Page 24 - 2005-12

By the time Cinderella was completed a total of 26 animators, 10 layout background and special effects artists and
over 250 workers had spent six years on the project, which required 800 gallons of specially prepared paint (from
Disney's own laboratory), a mountain of creativity and publicity claiming "Disney's best since Snow White",
Cinderella was finally ready for release.
The public response was phenomenal, everywhere it played there were long queues outside cinemas. This was in the
days when cinema admission was as low as 25 cents. When the film grossed over $4 million at the box office the
Disney Studio was thrilled!
The picture became synonymous with the festive season, with many future reissues at Christmas time. Cinderella was
praised and loved by audiences all over the world. In an interview with Variety 1981, Hamilton Luske (one of the
directors of Cinderella), was asked why the recent re-release of Cinderella that year was such a huge success. He
responded:
"The Christmas release of Cinderella has left many major studio blockbusters at the starting gate
earning $17 million domestically. It has proved that what the Disney name alone could not do,
the pairing of the Disney name with a story of universal appeal could. Back in 1950 Walt took
the hint and chose similarly famous tales for his next cartoon feature endeavours, Alice in
Wonderland, Peter Pan and Sleeping Beauty. Walt knew that his best measuring stick was the
box office, the only real reflection of what his audience wanted to see. Disney's version of
Cinderella is the quintessential telling of the tale."

Cinderella Fully Restored on DVD
Cinderella was previously released on VHS and 12-inch
laser disc. Buena Vista Home Entertainment have remained
faithful to Disney's release policy with this brilliant restored
version, arriving just in time for Christmas. This is a state
of the art pristine restoration giving new life to a Disney
masterpiece. The two disc special edition of Cinderella has
a comprehensive collection of supplementary material,
including a detailed "making of" documentary. Regretfully
the producers have failed to document anything on the
restoration itself. Which will no doubt disappoint sticklers
for technical stuff.
In DVD Today USA October 2005, reviewer
Mark Stevens says:
"It is easy to dismiss Cinderella as an unremarkable Disney product but those who do so
obviously haven't seen it recently in this brilliantly restored DVD. It is a work of genuine charm,
winning songs, imagination and entertainment. The sum total of everything missing on the
Disney Channel today."
Cinderella is a beautiful film and an exemplary achievement in animation as an art
form, but more importantly it is a wholesomely entertaining movie that everyone
should see. "Spun of magic, music and laughter" it is a Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo movie
created by a man who motivated his creative team of animators with the philosophy
that "the only limit to animation is your imagination."
In today's world of reality TV, where producers of children's media have no
imagination and are anti-entertainment, Walt Disney's Cinderella is a refreshing
reminder of what a little intelligence, dedication and combination of talents can
achieve.

Conclusion on a Nostalgic Note
In memory of the Metro Cinema in Collins St, Melbourne, where the author
(repeatedly) saw the 1969-70 re-issues of Cinderella. The theatre was immaculate, the
publicity in the entrance took your breath away, the presentation spot on, with a full
supporting Disney feature Run Appaloosa Run and all this for a mere $1.50
admission on Saturday nights.
Yes Folks! All the magic back then is gone, but the memories are vividly intact
because they are worth remembering and totally unforgettable. Trams, cinemas, the
spirit and atmosphere of Melbourne, all the great movies on offer in those days. Is it
any wonder we reflect on the good old days and ask what the hell went wrong?

3