Customer Reviews

Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella (1957 Television Production) [VHS]

5 star:		(48)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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.

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 own a VHS copy of the 1965 version with Lesley Ann Warren, having seen it as a child and recall being mesmerized by the whole story, characters, sets, and "feel" of it. The majestic music was in no small part the reason for my finding it so memorable. After hearing about the 1957 version with Julie Andrews, I watched the PBS broadcast on December 4, and despite its being in black and white, I found it enchanting. There were some differences in the two versions: I thought Edie Adams made a wonderfully "kooky", earthy Godmother, whilst Celeste Holm's portrayal was more graceful and ethereal. The two stepsisters were more interesting and believable in the 1957 program, and the first king and queen were so charming and lovable compared to the one-dimensional monarchs-portrayed by Walter Pidgeon and Ginger Rogers-in Lesley Anne's. Julie Andrews was Cinderella-luminous, and so utterly magical. I now must own this original version as well, as each one offers its own unique twists on a classic and enduring fairy tale.

I vaguely remembered seeing this version when I was five years old on a black-and-white set, so seeing it in this black-and-white kinescope version did not cause me any major trauma; it was not that different than how it was for me years ago except that now I have the advantage of more than forty years of experience and knowledge. There is absolutely no comparison between this version and the versions that came after it. In this version, the acting and plot are much more substantial, and Julie Andrews as a singer and actress dwarfs those women who played in the title role after her. The 1965 version had the advantage of color and more video effects but was all glitz and rather shallow. The Disneyized, multiracial version that was created later failed to take into consideration the need for acting ability on the part of the singers in the leading roles. The original version far surpasses both in terms of overall content and performance. Had the same technology been available for the original version as was available in the versions that followed it, there would be no contest at all.

I recall that when the 1965 version came out, the justification for making it was that when the 1957 version was produced, videotape did not exist so that once the production was aired, it was lost forever. Had the producers tried to recreate the 1957 version rather than to mangle it, perhaps they could have been forgiven, but Lesley Ann Warren could not easily have replaced Julie Andrews, as this DVD shows very clearly.

This version is truly Broadway brought to the small screen. In addition to Julie Andrews as Cinderella, Kaye Ballard and Alice Ghostley are the two stepsisters, Ilka Chase plays the stepmother, and the original version gives a much clearer picture of how Cinderella is excluded from the family structure than in the other versions while the talents of the actresses truly shine through. Edie Adams plays a very smart and savvy Godmother (the term Fairy Godmother is not used in the show at all) and is quite sly in how she "turns in" Cinderella to the palace guards so as to trick them into trying the glass slipper on her at the end. Her baton-twirling "magic" introduces the Waltz for a Ball, a true Rodgers and Hammerstein dance specialty number that is the hallmark of many of their great musicals. Howard Lindsay and Dorothy Stickney, both Broadway theater royalty, play the King and Queen and have very significant roles in the play in a way that was totally lost in the versions that followed; the scenes with the King and Queen are entertaining and endearing. The young Jon Cypher was a total unknown at the time of the production and gives an impressive performance; he had the best debut any novice actor could have dreamed of having. The magic of live theater is very evident throughout the show in a way that the later versions totally lack. Even without the comparison, this production of Cinderella is superb entertainment.

The additional commentaries that come with the DVD are most interesting and revealing as well. For those persons who remember the initial screening of Cinderella, watching this performance is a powerful experience. For those seeing it for the first time, it is a valuable milestone in the history of television and musical theater that has fortunately been captured for future viewing.

What can one say about the opportunity to view the premiere performance of a Rodgers & Hammerstein musical starring Julie Andrews at the start of her illustrious career? Impossible? Not any more. As the song states, "Impossible things are happening every day!"

This is truly an historic disc. Broadcast live in 1957 and until now never broadcast again or available to the public at large, this is a remarkable performance. This is Cinderella as written by Rodgers & Hammerstein. You can debate the merits of Julie Andrews' performance vs. Lesley Ann Warren's vs. Brandy's, but what is not debatable is that this version of the show is the one written by the masters themselves, not pieced together by a later production team.

And the production itself is truly enchanting, even in a sometimes blurry black and white. It is a delight to hear the dialogue that was cut from later editions. The song "Impossible" makes sense for the first time because it flows from a conversation between Cinderella and her godmother in which the godmother at first mocks Cinderella's "impossible" wishes, before revealing her true identity as a fairy godmother in the song.

For my money, Julie Andrews gives the definitive performance as Cinderella. She is charming, spirited, and beautiful, and she clearly revels in this performance. Of course, her voice is luminious, but her acting is simply breathtaking as well. She perfectly expresses the hope and longing of a young girl trapped in dire circumstances without wallowing in self-pity and hopelessness. And the wonder of her transformation is a joy to behold.

And the supporting cast is absolutely wonderful. Alice Ghostley and Kaye Ballard are a scream as the stepsisters, and Howard Lindsay and Dorothy Stickney make a most lovable and comic King and Queen. These parts were cut down to practically nothing in the 1965 version, a real shame now that the hilarious original dialogue can finally be seen and enjoyed.

Whichever version one prefers, this is the show as originally written, performed by the original cast, recorded live, making the viewing experience the closest thing anyone born after 1960 will ever have to seeing for themselves the premiere performance of a Rodgers and Hammerstein musical. Every fan of the musical theater should own this DVD.

Last night I was feeling sort of down in the dumps and remembered we had this movie out from Netflix. What could be better than the combination of Julie Andrews and Rogers and Hammerstein's Cinderella?

It was EXACTLY what I needed!

Julie Andrews - young, sweet, her acting-as-she-sings better than any of the others (and I am a fan of EACH version of this musical, just so you know!) Her rendition of "In My Own Little Corner" and the incredible love song, "Do I Love You Because Your Beautiful" were phenomenal.

I had to adjust to her funky hair style - at first it was minimally distracting - and my daughter's complaints that this was in Black and White - but the music and the acting and Julie Andrews!! My childhood hero as little more than a child herself!

I also adored the Step Sisters (played by then-young actresses Kaye Ballard and Alice Ghostley - who knew?!) and the Fairy Godmother was tremendous - loved her sparkly eyes and her spinning Godmother Baton - she was surprisingly youthful and pure, too, as compared to Celeste Holmes and Whitney Houston in the later versions.

The bonus material was exceptional, also - wonderful, wonderful, wonderful.

It truly made for "A Lovely Night" (Sorry, I couldn't resist.)

This live-action Cinderella truly belongs to Julie Andrews. It's not that the other actors are bad in it, it's just that she shines above the others, and is on camera nearly every minute. Her Cinderella is shy and charming. She has a firm grasp on reality, but continues to dream "impossible things"--never something so preposterous as marrying the Prince, but perhaps a pumpkin becoming a carriage is doable? As always, Andrews' singing is excellent, in a ver accessible Rodgers & Hammerstein score.

The King and Queen, played by real-life couple Howard Lindsay and Dorothy Strickley, are fleshed out considerably in this version. We see them bicker as they plan the ball, but we also see them in love, and wanting only the best for their son.

Edie Adams gives up a light Fairy Godmother, who although she maintains it's impossible to grant Cinderella's wish, ultimately comes through. Unlike other versions, she appears again later in the story to continue setting things in the right direction.

The stepsisters aren't so much ugly and wicked as misguided and pitiful. They're plain ordinary girls who simply haven't got a shot compared to their stepsister, the glamorous, if sooty, Cinderella. They don't come across as mean, just unfortunate--a definite accomplishment on the part of the actresses. The Prince, played by unknown John Cypher, rounds out the main cast; the character is the standard Prince, but as with the King and Queen, we learn more about him in this version.

The score, as with any R&H musical, is its own character, and a dazzling one at that. With songs like "In My Own Little Corner", "Impossible", "A Lovely Night", and the enchanting "Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful", this one can't be beat. Get ready to buy the soundtrack for this version as well as the DVD.

The video transfer for this, unfortunately, is Kinescope--made from filming a television screen during the broadcast. Although the original was in sharp color, this one is sadly blurred black-and-white. Take heart, though--the picture is still easily distinguishable; it just appears somewhat blurred. Close-ups are still great, but some detail is lost in long shots.

The extras for the DVD are a mixed bag. There are several picture galleries, mostly from a few scenes of the film. The highlight is the interview with several cast members. There are interesting tidbits on the process of filming this live production--a scary thought!

Bottom Line: Although the picture is somewhat marred, this Cinderella is definitely one to take home. The score, the actors, and the character development combine to make it one of the best tellings of the classic fairy tale.

This release of the original telecast of RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN'S CINDERELLA has been well worth the wait! After being one of the most-requested home video titles, at last we can add this historic programme to our collections.

In 1957 Rodgers and Hammerstein penned their own musical version of Charles Perrault's fairytale 'Cinderella', to be performed live on television. Julie Andrews (who was starring on Broadway in MY FAIR LADY at the time) was selected to play the title waif. The score and script were largely tailored to her unique talents.

The supporting cast included Broadway 'royal couple' Dorothy Stickney and Howard Lindsay as the King and Queen, with Ilka Chase as the Stepmother. Alice Ghostley and Kaye Ballard played Stepsisters Portia and Joy. Jon Cypher played the Prince with Edie Adams a glamorous and witty Fairy Godmother.

The script by Hammerstein is tight and clever (easily better than Joseph Schrank's for the 1965 television remake). The book is sharp and witty, full of hilarious scenes for the Stepsisters and the King and Queen. Julie Andrews is far more defiant and heartbreaking in the role of Cinderella than Lesley Ann Warren (and let's not mention Brandy).

As much as I adore the Lesley Ann Warren version, I like this version much more. The only reason why the 1965 version has got it's reputation is because the original was out of circulation. Now we can all make up our minds which version is the superior, though the conclusion is obvious!

This DVD includes some great extras with a documentary featuring new interviews with Julie Andrews, Edie Adams, Kaye Ballard and Jon Cypher, as well as an optional filmed introduction by Andrews. There are also some image galleries and the Rodgers and Hammerstein appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show.

Impossible things are happening every day, and they must be for this original version of CINDERELLA to finally be released on DVD!

I too grew up with the 1965 version of the story and cannot in my wildest dreams believe that they would continue to air for as many years as they did knowing that the 1957 version was a masterpiece by comparison. I never really thought Leslie Ann Warren was that superb as Cinderella as a child and now after seeing the 1957 version it is makes me laugh until my sides ache when I hear how horribly Leslie Ann Warren sang and how bad Stuart Damon really was. The rest of the story just plods along as well. Everyone MUST buy this version. It is fast paced and the prince and Cinderella's voices are to die for. It is truly a ten and a the by FAR the greatest version of this production.