Top10 Fun Facts About Cinderella (1950)

Top 10 Things You Didnt Know About Cinderella

The dreams that you wish will come true! Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Fun Facts About Cinderella.

From glass slippers to pumpkin carriages, we have you covered for all things related to this classic animated feature.

#10: An Earlier Script Gave Prince Charming More Screen Time

When “Cinderella” was released, audiences everywhere were enchanted the eponymous hero and her happily-ever-after with Prince Charming. Yet even though he’s the love interest, the Prince interestingly isn’t in much of the film. Heck, he barely even speaks! This wasn’t always the case, however. In an early version of the script, the Prince is seen hunting a deer – though in reality he and his prey were just playing. Although this sequence didn’t make it into the finished film, Disney kept it tucked away for a few decades and included a similar scene in the 2015 live-action remake.

“Cinderella” (1950)
RKO Radio Pictures


“Cinderella” (2015)
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

00:26:50 – Time at which the deer-hunting scene occurs.

#9: The Film Was Shot in Live-Action First

Animated movies can get very expensive. Early on, Disney thought it was necessary to shoot scenes from a story on a soundstage in order to provide sketch artists with an acceptable template for how the characters would move and interact. “Cinderella” was no exception; in fact, 90% of the film was shot in live-action. Actress Helene Stanley acted as reference for Cinderella, and this wouldn’t be the last time Disney hired her. By providing animators with a visual guide for how a particular scene would look, it was easier for them to make it a reality. While Disney has moved to computer animation, they still like to observe live-action references to get things just right!

https://youtu.be/XapboZWVt2g?t=50s


Stanley was also reference for Aurora and Anita Radcliffe

“One Hundred and One Dalmatians” (1961)
Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

“Sleeping Beauty” (1959)
Buena Vista Distribution
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9uFaiSs9ME

#8: Lucifer’s Based on an Animator’s Cat

One of the more troublesome antagonists in “Cinderella” is Lucifer the cat. However, you probably didn’t know that he was based on a real life feline! That’s right, Disney animator Ward Kimball had been searching tirelessly for a mean looking cat to serve as his creative inspiration for Lucifer. When Walt Disney came to Kimball’s house one day, he was greeted by Feetsy, Kimball’s pet feline, so named for having six toes on one paw. Disney immediately remarked that this cat should be the model. Hopefully Feetsy was a little nicer around the house than his cinematic counterpart.

“Cinderella” (1950)
RKO Radio Pictures

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyZYBfGrd-U - A clip featuring Lucifer the cat.

#7: One of the Songs Gained Mainstream Notoriety

While the film was chock-full of catchy tunes, the one that has continued to achieve success since its inception is “Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo,” also known as “The Magic Song.” Perry Como and The Fontane Sisters notably covered the song. While this version is often the one credited with achieving the most mainstream success, various other incarnations have popped up over the years. The song has continued to remain in the pop culture sphere to this day, being featured in a commercial for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, as well as making an appearance in the 2015 “Cinderella” remake.

Perry Como and the Fontane Sisters - Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo (The Magic Song )
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TOHMWAvMbg

“Cinderella” (2015)
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MgOLpH3u04 - Bibbidi-Boppidi-Boo.

Gatorade Commercial Soccer World Cup Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWOkZ4o4tCY

#6: The Film Helped Pioneer Overdubbed Vocals

Walt Disney was responsible for a lot of “firsts” in the early days of animated film. One such progression occurred while recording the songs for “Cinderella.” After Cinderella’s voice actress, Ilene Woods, recorded the number, “Sing Sweet Nightingale,” Disney had the idea for her to sing harmony with herself. Called overdubbing, this method involved the artist recording one track, and then recording another on top of it as they listened to the original. A more robust and well-rounded sound was thus produced. Ultimately, by choosing to be innovative, “Cinderella” paved the way for many others in the music and film industry.

https://youtu.be/i6Prjci0Hu4?t=2m15s - Ilene Woods Talks Cinderella: Working with Walt

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6p107f7PA0

#5: The Fairy Godmother’s Voice is in Many Disney Productions

If you were wondering why the Fairy Godmother sounded familiar, it’s probably because she was voiced by one of the hottest voice actors of the 1950s. Verna Felton, a seasoned radio actor, appeared in her first film way back in 1917! She did some live-action movies before moving her talents and trademark raspy voice to Disney. Voicing characters in “Lady and the Tramp,” “The Jungle Book,” as well as the iconic role of Flora in “Sleeping Beauty” and the loud and evil Queen of Hearts in “Alice in Wonderland,” this talented voice actress did it all.

“The Jungle Book” (1967)
Buena Vista Distribution

“Sleeping Beauty” (1959)
Buena Vista Distribution

“Alice in Wonderland” (1951)
RKO Radio Pictures

#4: Ilene Woods Didn't Know She Was Auditioning For The Lead

Although hundreds of actresses were in contention, Ilene Woods was selected to voice Cinderella. Ironically, Woods didn’t realize she was auditioning for the lead role. She was asked by Mack David and Jerry Livingston – two of the men responsible for the film’s music and lyrics – to record demo songs from the film. This demo was shown to Walt Disney, who instantly fell in love with the voice on the other end of the tape, and Woods’ life was changed forever. Later in her life, she suffered from Alzheimer’s disease, and forgot she voiced Cinderella. Despite this, when nurses played her “A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes,” she loved listening to it.

Xref: When Ilene Woods was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6Prjci0Hu4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoNICONAGn8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MetrHTat0WI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlDHN38cbvA

#3: Walt Disney Loved the Dress Transformation Scene

Walt Disney was incredibly hands-on in his studio’s productions, and oversaw as thousands of drawings came to life. It’s said that his absolute favorite animation occurred in “Cinderella.” The scene in question happens just as our titular heroine is about to leave for the ball. In a moment of pure Disney magic, the Fairy Godmother transforms Cinderella’s tattered dress into a magnificent gown. It’s easy to see why Walt was so enamored by this spectacular piece of animation – for in one fell swoop, both the protagonist and the audience experiences magic.


“Cinderella” (1950)
RKO Radio Pictures

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pph-ayIrOk - Cinderella’s dress is transformed into a beautiful gown for the ball.

#2: The Film’s Ending was Almost Completely Different

“Cinderella’s” third act is one of the most well known in the history of animation. The Grand Duke scours the land in search of the foot that fits the forgotten glass slipper. After much tribulation, Cinderella proves that the shoe belongs to her, and the film concludes with her wedding to Prince Charming. However, in another version, the Grand Duke takes Cinderella to the castle and presents her to the Prince. At first, he’s shocked to learn that the girl he danced with is a servant, not a princess, but quickly accepts her regardless. Walt Disney didn’t approve of this underwhelming ending, though, and it was thus left on the cutting room floor.

#1: “Cinderella” Helped Save Walt Disney Studios

At the end of WWII, Walt Disney Studios was in trouble. The war had put a strain on the popularity of films, and classics like “Fantasia” and “Bambi” had been box office flops, putting Disney $4 million in debt. Several animators had also been recruited for war efforts. In desperate need of a commercial hit, Disney took a chance on “Cinderella,” well aware that if the film didn’t show a profit, the studio might go under. Produced with a budget just under $3 million, “Cinderella” was the third biggest movie at the domestic box office in 1950. The film’s success made it possible for Walt Disney to continue making films for the world to enjoy!

“Fantasia” (1940)
Walt Disney Productions, RKO Radio Pictures

“Bambi” (1942)
RKO Radio Pictures



Do you agree with our list? What fun facts do you know about “Cinderella”? For more entertaining Top 10s published every day, be sure to subscribe to MsMojo.