Cinderella
(1957, U.S.) color 76 minutes
With: 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), Robert Penn (Town Crier), Alexander Clark (The Captain of the Guard), Iggie Wolfington (The Chef), David F. Perkins (The Court Tailor)
The newly-released DVD of the 1957 television musical "Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella" is the original version, which was seen live and in color (at least on the East Coast) on March 31, 1957.
The supporting cast included Edie Adams as the fairy godmother, (at that time billed as "Edith"). As the king and queen, Howard Lindsay and his wife, Dorothy Stickney, best known for their appearances in the long running play, "Life with Father", which Lindsay also wrote. As the stepmother, veteran performer and author Ilka Chase, rising comics Alice Ghostley and Kaye Ballard as the stepsisters and future "Hill Street Blues" star Jon Cypher as the prince.
It is really hard to compare this "Cinderella" with the 1965 remake which introduced Lesley Ann Warren. There is really no point, as the productions are completely different. This "Cinderella" was done as a semi-comedy. The later one was a traditional version, and about all the two of them have in common are the wonderful songs.
Julie Andrews shines as Cinderella. True, she may not be the ideal physical type, but she posesses the charm and, of course the vocal talent, to carry her through. The supporting cast is great, except perhaps for Adams, who is a bit too forced.
The production itself is a fairly simple affair, with minimal sets, and rather strange costumes. Nevertheless, the production still sparkles. The kinescope used for this DVD release is, alas, in black and white, as no color copies are known to survive. However, the quality is good. The Dolby digital mono sound is clear and fairly strong.
The DVD package includes some enjoyable extras: a documentary with Andrews and other cast members, stills galleries with production photographs as well as rare color advertising art, and a booklet about the making of the show. All in all, highly recomended!
- Phil Lindholm
copyright © 2005 Phil Lindholm, all rights reserved
Video/DVD availability: VHS/DVD Image Entertainment
Links of related interest:
CBS Television
Screenplay: Oscar Hammerstein II
Music: Richard Rodgers
Production Design: Jean Eckart, William Eckart
Produced by Richard Lewine
Directed by Ralph Nelson
It was written especially for rising star Julie Andrews, who was, at that time, the toast of Broadway, due to her appearance in the smash hit "My Fair Lady".
A FAN SITE WITH PHOTOS
A CINDERELLA FILM WEBSITE
