Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella (1957 Television Production)

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Product Description
The classic fairy tale with a rodgers & hammerstein score. Studio: Image Entertainment Release Date: 12/14/2004 Starring: Julie Andrews

Amazon.com
The DVD era has unearthed another treasure. For the first time ever, Julie Andrews's performance in the title role of the original 1957 television production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella is available to the public on home video. Cinderella was created as a Broadway-style television production with an original score from the creators of Oklahoma! and Carousel, featuring such songs as "In My Own Little Corner," "Impossible," "Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful," and "Stepsisters' Lament." Cast in the title role was the 21-year-old Andrews, at the time starring on Broadway in My Fair Lady (another Cinderella story of sorts), and the cast was filled out by a talented bunch of stage veterans (including Kaye Ballard, Edie Adams, Dorothy Stickney, and Stickney's husband, writer Howard Lindsay). On March 31, 1957, a then-record 120 million homes saw the program as it was broadcast, live and in color, but it was preserved only in black-and-white kinescope, i.e., by aiming a camera at a monitor during the broadcast. While this version probably looks better than we have any right to expect, the picture is still fuzzy black-and-white, which makes it a tougher sell for kids than the later color versions, 1965 with Lesley Anne Warren and the 1997 Disneyized version. But give older kids (say, 8 or so) credit for being able to look past the black-and-white picture and primitive effects and enjoy the charming songs, the excellent performances, and the prospect of seeing one of their favorite actresses play one of their favorite princesses.

Fortunately, the DVD has also received the attention it deserves, with a new introduction by Andrews, a 20-minute featurette about the production, including interviews with many of the principals; Rodgers and Hammerstein's appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show a week before the broadcast; and a gallery of color photos of the production as well as promotional material, which included paper dolls of Andrews. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews: Read 51 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars

Julie Andrews is the ONLY Cinderella December 7, 2004
70 out of 75 found this review helpful

It is amazing that some people seem to prefer Lesley Ann Warren's performance over Julie Andrews. There is absolutely no comparison. This Cinderella was written for Julie and she is magnificent in every way. No one has the voice or the charm that she injects into this character. Her version of "In My Own Little Corner" is enchanting, but also has a sadness that is absolutely right. Miss Warren is too worldly and gives the impression that she could easily be a "West Side Story" gang member rather than Cinderella. She simply does not have the ravishingly beautiful voice that Julie has. She is marvelous in many roles - just compare her performance in "Victor/Victoria" which shows the "real" Lesley Ann. (But even in that film Julie Andrews outshines her!)

This version of "Cinderella" is the best version with the comic numbers and fantastic supporting cast absent from others. Edie Adams is a scene stealer as the Godmother. The king and Queen have much more to do and have a delightful comic song that was cut from subsequent productions. No one can top Kaye Ballard and Alice Ghostly as the step sisters - comic gems!

What is also amazing about this production is that it was telecast LIVE and was not a film or tape as were other "Cinderella" productions. Today everything is recorded with none of the spontaneity that comes only from a live show.

Even though the only remaining record of this telecast is in black and white (and at the time of the original broadcast most viewers only had black and white sets), it is a must have record of the TRUE version of the work.

5 out of 5 stars

LOL Julie Andrews too old?? Not on your life! December 14, 2004
46 out of 51 found this review helpful

I love that one reviewer says JA looks too old to be Cinderella in this version..I believe she is 18 in this production. What Julie has that Leslie Ann Warren and Brandy couldn't come close to is a simple sophistication and a charming sense of self that only enhances her role as Cinderella. She also has a far superior voice to either of the other versions Cinderellas.

I do not like the 1965 version but I do think the Brandy version is cute but not as good as the original cast. But for me the Julie Andrews version, the woman that this show was written for will always be the best Cinderella for this particular Cinderella musical. The supporting cast in this production is also steller and much better than the 1965 version.
Don't let that fact that it is in black and white keep you from seeing this show. Some of the best movies of all time are in black and white.

5 out of 5 stars

Found at Last! January 19, 2005
24 out of 24 found this review helpful

At last, the original version of Rogers and Hammerstein's Cinderella is available. Originally aired only once on live television in 1957, this classic has, until now, been lost to history. I grew up on the 1965 version (Lesley Ann Warren) but have always wanted to see the Julie Andrews version ever since I learned of it.

For those familiar with the 1965 version, there are some surprises here. There were apparently many changes between the two. The original opens up right with "The Prince is Giving a Ball". There is no scene were Cinderella meets the Prince prior to the ball. At home the Stepmother and Stepsisters (Portia and Joy) do a much better job of belittling Cinderella and making her do all of the work.

The Godmother (no mention of fairy) is far more mischievous in the original. Even her involvement in the story's conclusion is quite different not only from the 1965 version, but from most tellings of the fairy tale. We see a little more of the King and Queen and even have a musical number about preparing the Ball. There are even quite a few scenes that, at least when compared to later versions, could be considered somewhat risque.

For fans of the 1965 version, you should watch this one as well. It is sufficiently different to be just as entertaining. First timers to the Rogers and Hammerstein story will be entranced by this fun tale. Watch it by all means.

5 out of 5 stars

A Marvelous Surprise... December 9, 2004
14 out of 14 found this review helpful

I own a VHS copy of the 1965 version with Lesley Ann Warren, having seen it as a child and recall being mesmerized by the whole story, characters, sets, and "feel" of it. The majestic music was in no small part the reason for my finding it so memorable. After hearing about the 1957 version with Julie Andrews, I watched the PBS broadcast on December 4, and despite its being in black and white, I found it enchanting. There were some differences in the two versions: I thought Edie Adams made a wonderfully "kooky", earthy Godmother, whilst Celeste Holm's portrayal was more graceful and ethereal. The two stepsisters were more interesting and believable in the 1957 program, and the first king and queen were so charming and lovable compared to the one-dimensional monarchs-portrayed by Walter Pidgeon and Ginger Rogers-in Lesley Anne's. Julie Andrews was Cinderella-luminous, and so utterly magical. I now must own this original version as well, as each one offers its own unique twists on a classic and enduring fairy tale.

5 out of 5 stars

the premaire production od cinderella November 1, 2004
12 out of 14 found this review helpful

I have had the fortune to see all three of the cinderella made for tv musicals. Non are so lite and wonderfully made as the the very first with the very young and superb soprano that was she at that time. And of course the supporting cast never rose to the heights as those in the origional.So happy to have this being available this christmas.This year is truly a Julie Andrews Christmas with so many dvd's with her presence our present.

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