I grew up loving two things: Disney, and musicals — so it should come as no surprise that some of my favourite movies were about Disney princesses. While Beauty and the Beast [1] and The Little Mermaid [2] will always hold a special place in my millennial heart [3], there is one Disney film from the '90s that outshines the rest: Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella [4].
With stunning performances from Brandy and Whitney Houston [5], magical sets, and music by the iconic music duo that brought us The Sound of Music (another one of my faves), it's clear why the 1997 TV movie is one of a kind. In fact, I would go as far as saying it actually tops the original. If you played the film on repeat like me when you were younger, take a trip down memory lane as I recount all the reasons why it's truly the best Cinderella movie.
Brandy Was a '90s Princess
At the time of the film's release, Brandy Norwood was a star on the rise. She had just released her debut album, she already had three Grammy nominations under her belt, and she was starring on the hit sitcom Moesha. In many ways, Brandy was a '90s princess in her own right, so it only made sense when she was chosen by Whitney Houston herself to play the title role of Cinderella [6].
Two Words: Whitney Houston
Speaking of Whitney Houston, can we just talk about how phenomenal she was in this film? The music icon really was a driving force behind the TV movie. In addition to playing Cinderella's eccentric fairy godmother, she also coproduced the project. In fact, Houston originally intended to play the title character [7], but after the film was pushed back a few years, she decided on playing the fairy godmother instead.
It Broke New Ground With Its Inclusive Cast
The film was the first time the story of Cinderella was told with a racially diverse cast; the king was white, the queen was black, and their son was Asian. "Our production, unlike all past TV musical extravaganzas, has a rainbow cast," Houston told Variety about the casting decision [8] at the time. "Cinderella is about dreaming and I want my daughter and all children of every colour and nationality to know that their dreams can also come true." Not to mention, Brandy's role as the first black Cinderella onscreen opened up the doors for Keke Palmer, who later went on to become the first black Cinderella on Broadway [9] when she starred in the musical production of the movie in 2014.
It's "Impossible" to Top the Soundtrack
Cinderella really did a wonderful job merging classic Broadway music with pop tunes. It took the classic music from the show and made it more approachable for people who might not necessarily be theatre fans. The songs were also so meaningful and emotional. Brandy's rendition of "In My Own Little Corner" made me shed a tear, "Ten Minutes Ago" made me want to fall in love, "Stepsister's Lament" made me snort laugh, and "Impossible" made me believe in my wildest dreams. And don't even get me started on those ballroom dance numbers. Your fave Disney film could never!
The Prince Was Royally Fine
Let's take a "hot" second to talk about how swoon-worthy the prince was. Prince Christopher, played by Filipino-American actor Paolo Montalbán, wasn't just easy on the eyes, but he really was prince charming. From the moment he flashed Cinderella that smile and started crooning "The Sweetest Sounds," I was hooked. Interestingly enough, Montalbán was actually an understudy in another Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical [10], The King and I, at the time.
Bernadette Peters Was a Comedic Queen
Bernadette Peters is a Broadway legend, plain and simple. Before taking on the role of the wicked stepmother, the actress already had experience playing a villainous character; she originated the role of the Witch in Broadway's Into the Woods (before Meryl Streep [11] took on the role in the 2014 film). Due to Peters's comedic background, the role of the stepmother became much more comical than previous versions of the character. She could make you laugh with the particular way she enunciated words, but she could also hit a serious high note (see: "Falling in Love With Love").
The Fashion Was Truly Magical
The fashion perfectly fit the film: it was regal, it was whimsical, and it was completely and utterly '90s. Houston's flashy fairy godmother outfit was accented by the gold glitter in her curls, while Brandy's blue eyeshadow perfectly matched her princess gown. Not to mention how all costumes paired perfectly with the characters' personalities. While the modest and humble Cinderella was often dressed in neutral tones, her stepsisters' and stepmother's clothes were about as loud as they were. In addition, the prince and his parents were often dressed in different shades of purple, which is often associated with royalty.