The Glass Slipper

Director: Charles Walters Charles Walters

Overview

The Glass Slipper is a charming retelling of the Cinderella story, eminently suitable for both kids and adults. Leslie Caron plays Ella, the plain-Jane stepsister of beautiful but mean-spirited Birdena (Amanda Blake) and Serafina (Lisa Daniels). While stepmother Widow Sonder (Elsa Lanchester) arranges wealthy marriages for her natural daughters, poor Ella hasn't got a chance.

Product Details

Release Date:	10/09/2012
UPC:	0883316369227
Original Release:	1955
Source:	Warner Archives
Region Code:	A
Sound:	[monaural]
Language:	English
Time:	1:34:00
Sales rank:	22,953

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Leslie Caron	Ella
Michael Wilding	Prince Charles
Estelle Winwood	Mrs. Toquet
Elsa Lanchester	Widow Sonder
Keenan Wynn	Kovin
Barry Jones	Duke
Amanda Blake	Birdena
Lisa Daniels	Serafina
Lurene Tuttle	Cousin Loulou
Liliane Montevecchi	Tehara
Walter Pidgeon	Narrator
Michael Wilding Sr.	Prince Charles
Ballet de Paris	Dancer
Bronislau Kaper	Composer

Technical Credits

Helen Deutsch

Charles Walters	Director
Helen Deutsch	Screenwriter
Edwin H. Knopf	Producer

Editorial Reviews

Largely neglected upon its release and almost unknown today, The Glass Slipper is a thoroughly delightful retelling of Cinderella. Slipper manages the difficult trick of breathing new life into what is possibly the most familiar story in films and does so without resorting to gimmickry, such as changing the sex of the title character or taking a satirical approach. Instead, this version makes the archetypal figures of the story into flesh-and-blood characters, while at the same time retaining the sense of fantasy that is integral to fairy tales. As a result, viewers are treated to a Cinderella that is feisty, angry and rebellious, one that does not take her abuse lying down. The Prince, usually the least developed character in the tale, is given a background and personality, and the Fairy Godmother is presented as a dotty but charming old woman who relishes the sound of unusual words and phrases. The film also has a lovely visual look, full of muted and earthy colors, and one of the ballets features some gently surrealistic settings. Charles Walters has directed with quiet assurance, and Roland Petit has supplied lively choreography. As Cinderella, Leslie Caron delivers what is probably her best musical performance, full of fire and romance, and Estelle Winwood is craftily lovable as the Godmother. Children and adults alike will be happily surprised by the charms of Slipper.

All Movie Guide - Craig Butler