Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Cinderella? What a beautiful word!", March 14, 2003
What a beautiful movie! A little-known adaptation of the classic fairy tale starring Leslie Caron, "The Glass Slipper" is charming, sweet and lovely to look at. The plot follows the familiar curves of "Cinderella", with a few twists; this Ella is angry and slightly violent, and her fairy godmother is a kleptomaniac. Made in the 1950's, this version is perhaps more slowly paced than we're used to, but playful dialogue, terrific sets, great music and lush costumes make it well worth seeking out. An all star cast includes Elsa Lanchester, Estelle Winwood, Keenan Wynn and the Parisian Ballet, with direction by Charles Walters (who also directed Caron in the wonderful "Lili"). All in all, a good family film and a wonderful movie for a rainy saturday afternoon. So remember, "Loving one person makes it that much easier to love others", and be sure to check out "The Glass Slipper". Highly recommended!
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19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Leslie Caron - a delight as always!, December 20, 2000
THE GLASS SLIPPER is a magical, poetic and charming new telling of the Cinderella tale.Leslie Caron plays Ella, the soot-covered heroine, who is the bane of all the townfolk's insults and jokes, and she is alone and friendless. Enter the dotty Mrs Toquet (Estelle Winwood) who becomes her confidant and trusted friend, and who is an incurable kleptomaniac to boot! Michael Wilding as the dashing Prince, Elsa Lanchester as Widow Sonder and Amanda Blake and Lisa Daniels as the sisters Birdena and Serafina all add color and whimsy to the proceedings. The score is by Bronislau Kaper (FOREVER DARLING, LILI) and the ballet sequences are handled by Roland Petit and the Paris Ballet.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cinderella With Heart!, December 17, 2005
"The Glass Slipper" is a modern interpretation of the classic fairy tale. And it's a good one. Leslie Caron is cast as Ella, a girl almost destroyed by the death of her mother and the lack of understanding shown her by her insensitive stepmother (Elsa Lanchester) and haughty stepsisters ("Gunsmoke's" Amanda Blake, and Lisa Daniels.) The local villagers are likewise indifferent to her, and (as narrator Walter Pigeon dryly observes), her spirit is in danger of being broken as a result. Enter local "madwoman/kleptomaniac" Estelle Winwood, who, simply by reaching out to the defiant girl, gives her confidence and hope. Yes, she's the film's equivalent of the fairy godmother, and she is wonderful in the part. Although the prince (a mature Michael Wilding) leaves a bit to be desired in the dancing department, he is perfectly all right otherwise. Keenan Wynn is wasted as his companion, but Barry Jones is amusing as the prince's father, and Miss Lanchester makes a suitably nasty stepmother. But what of Leslie Caron? Well, she goes from neglected little spitfire to luminous princess effortlessly, and her appearance at the ball is a treat. The ballet sequences do tend to slow the film down, but Miss Caron did begin her career as a dancer, and she has a grace few others could match. The music by Bronislaw Kaper perfectly enhances the mood, as does the modest but tasteful production. Strangely enough, this could be called the original "Ever After", because, except for a delightful twist at the end, the tale is told as if it could have happened. All in all, a captivating version of "Cinderella", and one which will linger in your memory. [phillindholm]
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