Cinderella (1957)

A young girl named Cinderella (Julie Andrews) is treated as a servant by her stepmother (Ilka Chase) and her stepsisters (Kaye Ballard, Alice Ghostley). When a ball is announced in honor of the return of the Prince (Jon Cypher) to the kingdom, the stepmother and stepsisters plan to attend while leaving Cinderella at home. Based on the classic fairy tale by Charles Perrault with music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein and directed by Ralph Nelson (LILIES OF THE FIELD). This original musical was done live on television and captured a record breaking (for the time) audience. It's popularity was such that it was later adapted for the stage (instead of the other way around) and it was remade in 1965 and 1997 for TV. Originally shown in color, alas only a B&W transfer has survived. While this production may lack magic, there's a sincerity and simplicity to it that's engaging and Julie Andrews makes the perfect Cinderella. The R&H songs are all first rate and one would have to be a curmudgeon to nitpick. With Edie Adams, Dorothy Stickney and Howard Lindsay.