MGM probably hoped for another "Lili" by casting Leslie Caron as the lead in a live-action version of Cinderella. While this effort didn't quite meet with the success of that earlier film, it still delighted a number of people who continue to hold fond memories of the production. Leslie Caron makes an irresistably appealing "Ella" and Estelle Winwood is a glorious fairy-godmother but Michael Wilding does tend to be a rather bland Prince Charming. Watch for Amanda Blake (Miss Kitty on "Gunsmoke")as one of the selfish stepsisters. And just try, after seeing this movie, NOT to hum, "Climbing rose, on the wall ... "

The story of Cinderella has always been one of my favourites, both the Charles Perrault and Grimm Brothers versions. An adaptation of Cinderella should ideally enchant, and The Glass Slipper certainly does that.

It does just fall short of being perfect. Wasn't entirely about Michael Wilding as the Prince, the character is a little bland to begin with but Wilding plays the role rather charmlessly and seemed somewhat too mature. Was also mixed on the ballet sequences, they are exquisitely designed, beautifully and cleverly choreographed and danced with grace but had a tendency to go on for a little too long and to slow the film down.

Otherwise, The Glass Slipper is a lovely film and for me one of the better versions of Cinderella. It looks absolutely fabulous, with elegant costuming, truly beautiful and charming scenery and settings and it is very lovingly filmed with a warm hazy glow and sumptuous colour with every transition flowing well into the next without looking choppy. The music has a good amount of whimsy which is a good match for the story, also managing to be perfectly pleasant and hummable (Take My Love is quite sweet).

The script has some clever touches that should be done more, like what is done with the Fairy Godmother, Ella and the Prince's pre-ball encounter, the villagers' treatment of Ella and the idea to have the stepsisters beautiful on the outside, and has far more depth that one would think. Although I do wish there was more done with the transformation scene, one of the best bits of the story, The Glass Slipper manages to the magical and enchanting spirit of the story while having a bit of freshness (something that I loved about the recent adaptation),which is amazing considering how often this story has been done on film and how potentially narratively sketchy the story can be. It may be a bit staid and measured for some, but for me it was not a problem, only in the ballet sequences did the film feel a tad draggy.

Wilding aside, the performances are great, with particular mention going to Leslie Caron's very charming Ella, still looking beautiful even in rags and covered in soot (there is a certain brattiness at times with Caron, which is unusual for Cinderella, but considering Ella's predicament it is somewhat realistic) and Estelle Winwood's splendidly daffy and affecting Fairy Godmother. While the stepmother has been more strongly written elsewhere (like the quite creepy characterisation in the Disney version),Elsa Lanchester is genuinely beastly in the role, and the stepsisters of Amanda Blake and Lisa Daniels show strong comic timing and real nastiness. Barry Jones is amusing as the King, and it was nice to see Keenan Wynn so subtle.

All in all, The Glass Slipper is a lovely, if not flawless, adaptation of a justifiably popular and oft-filmed fairy tale, standing out as one of the better versions too. 8/10 Bethany Cox

This is an interesting retelling of the story of Cinderella--interesting because the story is quite different from the French or German or Disney versions. For instance, Cinderella is NOT a very nice person in this film. As a result of being made fun of for her frumpy appearance, she is a rather short-tempered person--making her more complex and interesting compared to the perfect version in the Disney film. Her sisters, too, are NOT ugly--just vain and self-centered. It's also nice because unlike the traditional story, this one is much more romantic--and this is probably the best aspect of the movie. Seeing Leslie Caron in love scenes with the Price (though she thought the character played by Michael Wilding was just a cook) was delightful. The only serious problem with the film were some of the dance sequences. The dream sequence with the ballet just went on way too long and I am sure it tended to alienate many in the audience---I know it did that for me. In many ways, this sequence was so long and overdone it reminded me of the big dance scene from "An American in Paris"--which you either love or you hate (guess which applies to me!). As for the acting, Caron is her usual wonderful self and she made the film a delight. I also adored Estelle Winwood--she made for a very funny and more human sort of fairy godmother--wonderful and very, very different.

This is a hard one to rate. While I loved the film (it really melted my heart),it should have been tightened up by either eliminating or trimming all the fantasy dance sequences, as they tended to make the plot grind to a halt.