Cinderella (TV 1957)

The first of three TV-versions of the classic fairy tale that featured a Rodgers and Hammerstein score.

Director:

Ralph Nelson

Writer:

Oscar Hammerstein II

Stars:

Julie Andrews, Howard Lindsay, Ilka Chase

Nominated for 3 Primetime Emmys.

Cast

Credited cast:
Julie Andrews	...	Cinderella
Howard Lindsay	...	King
Dorothy Stickney	...	The Queen
Ilka Chase	...	The Stepmother
Kaye Ballard	...	Stepsister Portia
Alice Ghostley	...	Stepsister Joy
Edie Adams	...	Fairy Godmother (as Edith Adams)
Jon Cypher	...	Prince Christopher
David F. Perkins	...	The Court Tailor
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Eleanor Phelps	...	Ensemble

Storyline

The first of three TV-versions of the classic fairy tale that featured a Rodgers and Hammerstein score.

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Plot Keywords:

fairy tale | live broadcast | cinderella | character name in title

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Genres:

Musical | Family | Comedy | Fantasy | Romance

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 March 1957 (USA)

Also Known As:

Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella

Filming Locations:

CBS Studio 72, New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min 76 min (dvd release) 90 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White (surviving Kinescope prints) Color (original broadcast)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The only production of the Rodgers and Hammerstein version to be telecast while Hammerstein was still alive. He died in 1960, five years before the second television production of the musical was telecast, and thirty-six years before the third one was shown.

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Goofs

The shadow of the boom mic visible on the right side of screen when Cinderella sings "In My Own Little Corner".

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Quotes

Fairy Godmother: All the dreamers in all the world are dizzy in the noodle!

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Connections

Version of Great Performances: The Sleeping Beauty (1995)

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Soundtracks

"Gavotte"
Music by Richard Rodgers
Performed by The Orchestra

User Reviews

Quite simply the best version

I've finally seen a B&W kinescope copy of the live color telecast of March 31, 1957--about 3 months after I was born. Someone of my age can take into account that this was live television (something many younger viewers may not be able to do), and accept all the limitations inherent in that medium. Still, this is by far a superior version of the R&H classic. The celebrated team did not condescend to the medium of television, but chose to treat it as every bit as important as a Broadway show. Hammerstein's lyrics for such songs as "IN MY OWN LITTLE CORNER," "IMPOSSIBLE," and "DO I LOVE YOU BECAUSE YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL" are as fine as any he wrote for Broadway. Likewise, Rodgers' music for those songs, plus his "GAVOTTE," "WALTZ FOR A BALL," and "WHEN YOU'RE DRIVING THROUGH THE MOONLIGHT/A LOVELY NIGHT" are among his best melodies. The script is witty; the actors play it realistically, and with humor. All in all, this production should be revived today on live television [despite the Disney version with a miscast Brandy] with a cast equal to the original. Unfortunately, there is probably no one to rival Julie Andrews in today's young musical comedy stars--although Kristen Chenowith might be great Cinderella. (Hint, hint!!) If you ever get a chance to see thus version, GO!!!!!