Product: The Slipper and the Rose: The Story of Cinderella [VHS] (1977)
Rating: 5.0
Excellent Version of a Timeless Fairy Tale
The first version I saw starred Lesley Ann Warren and Stuart Damon. Not being a viewer of soap operas, I never saw him before this movie filmed as a play, but I did know of Celeste Holmes who played the fairy godmother. I think my favorite number was watching Warren pantomining the various people she pretended to be while in her little corner. Then I saw Brandy take on the role and loved Jason Alexander singing about the ball, though I didn't care much for Whoopi's characterization as Prince Charming's mother. Then came The Slipper and the Rose and I finally felt as if I had seen a movie that knew how to tell the story of the improbable romance between a prince seeking to marry for love rather than position, and a servant girl who could only dream of going to a ball. The music, scenery, costumes, the fabulous Austrian countryside were magnificent. I of coure knew Richard Chamberlian, though mostly from his role as Dr. Kildare, and Kenneth More, though I can't recall from where. Most of the cast members were unknown to me, but I was not disappointed with a single one. One scene I look forward to is the transformation scene, especially watching the white mice raise their arms over their heads, then lower them to become horses. Watching the frog jumping and taking on the look of a person, then becoming one, was fun. Those glass slippers sure looked a lot more interesting than those Warren wore. In the beginning, Prince Edward was wishing he could be two people so one half could marry the woman of his choice. Further into the movie, we hear his servant wishing he could marry Caorline, but not able to because of her station, which was echoed in the number Position and Positioning. Then Edward knights John and tells him he can marry the Lady Caroline. After Lord Chamberlain tells Cinderella she cannot marry the prince because it would not be in the best interests of the kingdom, we wonder how that will be changed, since we do know he will marry her. A lot of twists and turns, ups and downs, but plenty of good (to me) musical numbers to enjoy. I loved the closing credits where we see the performers' names (including the dog, Fred) so we know who played whom. I had no trouble with the length of the movie, and never get tired of watching it.