MGM had a big hit with Leslie Caron in Lili so the same team (star, writer, producer, director) got together for a version of Cinderella. There's bright colour and some top character actors and a healthy budget. The sets and tone felt right, there are enjoyable ballets. I liked the production values and some of the support cast - like Elsa Lanchester and Estelle Windwood.
Michael Wilding isn't very good as Prince Charming - I don't care if he was married to the much younger Liz Taylor at the time he seems too old, and not really dashing. He's uncomfortable dancing too. The film felt as though it lacked a villain - the wicked step mother and sisters are hardly in it.
I'd count it as a half success. Charles Walter was a good director and Leslie Caron is ideal as Cinderella. I get the feeling if this was one of those films more widely seen on TV it would have a big legion of girls who love it.
No comments:
Post a Comment