listen, Lawrence, listen! (EXCLAIMS IN DELIGHT) It's jazz. It's jazz music! It was born here. Is beautiful, no? No. Dance with me, fat man. Stay loose, Lawrence! We're supposed to be at the La Bouff estate by now! Yes, yes, yes, but first I buy everyone here a drink! (CROWD CHEERING) With what? At this point, you have 2 choices, woo and marry a rich young lady or get a job! (HORSE WHINNYING) (GROANS) All right. Fine. But first we dance! No, this is idiocy! For someone who cannot see his feet, you're very light on them! Is perfect! You finally got into the music. Do you get my joke? Because your head is... It's in the tuba. -Get me out! -All right. Hold on. One... (LAUGHING) How degrading! I've never been so humiliated. Hello. Gentlemen! Bonjour. A tip of the hat from Dr. Facilier. How y'all doing? "Tarot readings, charms, potions. Dreams made real." Were I a betting man, and I'm not, I stay away from games of chance... LAWRENCE: Sire! I'd wager I'm in the company of visiting royalty. Lawrence. Lawrence! This remarkable gentleman has just read my palm. Or this morning's newspaper. (SOFTLY) Sire! This chap is obviously a charlatan. I suggest we move on to a less... (SINGING) Don't you disrespect me, little man Don't you derogate or deride You're in my world now, not your world And I got friends on the other side He's got friends on the other side That's an echo, gentlemen. Just a little something we have here in Louisiana, little parlor trick. Don't worry. Sit down at my table Put your minds at ease If you relax, it will enable me to do anything I please I can read your future I can change it round some, too I look deep into your heart and soul You do have a soul don't you, Lawrence? Make your wildest dreams come true I got voodoo, I got hoodoo I got things I ain't even tried And I got friends on the other side He's got friends on the other side The cards, the cards The cards will tell The past, the present and the future, as well The cards, the cards, just take 3 Take a little trip into your future with me Now you, young man are from across the sea You come from 2 long lines of royalty I' m a royal myself on my mother's side. Your lifestyle's high But your funds are low You need to marry a little honey whose daddy got dough Mom and Dad cut you off, huh, playboy? Eh, sad but true. Now y'all got to get hitched. But hitching ties you down. You just want to be free, hop from place to place. But freedom takes green. (DR. FACILIER CHUCKLING) It's the green, it's the green It's the green you need And when I look into your future it's the green that I seen