A Mexican retelling of the story of Cinderella.A Mexican retelling of the story of Cinderella.A Mexican retelling of the story of Cinderella.
- Director
- Writer
- Stars
Photos
Mel Blanc
- Storyteller
- (voice)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis is the last film produced by the original Warner Bros. animation studio (established 1929), which closed before the cartoon came out. DePatie-Freleng Enterprises, a new independent animation production company formed by ex-Warner staff, took over the studio shortly after it closed and continued making cartoons featuring Looney Tunes characters, mainly Speedy Gonzales and Daffy Duck, for most of the remainder of the 1960s. Warner's final "Golden Age" cartoons, made by a short-lived revival of the in-house studio, were released in 1969.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Behind the Tunes: Once Upon a Looney Tune (2007)
Featured review
A Mexicano Cinderella Story
In honor of Cinco de Mayo, it's time to look at a fascinating attempt to adapt a classic folk tale with a foreign twist, Señorella and the Glass Huarache. Known as the final cartoon from the original Warner Bros cartoon studio to be released as the division had been shut down, this 1964 short film would ultimately mark the conclusion of a highly regarded era in the eyes of classic animation fans. Looking at the short today nearly 60 years following its original release, this take on the Cinderella story with a Mexican twist has just as much going for it as it has going against it.
Now arguably the biggest contributing factor of Señorella being a Mexican take on the Cinderella story lies in the art direction. As this short was directed by Hawley Pratt, known as Looney Tunes director Friz Freleng's longtime layout artist, the film looks gorgeous in its recreation of Latin American landscapes, caricatures and color palettes. One can tell how much inspiration the filmmakers took in recreating a more stylized flat looking short film as opposed to the more rubbery and geometrical slapstick cartoons in the Looney Tunes lineup, and the results are mostly well done for the type of short this is meant to be. In addition, composer Bill Lava's blending of retro Mexicano music and jazz ensemble suits the short splendidly depending on the scene, as the orchestrations flow smoothly in between many of the more saucy moments in the short. Lastly, while no particular character in the short is fleshed out at all, there are still a few humorous scenarios and pratfalls here and there to find amusement in Señorella and the Prince Don Jose Miguel, at least within the WB context.
With all of those qualities said, the short is unfortunately not that common from most takes on the Cinderella story, in that its too simple and straightforward for its own good. Since the short is told through narration by two men at a Cantina, the pacing is constricted by what's being told as the film progresses, leaving very little impact on any of the characters, humor or stakes. Also, as much as the Mexican influence is all set in stone, it's painfully obvious that no matter how much tribute is being paid towards one country, the short reeks of white people trying to replicate a certain style and falling short in stereotypical character designs, eye rolling Latina puns and an outdated twist ending related to the story that was no longer funny by the time of the short's release. Considering that we as Americans have come to better terms with respecting other countries through film and animation, this short is at least more tastefully done than other cartoons prior to its time but not close enough. It says a whole lot when the title is somewhat of an indicator on what you'll expect for both better and worse.
So as a final wrap up for the original Warner Bros cartoon filmography, Señorella and the Glass Huarache is a decent enough conclusion to a beloved era with as many strong points as it has flaws. For all of its Latin American influence going for its artistically, it still falls short due to its already routine storyline basis and impulsive need to romanticize the aesthetic it's going for. I would recommend this short on the grounds of judging it by its own merits as opposed to the final short from a studio cherished by animation fans, since it should be taken under admiration but with a grain of salt.
Now arguably the biggest contributing factor of Señorella being a Mexican take on the Cinderella story lies in the art direction. As this short was directed by Hawley Pratt, known as Looney Tunes director Friz Freleng's longtime layout artist, the film looks gorgeous in its recreation of Latin American landscapes, caricatures and color palettes. One can tell how much inspiration the filmmakers took in recreating a more stylized flat looking short film as opposed to the more rubbery and geometrical slapstick cartoons in the Looney Tunes lineup, and the results are mostly well done for the type of short this is meant to be. In addition, composer Bill Lava's blending of retro Mexicano music and jazz ensemble suits the short splendidly depending on the scene, as the orchestrations flow smoothly in between many of the more saucy moments in the short. Lastly, while no particular character in the short is fleshed out at all, there are still a few humorous scenarios and pratfalls here and there to find amusement in Señorella and the Prince Don Jose Miguel, at least within the WB context.
With all of those qualities said, the short is unfortunately not that common from most takes on the Cinderella story, in that its too simple and straightforward for its own good. Since the short is told through narration by two men at a Cantina, the pacing is constricted by what's being told as the film progresses, leaving very little impact on any of the characters, humor or stakes. Also, as much as the Mexican influence is all set in stone, it's painfully obvious that no matter how much tribute is being paid towards one country, the short reeks of white people trying to replicate a certain style and falling short in stereotypical character designs, eye rolling Latina puns and an outdated twist ending related to the story that was no longer funny by the time of the short's release. Considering that we as Americans have come to better terms with respecting other countries through film and animation, this short is at least more tastefully done than other cartoons prior to its time but not close enough. It says a whole lot when the title is somewhat of an indicator on what you'll expect for both better and worse.
So as a final wrap up for the original Warner Bros cartoon filmography, Señorella and the Glass Huarache is a decent enough conclusion to a beloved era with as many strong points as it has flaws. For all of its Latin American influence going for its artistically, it still falls short due to its already routine storyline basis and impulsive need to romanticize the aesthetic it's going for. I would recommend this short on the grounds of judging it by its own merits as opposed to the final short from a studio cherished by animation fans, since it should be taken under admiration but with a grain of salt.
helpful•10
- elicopperman
- May 5, 2023
Details
- Runtime6 minutes
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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