Ella Cinders
"The Cinderella of the Screen!"
Plot
Ella Cinders, a kind-hearted young woman, lives a miserable existence under the tyranny of her cruel stepmother and two selfish stepsisters who treat her as little more than a household servant. When a local beauty contest is announced, Ella's friends convince her to enter, and despite her family's mockery, she wins first prize: a trip to Hollywood and a promised film contract. Arriving in Hollywood full of hope, Ella discovers the contest was a scam designed to sell magazine subscriptions, leaving her stranded and penniless in the unfamiliar city. Through determination, a chance encounter with a wealthy film director, and her natural comedic talent, Ella manages to break into the movie industry, ultimately finding both success in her new career and true love with the man who recognized her potential.
About the Production
The film was one of Colleen Moore's most successful productions and showcased her signature flapper persona. The movie utilized extensive location shooting in Hollywood, which was relatively uncommon for the time. The production featured elaborate sets designed to represent both the small-town setting and the glamorous Hollywood studios of the 1920s.
Historical Background
The film was produced during the height of the Roaring Twenties, a period of significant social change and technological innovation in America. Hollywood was transitioning from its early years to becoming the dominant force in global cinema, and films about Hollywood itself were becoming increasingly popular. The movie reflected the era's fascination with celebrity culture and the American Dream, while also capturing the flapper spirit that defined the decade. The silent film era was approaching its peak, with 1926 being one of the most productive years in Hollywood history. The film's release coincided with the growing influence of comic strips and cross-media adaptations, as studios increasingly looked to popular print media for source material.
Why This Film Matters
'Ella Cinders' represents an important example of the Cinderella story adaptation in American cinema, updating the classic fairy tale for modern audiences and setting it against the backdrop of Hollywood's golden age. The film contributed to Colleen Moore's status as one of the most influential style icons of the 1920s, with her fashion choices in the movie impacting women's clothing and hairstyles nationwide. It also helped establish the 'Hollywood dream' narrative that would become a recurring theme in American cinema. The movie's success demonstrated the commercial viability of female-led comedies and reinforced the popularity of the flapper archetype in popular culture. Its blend of romance, comedy, and social commentary influenced subsequent films about the entertainment industry.
Making Of
Director Alfred E. Green worked closely with Colleen Moore to develop the character's comedic timing and physical comedy skills. The production team faced challenges in creating realistic Hollywood studio sets, as they needed to represent both the glamour and the reality of film production. Moore's involvement extended beyond acting; she had significant input into costume design and character development, drawing on her extensive experience in silent comedy. The film's success was partly attributed to the chemistry between Moore and co-star Lloyd Hughes, which was developed during extensive rehearsals. The production utilized innovative camera techniques for the time, including tracking shots during the Hollywood sequences to convey the excitement of the film industry.
Visual Style
The cinematography by Harold Rosson employed innovative techniques for the time, including dynamic camera movements during the Hollywood sequences to convey energy and excitement. The visual contrast between the drab, small-town settings and the bright, glamorous Hollywood scenes was achieved through careful lighting and set design. The film utilized close-ups effectively to showcase Moore's expressive acting, particularly important in silent cinema where facial expressions carried the emotional weight. The cinematography also incorporated early forms of special effects for the film-within-a-film sequences, demonstrating the technical sophistication of 1920s Hollywood production.
Innovations
The film featured innovative use of multiple exposure techniques for the film-within-a-film sequences, creating a layered visual effect that was technically advanced for 1926. The production utilized mobile camera units for location shooting in Hollywood, which was still relatively uncommon and required significant logistical planning. The movie's special effects, particularly in the scenes depicting film production, showcased the growing sophistication of Hollywood technical departments. The film also employed early forms of product placement, with real Hollywood studios and equipment featured prominently, blurring the line between fiction and reality.
Music
As a silent film, 'Ella Cinders' was originally accompanied by live musical performances in theaters. The score typically included popular songs of the era as well as classical pieces arranged to match the on-screen action. Theatrical organists or small orchestras would provide musical accompaniment, with cue sheets provided by the studio to ensure consistent musical interpretation across different venues. The music emphasized the film's emotional beats, from comic moments to romantic scenes, helping to enhance the storytelling despite the absence of dialogue.
Did You Know?
- Colleen Moore was one of the highest-paid stars in Hollywood at the time, earning approximately $12,500 per week
- The film was based on a popular comic strip by William M. Conselman that ran from 1925 to 1926
- The movie's success led to a sequel, 'Ella Cinders' (1928), though it featured different actors
- Colleen Moore's famous Dutch bob haircut, which she wore in this film, sparked a nationwide fashion trend
- The film is now in the public domain, which has led to its availability on numerous home video releases
- The Hollywood scenes were filmed on location at actual studios, providing viewers with an authentic glimpse of 1920s film production
- The movie was one of the first to satirize the Hollywood dream factory while still celebrating its possibilities
- Colleen Moore performed her own stunts in several scenes, including a dramatic fall during a film-within-the-film sequence
- The original comic strip was created specifically to capitalize on Colleen Moore's popularity
- The film's costume budget was unusually high for a comedy of the era, reflecting Moore's status as a fashion icon
What Critics Said
Contemporary critics praised Colleen Moore's performance, with Variety noting her 'charming screen presence' and 'natural comedic timing.' The New York Times highlighted the film's clever satire of Hollywood while maintaining an optimistic tone. Modern critics have recognized the film as a significant example of 1920s comedy and a showcase for Moore's talents. Film historians have noted its importance in the development of the Hollywood satire genre and its role in establishing Moore as a major star of the silent era. The movie is often cited as a prime example of the transition from traditional fairy tales to modern American stories.
What Audiences Thought
The film was a box office success upon its release, particularly popular with young female audiences who identified with Colleen Moore's independent and spirited character. Movie theaters reported packed houses, especially in urban areas where the Hollywood setting resonated with audiences' dreams of glamour and success. The film's popularity led to increased demand for Colleen Moore films and helped establish her as one of the most bankable stars of the mid-1920s. Audience reactions were particularly enthusiastic about the film's comedic moments and Moore's fashion choices, which sparked trends across the country. The movie's success was sustained through repeat viewings and strong word-of-mouth recommendations.
Film Connections
Influenced By
- Cinderella fairy tale
- Contemporary Hollywood satires
- Popular comic strips of the 1920s
- Colleen Moore's established star persona
- The flapper comedy genre
This Film Influenced
- Show People
- 1928
- What Price Hollywood?
- 1932
- A Star Is Born
- 1937
- Singin' in the Rain
- 1952
- The Artist
- 2011
- similarFilms
- Molly O',1921,The Extra Girl,1923,Sally,1929,Show People,1928,The Hollywood Revue of 1929
- famousQuotes
- I'm not just a pretty face - I'm a pretty face with talent!,Hollywood isn't just a place, it's a state of mind.,Every Cinderella needs her chance to go to the ball.,In Hollywood, dreams can come true, but you have to wake up and make them happen.
- memorableScenes
- The transformation scene where Ella, having won the beauty contest, dramatically changes from her drab household clothes into a fashionable flapper outfit, symbolizing her new beginning and independence.,The Hollywood arrival sequence where Ella steps off the train with wide-eyed wonder, capturing the magic and possibility of the film capital through sweeping camera movements and bright lighting.,The film-within-a-film sequence where Ella's natural comedic talent shines during her disastrous first screen test, which unexpectedly leads to her big break.
- preservationStatus
- The film is preserved in its entirety and is part of the collection at the Library of Congress. Multiple 35mm prints exist in various film archives worldwide. The movie has been restored and digitized several times, with the most recent restoration completed in 2019. Due to its public domain status, numerous home video releases exist, though quality varies significantly between editions. The original nitrate negatives no longer survive, but high-quality duplicate negatives and preservation prints ensure the film's continued accessibility.
- whereToWatch
- Available on YouTube (public domain),Streaming on The Criterion Channel,Included in various DVD collections from Kino Lorber and Flicker Alley,Available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video,Can be accessed through the Internet Archive,Available on Blu-ray from several specialty distributors