Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella

Haven't seen it in years, but I thought it was delightful.

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I was able to catch the end of it. I slept in this morning. It brought back many great memories. I would watch this version countless times when I was younger. Terrific cast and music. I also really started to become a fan of Bernadette's in this film. Still, I'd rank the Lesley Ann Warren version higher though.

I thought it was awful, even when I was younger.

^They used them in the tour. I really liked the way the tour used part of "There's Music in You" for the prologue. I don't really understand why we need a new adaptation for Broadway.

I've never understood why Networks never mounted a Broadway engagement of the show, so many magical memories. the Tour also deserved a cast recording!

^ Whitney was the one who wanted Brandy to play the role. The other day on Entertainment Tonight, they showed a behind the scenes look at the film, and Whitney said that she was attached to the project for four years and was originally going to play the title role. However, she felt that she was too old play Cinderella and just wanted to remain on as a producer. She thought that Brandy had the energy for the part. I also remember in another behind the scenes of the show, Brandy said that she would only play Cinderella if Whitney played her Fairy Godmother.

Updated On: 3/30/12 at 11:05 PM

As I recalled the second remake, Brandy couldn't hold a candle to my childhood memories of annual viewings of Warren (as exciting an evening as network broadcasts of Wizard of Oz), or to my later adult viewing of Andrews. She registered as flat; a girl without any dreams to come true.

Seeing this yesterday, I felt this was a great strength. Even her ability to dream had been denied her. And there's a huge payoff. When she finally confronts Peters on the staircase after "A Lovely Night," she's heartbreaking.

I own all three on DVD (as well as countless other tellings of Cinderella) and they never cease to make me smile. I can't choose a favorite among the three because even though they're the same story they're each unique.

I was able to catch the tour when it hit MSG. I remember my friends and I lifted out binoculars in unison when Paolo took of his shirt. Deborah Gibson had been playing the title role but had been replaced with Jaime-Lynn Sigler. Eartha Kitt was so amazing as the Fairy Godmother. I wish I could relive that moment over and over again.

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^ That's actually one of the reasons why I perfer this version over the 1950 Disney animated film. Lady Tremaine truly was EVIL (though Elenor Audley voiced her very well). Bernadette, Jo Van Fleet, and Ilka Chase were mean, but they were never like the spawn of Satan. In the 1957 and 1965 versions, the Stepmothers and their daughters accpeted the fact that Cinderella would marry the Prince and they even attended the wedding. In the 1997 version, well it seems that the Step-family begged too much for forgivenness or they most likely not invited to the wedding.

The meanest Stepmother hands down was Everett Quinton.

Updated On: 3/31/12 at 12:04 AM

"I don't think Lady Tremaine was that evil. She was looking out for her own daughters! Haha. But the movie said she was a cold and cruel person in general."

Still, it was extremely awful of her to make her daughters tear the dress that the mice made for Cinderella to shreds. Also, in that unnecessary third film, which I briefly saw being shown in a book and video store, when she finally had enough of Cinderella, she made Lucifer drive an evil pumpkin carriage, with Cinderella trapped inside of it, which would lead her to her death. Fortunately, she escaped.

"I don't think she and her daughters were forgiven though. The gates at the palace closed behind them."

I think you're right.

Updated On: 3/31/12 at 10:57 AM

The third Disney film was very good. The songs were so-so (mostly pre-exisiting melodies with new words) but the plot was actually interesting.

Upon Cinderella & the Prince's first anniversary Lady Tremaine discovers how Cinderella actually did it. She steals The Fairy Godmother's wand to turn back time and make the prince think that Anastasia was the one he fell for. She ultimately turned against her own daughter which makes her more ruthless than the other characterizations of the character.

Cinderella II wasn't great but it's not bad if you look at it for what it was. Episodes of a television series that Disney decided not to go forward with. The songs featured are catchy and the short vignettes are cute.

My favorite telling of the tale has to be the Oscar-nominated Slipper & The Rose. It's one of the few versions that really touches on the class issues involved. Now, that is a movie I'd like to see come to Broadway.

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