This tv telecast was no frail and fluffy beauty. This telecast was a thoughtful, whimsical reminder of where we've been and an aspirational hope for a multicultural future. Not just an event when it premiered to kick off the return of the Wonderful World of Disney, 1997's Cinderella was a passion project for all involved and it was clearly a moment of joy and affection and story that both influenced further iterations and left some past Cinderella tv telecasts in its shadows.
John and Magnus are here to dissect, inform about some wonderful behind the scenes moments, and give praise where praise is due to the masterwork of Whitney Houston, Brandy Norwood, Whoopi Goldberg, Jason Alexander, Bernadette Peters, Victor Garber, Veanne Cox, Natalie Desselle, and then newcomer Paolo Montalban.
What makes this movie so magical and special? Perhaps it was the music, some of which was brought into the Cinderella for the first time. Perhaps it was the chemistry of the leads or that it feels so much like a true ensemble cast where each gets their chance to shine. Or perhaps it was the scene and set design- blending the fantastic with the reality of the moment. Whatever it was- it will always truly be- Cinderella 1997. Impossible? Never.
