Forget the age-old story... in the hands of Jerry Lewis, 'Cinderfella' becomes something special. And in this case, there are some marvelous set-pieces that are truly memorable.
Most notable is Jerry's entrance to the grand ballroom. Standing at the top of a staircase, snapping his fingers. Jerry moves beautifully across the screen, utilizing all 63 steps -- all to the sound of a sexy Count Basie number. His moves seem perfectly syncopated to the music. It's a wonderful scene.
And as Jerry has said, all done in one take -- which seems perfectly believable when you then hear his voice crack slightly upon taking the princesses hand ("Excuse me...").
I do like watching Jerry squeeze the oranges in the kichen. An ordinary task made funnier by his body language and goofy faces. And of course, the long protracted dinner table scene -- switching jackets, running back and forth, the salt in the soup -- great stuff.
The rest of the cast are good too. Henry Silva is wonderfully slimy as Jerry's conniving brother. And the beautiful Anna Maria Alberghetti is perfectly cast as Princess Charming. Though I wish the big dance number with Jerry had shown more of her.
There are some very funny scenes and as sappy as the story gets, it's rather sweet ("Keep breathing fish!). Considering that Jerry had already been in his hugely successful act with Dean Martin (where most performers would have retired), it was quite an accomplishment to have started carving out a solo career.
This man may have his flaws, but Jerry Lewis is priceless.
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