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Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella

Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella

List Price: $24.95
Your Price: $18.71
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Do I love you because you're beautiful?
Review: As a lover of the fairy tale "Cinderella," I have watched this over and over again since I was a child. I can't remember a time when I didn't know the songs in this musical. I used to go around singing "Impossible" all the time as a young girl.

The story is simple and straighforward, we all know it, so there's no need to go into any plot details. This story does not deviate from the story we all know and love.

What makes this particular rendition a bit unique is simply that it's filmed as a play, rather than as a movie. The sets are very stage-y, and the acting is overdone and a bit cheesy for a movie -- but you'll find that it works well on the stage.

The reason it works in this is because they didn't TRY to film it like an ordinary movie -- because it wouldn't have worked. They filmed it as though they were just video-taping a play, and it was charming.

Leslie Ann Warren is positively adorable in the role of Cinderella. The rest of the cast is wonderful as well; the stepsisters can be a riot sometimes, I can't help laughing at "The Stepsisters' Lament." This is a movie any fairy tale lover will enjoy.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Avoid this dated, inferior production
Review: I remember watching this as a kid, and it was one of my favorites. I recently saw it again after about 20 years, and must say I was extremely disappointed. Yes, it had an all-star cast, and Leslie Warren's performance holds up quite well. But compared to the 1997 production (with Brandy and Whitney Houston, etc.,) this version is SO stiff, so wooden, so BORING, and the guest stars all stodgy and way too old for their parts. (Pat Carroll as a step-sister? She must've been at least in her late 40's when this was filmed.) But most importantly, the sets are so unbelievably cheap and tacky, the special effects are so shoddy -- it's really embarrassing to watch stars like Ginger Rogers stooping so low to appear in such a "stagey" low-budget production. (Buy the newer (1997) version -- it was directed by Rob Marshall, the same man who directed the Oscar-winning "Chicago", and compares almost to the Wizard of Oz when it come to the production quality.)

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Musical Cinderella!
Review: This is another very nice musical version of Cinderella. I watched it on a movie channel like HBO when I was a teenager and when I found out that the Prince was played by Stuart Damon who plays Alan Quartermaine on General Hospital I was pleasantly surprised and I recommend this musical version of Cinderella.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Rodger's & Hammerstien's Cinderella
Review: I was born in 1978, and am completely in love with this movie. I grew up with it one of my favorites as a child, and now 25 yrs. later I have just bought a copy for myself

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella
Review: Very nice movie . I let my grandchild see it and she liked it like I did when I was a small child. Great movie!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Just another masterpiece from peerless Rodgers & Hammerstein
Review: Simply stated, Richard Rodgers is America's finest composer. No other composer in our history equals the consistent quality, innovativeness, range, and sublime beauty of his compositions. Rodgers' exquisite, unforgettable melodies are crafted with such subtle ingenuity and sophistication that they never lose their freshness or their appeal.

Rodgers' musical genius was brilliantly matched in two legendary partnerships, the first with lyricist Lorenz Hart, and the second with librettist-lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II. Rodgers' collaboration with these two gifted men elevated and transformed musical theater into a true and distinctive American art form.

The magic of the Rodgers & Hammerstein partnership is beautifully realized in their definitive version of "Cinderella". No other composer was more adept than Rodgers in translating character and plot into music. And in "Cinderella" as in all of his compositions, he does so with perfect clarity, inventiveness and irresistibility.

Hammerstein's ever elegant lyrics are alternately and appropriately wise, witty, rapturous, and heartbreaking. Hammerstein had an unerring understanding of the human heart which is why he is able to consistently evoke profound empathy for his characters and their predicaments.

Rodgers' graceful and exceptionally beautiful score is infectious and exhilarating. And those Rodgers waltzes- perfection, as always!

"Cinderella" is blessed with a sterling cast including a young and very handsome Stuart Damon as the Prince. Damon has a beautiful voice and is quite appealing. Newcomer Lesley Anne Warren, who sounds like an angel singing, is captivating and lovely. The maturity, intensity, and poise of her performance as Cinderella belie her tender age of 18 when this production was mounted. Celeste Holme as the Fairy Godmother, Ginger Rogers as the Queen, and Walter Pidgeon as the King add gravity and warmth to the proceedings. And the comedic performances of Pat Carroll, Barbara Ruick, and Jo Van Fleet as Cinderella's nasty stepsisters and stepmother, respectively, sparkle, amuse, and delight.

What more can I say? Don't miss this!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A MOVIE FULL OF SHINING STARS!!!
Review: Cinderella is one of the best fairy tales ever written. This movie simply stands up to show that it is still the most classic fairy tale ever. About a year ago, I e-mailed CBS, who produced/aired this movie, about reproducing it because of high demand and I was suprised to find that about 3 months later, the DVD and VHS were to be released. I haven't seen the DVD, but all I know is this movie makes everything work. The chemistry between all of the characters is simply enjoyable. Lesley Ann Warren shines as young and meek Cinderella. It's not just Lesley Ann Warren, but the entire supporting cast really makes this movie come alive. It was a low-budget film, but the magic of the actors and the beauty of the message makes you forget about it. This is an IDEAL movie for family viewing. The kids will love it and the parents will remember all of actors in the film. Don't hesitate, if this was MY FAVORITE movie as a kid, your kids will really enjoy it. Cinderella is definatly on my favorite movie list.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A MOVIE WITH EVERYTHING BUT THE KITCHEN SINK!!
Review: am 36 years old and I never saw this movie until this year..
I have to say that I thought it was FANTASTIC!! I have a 3 1/2 year old and she loved it !!
The actors did a Great job!! especially Lesley Anne warren who in my opinion is Cinderella... no hype or overdoing it, she did the part simply and classy, taking her scenes beyond what most actresses would do. (you really feel sorry for cinderella with all the amount of neglect she gets,I enjoyed the fact that she tries to remain good natured and happy spirited with the situations that were given to her). Beautiful singing voice and a great dancer! ("In my own little corner", "Impossible","A lovely night" are wonderful songs).
. Her together with the prince were a match made in HEAVEN!, BRAVO to the both of them!! they look, act and sing VERY well and speaking of Stuart Damon....(where do I start) He is SO HANDSOME in this movie my jaw dropped!! I thought he was very humorous in many scenes,(He new what he was looking for in a woman and test ran all the maidens at the ball, maybe he was a little harsh with the step- sisters but he had an idea of who wanted him for her "prize"). . His singing voice is Excellent (especially with his songs "loneliness of evening", "10 minutes ago" and "do I love you because your beautiful". I loved how he would look at her especially at the ball when he saw her at the top of the stairs(one will never forget that gaze along with the silence that followed as they walked toward each other...aaaaah!)and the end when he realized that this poor gal was his true love, and when he tried the slipper on her, My gosh where did they find him! -A GREAT CHOICE OF A MAN FOR THE PRINCE.
The rest of the cast is great!... Pat Carol was quite funny as Prunella especially at the ballroom,and when the prince tried on her slipper!) she has alot of humor (especially her little laugh) and with her wicked sister they make quite a pair( I thought the sisters were supposed to be Anastasia and druzella??) Unfortunately Walter pigeon and Ginger Rodgers didn't have enough "Air time"(I thought) but made a grand King and Queen when they were shown. Jo van fleet's version of the wicked stepmother was very interesting (she really does not like cinderella) and the interplay between her and Cinderella was very good, her facial expressions are priceless, you have to pause your vcr and have a good laugh!!. Celeste Holmes was a very convincing Fairy god mother(a very silly one)her singing voice was good.
The sets/ special effects are totally fake but you tend to overlook that and concentrate on the story. The movie rolls right along ,(no time for boredom). There are parts in the original "Cinderella" children's book/film (the WALT DISNEY version) that are not shown in this film (examples: the mice that help Cinderella, her trying on the dress the mice made for her and having it ripped by the stepsisters, and getting helped at the end to get out of her room to try on the glass slipper.)etc
I TOTALLY recommend this classic movie to anyone.. I have the VHS version and It's GREAT!!(picture and sound) I also have ordered the soundtrack cd!! Do your family and yourself a favor and buy this!!It is sooooooooo romantic... I have actually cried at some scenes, I wish I could have seen this as a child but I APPRECIATE this now.....

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A CLASSIC BEAUTIFUL MOVIE
Review: I am 36 years old and I never saw this movie until this year..
I have to say that I thought it was FANTASTIC!! I have a 3 1/2 year old and she loved it !!
The actors did a Great job especially Lesley anne warren who in my opinion is Cinderella... no hype or overdoing it, she did the part simply and classy, taking her scenes beyond what most actresses would do Beautiful singing voice and a great dancer! Bravo to her!! Her together with the prince was a match made in heaven they look, act and sing Very well and speaking of Stuart Damon....(where do I start) He is SO HANDSOME in this movie my jaw dropped!!and he plays a great prince(He new what he was looking for in a woman and test ran all the maidens at the ball maybe he was a little harsh with the step sisters but he had an idea of who wanted him for her "prize"I thought he was very humourousin these scenes. His singing voice is Excellent(especially with his songs "loneliness of evening", "10 minutes ago" and "do I love you because your beautiful")My gosh where did they find him!!!I loved how he would look at her especially at the ball when he saw her at the top of the stairs(one will never forget that gaze along with the silence that followed as they walked to each other)and the end when he realized that this poor gal was his love and when he tried the slipper on her. The rest of the cast is great... Pat carol was quite funny as Prunella (especially the ballroom,and when the prince tried on her slipper!) she has alot of humor and with her wicked sister they make quite a pair( I thought the sisters were supposed to be Anastasia and druzella??) Unfortunately Walter pigeon and Ginger Rodgers didn't have enough "Air time" (I thought)but made a grand King and Queen. Jo van fleet's version of the wicked stepmother was very interesting and the interplay between her and Cinderella was very good. Celeste Holme was a very convincing Fairy god mother(a very silly one)
I TOTALLY recommend the classic movie to anyone.. I have the VHS version and It's GREAT!! (picture and sound)I also have ordered the cd!! Do your family and yourself a favor and buy this!!It is sooooooooo romantic... I have actually cried at some scenes.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Timeless beauty.
Review: I grew up on it, you grew up on it, methinks we all did. I treasure it for the simple reason that it's a live-on-tape television broadcsat instead of a movie, and pretty darn impressive for a fantasy story which features (admittedly simple) special effects (I remember the rotating light coming out of the fairy godmother's magic wand when I was a kid; I thought it was the real thing!). Because it is a videotape, it *does* resemble a live performance, and may be as close as you can ever get to live since the next version was, in fact, filmed. I had a big crush on Lesley Ann Warren (who must've been all of 18 herself), with her big, lovely eyes and long swan neck, and was glad that the production even gave her a chance to dance a little bit (in the "Lovely Night" sequence). I enjoy this *and* the 1997 remake, and am not the least bit bothered by the multiracial casting as many others here seem to be. (Politically Correct? It's a fairy tale!!) I just wished the new version was taped instead of filmed.


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