Picture my little sister and I dancing around our living room, gleefully singing and delighting in the wonderful Cinderella-story called The Slipper and the Rose. Add to the picture the fact that we were living at the time in the depths of Africa, Kinshasa, Zaire to be specific. It makes a funny picture- two little American girls in the middle of Africa madly in love with Prince Edward (Richard Chamberlain) and his right hand man John (Christopher Gable). To this day (we're now in our mid-20s and living in the States) The Slipper and the Rose continues to be one of our biggest in-jokes. We rejoice in the fact that we know every line, complete with the gaudy inflections of the wicked step-sisters and the droll intonation of the King and Queen. I will proudly admit that we show no shame in breaking out in complete renditions of songs such as "Position and positioning." which is the perfect song to accompany laundry-folding. We still howl with laughter at how much we love The Slipper and the Rose.
Although, the movie is a musical, it is by no means a 'fluff' version of the Cinderella Story. Much like Ever After, the more recent Cinderella film starring Drew Barrymore, The Slipper and the Rose approaches the tale with a vigorous bite. It fulfills everything that makes Cinderella the compelling fairytale that it is. The wicked Step Mother and her two vile daughters are truly vicious and conniving. Their sniveling, whining, and shrieking make Cinderella's plight heart-felt. Prince Albert is plagued with a desire to be his own person, not trapped into the confines of his princely status ("Why can't I be TWO people.?"). The endearing King is struggling to avoid a possible war ("For we MUST be Protocoligorically Correct.'Else the kingdom will be wrecked!") And Cinderella's glittering gown, slippers and carriage are as beautiful as can be imagined. Decked out in shimmering pink, Cinderella's entrance to the "Bride Finding Ball" as Princess Incognita is truly memorable.
Those of you who love the Slipper and the Rose as much as I do might want to check out the TV series (now on Video) called Faerie Tale Theatre. This series depicts fairytales such as The Princess and the Pea, The Emperors New Clothes, and yes, Cinderella. Well known actors such as Liza Minnelli, Matthew Broderick, Jennifer Beals, and Joan Collins portray our favorite fairytale characters without pretension.
Although, the movie is a musical, it is by no means a 'fluff' version of the Cinderella Story. Much like Ever After, the more recent Cinderella film starring Drew Barrymore, The Slipper and the Rose approaches the tale with a vigorous bite. It fulfills everything that makes Cinderella the compelling fairytale that it is. The wicked Step Mother and her two vile daughters are truly vicious and conniving. Their sniveling, whining, and shrieking make Cinderella's plight heart-felt. Prince Albert is plagued with a desire to be his own person, not trapped into the confines of his princely status ("Why can't I be TWO people.?"). The endearing King is struggling to avoid a possible war ("For we MUST be Protocoligorically Correct.'Else the kingdom will be wrecked!") And Cinderella's glittering gown, slippers and carriage are as beautiful as can be imagined. Decked out in shimmering pink, Cinderella's entrance to the "Bride Finding Ball" as Princess Incognita is truly memorable.
Those of you who love the Slipper and the Rose as much as I do might want to check out the TV series (now on Video) called Faerie Tale Theatre. This series depicts fairytales such as The Princess and the Pea, The Emperors New Clothes, and yes, Cinderella. Well known actors such as Liza Minnelli, Matthew Broderick, Jennifer Beals, and Joan Collins portray our favorite fairytale characters without pretension.