Cinderella (1965)

Although mistreated by her cruel stepmother and stepsisters, Cinderella is able to attend the royal ball through the help of a fairy godmother.

Director:

Charles S. Dubin

Writer:

Joseph Schrank (teleplay)

Stars:

Ginger Rogers, Walter Pidgeon, Celeste Holm

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ginger Rogers	...	Queen
Walter Pidgeon	...	King
Celeste Holm	...	Fairy Godmother
Jo Van Fleet	...	Stepmother
Stuart Damon	...	Prince
Pat Carroll	...	Prunella
Barbara Ruick	...	Esmerelda
Lesley Ann Warren	...	Cinderella
Joe E. Marks	...	Aide
Don Heitgerd	...	The Herald
Butch Sherwood	...	Small Boy #1
Bill Lee	...	Father
Betty Noyes	...	Mother
Trudi Ames	...	Daughter
Myra Stephens	...	1st Maiden

Storyline

Rodgers & Hammerstein's musical retelling of the classic fairy tale. Cinderella is a teenage girl forced to do all of the menial tasks in the home she shares with her coldhearted stepmother and homely stepsisters. One day when home alone, Cinderella shares a cup of water with a thirsty and handsome traveler, not realizing until he continues on his journey that he is the crown prince of the kingdom. Shortly thereafter, the king and queen invite every young maiden in the kingdom to a royal ball so that the crown prince can find a girl to marry. Cinderella's stepmother and stepsisters go to the ball, leaving Cinderella behind to wish about how her life could be. While she is daydreaming, she is visited by her fairy godmother, who makes it possible for her wishes to come true.

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Plot Keywords:

character name as title | cinderella character | fairy godmother character | troubador | step mother | 

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Genres:

Musical | Fantasy | Romance | Family

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Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 February 1965 (USA)

Also Known As:

Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella

Filming Locations:

Studio 41, CBS Television City - 7800 Beverly Boulevard, Fairfax, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

CBS Television Network

Technical Specs

Runtime:

84 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (musical score)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This production features rare on-camera appearance by two notable movie musical dubbers, who appear as a couple. Betty Noyes, credited in this film as Mother, dubbed Debbie Reynolds' singing voice in Singin' in the Rain (1952). Bill Lee, credited as Father, dubbed for John Kerr in South Pacific (1958) and for Christopher Plummer in The Sound of Music (1965). The couple sings briefly about their daughter.

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Goofs

Cinderella runs out of the ball, but as she appears outside, her glass slipper is already there ahead of her. Her yellow stocking feet are bare. She runs past it, then looks down at it.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Aide: We are in sight of the towers of home and your father's palace.
Prince: It hardly seems like we've been gone for an entire year.
Aide: I sent messengers ahead to tell of your arrival.
Prince: I am dying of thirst. Let us stop at that cottage.

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Alternate Versions

Sony's 2002 DVD, possibly sourced from a tape used for a rerun, cut out some of Cinderella's first meeting with Prince Christopher -- specifically, her explanation that her step-family went to town square to see the prince. Shout! Factory's 2014 DVD, sourced from the master tape, restored the full scene, as well as commercial bumpers and station identification.

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Connections

Version of Señorella and the Glass Huarache (1964)

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Soundtracks

In My Own Little Corner
(reprise)
Sung by Lesley Ann Warren

User Reviews

The classic version of Cinderella

I've only seen the 1965 version of R&H's Cinderella once.

I'm not sure why it's listed as 1965 as I'm sure I saw it in 1964.

In Melbourne, our fourth TV channel was about to launch (the first three commencing in 1956). I can remember the launch of ATV10 vividly. I used to watch the test pattern before it officially went to air. For much of the time they played the 1957 CBS LP of Cinderella because the "new" version was in their first week of programming.

I was 15 at the time and managed to record the music on reel to reel tape. I loved all Rogers and Hammerstein's productions and immediately was attracted to the music and lyrics. And one could argue that because everyone already knew the story of Cinderella the entire production almost worked in one's own mind by simply listening to that soundtrack.

It was musically so well done in the original 1957 version. Several years later I found the LP and couldn't buy it quick enough.

I saw the "1965" version and was totally absorbed with it. Arguably it was the best cast to ever perform it. So many stars who were all well cast. Particularly Barbara Ruick and Celeste Holme.

The only bit I've ever seen of the 1957 production is a B+W clip of Julie Andrews singing "In my own little corner". My God I wish I'd seen it live - in colour. I saw it in the TV special : Rogers and Hammerstein - The Sound of Movies.

I enjoyed the 1999 TV version - but I don't think Brandy was strong enough musically - and frankly I thought she was miscast. I also didn't like some changes to the fundamental rhythyms that R&H created.

I can't understand why the R&H version of Cinderella hasn't become as popular as the story itself. I guess this has something to do with the R&H Organisation. It would be a wonderful show for school children to perform.

The 1957 soundtrack is one of my favourites. And I would love to see the 1965 version again. Maybe it wasn't popular in Australia because I can't recall ATV10 ever screening it again. But R&H were very paternalistic over their shows. Possibly too much.

I think R&H's Cinderella will live forever.

A Lovely Night ... indeed!