Cinderella

This is the first that I had seen the original TV version. I had seen both of the other television versions -- the 1965 Lesley Ann Warren version and the 1997 Brandy version. This version is so superior to the others. The copy at the Museum of Television and Radio is in black-and-white although it had been presented in color. If you are in New York and get the chance to visit the museum, the presentation is well worth the 1-1/2 hours. Oh, yes. The commercials which are part of the recording are quite humorous.

Due to the 1950s style production values of the sets I am limiting this to 1n 8, but if it had had 2005 set values it would be a 10.

Cinderella is one of the few fairy tales we grow up with that actually have been successfully used in entertainment mediums. Most people think of the Disney cartoon feature film of the early 1950s, but there was also THE GLASS SLIPPER, a full length film that appeared in the middle 1950s, the early 19th Century opera LA CENERENTOLA by Rossini, and even modern variations in film (MIDNIGHT in 1939 and CINDERFELLA in the 1960s). Then came this 1957 Rodgers and Hammerstein triumph. It was their only joint musical venture for television (although Richard Rodgers had done the them music for VICTORY AT SEA), and it proved so successful that it was shown again in 1965 with another cast led by Leslie Anne Warren, Walter Pigeon, and Ginger Rogers.

At the time the original television production was shown in 1957, it came at a critical moment for the lyricist and composer. They were doing well as producers, and they had a string of mighty successful works behind them (OKLAHOMA, CAROUSEL, SOUTH PACIFIC, and THE KING AND I), and they were very busy with the Hollywood productions of CAROUSEL and SOUTH PACIFIC at this time. But they were human: Several of their productions were not as successful. ALLEGRO (from the late 1940s) had an interesting book, but the music did not catch on (except one tune which was saved for SOUTH PACIFIC). ME AND JULIET, a backstage romance, had a middling run. PIPEDREAMS (based on the same stories of John Steinbeck that TORTILLA FLATS came from) was a total flop. Cinderella would be their first successful musical in five years. Soon FLOWER DRUM SONG would restore the pair to their Broadway leadership positions, capped off by their last masterpiece THE SOUND OF MUSIC.

They were fortunate to discover for their lead Julie Andrews, she of the pure human voice that comes closest to a bell. She does well acting the role of Cinderella, as well as singing the score from her first big number (in the rocking chair by the fire) to the end. Edie Adams is having fun as a rather mischievous fairy godmother, but one whose mischief has it's good motives. The young John Cypher shows that he could have been the leading man in operetta parts (fortunately for his abilities he got better dramatic roles later). His Prince Christopher is a dutiful son and a wise lover. Ilke Chase is sharp as the stepmother, but not really as vicious as her cartoon equivalent in the Disney picture. As for Kaye Ballard and Alice Ghostley, they certainly are amusing (Ballard is pretentious about her learning - her first name is "Portia", which leads her constantly dropping "The Quality of Mercy" Speech to whoever she sets her eyes on as a prospective lover; Ghostly is just very pessimistic). It came as a surprise to me that the Cinderella march tune actually has words that the two sisters sing at the ball.

The King and Queen are played by two performers who are not as well known as the others. Not today anyway. Howard Lindsey and Dorothy Strickney were better known in the 1950s for their work in Broadway productions (with or without each other - they were married). Lindsey is of particular interest because he made very few appearances in movies, and rarely in a large part like this one. His best recalled work was as the co-author (with Russell Crouse) of the dramatization of Clarence Day's LIFE WITH FATHER. This was one of the longest running plays in Broadway history (it once held the record of longest running - something like sixteen years). Lindsay played the role of Clarence Day Sr. (the role William Powell plays in the movie version). As you may notice that the King in Cinderella is wearing special pince - nez eyeglasses, it was probably suggested because Lindsay wore the same glasses as Mr. Day. He and his wife, Ms Strickney, share some sweet moments together as a happily married couple, probably based on their actual connection there.

Tonight was the second time PBS has shown the complete 1957 version, and as such it suggests that there may be many other nice little treasures of "lost" live performances that are waiting restoration and re-showing to today's audience.

I'm gonna piggy-back right along with the previous comments. I just saw it on Maryland Public Television and it was a real event for me. I know both of the remakes, the Disney cartoon, the Prokofiev ballet, and the film EVER AFTER. But I'm a vintage T.V. junkie at heart, and more than anything else, this production was a phenomenal advancement in TV entertainment. Differing from the broadcast adaptation of the Broadway musical PETER PAN- and as Julie Andrews herself mentions in the opening monologue- this production was originally written for television by Rodgers & Hammerstein themselves. And it is the quirky, tongue-in-cheek script which is one of the show's delights. The biggest delight by far, is the fact that this was a LIVE performance, shown warts and all- like a boom mike shadow on a draping wall or a missed song cue in the second act. This performance occurred roughly six months ahead of the first ever videotaped images. No CGI or ILM movie effects here. Once you fully understand that, you can suspend yourself completely into a more innocent and wondrous frame of mind and let the performances and especially the music speak for themselves. A cleaned up, remastered kinescope film, you'll notice the unusually high contrast in some of the darker images and nighttime sequences. But the "Impossible" Act 1 finale with Andrews and gorgeous fairy godmother Edie Adams is still a stellar moment, from the sparkler lighting effects to the final shot inside the moving coach. And it is nice to see so many surviving cast members (Kaye Ballard, Edie Adams, and Jon Cypher) comment on this 47-year-old production. I loved it!!

Just saw this b&w copy on KET2 (Kentucky Educational Television). What a treat! Julie Andrews' voice was marvelous (though I didn't think she quite captured the innocence of Cinderella, even at 21). Edie Adams really hammed it up as the fairy godmother -- she was terrific! And it was fun seeing familiar character actors such as Jon Cypher and Alice Ghostley in their earlier days. The version I saw broke in periodically for current-day commentary by Julie Andrews, Jon Cypher, Kaye Ballard, etc. It was fascinating that they did it in real time, with costume changes just barely beating the camera!

If you get a chance to see this, go for it! It's a national treasure, even if the old Cinderella story is not your cup of tea.

I've finally seen a B&W kinescope copy of the live color telecast of March 31, 1957--about 3 months after I was born. Someone of my age can take into account that this was live television (something many younger viewers may not be able to do), and accept all the limitations inherent in that medium. Still, this is by far a superior version of the R&H classic. The celebrated team did not condescend to the medium of television, but chose to treat it as every bit as important as a Broadway show. Hammerstein's lyrics for such songs as "IN MY OWN LITTLE CORNER," "IMPOSSIBLE," and "DO I LOVE YOU BECAUSE YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL" are as fine as any he wrote for Broadway. Likewise, Rodgers' music for those songs, plus his "GAVOTTE," "WALTZ FOR A BALL," and "WHEN YOU'RE DRIVING THROUGH THE MOONLIGHT/A LOVELY NIGHT" are among his best melodies. The script is witty; the actors play it realistically, and with humor. All in all, this production should be revived today on live television [despite the Disney version with a miscast Brandy] with a cast equal to the original. Unfortunately, there is probably no one to rival Julie Andrews in today's young musical comedy stars--although Kristen Chenowith might be great Cinderella. (Hint, hint!!) If you ever get a chance to see thus version, GO!!!!!