Disney moves up 'Princess' release

Animated musical to bow on Dec. 11
By PAMELA MCCLINTOCK

'Princess and the Frog'
'Princess and the Frog' will bow Dec. 11 instead of Dec. 25.

Disney has moved up the nationwide release of "The Princess and the Frog" from Christmas Day to Dec. 11.

Studio also announced that "Princess," a traditional animated musical set in New Orleans, will open exclusively in New York and Los Angeles on Nov. 25.

In its old date, "Princess" would have gone up against 20th Century Fox's holiday family tentpole "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakuel."

"Princess" has far more breathing room with a Dec. 11 opening. So far, the only other film skedded to debut that weekend is Peter Jackson's "The Lovely Bones," from DreamWorks and Paramount.

The Mouse House will use the L.A. and Gotham runs to build word of mouth, taking advantage of the Thanksgiving holiday.