Page 23 - 2005-12

How to take a very short story and stretch it out into a feature length film without boring the audience was the
problem facing the production team at Disney. In his book Disney Animation - The Illusion of Life, Ollie
Johnston recalls:
"With Cinderella the task facing the Disney staff was
similar to that in Snow White. How to expand the
original story without compromising the main theme
and plot. The animators found the answer by providing
and creating enough secondary characters and
diversionary sequences to surround the simple and
familiar tale. The major inventions along this line were
Cinderellas animal friends, Jaq and Gus the mice; the
bluebirds; Bruno the dog; and their collective enemy
Lucifer the cat. The animals figure importantly
throughout the film, beginning with the very first scene
(after the traditional storybook opening): until the end
fade out."
Unlike Snow White, the animals in Cinderella express themselves in vocal
form but Disney, in a creative decision, restricted this to mice characters
only. If you examine the character of the villain, Lucifer the cat, animated
by master craftsman Ward Kimball, the felines' evil and mischievous
nature is conceived through facial expressions and movement. No voice is
required to get the messages across. Here is another example of getting it
just right at Disney. It was studio policy to select the people who would
provide voice characterisations after animators had designed the
characters. Walt always had the final say in who would voice who. He was
never wrong and had an incredible knack for matching the most suitable
voice for his animated creations.
Former radio and television star Ilene Woods was the only person to audition for the voice of Cinderella. Upon
hearing her sing one of the songs especially written for the film, Walt knew he had found the voice for Cinderella.
The remaining voice talents were also perfect, Eleanor Audley is outstanding as the wicked stepmother, creating a
voice that is charming yet menacing and manipulative. She would also provide the memorable voice for Malificent in
Disneys Sleeping Beauty (1959). Verna Felton's voice is excellent as the Fairy godmother. Other voice talents used
in Cinderella include Rhoda Williams, Lucille Bliss (stepsisters), William Phipps (Prince Charming) and Luis Van
Rooten (King and Grand Duke).
Another great attribute in the film are the six memorable songs written by Mack
David, Jerry Livingston and Al Hoffman. The Work Song and Bibbidi Bobbidi
Boo deserve a special mention.
The attention to detail required in the production of Cinderella inspired the idea to
completely shoot the story in live action. This footage was used to guide the
animators in character development and animated sequences. Animator Frank
Thomas was assigned the character of the wicked stepmother, he would carefully
study and draw whilst
watching the performance of
actress Eleanor Audley.
Detailing facial expression,
movement, mannerisms and
voice until the conception of
the character is clear on
drawing paper and in the
animators' mind. These
drawings were sent to Walt
for the final stamp of
approval. Although
Cinderella is a victim of
circumstance her character is far more assertive than Snow White. When the invitation arrives for the ball the ugly
sisters mock the idea that Cinderella should attend. The girl retaliates by insisting that she is still a member of the
family, and the invitation states that "By Royal command every eligible maid is to attend." Where Snow White
accepts everything happening around her, Cinderella on the other hand asserts her rights.
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