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Colleen Moore stars in this modern retake on the Cinderella story, which twists the prince into an ice delivery man and the royal ball into a local movie actress contest.
Ella Cinders (Moore) tolls in the house of her late father, working for her step-mother and two vile step-sisters. Her only supporter is the ice man, Waite Lifter (Lloyd Hughes). When a photographic accident becomes her ticket to Hollywood, she soon learns that the contest was a confidence game and she has lost her chance at stardom. Resolved not to be humiliated in defeat, she stumbles her way (with help from Harry Langdon) into a movie contract. Meanwhile, her beau Waite has been discovered to actually be rich football hero George Waite. The two are accidentally reunited, minus a glass slipper.
Light on plot, the appeal of Ella Cinders is solely in the performance of Colleen Moore, who is quite funny throughout — when smoking a cigar, practicing eye exercises, imitating Lillian Gish, or sneaking onto a movie lot. Ella Cinders is one of those Jazz Era waifs, a classic flapper with big eyes, a bob hair-do, and moxie to spare! She'll need that moxie to surmount the obstacles in her path, from wicked stepsisters (you got the wordplay of the title, right?) to the leering leches of Hollywood, as she makes her way from destitution to stardom.
This journey took place not only on the comics page, but in real life, as well. Only a year after her 1925 comic debut, Ella Cinders was adapted into a successful silent film (sadly out of print), starring the appropriately delectable Colleen Moore. The film and the strip were both hits, and Ella remained in the funnies until 1961, while Colleen Moore continued to enjoy fame in the silents.
IBecause the plot of this very well-produced silent film is so easily recognizable as "Cinderella", it can be one of your most enjoyable introductions to both the silent film genre, and to one of its most popular actresses, Colleen Moore.
The film was an adaptation of the then popular new comic strip "Ella Cinders", with changes to the heroine's situation that were perfectly suited to a silent film starring Ms. Moore.
The film easily transcends its source, and succeeds as prime example of the often repeated story about a young woman achieving her dream to become a Hollywood movie star - itself, a "Cinderella" story. Who knew comic strips could be perfect silent film fodder…
Director Alfred E. Green, Lloyd Hughes (as George Waite), and Vera Lewis (as Ma Cinders) make good contributions.
Interestingly, Moore is best on screen, alone, with a lion or fire; and, when attempting to, "Master the art of expressing every emotion with the eyes," imitate Jackie Coogan, and pose at a "photo session" for the movie star contest she eventually wins.
"Ella Cinders" was a huge success, and helped propel Colleen Moore to the #1 position on Quigley Publications' "Box Office Stars" list for 1926. |
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| Seller Info |
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| Listing Info |
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| Asking Price: |
$12.00 (Fixed) US Dollars |
| Quantity: |
Always in stock. |
| Location: |
 Encino, CA [United States] |
| Refund Policy: |
No refunds. |
| Date Posted: |
more than 1 month ago |
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![[ELLA CINDERS DVD] ELLA CINDERS (1925) DVD for sale in Los Angeles, CA area (232B2Q)](http://i2.sell.com/12/42/805332/60/176/3927686-l.jpg)
