March 2021 Film Club Pick
Is it Spring yet? Sadly, winter is clearly not anywhere close to being over (especially for those of us residing in New England), and even with the Spring equinox only a couple weeks away, March always seems to drag on… forever… To combat the winter doldrums, which tend to set in this time of year, we, the team at The Film Rewind, have decided to select a whimsical musical fantasy to put us in a better, and spring-filled, frame of mind.
Chances are, even if you think you know all the ‘Cinderella’ musicals, you may have overlooked this month’s Film Club Pick. We’re not going to be talking about the Walt Disney’s animated Cinderella (1950), nor the many incarnations of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella (starring Julie Andrews in 1957, Lesley Ann Warren in 1965, and Brandy in 1997), nor the ballet filled ‘Cinderella’ musical, The Glass Slipper (1955), starring Leslie Caron. Instead, our March Film Club pick is the 1976 British musical, The Slipper and the Rose: The Story of Cinderella. For me, it is hard to believe that The Slipper and the Rose is celebrating its 45th release anniversary this month and that the film’s leading actor, Richard Chamberlain (born March 31, 1934), will be celebrating his 87th Birthday, which is also the end of this month! (We really do like sticking with a theme and running with it…)
In case you didn’t already know, The Slipper and the Rose also features the songwriting talents of the Sherman Brothers. Yes, those Sherman Brothers! Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman, famed for their collaborative songwriting and for providing us with countless Disney hits and timeless musicals, including Mary Poppins (1964), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968), The Happiest Millionaire (1967), and Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971), as well as plenty of other film scores and theme songs, are the musical minds behind the songs throughout The Slipper and the Rose. It will be interesting to explore how the music in this film compares to some of their other beloved classics, as many of the Sherman Brother’s songs are still wildly popular and can be heard throughout Disney theme parks to this day (anyone who has ridden the “It’s a Small World” ride knows just how catchy their tunes can be…).
We couldn’t be more ready for this charming musical that is full of love, loss, over-the-top costumes, more than a few catchy tunes, and enough ‘Spring vibes’ to tide us over for the rest of the winter. To join us in our discussion of The Slipper and the Rose (at the end of this month), you can currently find this film streaming, for free, on several video streaming platforms, including Pluto TV, Tubi, Vudu, and even Amazon Prime! So, round up the entire family, pop some popcorn, and settle in for a long movie night. The intermission is purely optional, but highly encouraged!
What do you think of our March Film Club Pick? Are you as ready, and excited, to watch The Slipper and the Rose as we are? Share your thoughts in the comments below, but just be sure to track down the film and give it a watch!
Copyright © 2021 Sarah Crane
