Cinderella

Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella (1965)

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source: Cinderella

Well actually, we'll never know if Hammerstein would have approved of the wholesale redo of his lyrics since he had died (maybe so since it was so beautiful, but maybe not since his lyrics crafter the initial farce, who knows?), so perhaps it should more accurately be called the Rodgers Cinderella. Every positive thing said about this gem is true and the negatives negligible, but I wanted to mention a couple of things I've not seen noticed (sorry if they were and I didn't see them): 1. If you know about the near-fairy tale bio of Stuart Damon, the biggest reason he was so successful and believable as the Prince is that he wasn't acting but being himself, his own wife of ~50 years having been his own true love at first sight like the Prince! 2. Another unsung hero I was sad to see seemed to have gone strangely unnoticed (http://www.IMDb.com/name/nm0374736/) in a non-exhaustive web search is Don Heitgerd, the great herald of "The Prince is giving a ball" with his wonderfully rich baritone voice, who doesn't seem to have gotten further deserved recognition, though hopefully his delightful vocal talents received many audiences unknown to IMDb.com. Though it's not nearly as good as the actual show due to it being so canned and regrettably editing a number of the lines in a way for which I didn't care, a still beautiful "original cast recording" can be heard at http://www.masterworksbroadway.com/music/cinderella-1965 I'm so glad Rodgers ditched the regrettable farcical nature of the 1957 version & the even far worse 1997 reversion that proves that even Disney's multiple millions years after Rodgers death couldn't even begin to make up for the loss of his genius. As much as I love Julie Andrews (1957 star), the distasteful nature of the farcical quality and the bizarre handling of the traditional story ruined it so much that the masterful 1965 cleansing revision was an indescribably wonderful radical beautification far eclipsing the 1957 original, an unusual occurrence. I usually dislike remakes, e.g. my hatred of the 1997 reversion, but the 1965 is a glorious exception.

Out of the Cinderella films I have seen, that includes the timeless Disney film, the delightful Ever After and the overlong but lavish Slipper and the Rose, this 1965 made for TV movie gets my vote as the most overlooked. At merely less than an hour and a half, it is perhaps too short, which is the only real problem I had with it, as I was genuinely enchanted by this. I completely forgive the fact that it is a TV movie, for the production values in consideration are simply fantastic. The scenery is colourful and the costumes lavish, Lesley Ann Warren's dress at the ball was gorgeous. And then there are the songs and score. In my opinion, Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II are fantastic musical composers, and penned some of the best songs in musical history. Their credits include King and I, State Fair, Oklahoma and Carousel, and the film versions of their musicals range from decent(South Pacific) to outstanding(The Sound of Music). Their contribution here is no exception, the score is just breathtaking, especially Instrumental Waltz. And the songs are stunning, standouts are In My Own Little Corner, Do I love You Because You're Beautiful and Ten Minutes Ago. The others aren't quite as good, but are definitely memorable. I had little to complain about the performances either, for Lesley Ann Warren is enchanting as Cinderella. I thought she looked sexy in the comedy Clue, but especially in the ballroom scene she is even lovelier here, and I thought she sang very well.Perhaps lacking the angelic quality of Julie Andrews but she seriously wasn't bad, not to the extent that she couldn't sing. Stuart Damon is very dashing and charming as the Prince with a very beautiful baritone voice, and Celeste Holm is splendid as the Fairy Godmother. And while dancing legend Ginger Rogers does well as the queen, there is also scene-stealing support from Barbara Bruick and Pat Caroll(the voice of Ursula in The Little Mermaid) as the stepsisters. And I just want to add that I love the simplicity of the highly romantic story. All in all, very overlooked and I think magical. 9.5/10 Bethany Cox

I loved this movie! It was absolutely fantabulous! It was romantic and sweet, and those songs will get stuck in your head forever! I recommend this movie to anyone and everyone, especially families! You can be whatever you want to be!

This excellent version of Rogers and Hammerstein's Cinderella is a class act. This is a far better version than the 1957 original television production which was awful. Lesley Ann Warren and Stuart Damon are just wonderful and elegant as Cinderella and her prince respectively. Their voices ring true to happiness. Jo Van Fleet again proves her adeptness at being a difficult mother. This time, she does it in a comedic way. Her scene with the prince at the ball is a riot. Looking at herself in the mirror, she knows what she is. Celeste Holm should be everyone's fairy god-mother. She has always been a voice for toleration from her scenes in "Gentleman's Agreement," and she shows it again in this fine production. Get to your video stores and have the kiddies see this wonderful movie. They'll yell for more.

I remember the first time I saw this wonderful movie. It was the very first night it was broadcast. I saw it with my parents and my sister and I was 8 years old. I fell in love that night...with the Prince (Stuart Damon), Cinderella (Lesley Ann Warren), and the rest of the cast as well! I saw it everytime it aired...up til the last time! Who knew, when I misbehaved that day and got sent to bed that it was the last time it would air on broadcast tv?? I remembered all the songs, all the costumes. Who cared if the sets looked cheesy? This was the very first movie that ever spoke to me. I have remembered it all my life. And today I finally got to see it again! I just bought the video today - and I've watched it 3 times already tonight! (making up for lost time <grin>) I would have loved to see the Julie Andrews version...but it was aired the year I was born and never aired again. I did see the Disney 97 version...and I HATED it! Not worth my time! (except maybe for Jason Alexander! <nuther grin> For pure simple family entertainment this movie tops my list. And it should top everyone else's as well!

I first saw this film when I was in boarding school. It was so magical for me that I recall skipping back to the dorm room, actually wanting to be Cinderella. Careful what you wish for - because in many ways, I went on to become a Cinderella of sorts. Instead of a wicked stepmother, I had a stepfather for whom I basically became a house maiden. Not so much because he asked for it, but it became a necessity, among other reasons. Truth is, when you treat a kid like they're unwelcome in their own home, they may resort to serving people - just to try to win them over. But that's another story (that I'm actually writing). Back to the movie. I thought about this film for days and days and days after seeing it. It left that much of an impression upon me. This is also when I fell in love with Leslie Ann Warren's work. This version of Rodgers & Hammerstein's made-for-TV musical offers more of a realistic setting, if there really is such a thing for a fairy tale. There are no singing mice or other distractions. Just a very pure telling of this popular tale. The songs are all sung with a sense of longing and wonderment. Leslie Ann Warren is breathtakingly beautiful as the unfortunate heroine, scraping and scrapping for whatever bit of respect she can get, as she toils and toils away for what is supposed to be her family. Celeste Holm is wonderful as the Fairy Godmother and Ginger Rogers' turn as the Queen, along with Walter Pidgeon as the King are spot-on. This tale of love travels along a much more subtle trajectory. What really makes this version such a definitive Cinderella story is its faithfulness to Perrault's fairy tale. Rather than alter it as was always done in previous versions, we are treated to the most honest rendition of the story. That's just one other reason why this film is so beloved. For me, no other film of this kind from my childhood still brings back such fond feelings, even if the circumstances of my own life tended to mimic the story in so many ways. Thankfully, at least I even had the Prince Charming!

I grew up watching this 1966 version of the Broadway musical Cinderella, which was shown on an annual basis for several years after its initial premiere. This musical version of the classic fairy tale features some wonderful songs by Rodgers and Hammerstein and originally premiered on Broadway with Julie Andrews in the title role. Lesley Ann Warren plays the role here and 40 years later, no matter what else she does, Lesley Ann Warren will always, first and foremost, be Cinderella to me. She is utterly enchanting in the role and her rendition of "In My Own Little Corner" is charming. Celeste Holm made a delightful fairy godmother, Walter Piedgon and Ginger Rogers added a touch of class as the king and queen, and Stuart Damon made a handsome and elegant Prince Charming. Jo Van Fleet was a memorable evil stepmother and Pat Carroll and Barbara Ruick score as the stepsisters and they stop the show with "Stepsisters' Lament", one of musical comedy's funniest songs. Well mounted with lavish sets and breathtaking costumes, Cinderella, like THE WIZARD OF OZ, should continue to be shown on an annual basis in order to renew our faith in miracles, love, and fantasies coming true. If this show is not available on DVD, it should be. A winner for children of all ages.