| “Tale of the Enchanted Gift” | |||||||
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| Dragon's Lair episode | |||||||
 Title Card | |||||||
| Season Code: | 1 | ||||||
| Episode: | 1 | ||||||
| Original airdate | September 8, 1984 | ||||||
| Written by | Rick Merwin | ||||||
| Producers: | Joe Ruby & Ken Spears | ||||||
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"Tale of the Enchanted Gift" is the first episode of the Dragon's Lair animated series. Originally aired on September 8, 1984, the episode's story is credited to Richard "Rick" Merwin and is a loose adaptation of the original game.
Official Synopsis[]
In an effort to outdo his competition, Dirk the Daring gives Princess Daphne a golden bird for her birthday. The bird, however, is enchanted and kidnaps the princess, delivering her to Cinge the Dragon.[1]
Story[]
Act 1[]
The birthday of Princess Daphne is approaching, and nobles come to King Ethelred's castle in preparation of a huge celebration. Sir Hubert boasts that his present for the princess is better than Dirk's prepared gift. Seeing how Daphne can't wait for her present, Dirk decides to undertake a quest to find the best present ever. This dialogue is seen by the evil dragon Cinge in a magic crystal, and orders two Giddy Goons to lure Dirk with an enchanted Golden Falcon.
At night, the Goons enter Squire Timothy's room and leave a note, inviting them to the Limestone Cavern. Timothy runs to Dirk with the note, and immediately the duo start for the cavern in the dragon's territory. Dirk scouts forward and opens a door where a batch of Goons are waiting for them. As they run towards them, Dirk moves back, and with the help of Bertram, shut the door on their faces. Timothy believes that Cinge is behind all this, so Dirk decides to proceed alone. He steps on a Falling Disk which starts falling, and then he jumps on a ledge with a wooden door. Behind it, he finds a treasure room containing the Golden Falcon. He rejoins his company who are already waiting for him outside. Since oversees what took place.
The following day, Daphne is seated on her throne receiving her gifts. Sir Hubert's gift is a portrait of himself, making Daphne awkward and Dirk to laugh. Hubert then makes Dirk to trip as he walks towards Daphne, and the statue falls in the King's arms. Daphne however is excited by the beautiful statue and thanks Dirk. This is seen by Singe, who speaks a rhyme which animates the Falcon into a living bird. It takes flight, grasping Daphne in its claws, and requesting Ethelred's kingdom if he wants to see Daphne again. Dirk futily attempts to stop the Falcon before its flies out of the window with Daphne.
The King laments his loss and the knights vow to rescue Daphne (as Hubert silently attempts to sneak away). Dirk however requests to go alone with Timothy, seeing as he was the one responsible for the ordeal. On their way out they are stopped by the Giddy Goons, sent by Cinge. From the other end of the road, a team of Mudmen show up.
Act 2[]
After the cliffhanger, the viewers are shown to the possible outcome if Dirk had attacked the Mudmen, they would have engulfed him in mud. Instead, Dirk chose to attack the Goons, which disappear one by one as he hits them with his sword.
It is late and raining, and they still haven't located Cinge’s dark Castle. Instead, they end up in a tavern, which is occupied by two cloaked figures, who speak in a quick-paced incomprehensible speech. By the next day, they arrive to the castle.
They hear Daphne taunting Cinge. She attempts to take the Magic Sword, but Cinge picks her up and puts her inside the crystal bubble prison. While Dirk and Timothy look for the way, Dirk finds the Flying Barding, which flies around in a huge hall of columns. He ends up before a chasm and a rope bridge, and one-eye tentacles surround him. Above him, there is a Burning rope.
Act 3[]
After the cliffhanger, the viewers are shown that if Dirk had tried to escape by the bridge, the tentacles would have pulled it down. Furthermore, if he had tried to swing the rope, it would have burned before he could have reached the other end. Instead, he finds a pole and vaults over the chasm. Beyond the door lies the dragon's treasure hoard and the captive Daphne.
Dirk briefly manages to dodge the dragon's tail and fire. He holds the key to Daphne's cage around his neck but it is inaccessible to Dirk. He dives into the hoard, and as Cinge buries his head below, Dirk emerges with the key, and rescues Daphne. Cinge’s fire melts the gold under his feet, and as the pair are about to exit the hoard room, he hurls to them, breaking the wall and almost falling into the chasm. Dirk holds Daphne and runs over Cinge’s back, as the dragon is still suspended over the chasm like a bridge.
The trio ride away from the castle, but they know that Cinge or his minions will catch up with them. Daphne suggests a plan to set a trap near a stone arch. They taunt Cinge who runs towards them, slipping on some logs laid on the ground for him, and falling right into the arch. As the trio resume their journey to Etherled's castle, the Goons try to pull Singe out.
Ethelred welcomes them, thanks Dirk for saving his daughter and kingdom, and resumes the celebrations. But now Dirk has no present to give, so he decides to buy a songbird for her. Daphne gratefully accepts it and kisses him.
Cast[]
- Bob Sarlatte – Dirk the Daring
- Ellen Gerstell – Princess Daphne
- Fred Travalena – King Ethelred
- Michael Mish – Timothy
- Arthur Burghardt – Cinge the Dragon
- Peter Cullen – Bertram the Horse, Sir Hubert Blunt
- Clive Revill – Storyteller
Additional voices[]
- Marilyn Schreffler
- Michael Sheehan
Trivia[]
- The animation for the Storyteller's opening narration for this episode is recycled in several subsequent episodes of the series, albeit with altered illustrations inside the pages of the open book.
Gallery[]
Production Art[]
Screencaps[]
