MovieChat Forums > The Glass Slipper (1955) Discussion > Oh, the hair...

Oh, the hair...

posted 17 years ago by BlueGreen
13 replies | jump to latest

I can't imagine WHAT were the producers, the director, the "hair people" thinking when they allowed Caron to parade in that ball gown with her hair cropped short - ridiculously short - and with a tiara on the head, no less... It's historically inaccurate (though historical accuracy admittedly isn't Hollywood's strong suit) and aesthetically displeasing.

And that ballet at the end... What's with that?! It was a good ballet, with really good music - but to insert a 15-minutes long ballet scene at the end of the film?!
I can see the pattern: "An American in Paris", "Lili"... but didn't they learn from those two mistakes? I mean the two films were very successful, and rightly so - but it wasn't BECAUSE of the ballet, but IN SPITE of it.

It may sound incredible, but Ella's hair, especially in the ball scene, and that ballet at the end of the film, preventing a natural flow of "events", actually destroyed what should have been a great success. And it's a great pity, because this is by far the most intelligent, humorous and poignant version of "Cinderella" EVER.

[–] letsgotothemovies84 17 years ago

she cut her hair herself. she says that.

[–] BlueGreen 17 years ago

"she cut her hair herself. she says that."

Thanks, Ian.
Well, that explains a lot... ;)
Except WHY the director let her get away with it.

[–] aquaprincess 17 years ago

I agree. I LOVE The Glass Slipper and I didn't have a problem with the ballet scenes. But I did have a problem with Leslie's hair. I saw her in Gigi and thought her long hair was very lovely. In this movie it was awful. Didn't ruin it for me though.

Liane d'Exelmans has commited suicide....AGAIN!

[–] jpb58 15 years ago

Oh gosh, I LOVE that tag line from Gigi. Thanks for my laugh of the day, remembering it.

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] bravehome 13 years ago

Her short hair was probably one of the things that attracted the Prince to her, as it made her different from all the other 'standardly coiffed' girls in the country....

[–] RDrrr 14 years ago

Yes almost four years later a reply... as I watch the movie on TCM.

My, what a little thing to let ruin the movie for you... I can't have much sympathy, because her hair looks great to me, especially at the ball (and I like long hair)... goes with her pixie looks, she'd have made a great Peter Pan or Tinkerbell... much as I dislike women playing Peter Pan. Historical accuracy, snicker... not in this movie. Can't say I'm a fan of ballet, but it hardly affects 'events'... silly as they are ;)... 'destroyed'? Sheesh.

She cut her own hair is what she said in the movie... nothing to do with the Director letting, not letting... it was her look, intentional for the movie, else they'd not put her in it that way. I see no reason for her to suddenly grow long locks of fake hair for the ball... I'm sure her 'relatives' snobbishly condemn her short hair too. oops.

It did look a little flat in the last scene though.

To each their own.

[–] yeoffthecat 14 years ago

I agree. The hair was perfect, and it suited Leslie to a tee.

I live in a glass house, ergo, I throw no stones.

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] GinaRenee 11 years ago

That ballet helped Gene Kelly win an honorary Oscar. How exactly was it a mistake? :-)

[–] letsgotothemovies84 11 years ago

BLUEGREEN what do you mean 'why did the director let her cut it?' It wasn't Leslie Caron who cut it herself it was the character- she says in the movie something along the lines of 'I got mad so I cut it off'

[–] junetenbrown 11 years ago

I loved her pixie hair & thought she was beautiful @ the ball. So glad this movie is finally available on dvd. :)

[–] Molly-31 9 years ago

Well, for one thing her hairstyle is one of the ways the "Egyptian princess" rumor got started.

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