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Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella (1957 Television Production)
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Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: DVD
EAN: 0014381212723
Format: Black & White, Closed-captioned, DVD-Video, Full Screen, NTSC
Label: Image Entertainment
Languages: English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 1.0
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
MPN: 2127
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Image Entertainment
Region Code: 1
Release Date: December 14, 2004
Running Time: 77 minutes
Studio: Image Entertainment
Theatrical Release Date: March 31, 1957
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Editorial Review:
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
In this enchanting musical delight from the legendary team of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, beautiful young Cinderella (Julie Andrews) finds her life of drudgery at the hands of her stepmother and two wicked sisters changed forever in one evening, thanks to a fairy godmother and a handsome prince. Lost for years, this first television production of this enduring classic remains a rollicking, tune-filled delight for young and old alike! One of the most beloved entertainers of all time, Academy Award«-winner Julie Andrews (Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music) appeared in theaters this year in the smash hits Shrek 2 and The Princess Diaries 2. The much-revered musical team of Rodgers & Hammerstein produced such family favorites as The King and I, The Sound of Music, Carousel, South Pacific, State Fair and more! One of home video's most highly requested titles, Cinderella has been officially unavailable since its initial airing on March 31, 1957! This single performance spectacular was viewed by over 115 million people, a television milestone! Musical performances include beloved favorites "In My Own Little Corner," "Impossible" and "Do I Love You (Because You're Beautiful)!" In 1957, Broadway's reigning songwriters and Broadway's brightest new star joined forces to create a new musical version of Cinderella; it's one-night-only broadcast on CBS-TV was viewed by more than 115 million people - the largest audience in the history of the planet! - and an instant legend was born. Julie Andrews, the toast of Broadway for her performance in My Fair Lady, played the title role, joined by a stellar cast of Broadway and television all-stars. Providing a new take on the timeless tale as well as a bounty of beautiful ballads, comedy numbers and waltzes, was the team of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, already at the top of their game thanks to such musicals as Oklahoma, South Pacific and The King and I. Though Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella has gone through several TV remakes and hundreds of stage productions, the original, magical version vanished after its initial broadcast, never to be seen again. Until now.
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - EXCELLENT
Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella (1957 Television Production) Was a great movie! It was excellent graphics for being a kinescope and the sound was pristine. I encourage all to buy this movie. Julie Andrews is the true Cinderella
Rating:  - Cinderella - Julia Andrews Version 1957
Loved Julia Andrews! Loved the special feature about the making of the show! Loved seeing Rogers and Hammerstein on the Ed Sullivan Show! These guys are icons. It is amazing what was accomplished on live television.
I find this to be a great historical record and and enjoyable performance. However, television and the staging of musicals has become more lavish and creative, so based on that criteria, my preference is the Brandy version. However, even Brandy does not hold a candle to ... Read More
Rating:  - ARCHIVAL PRODUCTION
This was a good dvd if you really wanted to see the Julie Andrews production. Not so great if you wanted high quality viewing as this is a old taping and the technology wasnt invented yet. SO its kinda shadowy sometimes and dark and not high quality production values. It fit my purposes fine as I was researching different productions of Cinderella.
Rating: - Wish I would have rented it first
Being an R & H movie I knew that it would be good, but having never seen it I wish I would have rented it first. The lines were odd. Julie Andrews voice though does make up for it. Glad that I have it, completes the colection of all the Cindrellas made.
Rating: - A Budding Andrews Shines in a Rustic Record of Rodgers and Hammerstein's TV Musical Classic
It was estimated that 107 million people saw the original broadcast of this made-for-television musical created by no less than the legendary team of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. That represents an astonishing 62% of the U.S. population at a time when there was no pay-per-view, no cable, no TiVo. Having just read Julie Andrews' remarkable early-life autobiography, Home: A Memoir of My Early Years, I have to admit my interest was piqued to see this seminal production. Andrews was all ... Read More
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