From the moment the storybook opens we find out that romance is the predominant visual theme of the film. What a lovely way to take us into this world through gorgeous book illustrations and the soulful narration by Betty Lou Gerson ( who would later voice Cruella De Vil).
Cinderella's background paintings remind me of grand stage sets for a Viennese Operetta by Johann Strauss. Everything is exaggerated in order to enhance a dreamlike, sentimental mood. The movie was made on a shoestring budget, yet the its visual presentation is opulent and luscious. You combine that with rich storytelling, and you get a classic for the ages.
The Viennese feeling is absolutely there! Only those can feel this who roamed at least once that marvellous city!
ReplyDeleteI always loved the heightened layouts in the king's bedroom.
ReplyDeleteImpressed that book cover's still in one piece, a little rough around the edges but it's all there!
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of Cinderella Andreas. I think one of the dresses that Cinderella is going to be wearing for the new movie includes one of the dress designs from Mary Blair's concept art. I don't know if I am right about this though. I mean the one for the new movie is the pink dress the stepmother rips in the trailer. It looks identical to the pink dress that Mary Blair had. Do you know if she had other character concept arts for the studios?
ReplyDeleteRecently re-watched Cinderella since... well since childhood I suppose. I love the romanticism in the picture, even though it's über-cliché (something that is actually addressed and made fun about in the movie itself by the Grand Duke). I tend to consider myself, if not cynical, at least a down-to-earth type of fellow, but I really had watery eyes at the end.
ReplyDeleteI don't know. Sometimes it's just nice to think that dreams come true and that we will eventually live happily ever after. I suppose the design of the movie plays a role in selling the whole romance-thing to the audience...
The bedroom image is a rough pre-production study.
ReplyDeleteWhat lovely photos, Andreas! Cinderella will always be in my heart!
ReplyDelete@Andreas: I wanted to get back to the image, since Heritage is hosting an auction for this particular background and it seems to be identical to the smallest detail with the image you posted, except for the colors. Are you sure it's a pre-production study, and not a copy background off the original?
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