Cinderella-1950
Director Clyde Geronimi, Hamilton Luske, Wilfred Jackson
Voices Ilene Woods, Eleanor Audley
Scott’s Review #731
Reviewed March 7, 2018
Grade: A-
Cinderella is a lovely 1950 Walt Disney production that rejuvenated the animated film genre after a sluggish 1940s, thanks to the ravages of World War II.
The film glistens with goodness and bright colors, offering a charming fairy tale-based story based on hope and “happily ever after”.
Cinderella is enchanting on all levels.
Told largely in narration form especially to explain the history of the story, we learn that Cinderella’s parents have both died, leaving her an orphan and living with her wicked stepmother, Lady Tremaine.
Her stepsisters Drizella and Anastasia are jealous of Cinderella’s natural beauty. She is abused and berated regularly, forced to work as a servant in a rundown chateau- tending to the trio’s needs and demands.
Despite her unhappy life, Cinderella makes the most of it and befriends mice, birds, and many other animals she meets, singing and dancing merrily.
Life chugs along for our heroine until one day the King of the royal palace decides to throw a lavish Ball for his son, the Prince, to find his soulmate and marry her finally. The King requests that all eligible unmarried women attend.
As Cinderella excitedly requests to go, Lady Tremaine cruelly grants her request, provided all of her work is done, having no intention of making things easy on her.
In true fairy tale form, the Prince falls madly in love with Cinderella while many hurdles face the pair on their way to happiness.
Given the time when Cinderella was made (1950), the timing was excellent for a lavish production, to say nothing of the fantasy that many young girls undoubtedly experienced a handsome prince rescuing them, whisking them away from a life of doldrums to undying love.
Female empowerment had not yet taken hold during the 1950s, so the male-rescuing female message was palpable and appealing to many. Dated not the least bit, a story of true love overcoming hardship can always find an audience.
The colors and animations of the production are lush and powerful, oozing with perfection and drizzling with fantastic elements of romance and spectacular wealth.
An example of this is the lavish ball at the palace- as Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother transforms the young girl and her transportation into a magical fantasy of horses, gowns, and carriages, it is quite extravagant in its beauty.
Engaging, with a bit of humor mixed in, are the supporting characters of the three evil ladies and the bumbling Grand Duke- interestingly voiced by the same person as the King. As Drizella and Anastasia attempt to impress Prince Charming, their awkward and haphazard mannerisms and scowls perfectly counterbalance the charm and grace of Cinderella in a sometimes comical fashion.
Comparisons must be made to 1937’s masterpiece, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and both films could easily be companion films to each other, being watched in sequence for better study and marveling about similarities.
Snow White and Cinderella are purely “good” characters, singing lovely tunes, embracing animal friends, and various forms of wildlife- they are both more or less “saved” by men.
In the present day, instead of this being offensive or “old fashioned”, it remains enchanting and a celebration of true love.
Cinderella is a treasure to be enjoyed after all these years, never aging nor becoming dated or irrelevant, which is a true testament to the power of film. Carving a story of values, honesty, hard work, and good payoff, generations of fans can appreciate this everlasting treasure.
Oscar Nominations: Best Scoring of a Musical Picture, Best Original Song-“Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo”, Best Sound Recording