Why Disney's animated 'Cinderella' is still a classic
"Cinderella," Kenneth Branagh's live-action version of the timeless tale, arrives in theaters this weekend a little more than 65 years after Walt Disney's classic adaptation premiered in February 1950. Beautifully animated by the studio's geniuses known as the "Nine Old Men," that "Cinderella" has contributed iconic moments and sights that live on in American pop culture, from the Fairy Godmother's playful song to the namesake castle at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom.
But when was the last time you actually watched the movie?
For parents of young children, the answer might be five minutes ago. The rest of us probably haven't seen it in years - if at all. Luckily, the gorgeous 2012 Blu-ray reissue is still readily available and chock-full of supplements, including more than two hours of documentary footage.
Why would adults be interested in revisiting "Cinderella"? I'll tell you:
The voice acting. Animated films used to employ actors with distinctive voices, not famous names. The vocal talents in "Cinderella" rival any film in the medium, whether it's Disney sound-effects guru Jimmy MacDonald making us laugh as Cindy's mischievous mouse friends, or Eleanor Audley setting a high bar for Cate Blanchett to reach as Lady Tremaine, the evil stepmother. (Audley would later give voice to Maleficent in "Sleeping Beauty" and the disembodied head of Madame Leota in Disneyland's Haunted Mansion.)
The music by Oliver Wallace and Paul J. Smith. Ilene Woods' performance of "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes" is as lush and evocative as anything in the Disney songbook, a far cry from the chirpy children's music you may be used to. Verna Felton nearly steals the show with "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo," but the real highlight is the forgotten song "Sing Sweet Nightingale." Cinderella sings this song as she scrubs the floor, and her image is reflected in multiplying soap bubbles. Each reflection sings a different harmony part in an ingenious, downright magical sequence.
It's surprisingly funny, thanks to Jacques and Gus-Gus, Cinderella's mouse friends who are constantly at odds with Lady Tremaine's cantankerous cat, Lucifer (whom they call "Rucifee"). The cat-and-mouse game takes up a significant portion of the 75-minute film, and I daresay is far better developed than the love story "Cinderella" becomes in the final reel.
"Cinderella" is available on DVD and Blu-ray, and can be purchased digitally from vudu, iTunes and other online retailers.
Sean Stangland is a Daily Herald copy editor and a tireless consumer of pop culture. He thinks "Sleeping Beauty" is the best classic Disney film. You can follow him on Twitter at @SeanStanglandDH.