The Fourth King is a Christmas special produced in Italy by RAI. The special aired on NBC in 1977, but was never repeated, probably due to low ratings, as well as the unlikely premise.
Synopsis
A group of animals learn that three kings are following a bright star in the sky to Bethlehem where a special baby has been born. They decide they must send their own representative as king of the beasts. Uno, a self-absorbed lion, volunteers himself to make the trip. A sparrow named Feathers comes along to make sure he stays out of trouble. Along the way they meet a rabbit, a beaver, and a turtle who join them. Uno's arrogance leads to him being captured by Roman soldiers. His friends free him and he apologizes for how selfish he has been. The group soon arrives in Bethlehem, only to realize they have no gifts. Then Feathers has an idea. She sings a beautiful song to the newborn baby Jesus. Afterward, Uno humbly tells Feathers she should be ruler of the animals, but she declines and tells him from the bravery he displayed on the journey he earned the title himself.
Songs
- "Who Can We Send?"
- "I'm Numero Uno"
- "The Greatest of Friends"
- "The Sound of Love"
Cast
| Voice actor/actress | Character(s) |
|---|---|
| Ted Ross | Uno |
| Laurie Beechman | Feathers |
| Arnold Stang | The Turtle |
| Ed Clein | The Rabbit |
| Bob McFadden | The Beaver |
Trivia
- Uno's voice actor, Ted Ross, famously played the Lion in The Wiz (a musical adaptation of The Wizard of Oz). His character in this special is a lion too.