Although it's probably gone on before, and most certainly after, the 1970's seem to be a time in which the makers of "erotic film" turned towards classic literature for subject matter. But unlike films such as "Lady Chatterly's Lover," a group of films turned toward even older and even more sacred texts: fairy tales. Several different production houses released erotic fairytale films during this period, including this 1977 version of Cinderella. While not the first (or the last), this film stands head and shoulders above the others.
Using the well-known rags-to-riches story of Cinderella as its base, this film creates a surprisingly effective result in both erotica and satire. The momentum of the film is suitably id-based; that is, every time a situation arises in which ribaldry might occur, it most certainly does. Cinderella's stepsisters prance around half-naked and demand Cinderella to run a cleverly devised spinning wheel for their pleasure. The Lord Chamberlain delivers invitations for the great ball to the lovely women of the village, acquitting himself at every opportunity. And of course, the prince finally must go to every hovel and reveal which fair maiden had been the best "fit" the night of his blindfolded orgy. The material basically writes itself.
But what sets this film apart is its wry take on the whole situation. It never forgets that this is a revisionist telling of the tale, and other earmarks besides the sex appear in the form of vaudevillian dialogue and references to the swinging disco lifestyle that was popular at the time. The music of the film is wonderfully dated and, had the subject matter been toned down a bit, could have easily overtaken "Le Freak" on the pop charts. And certainly we cannot forget Sy Richardson's hilarious performance (later retread for "Fairytales") as the Fairy Godmother with an attitude strictly from black exploitation films of the 70's.
The producers of this film made a wise decision to keep its sexual level strictly softcore, a decision with which the makers of the earlier "Alice in Wonderland" seemed to have great difficulty. Full pornography would have caused the film to lose its fun-loving heart, which ultimately is its most redeeming feature.
The other erotic fairy tale films, including the aforementioned "Alice," as well as the later "Fairytales," and the horrid "Erotic Adventures of Pinocchio," attempt the same feat, with less success. "Alice" is too choppy and just plain dopey, "Fairytales" has its moments but fails to capture the spirit of "Cinderella."
