Plot Details: This opinion reveals major details about the movie's plot.

"We must be protocoligorically correct
Good form must never suffer from neglect
The rules and regulations we respect
must be treated circumspect
Else the kingdom will be wrecked
We've a system to protect
Checked and double checked
and protocoligorically correct!"

So sing the King and his council in their effort to provide just the correct mate for the Prince of Euphrania.

I saw this for the first time when I was about 10 years old and it was on HBO. My entire family fell in love with it, and I have my own copy now.

Richard Chamberlain is the prince, and he cuts a fine royal figure in his velvet coats and knee breeches. Gemma Craven, a virtual unknown, plays Cindy with real charm and warmth. Annette Crosbie, a veteran of many British PBS productions is the scolding yet tender godmother, always supposedly needed elsewhere for very urgent work. Dame Edith Evans is the senile Dowager Empress who yells out hilarious comments from time to time (like the title of my review).

The story begins with the prince's return from a nearby kingdom after refusing the princess he was supposed to marry. Her portrait did not do her justice.

So the courtiers discuss a "Bride Finding Ball" to help them find just the correct woman for the prince.

In the meantime, Cinderella, her wicked stepmother (Margaret Lockwood), and evil stepsisters are just returning from the funeral of Cindy's father. She is now banished below stairs to cook and clean. She sings "Once I was Loved" as a tribute to her father and the life she lost.

Fairy Godmother comes to visit early on, when Cinderella is as the depths of despair over an entire full of potatoes she has to have peeled and cooked for supper. In a flash, the godmother enters (in the guise of a weary traveler) and asks if she can stay awhile, and asks Cinderella about her dog. "I haven't got a dog," Cinderella replies. To which FG says "Well who's that?" and an adorable Scotty-type mutt is revealed as Cinderella's new companion. When FG leaves, you see the the basement is spotless and gleaming, and the potatoes are all well-prepared, plus the dying fire has now become a cozy warming blaze.

The ball nears, and the usual occurs. Cinderella makes it with the help of FG (singing "Suddenly" in the carriage on the way to the ball), announcing herself as the Princess Incognito, and loses her slipper at the stroke of midnight. But what a lovely ball it was!

In the meantime, the Prince is going mad looking for her. He has fallen in love, and can't find the mystery woman anywhere! His valet, John, explains that he has his own problems. He loves the beautiful Lady Caroline, but his position holds him back. They sing "Position and Positioning" with an amazing dance number by the royal staff from the butlers and valets down to the lowest laundresses and cooks. Then, in a gesture of royal kindness, the prince knights John so that he may wed Lady Caroline.

Finally, in despair, the prince hurls the glass slipper out a window, which Cinderella's canine companion retrieves (it landed on soft leaves below the palace window) and brings to her. Reliving her wonderful experience at the ball, she dances around a sunny meadow holding the slipper aloft. John, on an impromptu celebratory picnic with his lovely Lady, recognizes her and the slipper and quickly rides off to inform the prince. At last the prince and Cindy are reunited.

There is a slight problem though. Cindy is not royalty. This is the first Cinderella movie to really address any complications that might ensue from a prince marrying a commoner. She is informed by the palace staff that she must leave immediately, and is ushered into a waiting carriage in the night. "Tell Him (that it wasn't love)" she sings sadly, descending the stairs.

At last, FG repairs all the damage during the prince's wedding to some unknown Princess. Cindy walks down the aisle to meet him during the ceremony in her wedding finery, the prospective bride falls for the prince's geeky cousin, and all is well.

The attraction of this movie is really the wonderful music and dancing. If you don't like either, settle for another version of Cinderella. The music is by the Hughes Brothers, and the lyrics are quite funny in many of the songs (see above). This version also has more of a PBS/British feel even though the fairy tale is French. Anglophiles will celebrate it. There is also the lovely Austrian scenery. The costumes as expected, are fantastic. Little girls should love it. Husbands will whine as expected. I far prefer this movie to Ever After because I can't stand Drew Barrymore.

Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Good for a Rainy Day
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 9 - 12