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Showing posts from September, 2019

The Glass Slipper (1955): MGM's Atypical Retelling of Cinderella

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The story of Cinderella has been retold in Hollywood more times than we can probably count. From the more traditional iterations like Disney's 1950 classic to looser adaptations like Billy Wilder's Sabrina , the Cinderella narrative is something audiences love to see again and again. One of my favorite interpretations is The Glass Slipper , starring the wonderful Leslie Caron and directed by the underrated Charles Walters. When I first saw this film, I was struck by its unique handling of such a familiar tale and quickly fell under its spell. Every time I rewatch it, it's like revisiting a friend, it's just so cozy and sweet. Leslie Caron plays Ella, an orphan who was taken in by the cruel Widow Sonder (Elsa Lanchester) and her two vain daughters, Serafina and Birdena (Lisa Daniels and Amanda Blake). An angry and lonely girl, Ella struggles to connect with people and often lashes out. One day in her secret spot away from the village, Ella meets Mrs. Toquet (E