The Slipper and the Rose [Blu-ray]

Overview

British director Bryan Forbes gave the fairy-tale form a try with The Slipper and the Rose (subtitled The Story of Cinderella). This may be one of the few versions of the old Cinderella legend where the prince (Richard Chamberlain) is better looking than Cinderella (Gemma Craven). Songs are provided by Richard and Robert Sherman, the sibling tunesmiths responsible for the score of Mary Poppins. The singers include several British luminaries not usually associated with vocalizing, notably Margaret Lockwood, Kenneth More and Dame Edith Evans.

Product Details

Release Date:	02/05/2019
UPC:	0826663190700
Original Release:	1976
Rating:	G
Source:	Shout Factory
Region Code:	A
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Stereo, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround]
Language:	English
Time:	2:23:00
Sales rank:	6,495

Special Features

Audio Commentary with Director Bryan Forbers; Interview with The Sherman Brothers; "Cinderella Story: The Making of The Slipper And The Rose" Featurette; Trailer

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Richard Chamberlain	Prince Edward
Gemma Craven	Cinderella
Annette Crosbie	Fairy Godmother
Edith Evans	Dowager Queen
Michael Hordern	King
Lally Bowers	Queen
Kenneth More	Lord Chamberlain
Julian Orchard	Montague
Margaret Lockwood	Stepmother
Christopher Gable	John
Polly Williams	Lady Caroline
Ina Clare	Dancer
Keith Skinner	Willoughby
Rosalind Ayres	Isabella
John Turner	Major Domo
Sherrie Hewson	Palatine
Norman Bird	Dress Shop Proprietor
Peter Graves	General
Ray Barraclough	Tailor
Gerald Sim	First Lord of the Navy
Elizabeth Mansfield	Ladies in Waiting
Ludmilla Nova	Ladies in Waiting
Roy Barraclough	Tailor
Geoffrey Bayldon	Archbishop
Patrick Jordan	Prince's Guard
Valentine Dyall	Second Major Domo
Bryan Forbes	Herald
Tim Barrett	Minister
Vivienne McKee	Bride
Andre Morell	Bride's Father
Myrtle Reed	Bride's Mother
Eva Reuber-Staier	Princess
Peter Leeming	Singing Guard
Tessa Dahl	Princess
Richard M. Sherman	Composer

Technical Credits

Robert B. Sherman

Bryan Forbes	Director
Robert B. Sherman	Screenwriter,Screenwriter
David Frost	Executive Producer
Stuart Lyons	Producer

Editorial Reviews

The Slipper and the Rose is a delightful variation on the "Cinderella" theme, making a number of changes in the familiar story that make it seem fresh. Chief among these is a greater emphasis upon the Prince, who in this version is actually the main character of the story, and a re-setting of the tale in an era of powdered wigs and knee breeches. The latter allows the creative team to provide some delicious costumes and show them off in a sumptuous setting. The former change allows Richard Chamberlain to demonstrate his natural ease with the musical form. Charming and totally at-home with both the singing and dancing duties demanded of him, Chamberlain engages the viewer from the first and holds court over the entire film. As the heroine, Gemma Craven is sweet-voiced and sincere; she has a winsomeness and innocence that are immensely appealing without becoming cloying. Annette Crosbie is both dotty and down-to-earth as the Fairy Godmother, and Margaret Lockwood leavens the Stepmother with an amusing dose of vanity. Slipper is not without its faults; it goes on a bit too long and the slipper search is anti-climactic. In addition, the Sherman Brothers score is at times too reminiscent of other scores (both their own and those of others), and director Bryan Forbes overuses the soft focus lens. But all in all, Slipper is a pleasant and engaging visit.