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
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