Of all the versions of Cinderella, this is by far the best one, and that too by a long distance, and that too despite it being quite long (more than 2 hours). But even that didn't make me go fast forward or skip portions. It has a very pretty and talented Cinderella (Gemma); it makes me wonder why she didn't do many movies. With her there are two major assets (pun unintended and misplaced). These are her fairy God Mother (Annette) and the Dowager Queen (Edith). With the expected romance it has very nice comedies, mainly by these two ladies. To be a Godmother is a obviously reluctant post given to a fairy, and though she doesn't tell "It's a long story", but clearly her expression says that it's not a pleasant one. To make it comic, she could have been a bungling one, that I have seen in quite a few movies, but to her (and director's) credit, she managed the right dose of comedy without bungling even once. The Dowager, tottering queen is equally adorable. More than partially bereft of her sight, due to her age, she guesses things by sound (of which she is still in full possession of), and that brings up the comics. The three women of three generations (by age) gets five stars from me. Of the men, of course a good performance is by the King (Hordern). He and his mother(Dowager) had a 'confused' comedy. She due to the age, he, due to his ways. The queen (Lilly) didn't have much role, or presence. The prince (Richard Chamberlain), his friend (Gable) and other men had an above average but I won't call the exquisite presence.It hasn't very faithfully followed Cinderella. If they did, they can't make a two hours plus movie, especially with the ball over before halftime and not much later she being identified by her prince (due to shoe, but not by fitting method). They created some predictable complications, but despite predictability, it didn't become eyesore. To think of, the Cinderella story itself is well known and hence predictable. I could add a last asset too, which further reduced the chances of getting bored, the songs had been lovely. As I mentioned, it ranks at the top of my Cinderellas, Disneys included. Since I save 10 pointers for something which I could find, sometime, I gave it 9.

Richard Chamberlain is the Prince and Gemma Craven is Cinderella in this version of the timeless story, that not only is modernized but embellished as well, with further complications (as it would play out in real life.) And not only that, but music is added. To start off with, I love the Lesley Ann Warren version, and the Julie Andrews version is good too, but this is better. You know how people love pizza or guys football, well I have discovered an all-new (to me) all-time favorite movie musical. Up there with Show Boat, Brigadoon, Easter Parade, The Band Wagon, and Singin' in the Rain is The Slipper and the Rose. The songs are out of this world, especially the love songs. The settings and landscapes are to die for, and the mood and romance between Richard and Gemma are just wonderful. Gemma Craven makes a perfect Cinderella and Richard can really sing! Also of note is the supporting cast. Margaret Lockwood, as the stepmother, was especially good, and Annette Crosbie is memorable as the fairy godmother. Dame Edith Evans sings too! Today's generation (those 25 or younger) may find fault with some of its corniness and the older men's (the King and his royal subjects) songs and their dancing. But, I challenge anyone who says they love musicals not to get carried away with this. A more perfect film there is not.

Step forward and take a bow Mr K.More,Mr M.Hordern,Miss L.Bowers,Miss A.Crosbie, Dame Edith and Miss M.Lockwood,for your combined efforts in turning a saccharine Sherman Brothers musical from a pumpkin to something a little more substantial."The slipper and the rose" suffers from the rather basic defect of having no memorable songs whatsoever. Some of the lyrics are "clever" in a Cole Porter - ish sort of way,but the melodies are distinctly of the "ho - hum" variety.The dancing - from "Mary Poppins" out of "Oliver" - is no more than adequate ,with the honourable exception of those members of The Royal Ballet who appear as various rodents and reptiles in a sequence redolent of their "Tales of Beatrix Potter" production. Mr R.Chamberlain strides about in long boots like "Dandini" in the pantomime,his performance verging at times on the arch.I waited - sadly in vain - for him to for him to stand,arms akimbo,and toss back his head before laughing manfully and asking members of the audience onstage to take part in a sing - song. Miss G.Craven is a little too mousy as Cinderella and she is not sufficiently eye - catching as Princess Incognito to have caused such a furore at the Palace Ball. Unfortunately Mr C.Gable makes absolutely no impact as the Prince's companion and it is only the remarkable cast of British thesps that Mr Forbes gathered round him rather like a security blanket that save the "The slipper and the rose" from children's TV movie status. I must single out Miss A.Crosbie,an actress not particularly well - represented on film.She is beautiful,smart and has a wonderful speaking voice.She does not normally do cockney,scouse or geordie - the staple of Brit TV casts - and I doubt if she'll ever be in a Mike Leigh movie,but she shines here as the Fairy Godmother.Unfortunately her performance totally eclipses that of Miss Craven in all of their scenes. She is quite captivating and - along with Mr K.More - the main reason for watching this movie. There is a rather moving scene near the end where Mr More, as the Chamberlain,has to tell Cinderella that she cannot marry the prince because she is a commoner.It takes just a couple of minutes screen time but Mr More - quietly spoken and with a minimum of facial gestures - turns this brief moment into something true,speaking with genuine compassion and knowledge of human frailty,the burden of power resting uneasily on his shoulders.I would be very surprised if Mr Forbes didn't have a bit of a blub at that. "The slipper and the rose" is really two movies;the Cinderella story told competently,without great directorial sweeps,with adequate performances and dull songs and the serio - comic tale of an embattled kingdom surrounded by predator - nations waiting for one false move to justify war.This is told with wit and affection and performed by actors who play off each other with the ease and apparent spontaneity born only of years of experience and directed so well that they hardly seem to have been directed at all.They shine like a good deed on a dull day.

This has been a favorite movie since I was a little girl. The music and costumes are incredible. It is the perfect switch from the little girl animated Cinderella tale to a grown up romantic movie. The words "captivating" and "spectacular" are the best to describe it. I find it a perfect film to sit down with a bowl of popcorn and get a little laugh, a little cry, and a lot of romantic smiles out of. If you are looking for a gift for a girl or woman in your life, this movie is the perfect choice! No one could have played a better heroine than Gemma Craven and the prince is as charming as any fairytale. You can sing along with all of the songs and you might even get up and dance with your daughter. You'll watch it a thousand times! I love this movie!