The Slipper and the Rose (1976)

I didn't know this musical existed - or rather, I knew The Slipper and the Rose: the Story of Cinderella existed, but I hadn't realized it was a Sherman Brothers musical from the 1970s!

This film, however, is fairly terrible. The songs are fine, and it has some great performances; Michael Hordern as the king is particularly funny and clever, and Edith Evans is always a pleasure to watch. But the singing is not so great, and although I was really sold on this film at the 60-minute mark or so, the film is about 160 minutes – easily 40 minutes longer than it ought to be. There is an entire third act that is unnecessary and has no songs to justify its existence. I blame Bryan Forbes, who made some excellent films in the 1960s (Séance on a Wet Afternoon, The Whisperers, King Rat) but who can't make this musical sing.

There is one highlight in the film – the song "Protocoligorically Correct", which is performed by Hordern and a chorus of advisors. It's hilariously staged with brilliant comic timing and absurdly wonderful lyrics.

This film is scored by Angela Morley, who was a trans composer working in film in the 1970s.