User reviews

Enchanting live-television broadcast of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical play, originally done in 1957 with Julie Andrews in the lead, now features Lesley Ann Warren, letter-perfect as the girl who sleeps among the ashes, taunted by her step-family until her fairy godmother comes to her rescue. For those who watched this "Cinderella" on its original airing of February 22, 1965 on CBS, the worry may be there that the special might seem dated now and corny. It certainly isn't. Although not extravagant or technically-smooth, "Cinderella" retains its magical allure, captivating audiences on a purely emotional basis, and that's its key charm. Stuart Damon is a gentle prince, Walter Pigeon and Ginger Rogers are fine as the King and Queen, Celeste Holm is sweet as the good fairy. The songs are lilting and lovely. A treat for young and old alike!

Famed composers Richard Rodgers And Oscar Hammerstein wrote "Cinderella" as an original television musical (their only one) for young star-in-the-making Julie Andrews. Supported by a cast which included Edie Adams, Howard Lindsay, Dorothy Stickney, Ilka Chase, Kay Ballard, Alice Ghostley and Jon Cypher, it received a tremendous publicity campaign and aired on March 31 1957. At the time, it drew a record number of viewers, although only the East Coast saw the live color broadcast (the rest of the country saw a black-and-white kinescope.) And, due in part to the poor quality of the kinescope, it was not repeated again until 2004.

Meanwhile, in 1964, Rodgers decided to mount a new production himself (Hammerstein had since died) with a new cast and adaptation, replacing the farcial quality of the original with a more traditional version. The result was another ratings smash, and as intended, a television perennial which was repeated for years. This time, the title role was played by young Lesley Ann Warren, who was introduced in this production and began a career which is still going strong today. Stuart Damon (later to gain fame on "General Hospital") played the prince. The supporting cast had Academy Award-winners Celeste Holm, as the fairy godmother, Jo Van Fleet as the stepmother, and Ginger Rogers as the queen. The beloved Walter Pigeon was cast as the king. And, as the two stepsisters Prunella and Esmerelda, were Pat Carroll and Barbara Ruick. Although the story stuck to the familiar fairy tale this time, the original songs were , of course, retained.

What more can be said for this near-perfect treasure? Ms. Warren is simply glorious as Cinderella, her fresh beauty complimented by her sweet singing voice, and Damon is her ideal Prince (Christopher) Charming. Celeste Holm sparkles as the fairy godmother, and she and Warren share one of the best numbers "Impossible/It's Possible". Van Fleet is a beautifully caustic stepmother, and both Carroll and Ruick are outstanding as the step-sisters. Unfortunately, both Rogers and Pigeon have little to do as the king and queen, but they ARE regal in their roles.

There are a couple of drawbacks--although critics at the time praised the "lavish production"; in reality it is done in the manner of a stage show, with sparse (and very basic) settings, and typical television camera-work. But the biggest error was using videotape instead of film for this production. Because of it's limitations, videotape does no justice to a show like this, severely limiting the visual values needed to compliment the other elements. It may be fine for situation comedies, but it was totally wrong for a musical fantasy. It must be admitted, however, that after a few minutes, one gets used to it, but what a difference film would have made! Because this version is the traditional one, it is my favorite of the two, but both are so different in approach and treatment, that each can be enjoyed on their own terms.

Two cast members of the 1965 version were already professionally acquainted with "Cinderella". Walter Pigeon provided the uncredited narration for the 1955 MGM film adaptation "The Glass Slipper" and Barbara Ruick was the daughter of character actress Lurene Tuttle, who played "Cousin Loulou" in the same movie. Another winner, that version featured Leslie Caron as Cinderella.

I grew up watching this 1966 version of the Broadway musical Cinderella, which was shown on an annual basis for several years after its initial premiere. This musical version of the classic fairy tale features some wonderful songs by Rodgers and Hammerstein and originally premiered on Broadway with Julie Andrews in the title role. Lesley Ann Warren plays the role here and 40 years later, no matter what else she does, Lesley Ann Warren will always, first and foremost, be Cinderella to me. She is utterly enchanting in the role and her rendition of "In My Own Little Corner" is charming. Celeste Holm made a delightful fairy godmother, Walter Piedgon and Ginger Rogers added a touch of class as the king and queen, and Stuart Damon made a handsome and elegant Prince Charming. Jo Van Fleet was a memorable evil stepmother and Pat Carroll and Barbara Ruick score as the stepsisters and they stop the show with "Stepsisters' Lament", one of musical comedy's funniest songs. Well mounted with lavish sets and breathtaking costumes, Cinderella, like THE WIZARD OF OZ, should continue to be shown on an annual basis in order to renew our faith in miracles, love, and fantasies coming true. If this show is not available on DVD, it should be. A winner for children of all ages.

I was only about 6 years old, and back in the 60's, there weren't too many movies on television for children. I remember sitting in front of the small television on the floor mesmerized. The movie was a fantasy come to life! I have been looking for the movie for decades. Everytime I see a Cinderella movie, I check it to see if it is the one that I have been searching for these past 40 years. I have finally found it, and I can assure you, it is just as mesmerizing today, as it was back when I was just 6 years old. For a true fantasy, you can't find a better Cinderella than Lesley Ann Warren!

No other version of CINDERELLA will ever come close to the magical conception presented to America in 1965.

Reasons:

The Tunes: timeless, perfect, memorable, stuck-in-my-mind, forever in my heart, Rodgers and Hammerstein's most catchy words and music - bar none...

The Actors: from the tender innocence of Leslie Ann Warren to the giddily comical Pat Carroll and Barbara Ruick, terrifically snide Jo Van Fleet, regal Ginger Rogers and Walter Pidgeon, handsome Stuart Damon,

The Story: simply told, tenderly and dramatically unfolded,

The Production: effectively suggests the magic by its otherworldly sets (no matter the changes in television and special effects that came much later in film history),

Forever an important part of growing up, still in my heart, my sister's heart and my dear parents' hearts...we often still sit down and watch...enjoying ever second together as if it were 1965, all over again.

I was six years old when CBS premiered this updated version of the musical written for television. Rodgers and Hammerstein penned "Cinderella" in the Fifties, and Julie Andrews was cast in the lead role. I have been lucky enough to see a clip of her performing one of the songs on "The Ed Sullivan Show," and consider her unsuited for the role; even back then, her voice had a maturity that was unnatural for the character of a young girl.

But Lesley Ann Warren.... Let's say I fell in love that night, and have had a crush on Lesley Ann ever since, even after I've been married for eight years. (Grin) However, having seen this version any number of times now, I think I can give a more objective opinion.

Music: Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II supplied the score; need we say more? This show turned me on to R&S. In particular, "Ten Minutes Ago," "Impossible," and the instrumental waltz at the ball (where Warren and Stuart Damon have their first dance) are incredible.

Cast: Excellent all the way. More objectively than above, Lesley Ann Warren as the young innocent who wins true love was inspired; while her voice is a little undeveloped at this age, it lends a certain charm to the performance. Her dancing was excellent across the board; not surprising, since she was trained as a ballet dancer before taking this part.

Stuart Damon was also excellent as the Prince (unnamed in the production). Far more handsome in 1965 (logically!), he was wonderful as the romantic young here, returned from adventures, but without a wife to carry on the dynasty. An excellent singing voice, and he used it on some wonderful songs.

The others of the cast were, in short, generally great. Walter Pidgeon and Ginger Rogers were wonderfully witty with each other; Jo Van Fleet, Pat Carroll and Barbara Ruick as the stepmother and stepsisters were characters you love to hate; and Celeste Holm was an excellent, sympathetic fairy godmother.

Costumes: Cinderella in her ball gown was the main reason I fell in love with Lesley Ann! In that floaty gown, with her hair pulled up and a long Hepburn swan's neck, she was the picture of beauty to a six-year-old boy. Still is....

Production: This may let people down today if they rent or buy the videotape (Hallmark Entertainment). Logically enough, the state of the art had advanced in 35 years, and the jaded viewer of today may not accept the simple camera cuts and video dissolves of 1965. Ride with the boat; you'll still enjoy if you give it a chance.

Highly recommended, both to the student/historian of television and to the simple viewer. My 5-year-old daughter enjoys this tape immensely, and she's a child of the modern effects world!

This version of Cinderella as well as the 1997 version rank far above the 1950 Disney version of the film. The Prince has character, class, and a reason to fall in love with and find Cinderella, not just dance a dance at the Ball. Stuart Damon's voice is clear and unmatched in "The Loniness of Evening", mostly because other versions do not include this lovely song of romance and dreaming of true love. Leslie Ann Warren gives just the right amount of innocence and deception as she truly wins her prince, yet knows how to survive in the home of her step mother. Granted the production values are not up to par, but in 1964 they were state of the art. Unfortunately CBS stopped showing this wonderful story in the mid 70's and has never rebroadcast it since. However, the Disney Channel has broadcast it and of course it was redone by Disney 1997. This still proves that Rodgers and Hammerstein still are as fresh today as they were 40 years ago when they first penned this score.

Although it might have been nice if the original production of Cinderella had survived better, still this second version is a good one. A couple of regal monarchs are Walter Pidgeon and Ginger Rogers who are worried that their son hasn't wed yet.

This version of Cinderella introduced Lesley Ann Warren and Stuart Damon in their debut roles as Cinderella and her Prince Charming. Both sing quite well and both have certainly gone on to decent careers. Lesley Ann Warren's been in several major films and got an Oscar nomination for Victor/Victoria and Stuart Damon is known to fans of General Hospital as Doctor Alan Quartermaine.

I read in a biography of Richard Rodgers by David Ewen that when he and Oscar Hammerstein, II were approached to do this original television musical they did toy with the idea of an updated modern version of the story, but decided instead to do the original fairy tale instead, aiming at an audience of children of all ages.

Of course Cinderella has her family as well, not as supportive as the Prince's. Her stepmother is Jo Ann Fleet and her stepsisters are Pat Carroll and Barbara Ruick. But fortunately she's got a fairy godmother in Celeste Holm who as tradition has it, makes her dreams of escape from that dysfunctional family possible.

Rodgers&Hammerstein's score never had any real hits from it. The Prince sings a song that was cut from South Pacific, The Loneliness of Evening. The best song in the film for me was Lesley Ann Warren singing In My Own Little Corner, a very plaintive ballad about a young girl whose imagination is her best friend.

One thing I've never figured out from the fairy tale or this production. Did Cinderella have that unique a shoe size?

I remember watching this as a little girl and loving it. I held a microphone up to the television to get the music and I would play it over and over again memorizing the lines and lyrics. When it came out on DVD last year I ordered it immediately. I waited until my family was out of the house and watched it over and over singing every word. It is just as I remembered. The sets are simple but that is part of its charm. The acting and singing are wonderful. Leslie Ann and Stuart make a perfect couple. The step sisters are hilarious at the ball. My favorite song is "10 minutes ago" Her gown is beautiful. If you remember seeing this as a child the DVD will not disappoint. Enjoy!

For the sheer pleasure of enjoying Rodgers & Hammerstein's music at their finest, Cinderella is well worth lending an ear to. The songs are still splendid: "Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful?" is richly sung by STUART DAMON (in fine voice) and LESLEY ANN WARREN (not as polished as Julie Andrews in the original). And the others are given fine vocals too: "Ten Minutes Ago", "In My Own Little Corner", "Impossible", "In the Loneliness of Evening", "A Lovely Night" and "The Step-sister's Lament".

As the two romantic leads, Warren and Damon do fine work displaying just the right amount of innocence and charm in their rather sketchy roles. WALTER PIDGEON and GINGER ROGERS make a regal pair as the King and Queen; BARBARA RUICK and PAT CARROLL are splendid as the clumsy step-sisters vying for the Prince's attention; and JO VAN FLEET does a wickedly funny impersonation of the Wicked Step-mother.

Seeing it years later, I was surprised at how primitive the television sets were in those days (the late '60s) at a time when color TV was still a bit of a novelty...but they don't detract from the overall charm of the musical production.

It's nice hearing STUART DAMON give a robust baritone voice to The Prince and the only shortcoming in LESLEY ANN WARREN's role is that her voice is not quite up to Cinderella's standards, especially after hearing Julie Andrews in the role.

All that aside, it's an undivided pleasure to watch and listen to those gorgeous R&H melodies. The waltz theme alone is infectious.

I know that I run the risk of upsetting some fans here, but I just have to be honest. I have watched this one with my 7 yr old daughter several times and although I must admit I've grown to like one or two things here, it really is a very bad movie. Some of the songs are not too nauseating and one or two are actually cute like the "Christopher Rupert" part. Just because it seems to appeal to young people so much I took it easy on it rating wise, but it may well be the overall worst performance of a cast in its entirety of all time. I've never seen a movie where every single performance is terrible with this many talented people. That tells me something else was wrong, maybe the director? Ms. Warren looks and sings OK I suppose, but her acting is pretty stiff to put it nicely. The rest of the cast is actually much worse with Stuart Damon giving an unbelievably uncharismatic and stilted rendition of the prince. Even the king and queen are just awful and I love Ginger Rogers! Walter Pidgeon looked asleep as did just about everyone else. The stepmother and stepsisters get an A for effort here, but the acting was from the land of the zombies or mummies or something. Very strange. I can't quite figure out what people like about this and of course I'm talking about adults. No, I'm sorry, but the Disney animated version is absolutely superior in every single way.

I remember the first time I saw this wonderful movie. It was the very first night it was broadcast. I saw it with my parents and my sister and I was 8 years old. I fell in love that night...with the Prince (Stuart Damon), Cinderella (Lesley Ann Warren), and the rest of the cast as well! I saw it everytime it aired...up til the last time! Who knew, when I misbehaved that day and got sent to bed that it was the last time it would air on broadcast tv??

I remembered all the songs, all the costumes. Who cared if the sets looked cheesy? This was the very first movie that ever spoke to me. I have remembered it all my life. And today I finally got to see it again! I just bought the video today - and I've watched it 3 times already tonight! (making up for lost time <grin>)

I would have loved to see the Julie Andrews version...but it was aired the year I was born and never aired again. I did see the Disney 97 version...and I HATED it! Not worth my time! (except maybe for Jason Alexander! <nuther grin>

For pure simple family entertainment this movie tops my list. And it should top everyone else's as well!

While Disney's animated film is obviously the superior version of this classic fairytale, there's something quaint about this low-budget, made-for-TV Cinderella movie. Perhaps it's because of Lesley Ann Warren. She brings a sense of innocence to her role as Cinderella. And it doesn't hurt that she's a strikingly lovely woman. Or maybe it's because the sets and costumes look like something you'd see in a local community play. This movie isn't anything fancy, nor is it trying to be. This is a short and sweet interpretation of the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical that is enjoyable because of its simplicity.

Maybe I saw the movies in the wrong order. I loved the "1957" version. But when I rented the "1965" version I couldn't stand watching it.. I had to turn it off half way through. Leslie Ann Warrens voice was not right for the part. In the "1997" version Brandy was good but not as good as Julie Andrews. Nobody can play the part like she can. Leslie Ann Warren is a good actress but I do not think she is a singer. Well I liked the song she sang is "Victor/Victoria." I think that song fit her but not the beautiful ones that Rodgers and Hammerstein wrote for this show. I have always loved the story of Cinderella, and I will always will.

I was nine years old in 1965, and I fell head-over-heels in love with Lesley Ann Warren when I saw this film. I haven't seen it since the late '60s or so, but I still remember the songs and the overall feel of this classic (from a nine-year-old's point of view, of course). That just goes to show what a powerful effect a film can have when everything is done just right. One of these days I'll find this and watch again. Until then, I still have my memories.

I first saw this film when I was in boarding school. It was so magical for me that I recall skipping back to the dorm room, actually wanting to be Cinderella.

Careful what you wish for - because in many ways, I went on to become a Cinderella of sorts. Instead of a wicked stepmother, I had a stepfather for whom I basically became a house maiden. Not so much because he asked for it, but it became a necessity, among other reasons. Truth is, when you treat a kid like they're unwelcome in their own home, they may resort to serving people - just to try to win them over. But that's another story (that I'm actually writing).

Back to the movie. I thought about this film for days and days and days after seeing it. It left that much of an impression upon me. This is also when I fell in love with Leslie Ann Warren's work.

This version of Rodgers & Hammerstein's made-for-TV musical offers more of a realistic setting, if there really is such a thing for a fairy tale. There are no singing mice or other distractions. Just a very pure telling of this popular tale. The songs are all sung with a sense of longing and wonderment.

Leslie Ann Warren is breathtakingly beautiful as the unfortunate heroine, scraping and scrapping for whatever bit of respect she can get, as she toils and toils away for what is supposed to be her family. Celeste Holm is wonderful as the Fairy Godmother and Ginger Rogers' turn as the Queen, along with Walter Pidgeon as the King are spot-on.

This tale of love travels along a much more subtle trajectory. What really makes this version such a definitive Cinderella story is its faithfulness to Perrault's fairy tale. Rather than alter it as was always done in previous versions, we are treated to the most honest rendition of the story. That's just one other reason why this film is so beloved. For me, no other film of this kind from my childhood still brings back such fond feelings, even if the circumstances of my own life tended to mimic the story in so many ways. Thankfully, at least I even had the Prince Charming!

This excellent version of Rogers and Hammerstein's Cinderella is a class act. This is a far better version than the 1957 original television production which was awful.

Lesley Ann Warren and Stuart Damon are just wonderful and elegant as Cinderella and her prince respectively. Their voices ring true to happiness.

Jo Van Fleet again proves her adeptness at being a difficult mother. This time, she does it in a comedic way. Her scene with the prince at the ball is a riot. Looking at herself in the mirror, she knows what she is.

Celeste Holm should be everyone's fairy god-mother. She has always been a voice for toleration from her scenes in "Gentleman's Agreement," and she shows it again in this fine production.

Get to your video stores and have the kiddies see this wonderful movie. They'll yell for more.

I loved this movie! It was absolutely fantabulous! It was romantic and sweet, and those songs will get stuck in your head forever! I recommend this movie to anyone and everyone, especially families! You can be whatever you want to be!

Even long-time movie fans may find it hard to believe, but more movies have been made about Cinderella "than one can shake a stick at," as the old adage goes. While most of the few dozen TV movies made two decades into the 21st century have had the name in their title, there also have been films of similar stories with different names. One reason so many films have been made is likely because of the proliferation of the story itself in so many variations. The original story - if indeed, it could be traced, goes far back in time (or was so early in recorded time). Versions of it are found in the classic period (a Greek tale) and in folk tales of European and Asian antiquity.

Well, of the more than 80 film listings (excluding a few dozen TV episodes) that are titled just plain "Cinderella," I have seen the 1950 Walt Disney animated classic, and the two best live action films of the story. Both of these are TV musical films, and produced by CBS. The best is the 1957 "Cinderella" that starred Julie Andrews. Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein wrote the musical for that film specifically with Andrews in the title role.

This later production isn't as good as the original, even though it is much better than the rest. Its change in musical numbers is disappointing. Leslie Ann Warren is quite good as Cinderella, but no one can equal Julie Andrews.. The revised screenplay isn't as good as in the original musical. And the sets aren't as good and appear stagier even than in the 1957 spectacle.

But one thing in this film raises it to just one star below the 1957 film, and that is the supporting cast that includes such big name stars as Ginger Rogers, Walter Pidgeon and Celeste Holm. Indeed, they have top billing and major roles in this film, over that of Warren as Cinderella. So, this makes for an interesting and entertaining version of the story, with some familiar faces of actors. It's not as good as the 1957, but it's still a good live musical tale with some wonderful actors of the mid-20th century.

I just saw the 1965 TV version of "Cinderella" on video tonight, and had not seen it in over 30 years, and it still remains the classic that it is. I first remember seeing it in 1966, at age 10, on CBS television in prime-time and a number of tunes have stayed in my head all these years. Songs such as "In My Own Little Corner," "Impossible," and "Why Would A Fellow Want A Girl Like Her?" are real gems and have stood the test of time.

This TV production, although simple by today's technology, retains all of the original magic as when I had first seen it. "Cinderella" is perfectly cast here, with the lead played by the meek budding actress Leslie Ann Warren, in her debut. Walter Pidgeon and Ginger Rogers as the King and Queen, respectively, give true meaning to those positions of status. And Cinderella's stepmother, as portrayed by Jo Van Fleet, displays a catty quality that has her in fine form. The two stepsisters, as portrayed by Nancy Ruick and Pat Carroll, are hilarious at times. The costumes are really effective for the period of time they portray.

Young children, especially young ballerinas, would appreciate this fine TV production.

A true Classic;warm, genuine,funny but most of all Romantic. The scene where Cinderella appears at the top of the stairs and descends(without A sound)and then waltzes with the prince is most memeorable. Both Stuart Damon and Lesley Ann Warren were excellent, but not perfect.Their singing occassionally flattens out, but that adds to the innocent joy of this Classic While I found the Disney remake admirable in its color-blindness, it lost some innocence.

A word of advice for those contemplating rewriting Oscar Hammerstein II: If you're not Oscar Hammerstein II, _don't_. People will still be ridiculing you a half century later. The original 1957 Rodgers & Hammerstein Cinderella, even in a awkward black and white kinescope print, is still worth watching, and created quite a fuss when it was rediscovered early in this millennium. This rewrite (including the importation of unrelated songs) by Joseph Schrank, even though in an excellent print with a mostly stellar cast, lacks all the wit, charm, and (dare I say it?) sense of genuine Rodgers & Hammerstein. Even if you can't bear to watch a primitive kinescope, instead of watching this, close your eyes and listen to the CD of the original–you'll get a far better sense of a charming tale.

I was also six years old when this charming little gem first aired. My mother and father recognized how mesmerized my sister and I were, and always let us stay up for it each time it came on. And now, thirty five years later, I clearly remember its wonderful, innocent simplicity. Having grown up in the sixties and seventies I can appreciate the lack of special effects films had access to in those days. Acting and cinematography were what made films. Reading the other user comments have helped to stir my memories. Lesley Ann Warren's innocence and grace were enchanting. The title role was perfectly cast. Walter Pidgeon and Ginger Rogers; what a wonderful, regal couple they made. And the young romance of the Prince and Cinderella even made my father weepy!

I probably haven't seen this film since I was ten. But the very lovely memory is still with me.