Surprisingly incoherent and boring

Captivating movie !

Clever, believable, and super fun to watch. It totally has replay value.

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

Fortunately, the Moore-Hughes-Green film, Ella Cinders (1926) is available on a superb DVD, this time from Sunrise Silents who offer the finest Kodascope print I've ever seen in my life. This super-popular Colleen Moore offering was one of the most borrowed films in my local Kodascope Library - so well-used in fact that the original tinted print had long since worn out and been replaced by a black-and-white dupe. But here is the movie in all its original tinted splendor - and hardly a scratch on it! Mind you, the story is super-slight, but who cares? It's no more than an excuse to showcase Colleen as Cinderella. Admittedly, Lloyd Hughes makes a dull Prince Charming, but he is not in the movie all that much. The seven dwarfs, of course, are a delight: Harry Allen as the impatient photographer; Jed Prouty, the mayor; Jack Duffy, the chief fireman; Mike Donlin, the studio gateman; Harry Langdon, the clown; Alfred E. Green - yes, Alfred E. Green himself - as the director; and Chief Yowlachie as a cigar-smoking Indian. And I must mention the delightfully obnoxious trio of Vera Lewis (step-mother), Doris Baker and Emily Gerdes (pushy sisters). In short, as already noted, a must-have DVD for even the most basic collection of cinema masterpieces.

This Cinderella story stars the wonderful Colleen Moore as the much put upon Ella Cinders. Ella is the household drudge for her nasty step-sisters (Lotta and Prissy Pill) and step-mother. Ella's one pal is the iceman, Waite Lifter. Ella's chance to escape comes when the Gem Studio is promoting a movie contest ball. Among the funniest scenes in the movie are when Ella goes to a professional photographer to get the photo needed for the contest. As she's leaving her house, a title card informs us that "When Ella got into her good clothes, six moths laughed until they died." The session with the photographer does not go well for Ella (but it does for audience!)- thanks to a pesky fly. That and the bit Ella does with her eyes were amazing and funny. Much to the chagrin of her step-relatives, Ella wins the contest because the judges were sure Hollywood needed an actress who could cross her eyes while looking at a fly on her nose. Arriving in Hollywood, Ella does not have the reception she expected, but perseveres and through some clever studio gate crashing (and the amusing help from Harry Langdon), Ella lands a long term movie contract. But, she gives it all up to marry her Prince Charming, the erstwhile Waite Lifter (actually George Waite, the son of a wealthy businessman). Once a little boy iceman cometh, Ella's life seems a perfect Hollywood ending. Well, Ella certainly earned it. As every reviewer has commented, Colleen Moore was a joy to watch and makes it worth seeing this movie more than once.

Because 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… The Hollywood "movie set" scenes aren't as clever as in other films of this type, despite the appearance of Harry Langdon and others, in cameos. 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. ******** Ella Cinders (6/6/26) Alfred E. Green ~ Colleen Moore, Lloyd Hughes, Vera Lewis

If you thought all silent comedies were slapstick see this gentle character based comedy. Colleen Moore plays a much abused small town girl with a simply awful family. She wins a beauty contest - the prize a trip to Hollywood and a studio contract!Colleen Moore is brilliant as Ella - funny, warm, beautiful, vivacious. The scene when she finds she has won the contest will move you to tears, and you'll roar with laughter when she practices eye movements for the camera. This is one of the great performances of the silent era. She can make the smallest thing funny, so it is interesting to see her work with Harry Langdon who could do the same. In one hilarious scene he plays himself.What is remarkable about Moore is that she can be very funny but still maintain the realism of her characterisation - there is a sadness here that makes the comedy so much more potent. Wait till you see her smoke a cigar, and spin-out! I have never seen a moment like this played better.Also very charming is Lloyd Hughes as her boyfriend. And the film's director Alfred E Green plays the director in the film!This film, in a good print from Video Yesteryear which has a fine organ score from Rosa Rio, is a true classic - not to be missed.