Cinderella

Beautiful Cinderella has been forced by her jealous stepmother and ugly stepsisters to become a servant in her own home, though she keeps a positive outlook with the help of her friends, the chatty mice and chirping birds. When the King and the Duke plan a royal ball so that Prince Charming might find a bride, all the eligible maidens are invited-including Cinderella. Though the ugly stepsisters destroy the ball gown that Cinderella's animal friends have made, Cinderella's Fairy Godmother sings a magic song, and creates all the things Cinderella needs to get to the ball.

Once there, she instantly catches the Prince's eye. They spend the whole night together, but it is over much too soon. As the clock strikes midnight, Cinderella races from the castle in a gallant attempt to get home before the last strike of the bell. In her haste, she loses her slipper on the steps of the castle.

With the slipper as his guide, the Prince searches the kingdom for the fair lady. He sends his Grand Duke out to find the one lady whose foot fits the slipper. Try as they might, none of the stepsisters can fit in. They give Cinderella a try, and it fits! Cinderella is brought to the castle, and she and the Prince live happily ever after.

Cinderella, Prince Charming, Mice (Gus, Jaq, Suzy, Perla, Blossom, Luke, Mert, Bert), Lucifer, Lady Tremaine, Anastasia Tremaine, Drizella Tremaine, Fairy Godmother, King, Grand Duke, Bruno, Doorman

It took twelve years for Disney to finally return to the Princess story, the type of film that would be the bread and butter of the company from February 15, 1950 forward... that is, the day Cinderella was first released.

It was with Cinderella that the Disney Company found it's niche. At the same time, the animators were at the top of their game. It all came together here- cute songs (including Academy Award Nominee "Bibbidy-Bobbidi-Boo"), cute animal side-kicks, evil step-mother, magic, romance and a handsome prince.

Disney seems to have progressed to a more beautiful color palette here, too... away from the dreary colors of films like The Adventures Of Ichabod And Mister Toad. The films also have a hefty dose of humor.... but they are not all light and airy. Disney is not afraid of complex, deep emotions, and is willing to scare it's audience just as easily as tickling them.

Cinderella is a groundbreaking film for Disney for no other reason than this set the road-map for success for the studio for the next sixty years, and, dare I say it, beyond.

This was the 12th film in the official Disney list of animated films.

Academy Award Nominee, Best Scoring of a Musical Picture, Paul Smith, Oliver Wallace, 1951.
Academy Award Nominee, Best Original Song, "Bibbidy-Bobbidi-Boo" (Music and Lyrics: Mack David, Al Hoffman, Jerry Livingston), 1951.
Academy Award Nominee, Best Sound Recording, Walt Disney Studio Sound Department, 1951