Family Fun Saturday - The Slipper and the Rose: A Story of Cinderella

Universal, 1976
Starring Richard Chamberlain, Gemma Craven, Michael Horden, and Annette Crosbie
Directed by Bryan Forbes
Music and Lyrics by The Sherman Brothers

We head across the Atlantic to England for tonight's review. This musical was a huge hit in England in the mid-70's, and while critics largely dismissed it at the time, it went over relatively well over here as well. How does this lengthy version of one of the most beloved fairy tales in the world fare now? Let's make our way to the castle in the country of Euphania, where the Prince Edward (Chamberlain) has recently returned home, and find out...

The Story: The King (Horden) and Queen (Lally Bowers) are in despair that their son Edward (Chamberlain) refuses to take a bride. He wants to marry for love, but his parents want him to wed a princess who will help fortify their borders. Meanwhile, Cinderella (Craven) was just banished to the kitchen by her domineering stepmother (Margaret Lockwood) after her father's death. She goes to the local cemetery to place flowers at her parents' grave and is caught watching the Prince and his bodyguard John (Christopher Gable).

The king and his advisers suggest a ball to keep the countries on their borders from invading. When less than half the princesses they invite agree to come, they extend the invitations to local nobility. Cinderella's stepmother and stepsisters are delighted to go, but refuse to allow her to join them. Her fairy godmother (Crosbie) first helps her make gowns for her family for the ball, then makes her appear in a gorgeous dress of her own. She and Edward fall for each other at first sight, but even after he finds her and her glass slipper, there's still the fact that his parents want that political alliance with a real princess to deal with.

The Song and Dance: This is one of the most gorgeously filmed musicals of the 1970's, with Craven romping in fields against soft-focus photography and singing "When He Danced With Me" in moonlit shadows. Though she and Chamberlain aren't bad as the put-upon servant girl and the frustrated prince, the supporting cast really shines here. Horden and Bowers are hilarious as the royal parents who don't understand their son's desire to marry for love, Lockwood is suitably haughty and obnoxious as Cinderella's stepmother, and Crosbie makes an unusually tart and sensible Fairy Godmother. Stunning costumes and sets, too, especially at the royal ball, where Cinderella's creamy white pops against the purples and greens and oranges worn by the other guests.

Favorite Number: The film kicks off well with two songs revealing the royal family's differing viewpoints on marriage. Edward laments "Why Can't I Be Two People?" when his parents pester him about finding a bride, while the king and queen ask "What Has Love Got to Do With Getting Married?" The King and his advisers insist that the kingdom has to be "Protocolligorically Correct" to avoid war in one of the big chorus routines, while John and the servants explain about their place in the world in "Position and Positioning." "Suddenly It Happens" is the Fairy Godmother's song as she transforms Cinderella's dress...and her life..in preparation for the ball. Edward and Cinderella recall their magical night, one in the ballroom, one in stunning moonlit shadows, in "She/He Danced With Me."

What I Don't Like: Like most big film musicals of the 60's and 70's, this one goes on for way too long. The entire subplot with the prince having to marry a princess from another kingdom and the final 20 minutes where Cinderella is convinced to leave him is dull and depressing filler. They probably could have stuck a little closer to the original story without all the political trappings and been fine, or at least trimmed some of it.

The Big Finale: Perfect remedy for home-bound, princess-crazy girls who are looking for a new version of one of the most popular fairy tales in the world, or fans of Chamberlain or the Sherman Brothers' other work.

Home Media: It was re-released last year in all formats. Streaming service Tubi currently has it for free.

DVD
Blu-Ray
Tubi