"If the shoe fits...."

Cinderella (1950)


With World War II finally ended, The Walt Disney Studios returned to work, with full funding and work force at their fingertips. And they set out to undertake Disney's final attempt to revive the studio from too many box office disappointments. Cinderella, would be his last chance to save the studio from financial ruin.
Luckily, a hit was exactly what they had. The profit from box office sales, music publishing, record sales, and merchandise set the cash flowing to allow Disney to slate numerous animated and live action films, in addition to tv productions, and a certain theme park we've all come to love.
Cinderella, arguably, allowed The Disney Company to be what it is today.
As I sat down to watch what many consider to be the penultimate Disney film, I reflected on my history of it. No necessarily one of my favorite from the vaults, I still overall liked it as a kid. Perhaps the heavy theme of fulfilling young girls dreams didn't sync with a young plucky kid such as myself. Anyway, after watching as an adult, the film has evolved into a mixed bag for me...
Once again, the Disney studios produced a one dimensional female protagonists for young children to idolize. She's beautiful, kind, gentle (arguably too gentle), and has a singing voice that could have easily lead her to a life far away from the oppression of her stepmother and stepsisters. But most of all, she simply wishes and dreams of a better life for herself as she works the the menial tasks her wardens come up with for her, with a ho hum and a sigh that maybe someday her dreams will come true. And nothing ever changes.
Most of the plot is carried by her small animal friends (another Disney trademark), who seem to be the only ones with a take charge attitude towards a better life for our heroine. They make her dress, drive her to the ball, help her escape captivity during the last segment of the movie.... Most of Cindy's happiness is owed to the mice and birds.
Don't get me wrong, the movie is full of charm, and catchy songs, and a heavy theme of happily ever after. However logic and reason can't help but worm their way into my critique. I mean, the whole story takes place over a twenty four hour period. Cindy wakes up, starts her chores, the ball is announced the day of, she goes, loses her slipper, the king immediately sends the grand duke out into the kingdom to find her, she puts the slipper on again the morning after, BAM, married before brunch.
Pretty nuts.
Let alone the fact that Cinderella picks up the ball where Snow White left it, a couple hours dancing with a prince is hardly grounds for declaring a lifetime of matrimony.....
Again, sorry, but logic and reason argue a strong case.
All of that aside,the movie holds up to the standards Disney has pretty much set for all it's animated movies. And most people I know love this movie, so what's one man's opinion?
On another note, I feel it must be mentioned, the traumatic scene of Cinderella getting her clothes ripped off of her by her stepsisters. I think that was not only mine, but many kids introduction into bullying. Of course, looking back now, the context of the scene makes a little more sense..... That wasn't your sash, Cindy. You need to ask first!
Despite the abuse, Cinderella's consistent optimism and her ability to find as much joy and hope in the world as she can given her dismal circumstances is pretty admirable. And something I find myself taking note of to apply to situations I find myself in my own life. Her character drove her friends to help make her dreams come true, which goes as far as to preach the idea that good things happen to good people, as naive of an idea as it is.
I only hope Cindy repayed the favor and set her rodent friends up in the castle with their own sweet digs.