Cinderella Parent Guide
Perfect for all ages, this timeless classic illustrates the power of optimism and how it is possible to blossom, even in adversity.
Parent Movie Review
Any child who has ever balked at being asked to clean their room or perform a few household chores will certainly relate to the hardships of Cinderella in Disney’s 1950 animated adaptation of this fairytale.
The untimely death of the beautiful young woman’s (voiced by Ilene Woods) kindly father leaves her in the unscrupulous hands of his second wife. The wicked stepmother (voice of Eleanor Audley), looking out for the best interests of her own daughters (voices of Rhoda Williams and Lucille Bliss) takes advantage of the situation and quickly adjusts the pecking order. Poisoned by their envy, the rather dysfunctional stepfamily demotes Cinderella to maid and barks out their commands with smug glee. Seeing no other choice, the good-natured girl accepts her lot and settles into a life of servitude, resigned to only fantasize about happiness.
After scrubbing and cooking for years (but always with a song), her monotony is broken when an invitation from the castle arrives. The King (voice of Luis Van Rooten) has scheduled a Royal ball that every eligible bachelor-ette in the realm is expected to attend so the fastidious Prince (voice of Mike Douglas) may choose a bride. In a flurry of excitement, the preparations begin. Even Cinderella is told that she can go… if she completes a grueling list of chores and if she has a dress to wear. Against impossible odds, the mopping maiden astonishes her taskmasters with the completed assignments and a recycled evening gown. But this is more than her cruel stepsiblings can take and in a flash, they tear up any hope she might have had for a night out.
Lost in the depths of despair Cinderella throws in the dishtowel at this final defeat. That is, until she receives a visit from none other than her enchanting wand-wielding fairy Godmother (voice of Verna Felton). In a “Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo” Cinderella’s world is magically altered. However the rags to riches spell only provides a few hours in which to make her dreams come true!
Perfect for all ages, this timeless classic illustrates the power of optimism and how it is possible to blossom, even in adversity. Tonight, give your family the royal treatment by enjoy an evening in with Cinderella… that is, if all your work is done!
Directed by Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson, Hamilton Luske. Starring Ilene Woods, Eleanor Audley, Verna Felton, William Phipps. Running time: 74 minutes. Theatrical release March 4, 1950. Updated July 2, 2019Watch the trailer for Cinderella
Cinderella
Rating & Content Info
Why is Cinderella rated G? Cinderella is rated G by the MPAA
Overall: B After the death of her father, a beautiful young woman is reduced to the status of maid by her jealous and wicked stepmother. The whole family will enjoy watching dreams come true compliments of a fairy godmother in this charming, Disney animated classic tale.
Violence: A- The very mild animated violence includes characters chased numerous times by a cat, rage vented by throwing items, a crash into a suit of armor, a fall from great height, and a characters clothes being torn.
Sexual Content: A A man kisses the back of a woman’s hand. A couple kisses and embraces. A character kisses the top of another’s head.
Language: A Mild insults only.
Drugs/Alcohol: A- A couple of characters smoke cigars.
Page last updated July 2, 2019
Cinderella Parents' Guide
While it often works in fairytales, waiting for a “prince to come” and “make all your dreams come true,” is not a very proactive approach to life’s problems. What things might Cinderella do herself to improve her situation? Are there things in your life that you are waiting for someone else to fix? Is there anything you could do to change your circumstances?
Although Cinderella is in an abusive situation, for young ones not so hard-done-by the story might imply that work is a punishment, and that living happily ever after means a life of leisure. Do you believe this is true?
Home Video
The most recent home video release of Cinderella movie is October 1, 2012. Here are some details…
2019 DVD/Blu-ray Release
Re-released on June 25th, 2019, Disney’s Cinderella comes in a double case with DVD and Blu-ray discs and a digital download. The Blu-ray is packed with extra features and while most of them are only of interest to die-hard animation aficionados, the rest will hold the attention of adult Cinderella fans.
The highlight of the bonus features is From Rags to Riches: The Making of Cinderella. Digging back into Disney’s archives and using interviews with artists and Disney employees, this featurette examines Cinderella as Walt’s last chance to save his money-losing studio. It delves into the contributions of individual animators, interviews the vocal actors, examines the history of the soundtrack and Disney music in general. It even looks at the use of rotoscoping as a money-saving strategy for the cash-strapped studio.
Also of interest to movie fans is The Cinderella That Almost Was. Walt Disney had been toying with Cinderella stories for over 30 years. Here The Incredibles director Brad Bird takes viewers through decades of narratives, storyboards, abandoned characters, and gags in a fascinating trip through alternative Cinderella stories.
Viewers with a technical interest in animated features will be drawn to some of the more detailed featurettes. Storyboard to Film Comparison shows the storyboard images on the screen along with the completed opening sequence and gives viewers a minute by minute look at the process of animation. Alternate Opening Sequence provides the storyboard for an abandoned opening sequence – and the reasons why it was abandoned aren’t difficult to see.
Film devotees interested in the artistic and technical aspects of animated films will also be intrigued by From Walt’s Table: A Tribute to Nine Old Men. This segment gathers contemporary leaders in animation around a dinner table to discuss the contributions and legacy of the nine men who were the heart of Disney’s first golden age of animation. And The Art of Mary Blair shines a light on the vital contributions of a rare woman in the industry. Mary Blair’s distinctive style was extremely influential in Cinderella, Peter Pan, and Alice in Wonderland. Nowhere is her aesthetic more visible than in the It’s a Small World ride at Disneyland and Disneyworld.
Other features on the disc include a tribute to Mary Alice O’Connor, the woman who inspired the fairy godmother and a few features best skipped altogether. The Magic of the Glass Slipper is a pretentious short film by Christian Louboutin in which the prestigious shoe designer apparently designs a shoe for a modern Cinderella. The advertisement for Disneyland’s Fantasyland expansion is obsolete. And the trivia segment is hosted by two annoying Disney channel tween hosts and features little material of interest – except for the fact that Cinderella has size 4 ½ feet.
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Disney has produced sequels to this movie: Cinderella II: Dreams Come True and Cinderella 3. For a portrayal of Cinderella with a little more backbone and attitude, try Ever After. For other fairytales that have received the Disney treatment, check out Peter Pan, Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs, and Beauty And The Beast.
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