Annotated Abbott and Costello. The (A Complete Viewer's Guide to the Comedy Team and Their 38 Films)
CINDERFELLA (1960)
Film Pick of the Day
Thursday, July 16, 2026
Joe Besser is not credited, but he worked with Frank Tashlin on the screenplay as gag contributor.
Adaptation of the Cinderella fable. Jerry Lewis plays Fella, living in the Bel-Air mansion left to his stepmother (Dame Judith Anderson) by his father. Treated as a servant by his stepmother and her two playboy sons Rupert and Maximilian, the bumbling and simple-minded Fella lives a harsh life. The stepfamily suspects that Fella's father left him a secret fortune, hidden somewhere on the estate, the only reason they don't throw him out. Fella's fairy godfather (Ed Wynn) comes to his aid when the visiting Princess Charmaine comes to America in search of a husband. Rupert and Maximilian are determined to wed her money, but the Fairy convinces Fella that he has the stuff to win her heart, turning him into a polished gentleman for an appearance at the Princess' society ball. Of course Midnight comes early, but love wins out when Charmaine comes looking for Fella, with the patent leather loafer he lost the night before.
The Bel-Air mansion used in CINDERFELLA became a television icon two years later, as the Clampett mansion on THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES.
Jerry commissioned Norman Rockwell to do the film's promotional art.
Details
Average Rating:   [ 3.50/10 ] 8 votes |
|
| Featuring | Joe Besser (Solo) |
|---|---|
| Release Date | Thursday, December 1, 1960 |
| Studio | Paramount |
| Production Type | Feature Film |
| Duration | 91 min. |
