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Special Features
- Exclusive, newly recorded DVD introduction by Julie Andrews
- Brand-new documentary featuring all-new interviews with stars Julie Andrews, Edie Adams, Kaye Ballard and Jon Cypher
- Never-before-seen behind-the-scenes photo galleries
- Extensive galleries of rare color photos and advertising art
- Rodgers and Hammerstein's appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show prior to the airing of Cinderella
- Collector's booklet: "Impossible Things Are Happening Every Day: The Making of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella!"
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The DVD era has unearthed another treasure. For the first time ever, Julie Andrews's performance in the title role of the original 1957 television production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella is available to the public on home video. Cinderella was created as a Broadway-style television production with an original score from the creators of Oklahoma! and Carousel, featuring such songs as "In My Own Little Corner," "Impossible," "Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful," and "Stepsisters' Lament." Cast in the title role was the 21-year-old Andrews, at the time starring on Broadway in My Fair Lady (another Cinderella story of sorts), and the cast was filled out by a talented bunch of stage veterans (including Kaye Ballard, Edie Adams, Dorothy Stickney, and Stickney's husband, writer Howard Lindsay). On March 31, 1957, a then-record 120 million homes saw the program as it was broadcast, live and in color, but it was preserved only in black-and-white kinescope, i.e., by aiming a camera at a monitor during the broadcast. While this version probably looks better than we have any right to expect, the picture is still fuzzy black-and-white, which makes it a tougher sell for kids than the later color versions, 1965 with Lesley Anne Warren and the 1997 Disneyized version. But give older kids (say, 8 or so) credit for being able to look past the black-and-white picture and primitive effects and enjoy the charming songs, the excellent performances, and the prospect of seeing one of their favorite actresses play one of their favorite princesses.
Fortunately, the DVD has also received the attention it deserves, with a new introduction by Andrews, a 20-minute featurette about the production, including interviews with many of the principals; Rodgers and Hammerstein's appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show a week before the broadcast; and a gallery of color photos of the production as well as promotional material, which included paper dolls of Andrews. --David Horiuchi
Product Description
Julie Andrews, Edie Adams, Kaye Ballard. An all-star cast brings the famed fairy tale to life complete with the enchanting Rodgers and Hammerstein score in a spectacular TV production viewed by over 100 million people. 1957/b&w/76 min/NR/fullscreen.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
100 of 108 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
It is amazing that some people seem to prefer Lesley Ann Warren's performance over Julie Andrews. There is absolutely no comparison. This Cinderella was written for Julie and she is magnificent in every way. No one has the voice or the charm that she injects into this character. Her version of "In My Own Little Corner" is enchanting, but also has a sadness that is absolutely right. Miss Warren is too worldly and gives the impression that she could easily be a "West Side Story" gang member rather than Cinderella. She simply does not have the ravishingly beautiful voice that Julie has. She is marvelous in many roles - just compare her performance in "Victor/Victoria" which shows the "real" Lesley Ann. (But even in that film Julie Andrews outshines her!)
This version of "Cinderella" is the best version with the comic numbers and fantastic supporting cast absent from others. Edie Adams is a scene stealer as the Godmother. The king and Queen have much more to do and have a delightful comic song that was cut from subsequent productions. No one can top Kaye Ballard and Alice Ghostly as the step sisters - comic gems!
What is also amazing about this production is that it was telecast LIVE and was not a film or tape as were other "Cinderella" productions. Today everything is recorded with none of the spontaneity that comes only from a live show.
Even though the only remaining record of this telecast is in black and white (and at the time of the original broadcast most viewers only had black and white sets), it is a must have record of the TRUE version of the work.
This version of "Cinderella" is the best version with the comic numbers and fantastic supporting cast absent from others. Edie Adams is a scene stealer as the Godmother. The king and Queen have much more to do and have a delightful comic song that was cut from subsequent productions. No one can top Kaye Ballard and Alice Ghostly as the step sisters - comic gems!
What is also amazing about this production is that it was telecast LIVE and was not a film or tape as were other "Cinderella" productions. Today everything is recorded with none of the spontaneity that comes only from a live show.
Even though the only remaining record of this telecast is in black and white (and at the time of the original broadcast most viewers only had black and white sets), it is a must have record of the TRUE version of the work.
38 of 38 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
At last, the original version of Rogers and Hammerstein's Cinderella is available. Originally aired only once on live television in 1957, this classic has, until now, been lost to history. I grew up on the 1965 version (Lesley Ann Warren) but have always wanted to see the Julie Andrews version ever since I learned of it.
For those familiar with the 1965 version, there are some surprises here. There were apparently many changes between the two. The original opens up right with "The Prince is Giving a Ball". There is no scene were Cinderella meets the Prince prior to the ball. At home the Stepmother and Stepsisters (Portia and Joy) do a much better job of belittling Cinderella and making her do all of the work.
The Godmother (no mention of fairy) is far more mischievous in the original. Even her involvement in the story's conclusion is quite different not only from the 1965 version, but from most tellings of the fairy tale. We see a little more of the King and Queen and even have a musical number about preparing the Ball. There are even quite a few scenes that, at least when compared to later versions, could be considered somewhat risque.
For fans of the 1965 version, you should watch this one as well. It is sufficiently different to be just as entertaining. First timers to the Rogers and Hammerstein story will be entranced by this fun tale. Watch it by all means.
For those familiar with the 1965 version, there are some surprises here. There were apparently many changes between the two. The original opens up right with "The Prince is Giving a Ball". There is no scene were Cinderella meets the Prince prior to the ball. At home the Stepmother and Stepsisters (Portia and Joy) do a much better job of belittling Cinderella and making her do all of the work.
The Godmother (no mention of fairy) is far more mischievous in the original. Even her involvement in the story's conclusion is quite different not only from the 1965 version, but from most tellings of the fairy tale. We see a little more of the King and Queen and even have a musical number about preparing the Ball. There are even quite a few scenes that, at least when compared to later versions, could be considered somewhat risque.
For fans of the 1965 version, you should watch this one as well. It is sufficiently different to be just as entertaining. First timers to the Rogers and Hammerstein story will be entranced by this fun tale. Watch it by all means.
56 of 61 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I love that one reviewer says JA looks too old to be Cinderella in this version..I believe she is 18 in this production. What Julie has that Leslie Ann Warren and Brandy couldn't come close to is a simple sophistication and a charming sense of self that only enhances her role as Cinderella. She also has a far superior voice to either of the other versions Cinderellas.
I do not like the 1965 version but I do think the Brandy version is cute but not as good as the original cast. But for me the Julie Andrews version, the woman that this show was written for will always be the best Cinderella for this particular Cinderella musical. The supporting cast in this production is also steller and much better than the 1965 version.
Don't let that fact that it is in black and white keep you from seeing this show. Some of the best movies of all time are in black and white.
I do not like the 1965 version but I do think the Brandy version is cute but not as good as the original cast. But for me the Julie Andrews version, the woman that this show was written for will always be the best Cinderella for this particular Cinderella musical. The supporting cast in this production is also steller and much better than the 1965 version.
Don't let that fact that it is in black and white keep you from seeing this show. Some of the best movies of all time are in black and white.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Black and White TV Musical Treasure from the 1950's
I had never seen this musical as it was only broadcast the year I was born. We did enjoy Julie Andrews on a recording of My Fair Lady and later in her movies. Read more
Published 18 days ago by kirchan57
Lovely music but terrible video quality
I was really looking forward to viewing this video, but the film quality of it is miserable. It is not a restored video and looks worse that I imagine it was when it first aired... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Slowboater
cinderella
I was disappointed in this movie.I know it is because it is not the movie I thought I was getting.The movie I wanted was in black and white and I saw it as a child. Read more
Published 5 months ago by kathy
Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella (1957 Version)
I Didn't know that this Cinderella existed. It is not as good as some but is close to the Lesley Ann Warren version. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Amazonfan
Fantastic rendition!
We have seen this play several times in different areas of the country, and this original version is truly fantastic. The songs are perfectly keyed for Julie Andrews. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Practical Momma
PERFECT
Used movie in great shape. Bought the movie for my mother and she was thrilled beyond belief. She is a big Cinderella fan.
Published 13 months ago by Mic62581
Got Here in Record time!
I absolutely love the cd- the music is fabulous. And it got here just a few days after I ordered it- way exceeding my expectations. Read more
Published 14 months ago by solomoncat
Vital Piece of History & Great DVD
This DVD captures a vital piece of history. Originally broadcast live in 1957, technology was finally developed to create the DVD from the original kinescope recording--a... Read more
Published 16 months ago by Chuck
Deceiving Cover
I didn't read the fine print or I wouldn't have bought this low quality, grainy black & white TV version of Cinderella. Read more
Published 17 months ago by PhysicsGirl
her are the german votes
As the fairy godmother sais: Impossible things are happening every day. The DVD came after only 12 days (from America to Germany). We are very pleased. Read more
Published 24 months ago by G. Schüller
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