Product Details

• Actors: James Caan, Marsha Mason, Kirk Calloway, Eli Wallach, Burt Young
• Directors: Mark Rydell
• Writers: Darryl Ponicsan
• Producers: Mark Rydell
• Format: Color, HiFi Sound, NTSC
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Fox Home Entertainme
• VHS Release Date: January 1, 1973
• Run Time: 117 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6301331362
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #243,766 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

James Caan was at a peak of early career anticipation when he impressed everyone as an up-and-coming Paul Newman in Mark Rydell’s 1973 Cinderella Liberty. Indeed, Caan’s low-key, self-effacing performance was equally warm and self-involved, in a way that only '70s anti-heroes could be, both a little detached while making one care. In Cinderella Liberty he plays John Baggs Jr., a US Navy sailor who takes a brief leave in Seattle and "wins" Maggie (Marsha Mason), a prostitute, in a pool game, then turns down easy sex when he discovers she has an 11-year-old son (Kirk Calloway) at home and a baby on the way. Instead, John ends up marrying her, but has to fight to keep her when tragedy intervenes. The script is well-written by Darryl Ponicsan, who adapted his novel of the same title, and Caan’s co-stars--Mason, Calloway, Eli Wallach, Burt Young--are quite strong. Rydell’s direction of the cast is a little more assured than his sense of atmosphere, but his vision of the seamy side of Seattle in the early 1970s still looks, in cinematic terms, deservedly like a popular touchstone. Special features include a running commentary by Rydell. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of Marsha Mason's Best, October 8, 2002

By 

Rob Hobbs (Whittier, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cinderella Liberty [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I remember watching this movie when it first came to the theater and thinking that the actors were exactly as I had envisioned them while I was reading the book. Great movie. Marsha Mason is a delight and deservedly got the Oscar nomination. James Caan is perfect as the put-upon sailor whose records have been misplaced causing him to be land-locked. Mason is wonderful as a hooker who is perpetually down-on-her-luck. This movie should be on DVD. I'll add it to my collection.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Love, with an Edge., March 10, 2006

By 

D. P. Weeks (Davis, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cinderella Liberty [VHS] (VHS Tape)

The uncertainty of life in the early 70's is on display in this movie and James Caan and Marsha Mason handle the tough assigment with outstanding performances. This is not a formula romantic comedy by any stretch of the imagination and thank goodness for that.

Caan stars as John Baggs Jr, a Navy man, who finds the freedom of life on the seas very much to his liking. That is, until he meets Marsha Mason's character Maggie (possibly named after Stephen Crane's charater Maggie: A Girl of the Streets) a troubled single mother and barfly. The two meet naturally enough in a bar, end up at Maggie's place for what both accept will be a one night stand, but turns into a real relationship soon afterwards. It's at this point when the movie really excels and allows the two stars to work their craft. Many issues are tackled and the director pulls no punches in illustrating life at the bottom of the socio-economic level.

This movie is a must see for anyone interested in seeing two actors who can really act, in a story that makes you think, and is well supported by several fine supporting actors (especially the boy playing Maggie's son).

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tear Jerker, March 9, 2007

By 

Schenectady Scott (Schenectady, NY USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Cinderella Liberty (DVD)

Great Acting on all parts. Marsha Mason, James Caan, Kirk Calloway and the great Eli Wallach. The interaction between Kirk Calloway and James Caan is untouchable.