History Film / Cinderella

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->''Impossible things are happening every day!''

Creator/{{Rodgers and Hammerstein}}'s musical adaptation of [[Literature/{{Cinderella}} the fairytale.]] It was originally written and performed live on TV in 1957, starring Creator/JulieAndrews. A 1965 remake, starring Creator/LesleyAnnWarren and with a revised script (plus a CutSong from ''Theatre/SouthPacific'') was rerun well into TheEighties.

A rewritten 1997 remake, which premiered on ''[[Series/WaltDisneyPresents The Wonderful World of Disney]]'', starred Music/{{Brandy}}, along with Music/WhitneyHouston as both the co-producer and the fairy godmother. This version had a slightly more modern feel to it and featured a multiracial cast, along with an added character named Lionel and three other Richard Rodgers songs added to the score. While the original is clearly an old-fashioned medieval atmosphere, the remake is more surreal and colorful, and it's pretty debatable what country they're in (mostly due to the mixed races). Most theater fans prefer the 1957 original, but the remakes are {{Cult Classic}}s among those who saw them as children.

The 1957 version was given a ScreenToStageAdaptation that served as a U.S. community theater staple for years, and occasionally had professional stagings (but never on Broadway). In the wake of the '97 remake, this version was revised for further professional stagings; the licenser now offers both the original version and a '97-based version (known as the "Enchanted Edition") to amateur groups.

This show made its Broadway debut in the 2012-13 season, with a new book by Douglas Carter Beane and {{Cut Song}}s from other Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals added to the score. This version adds another villain in the form of Prince Christopher's evil regent Sebastian, who oppresses the poor of the kingdom -- and whom Cinderella's stepmother is collaborating with.

For the 2015 remake based on the Disney animated classic, see ''{{Film/Cinderella 2015}}''.
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!!Tropes:

[[foldercontrol]]

[[folder: Tropes shared by multiple versions]]
* AdaptationNameChange: The stepsisters' names changed in each script. In 1957, they were Joy and Portia. In 1965, they changed to Prunella and Esmeralda. In 1997, they became Calliope and Minerva. In the 2013 Broadway production they are named Charlotte and Gabrielle.
* AerithAndBob: See OverlyLongName.
* CallBack: In the 1965 and 1997 versions, after Cinderella's stepsisters fail to fit the slipper, Cinderella gets Prince Christopher's attention through circumstances similar to [[MeetCute the scene in which they met]].
* ClapYourHandsIfYouBelieve: In 1957 and 1965, the Fairy Godmother is enabled to send Cinderella to the ball because the latter wishes for it hard enough.
* CrowdSong: "The Prince is Giving a Ball".
* DeconReconSwitch: The whole point of the song ''Impossible'', referencing at first how completely and utterly ridiculous the whole plot of Cinderella is at the point where the Fairy Godmother arrives... before the Fairy Godmother turns it around and declares [[WhamLine "Impossible things are happening every day..."]], and then starts to do the magic...
* DisappearedDad:
** It's made pretty clear that Cinderella's father is dead. [[MissingMom But we never learn where her mother went.]] (She's probably dead too.)
** And the Prince's parents are both dead in the 2013 version, opening up an opportunity for villains to seize power.
** Even the stepsisters are without their father, one way or another.
* DomesticAbuse: The stepmother does this to Cinderella, but she eventually [[TookALevelInKindness takes a level in kindness]] in the 1957 version.
* DoubleEntendre: The 1957 and 1965 versions include a scene of Cinderella imagining acting "coy and flirtatious" towards Prince Christopher, and reminding him not to "say such things."
* EasilyForgiven: The stepmother and her daughters rarely get punished in any incarnation, including the Broadway show...the sole exception being the 90's film where they are left outside the gate at Cinderella's wedding, implying they do not get to share in her happy ending. Somewhat justified in that this is being faithful to Perrault's version of the story. The 60's version is also a little better about this; upon [[TheReveal Cinderella's reveal]], the stepmother and stepsisters bow to her of their own volition and are later seen processing into the palace among the royal family.
* EverythingsBetterWithSpinning:
** Lesley Ann Warren and Brandy spin during their respective dress transformation scenes.
--->'''Fairy Godmother ('97)''': Spin around, don't make me do all the work!
** Julie Andrews did not spin in the live 1957 version because she acquired her ballgown in between scene changes.
** In the 2013 Broadway performance, Laura Osnes spins as her dress "magically" appears.
* FairyGodmother: It's an adaptation of Cinderella after all. It was either that or a magical tree with the power to grant wishes.
* GardenOfLove: Cinderella and Prince Christopher spend time in the castle's garden getting to know each other. In the 1965 and 1997 versions, it's also where they share a kiss.
* TheGirlWhoFitsThisSlipper: But of course. This ''is'' the story that [[TropeNamer named that trope]], after all. Although the TV versions also have Christopher take a good look at Cinderella's face before she declares her the right woman.
* GorgeousGarmentGeneration: Part and parcel of the FairyGodmother's powers.
* IAmSong / IWantSong: "In My Own Little Corner" and its reprise, respectively. This is partly a deconstruction of an IWantSong, since it is about how Cinderella is trying to be content in her life already by using her imagination. But at the same time, her fantasies of different lives show her yearning for something better, especially in the reprise when she imagines herself at the ball.
* TheIngenue: Guess who?
* LetsDuet: At the ball, Cinderella and Prince Christopher sing "Ten Minutes Ago" while dancing, and "Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful?" when they share their FirstKiss.
* LoveAtFirstSight: [[DiscussedTrope Discussed]] when Cinderella and Prince Christopher sing about how they met and fell in love "Ten Minutes Ago". (Although, in the 1965 and 1997 versions, the ball marks the ''second'' time they meet.)
* MakeAWish: In the 1957 and 1997 versions, the Godmother appears after Cinderella wishes aloud that she could go to the ball.
* MeaningfulName: Pointed out in the 1965 and 1997 versions. Cinderella explains that she got her name from sitting in the cinders.
--> '''Prince Christopher ('97)''': "Ohh. ''Cinder''ella."
* [[MrImagination Ms. Imagination]]: Cinderella's habitual coping strategy, as explored in "In My Own Little Corner."
* TheMusical: Another [[Disney/{{Cinderella}} musical]] [[Theatre/IntoTheWoods retelling.]]
* NoNameGiven: The fairy godmother and the stepmother.
** The Stepmother is "Beulla" in the "old community theatre" version, though it's an AllThereInTheScript.
* OverlyLongName: Prince Christopher Rupert Windemere Vladimir Carl Alexander Francois Reginald Lancelot Herman [[EmbarrassingMiddleName (Herman?) Herman.]] Gregory James, son of Her Majesty Queen Constantina Charlotte Ermintrude Guinevere Maisie [[RunningGag (Maisie?) Maisie!]] Marguerite Ann and His Majesty King Maximillian Godfrey Ladislaus Leopold Sydney [[RuleOfThree (Sydney?) SYDNEY!]] Frederick John.
* PimpedOutDress: Both Cinderella and the Fairy Godmother.
* ProtagonistTitle
* SheCleansUpNicely: Our heroine.
* TriumphantReprise: "Impossible" has a pessimistic and cynical first half, but also a part meant to create a glimmer of hope for Cinderella's dreams. After the Fairy Godmother grants Cinderella's wish to go to the ball, the two of them sing "It's Possible," which boasts more optimistic lyrics. It sounds especially triumphant in the 1997 version.
* VillainSong: "Stepsisters' Lament".
* WhatDoesHeSeeInHer: "The Stepsisters' Lament.'' The twist of course is that the ugly stepsisters can't figure out why the prince would turn them down for the much more attractive Cinderella.
-->Oh, why would a fellow want a girl like her, \\
A girl who's merely lovely, \\
Why can't a fellow ever once prefer \\
A girl who's merely me?
* WhenTheClockStrikesTwelve: Obviously. As with The Girl Who Fits This Slipper, this ''is'' the TropeNamer. In the 1997 version, Cinderella expresses disappointment at having such a tight curfew. The Fairy Godmother then tells her that she doesn't make the rules about how long her magic can last.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:The original musical]]
* AdiposeRex: "I want the wine of my country! The wine of my country is beer!"
* AllWomenAreLustful: Stepsister Joy. She's even seen flirting with someone during Cinderella's wedding.
* AmbiguousTimePeriod: While the remakes are clearly set in fairy tale kingdoms, the original could very easily be set in the 50's; the godmother telling Cinderella she would be better off as a hired servant makes it very likely that the piece is not set in ancient Europe.
** And get a load of that chic, form-fitting, Audrey-Hepburn-worthy number Cinderella wears at the ball.
* BetaCouple: The king and queen.
* CoversAlwaysLie: Some [[http://soulcookie.tumblr.com/post/116130795/suicideblonde-julie-andrews-as-cinderella-1957 publicity stills]] show Cinderella wearing a dress with a ''much'' bigger skirt than in the actual musical. Julie Andrews apparently found it hard to move around in this dress.
* CreativeClosingCredits: As each cast member's name appears in the end credits, he or she gives blessings to the newlywed Cinderella and Christopher.
* EarnYourHappyEnding: The day after the ball, Cinderella decides to go visit Prince Christopher herself instead of wait for him to return.
* FirstNameBasis: Prince Christopher asks Cinderella to call him "Christopher" as opposed to "your majesty" or his OverlyLongName.
* IronicName: Joy is a sourpuss and Portia isn't nearly as wise as the character in ''Theatre/TheMerchantOfVenice'' that she's named after.
* LettingHerHairDown: Averted. Cinderella starts out with a loose ponytail and goes to the ball with a PrimAndProperBun.
* LoveAtFirstSight: Played absolutely straight. Jon Cypher looks like the floor's just dropped out from underneath him. In true musical fashion, the two leads proceed to sing about it in "Ten Minutes Ago."
-->''Ten minutes ago I saw you, I looked up when you came through the door - my head started reeling, you gave me the feeling the room had no ceiling or floor! Ten minutes ago I met you, and we murmured our 'how do you do's' - I wanted to ring out the bells and fling out my arms and to sing out the news!''
* MagicalNanny: Sort of. In this version the fairy godmother really is Cinderella's godmother. She just hasn't told her she's a fairy yet.
* OffscreenMomentOfAwesome: The viewers never actually see Cinderella's dress transform: The scene cuts from Cinderella in rags, to the Godmother twirling her baton-like MagicWand, to Cinderella in a fancy robe. During the following commercial break, Julie Andrews went backstage to don her actual ballgown.
* OverlyLongGag: Count how many times Cinderella is told to close the window. In the same scene.
* PrimAndProperBun: Cinderella after the transformation.
* Really700YearsOld: Rodgers had 30 year-old Edie Adams portray the centuries-old Fairy Godmother.
* ShownTheirWork: Practically the only adaption of Perrault's Cinderella to get right that the Fairy Godmother is Cinderella's literal godmother, whom Cinderella has known since childhood (though not knowing that she's a fairy until the night of the ball).
* SidetrackedByTheAnalogy:
-->'''Cinderella:''' I wish that by some kind of magic, or abracadabra, or fol-de-rol and fiddle-dee-dee that all the kind hearts in the world will put their heads together...\\
'''Godmother:''' All the kind ''hearts'' put their ''heads'' together?\\
'''Cinderella:''' Oh, you know what I mean.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:The 1965 remake]]
* BookEnds: The musical begins with a gate opening and ends with it closing.
* ColourCodedForYourConvenience:
** The Prince dances with several women in brightly colored gowns, but he and Cinderella are the only two at the ball wearing white. When they dance together, it helps them to stand out in the crowd of jewel-tone dresses and men's tights.
** The ugly stepsisters and stepmother wear very flashy gowns of metallic brocade to the ball, whereas the other attendants wear solid, jewel-tone outfits.
* ColorCodedPatrician: Overlaps with TheRichHaveWhiteStuff. Prince Christopher is the only dancer at the ball wearing white... until Cinderella shows up in her magically conjured gown. The king and queen also wear coordinated outfits with ermine trim, though theirs are pink and red with ermine trim.
* DarkerAndEdgier: The stepmother and stepsisters are portrayed as genuinely abusive towards Cinderella, instead of being comic relief like in the 50's and 90's version.
* {{Disneyfication}}: The film was intended to be more of a straightforward fairy tale than the original, which was more of an AffectionateParody. Cinderella even rides a carriage that looks like the one [[{{Disney/Cinderella}} Disney's Cinderella]] rode.
* ErmineCapeEffect: The king and queen wear gowns, capes, and robes trimmed with ermine in most of their appearances. Even Christopher wears a fancy, impractical suit of clothes when he returns from adventuring.
* TheGirlWhoFitsThisSlipper: Averted; the prince recognizes Cinderella, ''then'' has her try on the shoe.
* IWantSong: Prince Christopher's "Loneliness of Evening", originally a CutSong from ''Theatre/SouthPacific''.
* KarmicJackpot: In this version, Cinderella's kindness is emphasized when she gives a stranger some water; the stranger turns out to be the prince. Presumably, her mysterious familiarity is what attracts the prince at the ball. Later, when he goes to Cinderella's cottage, she offers him water a second time, leading him to finally realize who she is.
* {{Leitmotif}}: The fairy godmother has one.
* OffscreenMomentOfAwesome: Prince Christopher had apparently returned from fighting dragons and rescuing princesses.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:The 1997 remake]]
* AdaptationInducedPlothole: This version has only one glass slipper remain glass after midnight, while the one Cinderella keeps turns back into a normal shoe. The previous productions didn't actually show whether or not this slipper remained glass after midnight, although the 1965 special implied that it did.[[note]]Unlike the versions in which the Fairy Godmother makes the glass slippers from Cinderella's ordinary shoes, the 1965 special has her give Cinderella shoes made of glass to begin with, as in Perrault's story.[[/note]]
* AdaptationalAttractiveness: BeautyEqualsGoodness is averted since the villain is played by Creator/BernadettePeters.
* AnnoyingLaugh: Calliope snorts when she laughs.
* BeautyEqualsGoodness: Really, this trope is completely discarded. In addition to the afforementioned AdaptationalAttractiveness of the stepmother, it isn't ugliness that the stepsisters use to contrast with Cinderella. In this version, instead, they're clumsy, improper, stupid (even the stepmother shows signs she can't stand this; see SurroundedByIdiots below), and have some strange bad habits.
* BetaCouple: The king and queen.
* BigNo: The stepmother yells this immediately before Cinderella tries on the glass slipper, knowing it to be a perfect fit, before she faints and Lionel says, "Quiet, woman!"
* {{Bowdlerise}}: The DoubleEntendre mentioned above became reduced to, "Oh, your highness!"
* ButtMonkey: Lionel. In spades.
* ColorblindCasting: Although the story could hypothetically have any race, this trope applies because a white man (Victor Garber) and a black woman (Whoopi Goldberg) can have a Filipino son.
* CreditsMontage
* DirtyOldMan: When the king and queen are discussing Cinderella, the king is a little too impressed with how beautiful she is.
-->'''King Maximillian''': Why, if I were a young man I'd...\\
'''Queen Constantina''': Yes, dear?\\
({{Beat}})\\
'''King Maximillian''': Well, I'd be younger, wouldn't I?\\
'''Queen Constantina''': Yes, dear.
* DistantDuet:
** Before Cinderella and Prince Christopher meet, they sing "The Sweetest Sounds" from two different parts of the marketplace. After they meet, they reprise it together before returning to their respective homes.
** After the ball, Christopher reprises "Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful?" after finding Cinderella's missing glass slipper, and she joins in from the path back to her stepmother's house.
* DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything: The stepmother, who is rich and domineering, is white. Cinderella, who works for her as a mistreated household servant, is black. Although it is relieving that one of the stepsisters and the queen are both black, so this was most likely unintentional.
* EarnYourHappyEnding: The fairy godmother encourages Cinderella to stop sitting around and dreaming and just get out there and make it happen. Even after she gives Cinderella the carriage and ballgown she wished for, the godmother leaves her to go inside the palace alone; she'll easily get Prince Christopher's attention, but she'll have to make him love her for herself.
-->'''Fairy Godmother''': I got you to the ball. The rest is up to you.
* EstablishingCharacterMoment: Cinderella's very first line of dialogue is in response to her stepsisters trying on a hideously tacky hat and then demanding her opinion of it. She politely replies "Well, I don't know very much about hats, but I don't think it's very becoming to either of you." This response immediately sets her up as a courteous, gentle young woman who is nevertheless unafraid to speak her mind, tell the truth, or allow herself to be intimidated, which in turns establishes her as somewhat stronger-willed than previous incarnations.
* EverythingsBetterWithSparkles: While the first two versions' fairy godmothers wielded magic wands, this one uses sparkling magic dust.
* FriendlyEnemies: The stepsisters seem to have this relationship with Cinderella--at the very least, they ask for her opinions on fashion (largely to settle their own disputes) and later happily join in her song "A Lovely Night," with all three dancing together. It seems to be more a case of their stepmother forcing her opinions on the girls and them being too foolish to think otherwise, rather than any maliciousness on their part.
* FunnyBackgroundEvent: There's a very short clip at the ball that involves ''[[LesYay the stepmother dancing with a woman]]''. She was probably shooing her off so that her daughter could dance with the Prince, but still.
* TheGirlWhoFitsThisSlipper: Played hilariously straight when Christopher allows a few white girls to try on the slipper, despite Cinderella having been African-American, and then subverted when it fits Cinderella's stepmother and Christopher refuses to believe she is the girl he danced with.
* GoMadFromTheRevelation: After the shoe fails to fit either of the stepsisters, Cinderella's stepmother becomes so desperate she'll do anything for the prince's money. She locks Cinderella in the kitchen (knowing her identity), offers ''herself'' to the prince by trying on the shoe, helplessly begs him to marry one of her daughters, and then when all else fails, she gives a BigNo and then passes out.
* HollywoodOld: The only reason we know Bernadette Peters is middle aged in this movie is because [[OlderThanTheyLook the dialogue tells us so.]]
* HypocriticalHumor: Not in-universe, and probably not intentional, but at one point the stepmother tells Cinderella not to "cling to the past" because "it's not very attractive." This is said by Bernadette Peters, [[OlderThanTheyLook who hasn't aged for thirty years.]]
* IJustWantToBeFree: Cinderella, in regards to her servitude, and the Prince, in regards to his royal obligations.
* IneffectualSympatheticVillain: The stepsisters. Then again, this is how they're usually played.
* IWantSong: Cinderella's and Prince Christopher's "The Sweetest Sounds", originally written by Rodgers for ''No Strings''.
* InCaseYouForgotWhoWroteIt: When Creator/DisneyChannel showed this movie, they clearly called it '''''Rodgers and Hammerstein's''' Cinderella'' in the promos and bumpers, to avoid confusion with Creator/WaltDisney's ''Cinderella''. The covers for the VHS and the DVD also do this, but so do the [=DVDs=] of other R&H musicals, including the two older versions of this one.
* LargeHam: Basically everyone except the two leads has moments in this area, notably Whoopi Goldberg, Bernadette Peters, and Jason Alexander. Although Whoopi's portion of it consists of mostly squeaking.
* LoveAtFirstSight: Played straight between Prince Christopher and Cinderella at the ball, but averted earlier when they just become fast friends based on their mutual "I Just Want to be Free" attitudes.
* MeaningfulEcho: Cinderella first meets the Prince when he, as a "charming stranger", helps her pick up her bags after a royal coachman runs over them. Later, during the who-fits-the-slipper part of the movie, Cinderella again falls victim to a royal coachman. They say the same lines every time, and as they recite them the second time, both of them are realizing exactly who the other is.
-->'''Christopher''': Just like those royals, isn't it? Not caring if they're in anyone's way?\\
'''Cinderella''': Well, I'm sure they were going somewhere very important.
** Then he asks for her name.
-->'''Cinderella''': Cinderella.\\
'''Christopher''': Cinderella. I like it.\\
'''Cinderella''': It grows on you, I guess.
* MeetCute: When Cinderella first meets Christopher, who's disguised as a commoner. They bring back a few lines from that scene at the end; see MeaningfulEcho above.
* MyBelovedSmother: Crosses over with IWantGrandkids in regards to Queen Constantina. She's ''very'' eager to marry off her son and has apparently planned several balls featuring "family...a few friends...and every eligible maiden in the kingdom!"
* MythologyGag: "Who dances in glass shoes?"
* NoIndoorVoice: "I WANT A CHANCE AT HIM!" As well as the stepmother in her last few minutes onscreen.
* OfCorsetHurts: "Beauty knows no pain, girls!" This may be a nod to the girl in the first film who also fell victim to this trope.
* OhCrap: During "A Lovely Night," Cinderella describes what she "supposes" the ball was like, in a detailed and accurate fashion, charming her stepfamily into joining the song... but then she tops it off with the exact same curtsey she used at the ball. This trope is written all over the stepmother's face as she puts two and two together.
* PainfulRhyme: Discussed in-universe. The Fairy Godmother rhymes "Fol-de-rol and fiddle-dee-dee, fiddley, faddley, foodle--all the dreams in the world are...dizzy in the nooodle!" Cinderella replies "That's horrible," and Godmother thinks she's referring to the couplet ("YOU try coming up with a rhyme on the spot!"), although the girl actually meant the sentiment behind it.
* PimpedOutDress: Cinderella's stepfamily wears these 24/7. Then, of course, there's Cinderella herself after her transformation.
* PluckyComicRelief: Lionel seems to serve no real purpose other than to be this. ESPECIALLY when he starts to announce any member of the royal family, using their full OverlyLongName.
* RaceLift: Most of the main characters.
* Really700YearsOld: Some dialogue the Fairy Godmother mutters while turning the pumpkin into a coach reveals that she is over 600 years old, while Whitney Houston was only in her 30s at the time.
* RuleOfThree: In-universe, three members of Cinderella's family try the slipper on before she does; "The Prince Is Giving A Ball" goes through three [[OverlyLongName Overly Long Names]] (including three [[EmbarrassingMiddleName Embarrassing Middle Names]]); and both "Impossible" and the added song "The Sweetest Sounds" are sung three times. Outside of that, three of the leads are African-American, three different shoe sizes were used for the slipper (only one model was actually made of glass), and three songs were added to the score.
* SassyBlackWoman: The fairy godmother and the queen. Especially since they're played respectively by Whitney Houston and Whoopi Goldberg.
* ShowSomeLeg: The stepmother trying to get on Lionel's good side. It doesn't work.
--> '''Lionel''': You know, I honestly wish there were something between us.
--> '''Stepmother''': Really?
--> '''Lionel''': Yes. A ''continent.''
--> (leaves)
* {{Squee}}: After the stepmother tries on the shoe and it fits, she can't stop squealing. Until the shoe cuts her circulation off.
* SurroundedByIdiots: The stepmother appears to feel this way with regards to her daughters.
* VillainSong: Well, Bernadette Peters had to sing ''something''. The song, "Falling in Love with Love," is more of a statement of her opinion, and it's not done in a villainous manner. That may just be because it was originally written for a different show, ''The Boys From Syracuse'', by Rodgers and ''Hart''.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:The 2013 version]]
* AdaptationalAttractiveness: Gabrielle, the older stepsister, is actually very pretty once she gets rid of her ridiculous puffy dress and Bavarian-pretzel hairstyle, and has a suitor in Jean-Michel.
** Gabrielle is also considered attractive enough for Sebastian and Madame to believe she has a real shot with Prince Topher and hooking the two of them up is the main impetus for their scheme. Unfortunately, they have NoSparks.
* {{Adorkable}}: Gabrielle the step-sister. Topher also has his moments.
* AllLovingHero / FriendToAllLivingThings: Ella
* BetaCouple: Gabrielle and Jean-Michel.
* DatingWhatDaddyHates: Madame (the stepmother) does ''not'' approve of Jean-Michel, because he's poorer than they are and a social activist, and she has social-climbing aspirations. In fact, she disapproves so much that [[spoiler: when she catches Gabrielle trying to sneak out with him, she kicks Gabrielle out of the house]].
* DeathByAdaptation: Both of Topher's parents are dead in this version and he has apparently been raised by Sebastian from a young age.
* DesperatelyLookingForAPurposeInLife: Topher
* EarnYourHappyEnding: It's revealed that the Fairy Godmother doesn't give out her magic freely. Ella earned it by being kind and friendly to "Crazy Marie" aka the Godmother in disguise. Similarly, she doesn't just go to the ball and the banquet to win over the Prince but as an opportunity to inform Topher about the injustices in the kingdom.
* EasilyForgiven: Ella prettily readily forgives Madame and Charlotte, however, this makes sense since being kind is the moral of the story.
* EvilChancellor: Sebastian to Prince Topher. He was ''supposed'' to make sure Topher was ready to be a good, strong king, but instead he keeps him almost completely in the dark and is running the kingdom in his name. Poorly.
* {{Expy}}: Gabrielle is similar to [[Disney/{{Cinderella}} Anastasia Tremaine]] as they are both the nice stepsisters of their respective families and they fall in love with lower-class men.
* GoldDigger: This was Madame, and she believes her daughters should follow her example.
-->'''Madame:''' I married your father for love--he died, I cried. I married Cinderella's father for money--he died, I got a house.
* HeelFaceTurn: When the Prince finally starts to assert his power and becomes less dependent on Sebastian, some productions show Sebastian warmly welcoming Jean-Michel into his position.
* KickTheDog: Madame gets a lot.
* {{Meganekko}}: Gabrielle
* NonHumanSidekick: Ella is FriendToAllLivingThings and has two sidekicks (a fox and a raccoon). Subverted in that they briefly become human to be her footmen for the ball.
* PetTheDog: The whole step-family gets one when they perform "A Lovely Night" with Ella. Only Gabrielle stays nice afterwards though.
* PuppetKing: Topher starts out as a Puppet Prince--he just signs off on whatever Sebastian asks him to without reading it. At one point, he even hands over his ring of state so Sebastian can get things done more efficiently.
* RoyalsWhoActuallyDoSomething: Topher's arc is going from a PuppetKing to this, with Ella and Jean-Michel's help.
* ShoutOut:
** There are many references to the 1955 film ''Film/TheGlassSlipper'', notably Crazy Marie is an {{Expy}} of Ms. Tocquet.
** The plot is also very similar to the film version of ''Film/EllaEnchanted'', with the Prince being an orphan PuppetKing who is unaware that his EvilChancellor is stealing lands and rights from the people until Ella opens his eyes to the situation.
* SoapboxSadie: Jean-Michel.
* TookALevelInKindness: On a meta-level, this happens with Gabrielle, who's not wicked in any sense of the word--rather, she's [[ShrinkingViolet too shy]] to stand up to her mother and older sister's bullying. After "A Lovely Night," she becomes Cinderella's SecretKeeper regarding the ball, and the two happily call each other "sisters" for the first time.
* WhamShot: Ella almost loses a glass slipper, but she picks it up before Topher could get it, making this the first time Cinderella doesn't ACCIDENTALLY lose one of her glass slippers, instead leaving one behind deliberately when she leaves as a CallingCard.
[[/folder]]
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!!Multiple versions contain examples of:

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!!The original musical contains examples of:

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!!The 1965 remake contains examples of:

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!!The 1997 remake contains examples of:

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!!The 2013 version contains examples of:

* WhenTheClockStrikesTwelve: Obviously. As with The Girl Who Fits This Slipper, this ''is'' the TropeNamer.
** In the 1997 version, Cinderella expresses disappointment at having such a tight curfew. The Fairy Godmother then tells her that she doesn't make the rules about how long her magic can last.

* {{Disneyfication}}: The film was intended to be more of a straightforward fairy tale than the original, which was more of an AffectionateParody.
** Cinderella even rides a carriage that looks like the one [[{{Disney/Cinderella}} Disney's Cinderella]] rode.

Creator/{{Rodgers and Hammerstein}}'s musical adaptation of [[Literature/{{Cinderella}} the fairytale.]] It was originally written and performed live on TV in 1957, starring Creator/JulieAndrews. A 1965 remake, starring Lesley Ann Warren and with a revised script (plus a CutSong from ''Theatre/SouthPacific'') was rerun well into TheEighties.

* GardenOfLove: Cinderella and Prince Christopher spend time in the castle's garden getting to know each other. In the 1997 version, it's also where they share a kiss.

* EasilyForgiven: The stepmother and her daughters rarely get punished in any incarnation, including the Broadway show...the sole exception being the 90's film where they are left outside the gate at Cinderella's wedding, implying they do not get to share in her happy ending. Somewhat justified in that this is being faithful to Perrault's version of the story. The 60's version is also a little better about this; among other things the prince forces them to bow down before Cinderella, but they presumably are forgiven in the end.

* DisappearedDad: It's made pretty clear that Cinderella's father is dead. [[MissingMom But we never learn where her mother went.]] (She's probably dead too.)