Original subtitles

NARRATOR: A LONG TIME AGO IN A SMALL PRINCIPALITY

SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE OF A HAPPY EUROPE,

THERE WAS A RICH OLD DUKE WHO LIVED HAPPILY IN A FINE PALACE,

AND A NUMBER OF LADIES AND GENTLEMEN WHO LIVED HAPPILY

ON THE FASHIONABLE HILL AND EVERYBODY ELSE WHO LIVED

HAPPILY IN THE VILLAGE.

NOW IT CAME TO PASS THAT IN THE SPRING,

THREE DAYS OF FESTIVAL WERE DECLARED.

THEY WERE CELEBRATING THE RETURN OF PRINCE CHARLES,

THE ONLY SON OF THE REIGNING DUKE.

MOST OF THE TOWNSPEOPLE HAD NEVER SEEN PRINCE CHARLES.

HE HAD BEEN AWAY FOR MANY YEARS, GETTING HIS EDUCATION

IN THE FINEST UNIVERSITIES, CAFES, AND BOUDOIRS OF PARIS,

LONDON, AND VIENNA.

WOMAN: NO, NOT THAT WAY!

[LAUGHTER]

WOMAN: OH, LOOK! NOW IT'S BEAUTIFUL.

SECOND WOMAN: YES, LIKE THAT. BUT A LITTLE HIGHER, WILLIE.

HIGHER? I'LL BREAK MY NECK!

WELL, THAT'S WHAT WE'RE WAITING FOR!

[LAUGHTER]

WILLIE: WELL, WHERE'S THE HAMMER?

SECOND WOMAN: OH, IT'S, UH... OH, OVER THERE!

EDWINA, HOLD THIS, PLEASE.

TIE IT TO THE OTHER ONE.

LOOK WHO'S HERE.

WELL, WHAT DO YOU WANT?

I WANT TO--TO HELP. I CLEAN UP, EH?

I'LL PICK UP THE ONES THAT DROP,

SO THAT EVERYTHING BE NICE AND CLEAN.

SHE'S GOING TO MAKE EVERYTHING NICE AND CLEAN.

I'LL SWEEP THE TORN LEAVES AND THE LITTLE STRINGS.

SEE?

STAY AWAY FROM ME, YOU DIRTY THING!

OH, I'M NOT DIRTY!

JUST CINDERS. LOOK!

PLEASE, LOOK!

OH, MAKE HER GO AWAY, WILLIE.

MY MOTHER SAYS I MUSTN'T SPEAK TO HER.

GO AWAY, CINDERS.

MY NAME IS ELLA, AND I'M NOT DIRTY.

I'VE JUST BEEN CARRYING OUT THE ASHES.

JUST CINDERS AND ASHES.

MAYBE A LITTLE SOOT, BUT I--

ELLA CINDER!

DIRTY CINDER!

ELLA CINDER!

WILLIE: GOOD-BYE, CINDERELLA.

CINDERELLA!

CINDERELLA!

STOP IT!

NOW LOOK WHAT YOU'VE DONE, YOU UGLY THING!

I AM NOT UGLY!

YOU ARE UGLY! YOU SMELL OF BUTTER!

YOU HAVE A BIG FAT BOPU.

AND YOU HAVE A VOICE LIKE A PIG!

AND YOU--YOU--

YOU--

NARRATOR: SO, YOU SEE HOW IT WAS.

OH, WELL, THEY CAN SCARCELY BE BLAMED,

FOR SHE WAS NOT PRECISELY AN AMIABLE CHILD.

THE GROWN-UPS OF THE TOWN AGREED WITH THEIR SONS AND DAUGHTERS.

THEY'RE SAYING, "TSK, TSK. DREADFUL, DREADFUL.

"THE GIRL'S A DISGRACE.

"SHE GROWS WORSE EVERY DAY. LOOK AT HER HAIR."

IT WAS THE OLD STORY OF THE REJECTED BECOMING

ALL THE MORE REJECTED BECAUSE THEY BEHAVED BADLY

BECAUSE THEY'D BEEN REJECTED-- ONE OF THOSE, UH, CIRCLES.

AND THERE IT WAS AGAIN, THE HEAT OF TEARS BURNING

BEHIND THE EYES. AND SO SHE CAME HOME.

THIS PRIMPING IS IN PREPARATION FOR THE ARRIVAL OF THE PRINCE,

FOR HE MAY GLANCE THEIR WAY WHEN HE RIDES DOWN THE STREET.

THESE ARE ELLA'S STEPSISTERS. THIS IS BIRDENA--

VIVACIOUS, DAZZLING, BEAUTIFUL AS A ROSE,

AND POISONOUS AS A TOADSTOOL.

AND THIS IS SERAFINA--LANGUID, SEDUCTIVE, EFFORTLESSLY ALLURING,

AND COLD AS A COBRA.

AND THIS IS ELLA'S STEPMOTHER, THE WIDOW SONDER.

"STRAIGHTEN UP, ELLA.

"DO THIS, ELLA.

"DO THAT, ELLA.

"PICK UP THE THINGS YOUR SISTERS DROPPED, ELLA.

"THESE ARE THE PREROGATIVES OF BEAUTY, ELLA.

"COME, BIRDENA.

"COME, SERAFINA.

"I AM THE MOTHER OF THE PRETTIEST GIRLS IN THE VILLAGE.

"NOT YOU, ELLA!

"STAY BACK HERE, ELLA.

"DON'T STAND WITH US.

"THE PRINCE MAY THINK WE KNOW YOU."

[FANFARE]

CROWD: LONG LIVE THE PRINCE!

MAN: LONG LIVE PRINCE CHARLES!

DID YOU SEE HIM LOOK RIGHT THIS WAY?

HE DID, INDEED, LOOK THIS WAY.

HE LOOKED RIGHT AT ME.

AT YOU?

HE DISTINCTLY LOOKED RIGHT AT ME.

NO, HE DIDN'T!

I SAW HIM.

OH, YOU DID NOT SEE HIM. YOU WERE WAY BACK HERE.

I DID, TOO. I SAW HIM.

NO, YOU DIDN'T.

I DID!

VERY WELL. WHAT DID HE LOOK LIKE?

HE... WELL, HE LOOKED--

HE LOOKED LIKE A HANDSOME PRINCE

ON A BEAUTIFUL WHITE HORSE.

YOU SEE?

THE HORSE WAS BLACK,

BLACK AS NIGHT.

SHE DIDN'T SEE HIM AT ALL.

I DID!

WHAT COLOR WAS HIS HAIR?

IT WAS BLACK, BLACK AS NIGHT.

WELL, YOU SEE?

WHAT A FIB.

WHO--WHO CARES ABOUT AN OLD PRINCE, ANYWAY?

I HATE HIM! I DON'T CARE. I HATE HIM!

WHAT AN UNPLEASANT GIRL YOU ARE.

I DON'T CARE!

NARRATOR: THE LITTLE SPIRIT IS STILL DEFIANT

AND DEFENSIVE, STILL UNBROKEN.

BUT GIVE THEM TIME. THEY'LL BREAK IT.

A FEW MORE YEARS, AND SHE WILL STOP FIGHTING BACK

AND WILL NO LONGER FEEL ANY PAIN.

THE OTHERS WILL THEN HAVE THE CONVENIENCE

OF AN UNPAID SPINSTER SLAVEY IN THE HOUSE--

WILLING, DOCILE, GRATEFUL FOR CRUMBS.

A FEW MORE YEARS, AND ALL WILL BE PEACEFUL.

HERE WAS HER OWN PLACE, A PLACE ALL BY ITSELF.

THE SWEET BROOK GLITTERED, THE FOREST WAS COOL,

AND A MEADOWLARK WAS CONFIDING ITS HEARTBREAK

TO THE QUIET AIR.

[ELLA CRYING]

WHY ARE YOU CRYING?

WHAT'S THE MATTER, YOU SWEET, PRETTY CREATURE?

YOU'RE MAKING FUN OF ME.

I'M NOT SWEET AND PRETTY.

BUT IT'S ONLY ASHES.

WHAT'S WRONG WITH ASHES? VERY GOOD FOR THE CHICKENS.

WHAT'S YOUR NAME?

ELLA.

BUT THEY WON'T EVEN CALL ME BY MY NAME.

THEY CALL ME--

EDWARD AND WILLIE AND ALL THE OTHERS--

BECAUSE OF THE ASHES, THEY CALL ME CINDERELLA.

CINDERELLA?

CINDER ELLA, WHAT A BEAUTIFUL WORD.

I LIKE IT VERY MUCH.

THERE ARE OTHER WORDS I LIKE VERY MUCH,

LIKE WINDOWSILL... AND ELBOW.

ELBOW.

AND I LIKE APPLE DUMPLING, TOO.

IT'S A COMICAL WORD.

APPLE DUMPLING.

PICKLE RELISH.

THAT HAS A NICE SNAP TO IT.

WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH YOUR HAIR?

I CUT IT OFF.

I--I GOT ANGRY AT IT.

ONE DAY, I HATED MYSELF SO, I WANTED TO BE DEAD.

BUT I CUT MY HAIR OFF INSTEAD.

AND I FELT MUCH BETTER AFTER.

IT'S GROWING NOW.

SPLENDID.

NO USE COMBING IT OR ANYTHING.

IT DOES PRESENT A PROBLEM.

WHAT'S YOUR NAME?

MRS. TOQUET.

OH, YOU'RE THE CRAZY LA--

I MEAN...YOU'RE THE ONE WHO LIVES ALL BY YOURSELF?

THEY SAY YOU NEVER COME INTO THE VILLAGE DURING DAYTIME.

THAT'S RIGHT.

WHY?

BECAUSE I ALWAYS GO THERE AT NIGHT.

YOU--YOUR SHOES ARE GETTING WET.

YES. IT'S THE WATER.

OH.

DO YOU LIVE IN THE VILLAGE?

YES.

WITH BIRDENA, SERAFINA, AND MY STEPMOTHER.

OH. HOW ARE THEY?

OH, YOU KNOW THEM?

NO. IF I KNEW THEM, I WOULDN'T HAVE TO ASK.

OH.

WELL, THEY'RE VERY WELL, THANK YOU.

THEY'RE VERY BUSY NOW.

THEY'RE GETTING READY TO GO TO THE BALL--

DAY AFTER TOMORROW AT THE PALACE.

THEY ARE GOING TO MEET THE PRINCE.

YOU SEE, BIRDENA AND SERAFINA

ARE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL GIRLS IN THE WHOLE VILLAGE.

THEY CAN SEW VERY WELL,

AND THEY HAVE FINE MANNERS AND BEAUTIFUL CLOTHES.

THEY ARE JUST EVERYTHING THAT GIRLS SHOULD BE.

AND YOU? WHERE ARE YOUR PRETTY CLOTHES?

OH, I DON'T CARE WHAT I LOOK LIKE.

THAT'S NO REASON FOR FRIGHTENING PEOPLE.

IT DOESN'T MATTER. NOBODY LIKES ME ANYWAY.

I LIKE YOU.

YOU DON'T.

I DON'T NEED ANYBODY TO LIKE ME.

I DON'T CARE. I DON'T CARE ONE BIT,

BECAUSE, ONE DAY, I'M GOING TO LIVE IN THE PALACE.

OH?

IN THE DUCAL PALACE?

THAT'S RIGHT.

A VERY PLEASANT PLAN. WHO ARRANGED IT?

WELL...

ONE DAY, THERE'S AN OLD LADY WHO CAME TO SEE MY MOTHER.

SHE WAS A TELLER OF FORTUNES, THEY SAY.

AND SHE TOLD MY MOTHER THAT SOME DAY

HER CHILD WOULD LIVE IN THE PALACE.

AND I WAS BORN THREE HOURS LATER.

MY MOTHER USED TO TELL ME THIS STORY VERY OFTEN

WHEN I WAS A LITTLE GIRL.

SHE DIED WHEN I WAS FIVE YEARS OLD.

WHAT DO YOU EXPECT TO DO IN THE PALACE?

OH. WELL, LOTS OF THINGS.

YOU KNOW.

SOUNDS VERY PRACTICAL.

AND I'LL PUNISH EVERYBODY I HATE.

NO, YOU WON'T.

OH, YES, I WILL.

I WILL.

HERE.

WHERE'D YOU GET THIS?

OH, HERE AND THERE.

OH, YES, I HEARD ABOUT THAT.

HERE, YOU'D BETTER TAKE IT BACK.

OH, THANK YOU, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

NEVERTHELESS.

NEVERTHELESS WHAT?

NEVERTHELESS IS A NICE WORD.

ISN'T IT PLEASANT TO SIT AND EXCHANGE WORDS WITH A FRIEND?

I NEVER DID IT BEFORE, I MEAN, JUST SAT WITH A FRIEND AND TALKED.

WELL, WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH YOUR FRIENDS?

DON'T THEY HAVE A SITTING PLACE?

WELL, IT'S BECAUSE I...

I DON'T THINK I HAVE ANY FRIENDS.

I MEAN, I DON'T THINK I DO.

BECAUSE WHEN THEY'RE YOUR FRIENDS,

DOES THAT MEAN THAT YOU CAN TELL THEM

EVERYTHING YOU LIKE AND WHAT YOU DO

AND WHAT YOU FEEL AND ALL THAT?

AND THAT THEY'LL ALWAYS BE ON YOUR SIDE?

DOESN'T IT?

THAT'S RIGHT.

WELL, I DON'T HAVE ANYBODY LIKE THAT.

YOU HAVE ME. I'M ON YOUR SIDE.

AND I'M VERY DEEPLY INTERESTED IN WHAT YOU FEEL AND THINK.

TELL ME. TELL ME NOW.

WELL...I CAN'T. IT--IT'S...IT'S ALL MIXED UP.

IT'S JUST A FEELING.

IT'S LIKE WHEN IT'S BEGINNING TO GET DARK.

YOU KNOW?

AND--AND EVERYTHING BREATHES VERY SOFTLY

AND THE SKY GETS VERY, VERY BLUE

AND THEN VERY, VERY PINK.

AND HERE YOU FEEL, OH, SOMETHING...

HMM. IT--IT'S... IT'S HARD TO EXPLAIN.

IT'S QUITE CLEAR.

IS IT?

I MUST GO NOW.

I HAVE SOME THINGS TO PICK UP.

WELL, YOU DROP IN AGAIN SOMETIME.

OH, WHEN?

TOMORROW PERHAPS AT NOON.

RIGHT HERE, THEN, HUH?

WE'LL TALK AND TELL EACH OTHER THINGS...

AND BE FRIENDS, HUH?

EXCELLENT.

VERY PRACTICAL.

GOOD-BYE.

WINDOWSILL.

PICKLE RELISH.

APPLE DUMPLING.

CINDERELLA.

GOOD-BYE, CINDERELLA.

THESE HOOPS ARE TOO WIDE.

I'M GOING TO WEAR THE NARROW ONES.

THE WIDER HOOPS ARE PRETTIER.

BUT THEY'RE NOT THE FASHION.

COUSIN LOULOU'S WEARING ENORMOUS ONES.

WHAT DO YOU KNOW?

I HEARD ALL ABOUT COUSIN LOULOU'S GOWN

THIS AFTERNOON WHEN I WENT UP TO THE HILL

FOR THE INVITATIONS.

OH! THE INVITATIONS.

WHERE DID YOU PUT THEM?

I GAVE THEM TO YOU.

OH. OH, DEAR.

OH, MAMA.

I PUT THEM DOWN.

AFTER ALL THE TROUBLE WE HAD GETTING THEM.

OH, I HATE ASKING COUSIN LOULOU FAVORS.

OH, GO AWAY, ELLA.

DON'T TOUCH THINGS, ELLA.

YOU'RE IN THE WAY, ELLA.

ELLA, GET OFF OF THAT.

YOU'RE GETTING IT ALL DIRTY.

OH! HERE THEY ARE.

YOU MUST REMEMBER TO THANK COUSIN LOULOU.

MOTHER, TOMORROW NIGHT AT THE BALL,

PLEASE DON'T SPEAK OF WHERE WE LIVE.

I'M GOING TO SAY THAT WE LIVE ON THE HILL WITH COUSIN LOULOU.

AND WHAT WILL COUSIN LOULOU SAY TO THAT?

COUSIN LOULOU WON'T HEAR IT.

BESIDES, NO ONE EVER PAYS ANY ATTENTION

TO THAT OLD CREATURE ANYWAY.

[SCOLDING] BIRDENA.

DON'T YOU DARE SPEAK OF COUSIN LOULOU THAT WAY.

SHE'S VERY RICH.

WHAT'S HER DRESS LIKE?

OH, IT'S BEAUTIFUL. IT'S ALL PINK AND WHITE

WITH ROSEBUDS AND RIBBONS ALL OVER THE SKIRT.

AND THOUSANDS OF CRYSTALS, EACH ONE SEWN WITH SILK THREAD.

ROSEBUDS. HA HA!

AT HER AGE.

[BOTH LAUGHING]

STEPMOTHER: YOU MAY TAKE IT OFF NOW, BIRDENA.

NOW YOU, SERAFINA.

WHO IS MRS. TOQUET?

WHO?

MRS. TOQUET.

ISN'T SHE THE CRAZY OLD WOMAN WHO LIVES IN THE WOODS?

SHE'S HARMLESS, BUT SHE STEALS.

HAS SHE ALWAYS BEEN LIKE THAT?

I MEAN, HAS SHE ALWAYS...

THEY SAY SHE WAS ONCE A GRAND LADY AND LIVED ON THE HILL.

BUT SHE TOOK TO READING BOOKS AND WENT FROM BAD TO WORSE.

STUFFED HER HEAD FULL OF IDEAS, AND NOW SHE'S A BIT ADDLED.

A BIT ADDLED?

OH, MOTHER, SHE'S CRAZY AS A COCKROACH.

NO, SHE ISN'T. SHE'S JUST DIFFERENT.

SHE'S FULL OF GOOD IDEAS AND...AND WISDOM.

FULL OF WHAT?

AND EVERYBODY KNOWS SHE STEALS.

SHE STOLE THE COVER OFF A GARBAGE BUCKET

FROM MRS. BOWER'S HOUSE.

AND THE NEXT NIGHT, SHE PUT IT BACK.

SHE ALWAYS PUTS THINGS BACK AFTER SHE TAKES THEM.

THAT'S WHY NOBODY BOTHERS.

SHE SHOULD BE LOCKED AWAY.

SHE'S MAD.

SHE SEEMED VERY SENSIBLE TO ME.

OH! SHE SEEMED SENSIBLE TO ELLA.

AND WHY NOT? THEY'RE TWO OF A KIND.

YOU'RE TWO OF A KIND.

AND DID YOU TELL HER THAT YOU WERE GOING TO LIVE

- IN THE PALACE SOMEDAY? - AND WHAT IF I DID?

HA HA! TWO CRAZY COCKROACHES.

[EVERYONE LAUGHS] ELLA, STOP IT!

YOU'RE RUINING MY BEAUTIFUL DRESS!

GET HER OUT OF HERE!

[SLAP] YOU GO RIGHT OUT AND FINISH DIGGING THE POTATOES.

Ella: I don't care. i don't care one bit,

because, one day, I'm going to live in the palace.

Ms. Toquet: What will you do in the palace?

I don't know....

but, one day, I'm going to live in the palace.

One day, I'm going to live in the palace.

One day, I'm going to live in the palace.

[GRAND MUSIC BEGINS]

[GRAND MUSIC CONTINUES]

[MUSIC BECOMES LIGHTER]

[MUSIC BECOMES LIGHT-HEARTED]

STEPMOTHER: ELLA!

ELLA! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

ELLA, BRING IN THE POTATOES!

CHARLES?

OH.

CHARLES.

WHERE IS HE?

MORNING, KOVIN.

WELL, GOOD MORNING, YOUR HIGHNESS.

IS HE UP YET?

I BELIEVE HE'S STILL DRESSING, SIR.

CHARLES?

CHARLES, I WANT TO SEE YOU.

AND WHERE THEY'VE QUARTERED YOU, KOVIN?

UH, YES, SIR.

IT'S COMFORTABLE?

MOST COMFORTABLE. THANK YOU, SIR.

GOOD. GOOD, GOOD.

POETRY?

USED TO READ IT MYSELF.

TAUGHT ME A LOT.

CAN'T READ IT NOWADAYS.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF OUR COUNTRYSIDE?

OH, VERY BEAUTIFUL, WHAT I'VE SEEN OF IT, SIR.

EXCELLENT--

EXCELLENT HUNTING.

DO YOU HUNT?

SOME THINGS.

YOU'LL FIND PLENTY OF THAT, TOO.

GOOD MORNING, FATHER.

WHAT ARE YOU GOT UP AS?

I'M GOING FOR A WALK.

THERE'S A PROBLEM OF ENTERTAINMENT AT THE BALL.

WHAT BALL?

I TOLD YOU-- THREE DAYS OF FESTIVAL

TOPPED OFF BY A BIG BALL ON THE LAST NIGHT.

THAT'S TOMORROW NIGHT.

OH, NO.

NOW STOP MAKING NOISES LIKE A SCHOOLBOY.

YOU HAVE OBLIGATIONS.

THAT'S THE PRICE YOU PAY FOR WHAT YOU ARE.

AND I DON'T MEAN YOUR TITLE.

I MEAN THE FACT THAT YOU'RE A GROWN MAN

OF SOME DECENCY AND INTELLIGENCE.

IT'S TIME HE TOOK SOME RESPONSIBILITY,

BECAUSE I'M BORED, UTTERLY BORED WITH IT.

HE'S OF AGE NOW.

IT'S HIS TURN.

I LOVE HIM, KOVIN.

ISN'T HE A CHARMER?

I NEVER KNEW ANYBODY LIKE HIM.

NOW, THEN, YOU CONDESCENDING,

DISRESPECTFUL, BLASE, IMPERTINENT YOUNG RAKE.

WE ARE DEPENDENT UPON THE GOOD WILL

AND THE COOPERATION OF THE PEOPLE

OF THIS PRINCIPALITY.

BUT THEY DON'T KNOW HIM, AND HE DOESN'T KNOW THEM.

WELL, YOU'RE GOING TO MEET THEM

TOMORROW NIGHT AT THE BALL,

AND THEY'RE GOING TO TAKE A LOOK AT YOU.

MAKE FRIENDS.

I'LL DO MY BEST, FATHER, AND NOT ONLY BECAUSE

YOU'RE SO RIGHT.

I REMEMBER THIS PLACE, TOO.

WHEN I WAS EIGHT, I RAN AWAY FROM HOME ONE DAY.

I WAS GONE FOR SEVEN HOURS, THE BEST SEVEN HOURS I EVER HAD.

I DISCOVERED THE COUNTRYSIDE THAT DAY--

ONE PLACE IN PARTICULAR. I'LL TAKE YOU THERE.

STRANGE HOW MANY MEMORIES ARE CROWDING BACK ON ME,

THINGS I HAVEN'T THOUGHT ABOUT FOR YEARS.

YESTERDAY AFTERNOON, WHEN WE WERE RIDING THROUGH THE TOWN,

I KEPT REMEMBERING SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED YEARS AGO.

I'D BEEN HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

AND WAS LEAVING TO RETURN TO SCHOOL.

MY CARRIAGE WAS HELD UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TOWN

BECAUSE SOMETHING WAS GOING ON IN THE STREET AHEAD,

BLOCKING OUR PATH.

IT INVOLVED A CHILD...

A LITTLE GIRL OF ABOUT FIVE.

SHE WAS CRYING IN A SORT OF TRAGIC FRENZY.

SHE'D RUN OUT OF HER HOUSE IN THE PATH OF THE CARRIAGE,

AND SOME TOWNSPEOPLE WERE TRYING TO HOLD HER BACK.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS ALL ABOUT.

BUT ONE THING I'VE REMEMBERED EVER SINCE

IN THE MOST MINUTE DETAIL...

SHE HAD GREAT, AGONIZED, REBELLIOUS EYES...

FRINGED WITH DARK LASHES, AND HER CHEEKS WERE WET WITH TEARS.

IT WAS THE MOST TRAGIC FACE I EVER SAW.

NOT JUST SAD.

IT HAD THE AGONY OF A GREEK TRAGEDY,

BEYOND HOPE OF COMFORTING.

I'VE NEVER KNOWN SORROW,

NOT REALLY.

BUT EVER SINCE THAT DAY, I'VE FELT...

I'VE HAD SOME KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT IT'S LIKE,

OF ALL THE HUMAN SOUL CAN

STAND OF

PAIN AND MISERY.

AND EVER SINCE THAT DAY, I FIND IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE

TO RESIST A WEEPING WOMAN.

AND IF SHE HAPPENS TO HAVE EYES LIKE THAT,

I'M LOST.

THIS IS THE PLACE I WAS TELLING YOU ABOUT.

NOTHING HAS CHANGED.

THAT DAY I RAN AWAY FROM HOME,

I STRIPPED TO THE BUFF AND BATHED IN THIS POOL.

HOW COLD IS THE WATER?

VERY COLD.

IT'S FED BY MOUNTAIN STREAMS.

MM. I AM NO LONGER EIGHT YEARS OLD.

YOU MAY FREEZE ALONE.

[RELAXED GRUNT]

HELLO.

WHAT IS IT?

A NIGHTMARE.

THIS IS MY PLACE.

THAT'S STRANGE.

IT USED TO BE PART OF THE DUKE'S ESTATE.

NOBODY EVER COMES HERE.

WELL, THEY'RE FOOLS IF THEY DON'T.

YOU DON'T BELONG HERE.

WHERE DO YOU LIVE?

OVER THERE. OVER THERE.

THERE IS NOTHING OVER THERE BUT THE PALACE.

I COULD'VE TOLD YOU THAT.

WHAT OF IT?

WHAT OF IT?

YOU CAN'T LIVE IN THE DUKE'S PALACE.

WHY NOT?

WE WORK THERE.

OH?

YES. I'M THE NEW RIDING MASTER,

AND HE'S THE SON OF THE COOK.

SON OF THE COOK?

THE SON OF THE COOK AT THE PALACE OF THE DUKE.

HAVE YOU SEEN PRINCE CHARLES?

OF COURSE WE HAVE, OFTEN.

WHAT COLOR IS HE?

MMM...I'D SAY WHITE, WOULDN'T YOU?

MM-MM.

I MEAN HIS HAIR.

OH. OH, BLACK.

BLACK.

BLACK AS NIGHT. YOU SEE?

NO.

NO, I DON'T QUITE SEE.

I TOLD THEM IT WAS BLACK.

HOW DID YOU KNOW?

MM, I JUST KNEW.

YOU'RE CLAIRVOYANT.

NO, I'M NOT.

IT'S JUST ASHES, AND I DON'T CARE.

YOU CAN CALL ME CINDERELLA, AND I DON'T CARE.

KOVIN.

KOVIN, THE EYES...

THE SAD, REBELLIOUS EYES.

STOP MAKING FUN OF ME!

OH!

[BOTH LAUGHING]

NARRATOR: THE PRINCE WAS CURIOUS,

SO HE SENT HIS VALET AND HIS GOOD FRIEND KOVIN

INTO THE VILLAGE TO LEARN WHAT THEY COULD LEARN

ABOUT THE RAGAMUFFIN HE HAD MET THAT MORNING.

HE LEARNED THAT SHE WAS AN UNRULY GIRL,

ILL-MANNERED AND IMPUDENT,

FRIENDLESS,AND EVEN AN OBJECT OF RIDICULE,

FOR SHE WAS IN THE HABIT OF BOASTING

THAT SHE WOULD LIVE IN THE PALACE SOME DAY.

HE LEARNED THAT SHE WAS A GREAT TRIAL

TO HER STEPMOTHER THE GOOD, KIND WIDOW SONDER.

ON THAT VERY AFTERNOON, THE WIDOW AND HER DAUGHTERS

WERE ENTERTAINING COUSIN LOULOU

WHO LIVED ON THE FASHIONABLE HILL.

THE BEST ATTIRE AND THE MOST ELEGANT MANNERS

HAD COME OUT OF STORAGE AND WERE ON DISPLAY.

EVEN ELLA HAD BEEN ORDERED TO PUT ON HER OTHER DRESS.

COUSIN LOULOU HAD STARTED LIFE

AS A VERY PRETTY HOUSEMAID IN THE PALACE OF THE DUKE.

AND BY A NATURAL SEQUENCE OF EVENTS,

PLUS A SMALL TRACE OF THREATENED BLACKMAIL,

SHE HAD ACQUIRED JEWELS, A HOUSE ON THE FASHIONABLE HILL,

AND A MEASURE OF FINANCIAL SECURITY.

AS YOU CAN SEE, ELLA WAS NOT PRECISELY

A SERVANT IN THE HOUSE, BUT SHE WAS ALSO

NOT PRECISELY A MEMBER OF THE FAMILY.

COUSIN LOULOU WAS RECEIVING THE BEST THEY HAD TO GIVE

IN THE WAY OF ADULATION, AGREEMENT, FLATTERY, AND BLANDISHMENT.

SHE WAS BEING OILED AND CODDLED, SOAPED AND SALVED.

"YES, COUSIN LOULOU.

"YOU'RE SO RIGHT, COUSIN LOULOU.

"WHAT A BEAUTIFUL GOWN, COUSIN LOULOU.

"HOW WE WISH WE, TOO, HAD AN OPPORTUNITY

"TO BE SO PROFITABLY RUINED WHILE WE ARE STILL YOUNG.

"HOW WE WISH YOU WOULD DROP DEAD "AND LEAVE US YOUR MONEY.

SOMETHING'S WRONG.

SOMETHING IS NOT QUITE RIGHT.

DOESN'T THE GIRL EVER WEAR SHOES?

MUST SHE ALWAYS GO BAREFOOT LIKE A PEASANT?

ELLA!

WHERE ARE YOUR SHOES?

I--I CAN GET THEM.

I FORGOT THEM. I LEFT THEM IN THE DELL.

I'LL GET THEM MAYBE, HUH?

ARE THESE WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR?

ALLOW ME. SIT DOWN.

UH, I'M SORRY I PUSHED YOU INTO THE WATER.

I DIDN'T MEAN TO.

I DIDN'T MEAN TO HURT YOUR FEELINGS EITHER.

MAY I SIT DOWN AND TALK TO YOU?

I HEAR YOU'RE GOING TO LIVE IN THE PALACE SOMEDAY.

HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT?

YOU'VE BEEN TELLING EVERYBODY ABOUT IT FOR YEARS.

I KNOW.

I SAY IT MOSTLY WHEN THEY LAUGH AT ME.

OH, ISN'T IT TRUE?

OH, YES, IT'S QUITE TRUE.

AND IT'S WONDERFUL TO THINK ABOUT.

YES, I KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN.

IT'S NICE TO HAVE SOMETHING TO HOPE FOR.

THAT'S IT.

THAT'S JUST IT.

LIFE CAN BE PRETTY UNBEARABLE IF YOU DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO HOPE FOR.

DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO HOPE FOR?

I THINK I'M BEGINNING TO HAVE.

YOU HOPE TO BE A VERY GOOD COOK?

A WHAT?

LIKE YOUR FATHER.

OH, YES. YES.

YOU KNOW, IT'S FUNNY.

I USED TO THINK IT WOULD BE WONDERFUL

TO HAVE SOMEONE TO SIT WITH

AND TALK TO AND--

AND TELL THEM WHAT I THINK

AND WHAT I FEEL... WHAT I LIKE AND ALL THAT.

BUT WITH YOU, I-- I DON'T HAVE TO.

I HAVE THE FEELING THAT IF YOU WANTED TO,

YOU COULD TELL ME WHAT I THINK

AND WHAT I FEEL AND ALL THAT.

AND YOU KNOW ALL THE WORST OF ME, TOO,

EH?

TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT SO THAT

WHEN I DON'T HAVE ANY THOUGHTS OF MY OWN,

I--I CAN THINK OF YOURS.

[CHIRPING]

LOOK WHAT I CAN DO!

THAT'S VERY INTERESTING.

HA HA HA.

OHH! OOH!

OOH.

OH, I FORGOT.

I BROUGHT YOU SOMETHING.

OH?

IT'S AN INVITATION TO THE BALL TOMORROW NIGHT.

AN INVITATION TO THE BALL?

OH, WELL, I CAN'T GO TO THE BALL.

WELL, WHY NOT?

WHAT WOULD I BE DOING AT THE BALL?

WHERE DID YOU GET IT?

I JUST--OH. OH, FROM PRINCE CHARLES.

I COOKED A DELICIOUS POT ROAST FOR HIM,

AND HE REWARDED ME WITH THIS.

OH.

IT--IT'LL BE NICE TO KEEP IT, JUST TO LOOK AT IT.

OH, I'D LIKE TO SEE YOU AT THE BALL.

BUT YOU'D BE TOO BUSY TO TALK TO ME

WITH ALL THOSE PEOPLE TO COOK FOR.

OH, YES. I FORGOT THAT.

WELL, THE BALL WOULD BE A BORE ANYWAY.

YOU WOULDN'T LIKE IT.

BESIDES I CAN'T DANCE.

OH, EVERY GIRL SHOULD KNOW HOW TO DANCE.

PARTICULARLY A GIRL WHO'S GOING TO LIVE

IN THE PALACE SOMEDAY.

LET ME SEE. THERE'S A MINUET AND A POLONAISE.

I'LL SHOW YOU. COME HERE.

UH, MINUET.

RIGHT FOOT FORWARD.

TOUCH, TOUCH, STEP... BACK, RIGHT, AND LEFT.

PUT THE LEFT FOOT FORWARD.

TOUCH, TOUCH, STEP BACK,

LEFT AND--

HERE.

MOVE BACK.

THERE.

[HUMMING] TOUCH, TOUCH,

[HUMMING] RIGHT, LEFT, RIGHT.

[HUMMING] LEFT.

[HUMMING] TOUCH, TOUCH,

[HUMMING] LEFT, RIGHT, LEFT.

RIGHT HAND...

[HUMMING] FRONT, BACK,

BOTH: 1, 2, 3.

AND OTHER HAND. OH.

[HUMMING] 1, 2,

[HUMMING] 5, 6, AND 7, 8.

GOOD!

NOW, UH,

NOW THE POLONAISE.

HOP, STEP, STEP, HOP, STEP, STEP, HOP, STEP, STEP, CHANGE!

HOP, STEP, STEP, HOP, STEP, STEP, HOP, STEP, STEP, CHANGE!

[HUMMING] HOP, STEP, STEP, HOP, STEP, STEP,

[HUMMING] HOP, STEP, STEP, TURN!

[HUMMING] HOP, STEP, STEP, HOP, STEP, STEP,

[HUMMING] HOP, STEP, STEP,

TWO.

[HUMMING]

AAH!

WHOA!

HA HA HA!

[HUMMING]

[PLAYING TUNE

HE HAD BEEN HUMMING]

CLIMBING ROSE ON THE WALL

PLUCK IT NOW BEFORE THE PETALS FALL

APPLE RIPE ON THE BOUGH

TAKE IT, FOR THE TIME TO TAKE IS NOW

HAPPY DAY SUN OR RAIN

LIVE IT FOR IT NEVER COMES AGAIN

LADS HAVE DIED, YOUNG AND GAY

PRETTY MAIDS CAN FADE AWAY

NOTHING IS FOREVER ALWAYS IS A LIE

I CAN ONLY LOVE YOU TILL THE DAY I DIE

SO, MY LOVE OH, MY LOVE

DREAM NO MORE, MY LOVE, AWAKE, MY LOVE

OH, MY LOVE, AWAKE, MY LOVE

TURN TO ME AND TAKE MY LOVE

YOU'RE NOT WELL, CHARLES.

YOU'RE NOT YOURSELF.

YOU KNOW WHAT AILS YOU.

CAREFUL, CHARLES.

REMEMBER YOUR SPECIAL WEAKNESS.

SHE'S FRIGHTENED, SAD, AND HURT.

AFRAID TO HOPE, EXPECTING RIDICULE.

A TENDER HEART HALF AFRAID TO LOVE.

OH, CAREFUL, CHARLES.

WHY BE CAREFUL?!

EVERY MAN HAS HIS OWN SPECIAL VULNERABILITY.

I ONCE KNEW A MAN WHO COULDN'T RESIST

FAT WOMEN, WOMEN WITH ROLLS.

ANOTHER WHO FELL MADLY IN LOVE

EVERY TIME A WOMAN SLAPPED HIS FACE.

WELL, THIS IS MINE.

WHY GO AGAINST NATURE?

[PLAYING]

[THINKING]

THE SON OF THE COOK OF THE PALACE OF THE DUKE.

THE SON OF THE COOK OF THE PALACE OF THE DUKE.

THE SON OF THE COOK OF THE PALACE OF THE DUKE.

THE SON OF THE COOK OF THE PALACE OF THE DUKE.

THE SON OF THE COOK OF THE PALACE OF THE DUKE.

[TRUMPETS PLAY FANFARE]

[SNAPS FINGERS]

[LAUGHING]

[HUMMING]

WHY, MRS. TOQUET!

WHY NOT MRS. TOQUET?

WELL, I'M GLAD TO SEE YOU.

[SOFTENS VOICE] WE MUST BE VERY QUIET.

THEY'RE SLEEPING LATE THIS MORNING.

THEY WANT TO LOOK THEIR BEST AT THE BALL TONIGHT.

THAT'S ONLY A BROKEN SAUCER.

YES, POOR THING.

LOOK. I'VE GOT SOMETHING TO SHOW YOU.

LOOK.

IT'S AN INVITATION TO GO TO THE BALL.

THE SON OF THE COOK GAVE IT TO ME.

THE SON OF THE PALACE COOK.

I MET HIM IN THE DELL, AND HE TAUGHT ME HOW TO DANCE.

HE'S VERY BUSY NOW, YOU KNOW,

MAKING PINK PASTRY AND EVERYTHING

WITH HIS FATHER FOR THE BALL.

OH, MRS. TOQUET, IF YOU COULD ONLY SEE HIM

AND--AND HEAR HIM. HE'S SO BEAUTIFUL.

I'VE GOT SOMETHING TO HOPE FOR NOW.

WHAT WOULD THAT BE?

TO BE ABLE TO SEE HIM AGAIN.

AHH, YES! WELL, WHEN YOU SEE HIM,

YOU GIVE HIM MY RECIPE FOR TURNIP FRITTERS.

TELL HIM TO TRY IT WITHOUT THE TURNIPS.

IT'S BETTER THAT WAY.

SO YOU'RE GOING TO THE BALL?

ME? OH, NO.

YOU COULD GO TO THE BALL.

GET PAST THE GATEKEEPER WITH THAT,

THEN SLIP AWAY TO THE KITCHEN

AND SEE THE SON OF THE COOK.

THAT'S STRATEGY.

BUT HE'D BE TOO BUSY TO TALK TO ME.

THEN YOU DO THE TALKING. HE'LL LISTEN.

I--I REALLY DON'T WANT TO GO.

YOU COULD BORROW A DRESS FROM ONE OF THE SLEEPING BEAUTIES.

I MUST BE GOING.

IT'S VERY BUSY OUT.

I HAVE A FEW THINGS TO PICK UP.

GOOD-BYE, CINDERELLA.

MRS. TOQUET: DON'T BE AFRAID TO LOVE HIM.

NARRATOR: AT TWO O'CLOCK THE STEPSISTERS AWOKE,

AND PREPARATIONS FOR THE GREAT BALL BEGAN.

RUB, RUB, RUB, AND RUB,

20 MINUTES OF RUB AND RUB

WITH OIL OF ROSES, BUTTER AND CREAM.

TWO TENDER PORTIONS OF DEAD WHITE MEAT

WERE BEING CAREFULLY PREPARED FOR THE DELECTATION

OF HIGH SOCIETY AND THE VERY ELIGIBLE

YOUNG PRINCE CHARLES.

AND SO THEY WERE OFF TO THE BALL

TO DANCE, TO HEAR MUSIC, TO BE ADMIRED,

TO BE BEAUTIFUL GIRLS LIKE OTHER BEAUTIFUL GIRLS

WHO DANCE, HEAR MUSIC AND ARE ADMIRED.

[SNIFFLES]

[SNAP]

[DOOR OPENS]

WHO'S THERE?

IT'S ONLY ME.

OH, MRS. TOQUET!

WELL, I'M SO GLAD TO SEE YOU.

I WAS ALL ALONE AND-- COME IN. SIT DOWN.

NO TIME FOR THAT. YOU'LL BE LATE FOR THE BALL.

OH, BUT I'M NOT GOING TO THE BALL.

THEY'VE GONE TO THE BALL.

I, THEY, YOU, AMO, AMAS, AMAT,

AMAMUS, AMATUS, AMANT. IT'S ALWAYS THAT WAY.

EVERYBODY'S BEEN THROUGH IT.

YOU DON'T WANT TO GO, YET WHEN EVERYBODY ELSE GOES

AND LEAVES YOU HOME ALONE, YOU CAN HARDLY BEAR IT.

OH, BUT I DON'T MIND BEING ALONE.

I LIKE IT.

YOU LIKE IT, BUT NOT WHEN EVERYBODY ELSE IS AT THE BALL.

WELL, THAT'S TRUE. YOU'RE RIGHT.

I USUALLY AM, 99 TIMES OUT OF 10.

[SNAP]

OH, IT'S ANOTHER MOUSE.

WE HAVE A GOOD MANY, YOU KNOW,

BECAUSE I FEED THEM. THEN I LET THEM GO.

AH. LET'S LOOK IN THE BACK GARDEN.

FOR WHAT?

I LEFT IT THERE.

A CORSET IS A FINE THING.

INVENTED BY THE DEVIL, BUT A FINE THING.

NOW FOR SOME SLIPPERS.

NOW, I JUST HAPPEN TO HAVE A PAIR THAT I THINK--

PUT IT ON.

OH! ISN'T THAT BEAUTIFUL?

IT'S GLASS!

IT'S VENETIAN GLASS.

MADE BY A GENIUS IN VENICE,

WHO SOLD THEM FOR A GOOD PRICE

TO A BAZAAR KEEPER WHO SOLD THEM

AT A GREAT PROFIT TO A MERCHANT FROM ROME

WHO SOLD THEM AT A GREAT PROFIT

TO A SHOPKEEPER IN PARIS,

WHO SOLD THEM AT A GREAT PROFIT.

EVERYBODY MADE MONEY. EVERYBODY WAS HAPPY!

THAT'S ECONOMICS.

BUT IT DOES FEEL STRANGE, YOU KNOW?

DON'T THINK ABOUT IT. KEEP WALKING.

PRACTICE HELPS.

VINCIT QUI PATITUR. HE CONQUERS WHO ENDURES.

ALL WOMEN MUST ENDURE THESE DISCOMFORTS.

WHY?

FOR FASHION.

IT FASCINATES MEN.

MAKES THEM MARVEL AT WOMEN.

FILLS THEM WITH AWE.

BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEY COULDN'T STAND IT.

HOW ARE THEY NOW?

THEY'RE MUCH BETTER.

I'M GETTING USED TO THEM.

HEAD UP, BACK STRAIGHT.

THIS LOOKS FAMILIAR.

PINK AND WHITE...

ROSEBUDS AND CRYSTALS...

OH, DEAR MRS. TOQUET, WHERE DID YOU GET IT?

I FOUND IT.

NOW, A HEADDRESS.

A LITTLE CROWN OF SOME SORT.

A DIADEM!

BUT IF THEY SEE ME WEARING IT--

OH, BUT...THEY WON'T. YOU'LL BE IN THE KITCHEN.

YES. YES, I'LL GO STRAIGHT TO THE KITCHEN.

NOW, THE HAIR AND THE ROUGE AND THE PERFUME.

OH. THIS PRESENTS SOMETHING OF A PROBLEM.

HEAD UP, BACK STRAIGHT,

AND VERY, VERY, VERY SLOWLY.

[LAUGHING]

HERE'S YOUR COACH.

OHH, MY COACH.

I MADE A LITTLE ARRANGEMENT WITH THE COACHMEN.

OH, MRS. TOQUET, NOBODY IN MY WHOLE LIFE

HAS EV--THANK YOU.

YOU'VE ALREADY SAID THAT A DOZEN TIMES.

I LOVE YOU.

THAT'S VERY GOOD.

WHEN YOU LEARN TO LOVE ONE PERSON,

IT'S THAT MUCH EASIER TO LOVE OTHERS.

NOW, IN YOU GO.

DOES SHE KNOW ABOUT LEAVING AT MIDNIGHT?

AHH, YES.

YOU SEE, HE MUST TAKE YOU HOME AT MIDNIGHT

SO THAT HE CAN GO BACK TO THE PALACE IN TIME

TO PICK UP HIS PEOPLE.

THEY'RE LEAVING AT ONE O'CLOCK.

SO IF YOU LEAVE PROMPTLY AT MIDNIGHT,

NOBODY WILL BE THE WISER AND NOBODY WILL BE ANNOYED

AND EVERYBODY WILL BE HAPPY.

THAT'S DIPLOMACY.

I'LL REMEMBER, MIDNIGHT.

THANK YOU.

MIDNIGHT.

[APPLAUSE]

[ALL TALKING]

MAY I HAVE THE HONOR OF BEING YOUR PARTNER TONIGHT?

I'VE BEEN WATCHING YOU ALL EVENING.

AND I FIND YOU THE MOST CHARMING YOUNG LADY HERE.

WOULD YOU CARE TO HAVE SOME REFRESHMENTS?

WHAT PART OF THE COUNTRY ARE YOU FROM?

I DON'T BELIEVE SEEN YOU BEFORE.

OH, CHARLES WENT RIGHT UP OVER THIS HILL

AND AS FAR OUT ON THE ROAD AS YOU CAN SEE.

AND THEN THE MOST AMAZING THING--

UH, PLEASE FORGIVE ME.

I WILL BE BACK.

I BEG YOUR PARDON.

SORRY, PARDON ME.

PARDON. PARDON.

OHH! GOOD EVENING, YOUR HIGHNESS.

GOOD EVENING.

I'M YOUR FATHER'S OLD FRIEND LOULOU ALTSTERSTRAU.

OH, YES, LOULOU. YES!

SO GOOD OF YOU TO REMEMBER.

IT WAS YEARS AGO.

I WAS EIGHT YEARS OLD.

HE SENT ME AWAY TO SCHOOL.

IS IT AS LONG AGO AS THAT?

WELL, WE'RE ALL GOOD FRIENDS NOW.

THE PALACE HASN'T CHANGED.

NOR HAVE YOU, MADAM ALTSTERSTRAU.

AS BEAUTIFUL AS EVER.

OHH, THANK YOU.

[SNAPPING FINGERS]

OH, I SHOULD LIKE TO PRESENT MY COUSIN MRS. SONDER.

AND HER TWO DAUGHTERS BIRDENA AND SERAFINA.

CHARLES.

OH, I BEG YOUR PARDON.

IT'S A GREAT PRIVILEGE, YOUR HIGHNESS.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING ABOUT YOUR TRAVELS.

OH, YES. WE'RE VERY FOND OF PARIS.

OH, YOU KNOW PARIS?

OH, WE DON'T PRECISELY KNOW PARIS,

BUT WE'RE VERY DEVOTED TO IT,

AREN'T WE COUSIN LOULOU?

IT'S SO FRENCH.

YES. WE MUST DISCUSS IT AT LENGTH SOMETIME.

DON'T GO AWAY, PLEASE.

[ALL TALKING]

MY CHANCE WHEN YOU GET BACK.

DON'T BE LONG.

THERE, DANCING WITH YOUR FATHER.

WE HAVEN'T MET BEFORE, MY DEAR?

YOU, UH, YOU DON'T LIVE IN THIS REGION?

I THINK YOU AND I SHOULD MEET.

I'M YOUR HOST.

WHAT'S YOUR NAME?

WHERE IS THE KITCHEN?

THE KITCHEN, M'LADY?

WELL, DO YOU SEE THAT ONE?

OH. WHO IS SHE?

I DON'T KNOW.

COULDN'T GET HER TO SAY A WORD.

OH. EXCUSE ME.

I'VE A FEELING WE'VE MET BEFORE.

THAT WE'VE DANCED TOGETHER BEFORE, TOO.

CINDERELLA.

GOOD EVENING, CINDERELLA.

YES. THERE'S DEFINITELY A BIT OF EXPLANATION.

I'M AFRAID I TOOK THE EASY WAY,

WHICH IS UNHAPPILY THE PATH OF DECEPTION.

I'M JUST VERY GLAD THAT YOU COULD COME.

I WAS WORRIED YOU WOULDN'T BE HERE.

NOW THAT YOU ARE HERE, LET ME EXPLAIN.

[CHATTERING]

CHARMING.

WHO IS THAT WALKING WITH THE PRINCE?

SHE'S SOMEONE I KNEW IN PARIS.

OH, I DIDN'T SEE.

DID YOU SEE HER, COUSIN LOULOU?

NO, BUT THAT DRESS--

THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT THAT DRESS.

DIDN'T SEE HER.

I DANCED WITH HER AND COULDN'T GET HER TO SAY A WORD.

SHE DOESN'T SPEAK THE LANGUAGE, THEY SAY.

A FOREIGNER.

THEY SAY HE CARRIED ON WITH AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS IN PARIS.

EGYPTIAN.

DIDN'T YOU SEE THE HAIR?

EGYPTIAN, OF COURSE.

I'M GOING TO TAKE A LOOK AT THAT DRESS.

WHAT'S THE MATTER? WHAT ARE YOU AFRAID OF?

COUSIN LOULOU, BIRDENA, AND SERAFINA.

BUT YOU DON'T MAKE SENSE.

OH, YES, I AM. THEY-- THEY MUSTN'T SEE ME.

THIS DRESS, I--I HAVE DONE A DREADFUL THING. YOU KNOW, I...

[DANCERS APPLAUDING] OOH! OOH!

SPEAK OF THE DEVIL, THERE SHE GOES NOW.

WHO IS SHE?

I'LL WAGER YOU'LL KNOW.

ME? OH.

EVERYBODY GUESSING AND NOBODY KNOWS.

DID YOU DANCE WITH HER?

YES, YOUR HIGHNESS, BUT SHE WOULDN'T SPEAK.

AH!

NEVER OPENED HER MOUTH.

HA HA!

CLEVER GIRL. KNOWS WHEN TO HOLD HER TONGUE.

HA HA HA! HA HA HA!

WE'VE BEEN TOLD SHE DOESN'T SPEAK THE LANGUAGE.

THE RUMOR IS SHE'S EGYPTIAN.

AHH, WELL?

I SEE YOU--AH!

THERE YOU ARE. PLEASE TELL ME WHO THAT GIRL--

[BELL CHIMING]

[BONG]

[BONG]

[CHIMING CONTINUES]

[BELL CHIMES MIDNIGHT]

NO, YOU DIDN'T DREAM IT.

THE COACHMEN AND I BROUGHT YOU HOME.

AND THE DRESS, IS IT ALL RIGHT?

DID I TEAR IT OR ANYTHING?

IT'S AS GOOD AS NEW AND BACK WHERE IT CAME FROM.

YOU KNOW, I--I HAVE A SECRET TO TELL YOU.

YOU REMEMBER THE SON OF THE COOK, EH?

MM-HMM.

HE'S NOT THE SON OF THE COOK.

HE'S THE SON OF THE DOOK!

I MEAN, THE DUKE.

HE'S--HE'S PRINCE CHARLES.

CAN HE COOK?

WELL, I DON'T KNOW.

I DON'T THINK SO.

TOO BAD.

MEN MAKE THE BEST COOKS.

BETTER THAN WOMEN, THEY SAY.

DON'T WORRY, PERHAPS HE CAN DO OTHER THINGS.

NOW, GO TO SLEEP.

TOMORROW WILL BE INTERESTING.

GOOD NIGHT, CINDERELLA.

[DOOR CLOSES]

WELL, THAT'S OVER.

COST ME A PRETTY PENNY.

OH, AND THAT EGYPTIAN ONE,

WHO WAS SHE?

THEY'RE SAYING THAT YOU MET HER IN PARIS.

A VERY NOBLE LADY, YOUR HIGHNESS.

SHE IS THE DAUGHTER OF A FEZ--

UH, OF A MOSQUE--

OF A SCARAB--UH--

A PASHA.

THANK YOU, YOUR HIGHNESS.

SHE IS THE DAUGHTER OF THE PASHA OF GIZA ON THE NILE.

AH! OLD GIZER.

OH, I KNOW HIM WE--

I DIDN'T KNOW HE HAD A DAUGHTER.

HE HAS THREE, YOUR HIGHNESS.

BUT THIS ONE IS THE PRINCESS TEHARA.

TEHARA, VERY BEAUTIFUL.

OH, A LADY OF GREAT VIRTUE.

SPLENDID BLOODLINE!

SHE IS ONE OF EIGHT CHILDREN.

HER MOTHER WAS ONE OF 14 CHILDREN.

ALL MALES.

VERY PROLIFIC FAMILY.

EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT.

GOOD STOCK.

GOOD TEETH, TOO, I NOTICED.

FINE HOCKS AND SPLENDID WITHERS.

HERSCHEL, BRING ME MY DRESSING GOWN, IF YOU PLEASE.

OH! I'LL NEVER FORGET MY FIRST BALL.

I DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO BEHAVE.

I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO DANCE.

IT'S TRUE. MY FATHER WAS SOMETHING OF A RECLUSE.

HE TAUGHT ME NOTHING.

I MADE A NUMBER OF EMBARRASSING MISTAKES.

UH, NOTHING SERIOUS, I TRUST.

FORTUNATELY I MARRIED THE DAUGHTER OF THE DUKE OF BOMBURG.

MMM. THE ONLY SENSIBLE THING I EVER DID.

FINE WOMAN. OLD FAMILY.

BOMBURG TITLE GOES BACK TO CHARLEMAGNE.

PERFECT BLOODLINES.

YES.

FATHER, WHAT IF I WERE TO MARRY A COMMONER?

PRINCES DO NOT MARRY COMMONERS.

THAT IS A WELL-ESTABLISHED FACT.

WITH NOTHING TO SUPPORT IT EXCEPT THE WILLINGNESS

OF PEOPLE TO BELIEVE IT,

LIKE SOME OTHER WELL-ESTABLISHED FACTS.

FOR THE SAKE OF DISCUSSION,

WHAT IF I WERE TO FALL IN LOVE WITH A COMMONER?

DISCUSSION, MY FOOT!

EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

YOU KNOW VERY WELL SHE'S A COMMONER!

AND THEY LOVE HER ALL THE MORE FOR IT.

[LAUGHTER]

ISN'T HE A CHARMER?

LIKE HIS MOTHER, THE CHARMER.

EVERYBODY'S CHARMING. LET'S DRINK TO THAT.

PRINCESS TEHARA!

[GLASSES CLINK]

WEDDING BELLS!

[LAUGHING]

THE NEXT MORNING, THE BUTLER

TOLD THE HOUSEMAID WHAT HE HAD HEARD.

THE PRINCE WAS GOING TO BE MARRIED.

THE HOUSEMAID TOLD HER MISTRESS.

THE RUMOR WENT FLYING THROUGH THE PRINCIPALITY.

BEFORE THE DAY WAS HALF OVER,

THE LADIES AND GENTLEMEN OF THE FASHIONABLE HILL

WERE SELECTING NEW CLOTHES TO WEAR AT A WEDDING.

EGYPTIAN, THEY SAY. TEHARA.

IT'S AN EGYPTIAN NAME.

OH, I KNOW. I SPOKE TO HER.

NO!

WHAT WAS SHE LIKE?

OH, VERY PLEASANT.

ROYALTY ALWAYS IS.

SHE WAS MOST CORDIAL WITH US.

YES. VERY GRACIOUS.

SHE ADMIRED BIRDENA AND SERAFINA VERY MUCH.

OH...HA HA.

SHE SPOKE VERY HIGHLY OF THEM TO THE PRINCE.

HE TOLD ME SO.

YOU SPOKE TO THE PRINCE?

OF COURSE.

WE HAD A DELIGHTFUL HALF HOUR.

IS SHE BEAUTIFUL--

THE PRINCESS?

OF COURSE.

UH, PASS THE BUTTER.

IS SHE KIND...

AND GOOD?

WHAT DIFFERENCE TO YOU?

FOR THE PRINCE.

IT'LL BE HAPPIER FOR HIM IF SHE IS--

THE BUTTER.

WILL HE BE GOING TO EGYPT TO LIVE?

EGYPT IS A WILDERNESS.

THE PEOPLE ALL RUN ABOUT NAKED!

[ALL LAUGH]

THE RICH ONES WEAR CLOTHES.

[LAUGHTER CONTINUES]

[THINKING]

HE'S GOING TO BE MARRIED...

TO A PRINCESS.

HE'S GOING TO BE MARRIED.

HE'S GOING TO BE MARRIED!

HE'S GOING TO BE MARRIED TO A PRINCESS!

I WISH I WERE DEAD.

HE'S GOING TO BE MARRIED!

I WISH I WERE DEAD.

DID YOU BRING YOUR LUNCH?

I...

I CAME--

I CAME TO SAY GOOD-BYE.

GOOD-BYE?

NO, I DON'T CARE FOR IT MUCH.

I LIKE WINDOWSILL BETTER.

BUT IF YOU LIKE GOOD-BYE, YOU SAY GOOD-BYE,

AND I'LL SAY WINDOWSILL,

ELBOW,

APPLE DUMPLING,

PICKLE RELISH.

I'M--I'M RUNNING AWAY FROM HOME.

FROM HOME TO WHERE?

I DON'T KNOW.

WELL, YOU'RE GOING TO LIVE IN THE PALACE SOMEDAY,

SO WHY DON'T YOU RUN THAT WAY?

NO! THAT IS WHY I'M RUNNING AWAY.

I CAN'T BEAR TO LIVE HERE...

AND--AND SEE THE PALACE...

AND KNOW THAT HE...

HE'S GOING TO GET MARRIED

TO A--TO AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS.

PRINCES ALWAYS MARRY PRINCESSES.

I KNOW.

IT'S NOT HIS FAULT.

I WISH I WERE DEAD.

YOU'RE SAD.

YOU NEED TO HEAR A LITTLE PHILOSOPHY.

LET ME SEE, NOW.

I MUST GIVE YOU SOME HOMELY WISDOM.

TRY THIS.

LIFE IS LIKE YOUR PIPE.

YOU NEVER KNOW WHERE YOU PUT IT.

DOES THAT MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER?

NO.

NOT YET, THAT IS.

MAYBE LATER.

TRY ANOTHER.

THE CLOUDS PASS, THE BLUE REMAINS CONSTANT.

I--I GUESS IT DOES.

[SIGHS]

HMM.

TRY THIS ONE.

LIFE IS MYSTERIOUS,

AND SEARCH FOR CAUSES

OCCASIONALLY BRING ABOUT STRANGE RESULTS,

JUST AS POTATOES OCCASIONALLY RESEMBLE EMINENT STATESMEN.

THANK YOU.

WELL, I'M GLAD YOU FEEL BETTER.

[CHEERILY] GOOD-BYE.

[SOBBING]

CINDERELLA.

LOOK UP, CINDERELLA.

PERHAPS YOU CAN HELP US.

THE PRINCESS TEHARA... WE CAN'T FIND HER.

WE HAVE ONE CLUE.

SHE LOST HER SLIPPER AT THE BALL.

IT WILL FIT ONLY PRINCESS TEHARA.

ALLOW ME.

BUT--

I MUST ASK YOU TO TRY ON THIS SLIPPER.

BUT IT'S MINE. I LOST IT.

I--I HAVE THE OTHER ONE RIGHT HERE. SEE?

THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT.

I WORE THEM AT THE BALL.

I SUSPECTED IT WAS YOU.

YOU... YOU'RE MAKING FUN OF ME.

[CHEERING]

AND SO THE PROPHECY CAME TRUE,

AND ELLA WENT TO LIVE IN THE PALACE.

AS FOR THE FAIRY GODMOTHER,

AND SHE WAS THE FAIRY GODMOTHER...

SHE WENT BACK WHERE SHE CAME FROM.

AND EVERYBODY LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER.