Cinderella

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."

I remember renting this in high school because the cover seemed to portray a porn film, yet this wasn't in the "big wooden cabinet." It attempts to be a soft-core pornographic comedy, which I guess it succeeds at without ever really delivering on the "pornographic" or the "comedy" part. Strangely enough, I've talked to many other people and if this film is mentioned, they've all seen it. Why? I don't know. Two memorable parts are the black man playing a fairy godmother (?) and the king announcing "The Kingdom has a Snapper!" (You'll have to figure that one out yourself.)

Wow, where do you begin to describe this movie. This is the one that mothers tried to sue video stores over renting them and finding their kids were watching an adult version.

Now don't get me wrong, this is NOT X-rated, but your typical Friday night HBO T&A type movie. But the wild part is, it's still a musical!! And many of the tunes you'll be singing in your head for days after.

This movie does not try to be serious anywhere. It's a very funny movie. It has all the ingredients for a great movie, it just isn't, but that is the fun of it.

The "fairy godmother" is a black, gay-acting man! What a twist.

There is nudity abound, but most of my female friends thought the movie was hilarious too.

If you're looking something just a little bit different, funny, amorous and a blast to watch; rent this today, better yet, buy it so you can force your friends to watch it with you.

Cinderella (1977)

*** (out of 4)

My rating certainly comes with a bit of nostalgia but I'm sure there are many out there who will go into this movie with memories such as mine. I remember this film quite fondly from my teenage years as my friends and I stumbled across it on Cinemax one night. We also saw bits and pieces of it but we'd try to catch it every time it was on. I'm not sure if we ever watched the film from start to finish but we'd quite often get into fights about the hottest girl or which one we'd most like to be the Prince with. Seeing the film after all these years certainly brought back a lot of fun memories but the film itself held up rather well. The simple storyline has the Price having a party thrown for him so that he can pick a bride but it's pretty much just an orgy. Cinderalla (Cheryl Smith) gets cleaned up by her fairy "godmutha" and he also gives her a snapping vagina (a different word is used in the film). This softcore effort from producer Charles Band is certainly a very memorable film and once you see it you're bound to have scenes stuck in your mind for life. I'm sure seeing it has a teen had an impact on several male viewers but even outside all the nudity there's just something charming about the film. I think the most credit must go to Smith who does a wonderful job with the role of Cinderella. It's not Oscar-worthy but it's fun and she comes off so sweet that you can't help but believe her in the part. The supporting players are all pretty good as well with Yana Nirvana and Marilyn Corwin excellent in the parts of the ugly step sisters and Kirk Scott as a dumb Lord. There are several musical numbers that are decent but nothing great. What makes the movie are all the softcore moments and this is certainly what attracted us to the film many years ago. I don't think more than five seconds go by without some sort of nudity and for the most part it's quite erotic whenever it's not trying to be funny (like the scene with the two girls bathing while their father is out hunting a certain creature).

I saw this film at the cinema when it was first released. An adult rated fairytale sounded interesting but what I saw was an absolute gem. A camp comedy musical soft core skin flick - how different is that? I've seen several adult interpretations of fairytales but this beats them all into a cocked hat. Cheryl Smith who sometimes uses the name Rainbeaux in other films is on top form playing it straight as a foil to the comedic campness of the other cast members, especially Sy Richardson who gives a whole new meaning to the term Fairy Godmother.

I'm sure you all know the Cinderella story but this one being an adult version, various changes have been made to justify the adult rating. It isn't Cinderella's prowess on the dance floor that so enchants Prince Charming and it isn't a glass slipper that must be the perfect fit. Come on now, this is an adult film, you don't need to be a rocket scientist to work that one out.

This version of Cinderella is probably the most enjoyable fairytale romp ever committed to screen, hilarious, erotic and entertaining. Recommended.