James Marshall's Cinderella

Based on the classic tale, popularized by Charles Perrault in the late 17th century, of a young woman's ascent from ash-encrusted rags to nouveau riches—Virginia Wilkos' animated adaptation of James Marshall's Cinderella (1989), illustrated by the whimsical Marshall and “retold” by Barbara Karlin, is similar to Hansel and Gretel (VL Online-5/06) in its faithfulness to the original, as opposed to the fractured fairy tale approach of Marshall's Goldilocks and the Three Bears (VL-1/94). Winsomely narrated by Stephanie J. Block and backed by an upbeat soundtrack by Ernest V. Troost, the tale follows the familiar story of a widower's daughter saddled with the stepmother and stepsisters from hell, who benefits from an extreme makeover courtesy of a plump fairy godmother and—after some third act business involving a glass slipper—ultimately hooks up with a prince and lives happily ever after. A handsome and entertaining rendition of a perennial children's classic, this is recommended. Aud: K, E, P. (R. Pitman)