A Modern Cinderella (1910) User Reviews

A Magic of its Own

[boblipton · 7/10 · 3 August 2012]

This was one of Mary Fuller's last movies at Vitagraph before she was lured away to Edison, where she would soon remake this title and become a major serial star. I can certainly see why the studios were fighting over her: she is a pretty, lively performer who knows how to act for the camera. She is certainly helped by the interesting conceit of having each actor move at a different pace -- the older ladies are given limps and bunions for their particular speeds.

The story is cut to the bare bones, to deal with the length of a movie in 1910, and there is the usual Amazing Coincidence that certainly speeds up certain aspects of the story -- the "fairy godmother" turns out to be the "Prince's" grandmother and her approval of "Cinderella" stands in for the family's approval of the marriage.

The movie is available for viewing at the National Film Preservation site in a beautiful print, and though I don't wish to badmouth these people who have been doing wonderful work for no charge, it is the first film I have looked at there that seems to have been transferred at the right speed -- most of the others seem to plod. Because I think one should have a musical score for a silent film, I set my iTunes player for Rodger's & Hammerstein's Cinderella.

While a bit dated, it's still very sweet

[planktonrules · 7/10 · 30 July 2013]

"A Modern Cinderella" is a re-telling of the traditional story. However, in the update quite a few changes have been made. For example, there is no step-mother--just the nasty step-sister.

When the film begins, the action is a bit vague. It does improve as it goes, but exactly what's happening in the beginning is hard to follow. However, you soon see that Cinderella is less a slave but more the nice lady whose life is dictated by her selfish step-sister. For example, you see the step-sister throwing tantrums and feeling very upset when Cinderella shows up to the party. But, the real odd character was the lady who ran the boarding house. She behaves much like the fairy godmother--and waves her arm and can about like she's performing magic--though it appears she's just buying a nice costume for Cinderella to wear!

All in all, a very good film. The only negative for me was seeing her 'Prince Charming' kissing the shoe and thinking of her--I think the guy has some creepy sort of fetish! Still, quite enjoyable and well made for 1910.