Disney's Princess Tiana a New Orleans hit

NEW ORLEANS, Nov. 14 (UPI) -- Louisiana Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu says "The Princess and the Frog," featuring Disney's first black princess, is a welcome gift to New Orleans.

The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune reported Landrieu praised the new animated movie, whose first half hour was shown Friday as part of the "Dreams Come True" exhibit at the New Orleans Museum of Art.

In addition to offering a sneak peek of "Princess," which features Princess Tiana and is set in New Orleans, the exhibit features artwork from other popular Disney films.

"For you guys (at Disney) to come here now, and to provide us with this exhibit at one of our great institutions is incredible, only to be topped by the magnificent animated film that has in it Louisiana actors, it's got Louisiana music, it's Louisiana-made, Louisiana-proud," Landrieu said.

The Times-Picayune said New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin also praised the movie, which opens Dec. 11.

"I travel all over the world," Nagin said, "and (people) say, 'Is there still water in the streets of New Orleans?' When they see this film, they're going to see that the magic is back in New Orleans."