The Glass Slipper (1955)

Cinderella is definitely attached to Christmas for me (because of Popelka as it was the first Cinderella story I ever saw). Roughly in the same years, I also watched a semi-musical version by Charles Walters called 'The Glass Slipper' with ex ballet and fellow dancer of Brigitte Bardot, Leslie Caron. There's a curious mix of beauty/ugliness about Leslie Caron. If you've been nursed all your childhood that Cinderella has compulsory long blond hair, it's a bit of a shock to have one with jetblack pixie short hair. But oh these eyes, clear blue a a mint sweet! I absolutely love the sets and costumes in this one, they're worth watching the film on their own. The Technicolor has never been so bright.

In this version, I found Ella (short for Cinderella I suppose?) whining a lot with fierce eyes and rage. The whining tends to get on my nerves a bit. The Fairy Godmother Mrs Toquet is truly the way I had imagined her, a bit crazy, charmingly messy and carrying a big tapestry bag. The Prince (Michael Wilding) is not handsome at all against my criteria and those skintight dancing trousers don't do him any favour (I really have an issue with skintight dancing trousers!). The ballet dance scenes are breathtaking and gives a bit of relief to those like me dislike musicals.



The Glass Slipper original poster
Copyright MGM/Warner
No release on DVD

Pinocchio (1972)

Pinocchio is a very heartmoving story about a little boy brought alive by La Fata Turchina (the Blue Fairy) but who keeps falling into easy traps common to all children. I can't stop thinking of my little brother when I watch this TV film. He really was the kind to believe that if you planted coins in the soil, a money tree would grow. Thank heavens, he's not a Pinocchio anymore! Other versions exist but this is the one who won my heart. Carlo Colodi's book is faithfully transposed. Directed by Luigi Comencini, the cast is perfect. I defy anyone not to instantly fall for little weaselfaced Andrea Balestri who plays Pinocchio. What about Italian sexpot Lollobrigida with her purple hair rinse and romantic rickety house?



Gina Lollobrigida as La Fata Turchina or La Fata Azzurra (The Blue Fairy)



The Rickety house and naughty Pinocchio backturned to wood being taken care of by his good fairy



DVD cover (Italian release)

Pinocchio is available on DVD copyright 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

I have no clue what will be featured this year on French TV though here are some films that will usually come round at that time of the year:



Sissi

Starring beloved Romy Schneider (one of our most famous screen stars in France though she was Austrian). The film was so successfull it took Romy Schneider sweat and blood to be recognized as an extremely talented actress (she was indeed) and get rid of the painfully clinging Sissi image. The film is somehow sweetly sick but hey we all love a bit of a princess fairytale, fabulous settings and period costumes. I guess we French are famous for having our King and Queen's heads chopped off in 1793 after the 1789 revolution but still monarchy triggers fantasies in us.



The DVD set comes in 5 DVDs though if I remember well one has nothing to do with Elizabeth d'Autriche (Sissi) but Victoria Queen of England. I can't believe they added 'Sissi' in big red letter along the title!

Trois noisettes pour Cendrillon/Three wishes for Cinderella/Tri orísky pro Popelku

is an odd Czech rarity (released in 1973) that left a strong impression on me when I was wee. At the beginning of the 00's dozens and dozens of people were asking on forums where they could find the film. It was eventually released on DVD a few years later. It's a basic Cinderella story with an interesting twist. No fairy godmother here but three magic hazelnuts that will propulse Popelka/Cinderella to a better life. Only one ugly sister in this version but oh lord ugly and nasty as you can dream of indeed. And also loads and loads of snowy landscapes and Popelka's faithful friends, a horse and an owl that seem to be granted with mind reading faculties.



The US/UK version cover



Popelka having a hard time at home



Popelka and her ueberfashionable fur gilet, a persistent trend in UK since a few years

The film suffers a bit from the time it was shot especially on the costume side that though classical screams seventies. Also one must remember this was a Czech production so the Eastern feeling is quite present. But I suppose when you're a kid you don't really pay attention to these details. To me, the best Cinderella story up til now.

Three wishes for Cinderella is available on DVD (US/UK release) copyright Facets
Drei Haselnüsse für Aschenbrödel (German release) copyright Icestorm Entertainment GmbH
Tri orísky pro Popelku (Czech release) unable to find production company
Sadly no French release (apart on VHS, released in the late 80's)