JohnHowardReid Probably the earliest Pickford vehicle available, Cinderella (1914) (a 7/10 bonus on Milestone's "Through the Back Door" DVD) proves to be almost a total disappointment. Directed by actor James Kirkwood in an extremely static, non-filmic style with the camera chained to the floor (it doesn't move even once during the movie's entire 52 minutes), and primitive special effects, the picture is redeemed only by a briefly imaginative sequence with an animated clock. For some unaccountable reason, Mary seems totally over-awed. Her costumes are unattractive and her performance is lifeless, totally lacking her usual get-up-and go. Mind you, real-life husband, Owen Moore as the prince, is even less charming.Although a lot of money has been spent on sets and extras, Kirkwood's plodding direction is a real killer.

PamelaShort Who better to play Cinderella than the most beloved star of the time, Mary Pickford. This adaptation of the popular fairy tale was long considered lost, until the film was discovered in the Nederlands Film Museum. Famous Players production of the story is straightforward as they had hoped it would appeal as much to adults as to children, and planned it's release for Christmas 1914. Beautifully filmed on impressive locations in Greenwich, Connecticut, permission was obtained to shot at some wealthy homes, very effectively creating the Royal Palace and it's grounds. They incorporated some trick photography that is considered standard for the time when compared to the highly advanced work of French filmmaker George Melies. The strong lighting and tinting of this film gives it a dreamy watercolor effect. But as always, it is the charms of Mary Pickford that makes this film extremely delightful. With her unique naturalness, she adds such lovely little touches, such as tickling the footman to see if he is real after being transformed from a rat. With her expressions and gestures, Pickford is able to give Cinderella a personality, that is most engaging. She is even enchanting as she carries cages full of mice and rats for her fairy grandmother to change into horses and footmen, and Pickford looks exquisite in her gown as she travels to the Prince's ball. Owen Moore, Pickford's husband at the time plays the role of Prince Charming fairly well, and the stepmother and sister's are adequately performed by Isabel Vernon, Georgia Wilson, and Lucille Carney. I consider this 1914 version of Cinderella, a little masterpiece among early silent films. I was surprised how intrigued my two preteen nieces were while watching this film, and feel that is a strong testament, to the fact that this Cinderella is still able to bring delight and entertainment nearly one hundred years later. For anyone who appreciates early silent films and the art of Mary Pickford, this early film is a must see.

HarlowMGM Virtually unseen for almost a century, the 1914 film Cinderella was one of Mary Pickford's very first feature films and was a key film in her climb to her place in the hearts of moviegoers as "America's Sweetheart". The movie has resurfaced as a bonus feature on the DVD to Pickford's THROUGH THE BACK DOOR.Pickford stars as the heroine of this beloved fairy tale well-known to probably every human over the age of two. It's quite a surprise to see Mary, usually cast as a fearless spitfire, in the passive role of gentle, mistreated Cinderella but she gives a lovely performance and is quite moving and endearing. The movie also offers a rare chance to see Pickford's first husband, early screen star Owen Moore, cast as Prince Charming. Most of the rest of the cast have minor screen credits (it was apparently quite difficult to get regular supporting work in the early silent film era) but do their jobs well. Regarding the comment by another reviewer, I do believe the stepsisters are played by women however they are made up to look as haggish as possible with obvious putty noses and I suspect their over-sized feet for the "trying on the glass slipper scenes" made have been doubled by men.This movie is quite charming and romantic although there are a few good laughs, notably when Cinderella's Fairy Godmother instructs her to round up some mice and rats, Cindy clearly is wondering if this is going to be worth the effort. Another hearty laugh comes at the step-family's expense after Cinderella is revealed to be the mystery lady the Prince is seeking in which a wiseacre voices a suggestion that probably crossed many of the moviegoers minds.The print quality of this film is fairly good for a film less than a decade from it's Centennial and the original score by Donald Sosin is wonderful and completely appropriate. Cinderella is a fairy tale that enchants every generation and this fragile silent beautifully captures the other world quality of this timeless tale.

Snow Leopard In its time, this must have been the longest and most ambitious screen version of the familiar story of "Cinderella". So many later versions have been made with the advantage of more recent technology that a 1914 version could never be expected to meet the same standards, but it's a good version for its time, and it stars Mary Pickford in a good role for her. Other than moving a bit slowly at times, almost everything about the feature is of good quality by the standards of its era.Pickford is certainly well-cast as Cinderella, in one of her earliest full-length movie roles. It's no accident that she would eventually play characters like Pollyanna, Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, and so many other similar roles. She was able to make such characters instantly sympathetic and believable, and her attractive appearance and engaging personality worked well in many different situations. Her later features would give her a wider variety of material to work with than this does, but she does well here with each scene.Owen Moore, who was married to Pickford at the time, plays Prince Charming. Moore does not have much range as an actor, but he has a good silent screen presence, and that is what this role most calls for. The two mean-spirited stepsisters seem to be played (despite what the posted cast list may imply) by two male actors, giving the characters a humorously ugly appearance and humorously ungainly movements.There are numerous visual effects, and director James Kirkwood made an interesting choice by filming most of them with gradual dissolves rather than with the stop-motion, sudden change technique that was more common. Neither method is necessarily better or worse; they are just different in the effect that each creates. There are also some good dream effects, especially an amusing sequence after Cinderella misses her midnight deadline.For the most part, only silent movie fans will have any significant interest in this. But if you can evaluate it by the standards of its own time, it's a pleasant little movie and a chance to see the charming Mary Pickford while she was in the process of developing her many talents.