Cinderfella (1960)

Some things I liked some I did not.

everything you have heard about this movie is true.

brilliant actors, brilliant editing

The movie runs out of plot and jokes well before the end of a two-hour running time, long for a light comedy.

Look I really thought Jerry Lee Lewis was pure daft during the film but it's just the storyline was much too over the place! It should've been kept as the traditional Cinderella not over the top comedy film!I mean the stepmother and his stepbrothers aren't meant to play nice to him! He shouldn't meet the fairy godfather twice until the day of the ball. He even doesn't need to wear fancy clothes at dinnertime since he is a slave not a houseguest type! At the end, he's not meant to run away , he's meant to kiss the princess like! This isn't really a good twist for a film to be honest with ya!They should really have done this better and I say if anyone created a gender bender movie like this, it will be a lot better I'm afraid.

Perhaps the weakest of the Frank Tashlin/Jerry Lewis collaborations, this rift on the Cinderella story has Lewis as the one-legged step child of nasty Judith Anderson. Anderson, along with playboy sons Henry Silva and Robert Hutton, tries mightily to get "Fella" to reveal the whereabouts of millions his father left him. A visit from princess Anna Maria Alberghetti throws a wrench into the plans. Lewis has a couple of funny gags (squeezing oranges, turning NUTTY PROFESSOR-style into a swinger to woo Alberghetti), but the film is pretty anemic when it comes to real laughs. The inclusion of a couple of forgettable songs adds very little. There is far too little screen time between Lewis & Alberghetti to know if they actually have any chemistry. Ed Wynn is on hand as the Fairy GodFATHER and the Count Basie Orchestra makes an appearance during the ball scene.

"Cinderfella" was Jerry Lewis' answer to the classic Cinderella story. And he intended it to be a masterpiece. To say that it fell somewhat short of it's goal is putting it mildly, but it's not bad. The plot is, of course the familiar story, with a few (expected) variations. When his father dies, poor Fella (Lewis) is left at the mercy of his snobbish stepmother (Judith Anderson) and her two no-good sons, Maximilian (Henry Silva) and Rupert (Robert Hutton). As he slaves away for his nasty step-family, Maximilian and Rupert attempt to find a treasure Fella's father has supposedly hidden on the estate. Meanwhile, hoping to restore her dwindling fortunes, the stepmother plans a fancy ball in honor of the visiting Princess Charmein (Anna Maria Alberghetti) whom she hopes will marry Rupert. Eventually, Fella's Fairy Godfather (Ed Wynn) shows up to convince him that he has a shot at winning the Princess himself. Lewis had big plans for the film's release. Although it was completed in January of 1960, he insisted it make it's debut that Christmas, complete with a holiday campaign and record album tie-in. In the meantime, he produced and starred in a low budget item called "The Bellboy" in order for Paramount to have a Jerry Lewis movie for summer release. "Cinderfella" was given a lavish production and a formidable supporting cast was recruited to co star with Lewis. He was indeed fortunate to obtain the services of Judith Anderson, who, while not a performer one would expect in a Jerry Lewis film, was nevertheless excellent as the stepmother, bringing just the right touch of arrogance to the part. Ed Wynn is reliably daffy as the Fairy Godfather,though, due to severe editing, he disappears before the climax, and is not seen again. Silva and Hutton do what they can as the stepbrothers, but the beautiful Alberghetti has nothing to do but fall hopelessly in love with the hapless Fella. The pace of the film is somewhat choppy, and several critics pointed out that the editing had left voids in the plot. The film originally ran 99 minutes, it ended up at 88. Sure enough, it was released at Christmastime, when it inspired some of the most scathing critical comment ever bestowed on a Lewis picture. Most of this was devoted to Lewis' own performance, and his frequent mugging, mixed with his pathetic attempts to play for sympathy. "Cinderfella" did just O.K. at the box office, and it ended up well behind the modest "Bellboy" which was a box-office smash. Thanks to handsome sets (with exteriors filmed at the "Beverly Hillbillies" estate in Bel Air, CA), costumes and a pleasant (if unmemorable) score, "Cinderfella" is entertaining enough to get by. But you'd better be prepared for a lot of "singing/mugging" from the Producer/Star, who fancied himself a brilliant vocalist. After all, though, this is SUPPOSED to be a fairy tale!

Jerry Lewis is Cinderfella in this movie that is a variation of Cinderella, in this case she being he.He has to put up with Wicked Stepmother (Judith Anderson) and her sons Maximilian (Henry Silva) and Rupert (Robert Hutton).One day Fairy Godfather (Ed Wynn) appears and helps him win the heart of Princess Charming (Anna Maria Alberghetti). I bought this movie one week ago for 2.50 euros.I would have been ready to pay more but they didn't ask for more than that.I'm proud to own this movie. Cinderfella is an extremely funny musical fantasy comedy by Frank Tashlin.Jerry Lewis is being him funny self in the lead.Extremely beautiful Ms Alberghetti doesn't only got the good looks but also the acting skills.In one great scene you get to see Jerry dancing with Anna Maria while Count Basie plays his swinging music in the back.Mr Lewis is quite a dancer.Today this amazing comedian turns 79.He has shown us he's the king of clowns.He's one of the greatest comedians off all time. Lewis can be found from that list with Chaplin and Lloyd and all the other great ones.Jerry has also showed the serious side too.He can go beyond the clown.In this movie he does it occasionally.It doesn't offer only moments of laughter but sadness, too.Cinderfella is a tragic figure when you think about it.He gets kicked in the head by his stepmother and her sons.In one terrific scene Fella sits in one end of the huge table and the rest of the family in the other.All the time they make him come to their end of the table and do some favors.He is in his loneliness dreaming to be something more than he is.Jerry Lewis has said; there is no gap between comedy and tragedy.And that is the truth.