CINDERELLA 2000
1977
Directed by Al Adamson

This 1977 sci-fi softcore musical sex farce is set in the far-off future, where, as a helpful song informs us in the opening credits, “Gettin’ it on is only done electrically.” The impotent leader bans all unapproved sex, and a goofy robot wanders about busting scofflaws (jealously whining “fornication without sanction, fornication without sanction.”) Meanwhile, Cinderella sneaks into the ball and bangs the Prince before her ride turns back into a dildo at midnight! Colorful “futuristic” clothing and minimal sets highlight the silly song and dance routines. Talk about a badfilm. This is utterly dated (in a good way) and highly ridiculous 70s entertainment. Harold Pinter and David Mamet needn’t worry, their standing in serious drama is secure—this is, after all, an Al Adamson movie, the guy responsible for Dracula Vs. Frankenstein and Horror of The Blood Monsters. For more info see our Al Adamson piece here: AL ADAMSON
The fine folks at Retro-Seduction Cinema are responsible for this weird Adamson cheapie epic enjoying its’ first release on DVD. (Point your browser to www.RetroSeductionCinema.com for details.) The film is photographed quite well and the color is very vivid. Shot in widescreen Todd AO 35 process, this DVD is unfortunately only presented in center scan full screen (too expensive to go back to the original negative to do a widescreen version.) This is very apparent in several scenes where characters at opposite ends of the screen are cut off.
Released with a self-applied X rating and edited to an R for the drive-in market, and is a somewhat neglected Adamson film because it hasn’t been available since the early 80s VHS editions, and since it doesn’t fit his usual biker/horror/blaxploitation/stewardess film niche. Decidedly low-budget and low-brow, its’ very much a document of its’ times, that brief period when an independent X-rated sci-fi fairy tale musical actually could be a hit in mainstream theatres. Complete with aliens, a robot, frolicking forest animals, a fairy godfather, Snow White getting serviced by the Seven Dwarfs, and other oddities.
And yes, this is a musical, with songs including We All Need Love (“When you’re caught in a slump, just climb on a rump”); and Where Do I Plug It In (“We’ll cross-connect your input with my heated output tube”).
DVD contains a short commentary track from producer Sam Sherman, the Euro edit of the film and trailers for other Adamson films, and a booklet with liner notes.

-Hysteric Eric