newkidontheblock Before the TV movie musicals explosion of the later 90's and early 2000's, there was Cinderella, a Rogers and Hammerstein adaptation of a classic fairy tale. In the 1950's, color T.V. was the new thing and everyone wanted to show off their capabilities. This was also a time when art of all kind was for show on commercial television.Not to be outdone by rival NBC, CBS announced that they would get the legendary team of Rogers and Hammerstein to write a for-T.V. musical based on the beloved tale of Cinderella. The show would use such talent as Howard Lindsay, Dorothy Stickney, Edie Adams, and a young up and coming Broadway star named...oh...what's her name...Julie something or other, I think. I'll remember later. You've probably never heard of her, anyway.Though only black and white kiniscopes exist now, the show was filmed in glorious color and live in a cramped studio. What we'd find out later is that this was shown in front of the biggest audience at that time.ANDREWS! Of course.I've seen all three televised version of Cinderella, and I can say that the original is, without question, the best of the three. It had the one quality all great musical performances have...engagement. I was absolutely sold on everything that happen throughout the musical. Only the best shows and performances can do that. Andrews showed the country why she was a mighty force on Broadway and why she would become a beloved actress the world over. The old, familiar faces and the new people from different places, this was a meeting of all of them. I only hope we can see this again on the small screen again in the near future.

Neil Doyle In reviewing this, I've taken into consideration that this was done live back in 1957, when the world and I were much younger, and live television was much more primitive. Still, it's fascinating to view it again and see it from a different perspective. And yet, one can't help thinking how much technology has improved since then!The B&W print shown on PBS tonight was a rather murky one, so I'm basing all my comments on the perception that the soundtrack was wonderful but the video left much to be desired. Of course, 21 year-old Julie Andrews (rather matronly looking due to hairdo and make-up), has the right singing range to do justice to the songs and Jon Cypher keeps up with her in that department. Kaye Ballard and Alice Ghostly are fun as the two step-sisters, absurd as their characterizations are, and Ilka Chase makes an acceptable step-mother, though not quite as wicked as one could wish for.The score is full of wonderful melodies in typical R&H style, particularly the lilting waltz amid such songs as "Ten Minutes Ago" and "Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful?". Julie does a particularly nice rendition of "In My Own Little Corner" while Edie Adams has fun making the most of her role as the Fairy Godmother.But on the debit side is the video quality and the obviously budgeted stage sets and uninspired costuming (especially for the ball). They look rather bland in B&W. Perhaps when originally telecast in color (a factor I don't recall at this point), the sets and costumes had more of a glow. But as Julie Andrews says, in interviews that come on at intervals, it was a wonder the whole thing was done live in one take.This is a lot easier on the ears than the later versions and includes an amusing number between King and Queen (preparing for the banquet) that was cut from both of the later productions. And while the later versions had more glamor and color, this is the one to watch for complete enjoyment of the score and justice to the songs performed by Julie Andrews and the rest of the cast.What an honor for Julie Andrews--to have a television musical written expressly for her by two of the master musicians of the 20th century, Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein. Their music has all the charm one could ask for in a production of this kind.

mit800 I grew up in the 60's and 70's loving the Lesley Ann Warren version of Cinderella and always will, mostly because of the wonderful score, but, I have always wanted to see this version as Julie Andrews is one of my all time favorite musical stars. She absolutely shines throughout the whole production. And to think they did it all LIVE is just amazing. Only one noticeable goof-up that I noticed (when the prince stepped on the queens lines-but he was a newcomer and probably scared to death) This version is more tongue in cheek than the later version- which Rogers admitted he re-wrote to be more fairy tale like (Disney-like is more like it) But as I said don't bother with comparisons, just be glad to see a new Julie Andrews performance (new to most of us anyway) in an original musical written especially for her. What's especially great is that you get to see what Julie was like during the run of "My Fair Lady" and to see why there was such a buzz about her at the time (Jack Warner sure made a goof not putting her in the film of "Lady").All the cast are wonderful in their parts, especially Kaye Ballard and Alice Ghostley as the bickering stepsisters. All in all a lovely night with a loverly lady.

Louis G. Partridge This is the first that I had seen the original TV version. I had seen both of the other television versions -- the 1965 Lesley Ann Warren version and the 1997 Brandy version. This version is so superior to the others. The copy at the Museum of Television and Radio is in black-and-white although it had been presented in color. If you are in New York and get the chance to visit the museum, the presentation is well worth the 1-1/2 hours. Oh, yes. The commercials which are part of the recording are quite humorous.