Cinderella Quotes in Darktown Strutters (1975)

Cinderella: Syreena? Remember when you were a little girl and you asked me why men get to keep their names when they got married, and women didn't?

Syreena: Oh yes!

Cinderella: You remember what I said?

Syreena: No.

Cinderella: I don't either, and it's bothering me.

Syreena: I ought to burn this place down!

Cinderella: Noooooooo! Lord no. Do you realize that Cross has nearly perfected an artificial womb? That could be the answer to all our problems. Transplant unwanted births.

Cinderella: Alright! Kick their asses one more time, but let's do it right!

Cinderella: [to Syreena] Cross got you too. I've been watching that man for years. I knew he was too much the black people's friend. He just kept getting richer and we just kept getting poorer. The runaway mother scam led me down to the Cross Foundation. I got down there and went to peeking around, that man hates black people, all you gotta do is just look at him.

Syreena: I need to get me a shotgun and rip...

Cinderella: Child come here. Come here honey. Ain't you learned NOTHING from all them hippie children that got their heads beat in?

Syreena: Yeah, I learned that you beat them before they beat you, Mama, that's what I learned.

Cinderella: You're gonna go on forever fighting like that, you ain't NEVER gonna win. The enemy's in our heads.

Cinderella's Prince: I shall always love the maiden that ran away.

Cinderella: And I the faraway Prince.

Cinderella: [to her prince] My father's house was a nightmare; your house was a dream. Now I want something in between.

[Edward has just saved Cinderella from her miserable life]

Cinderella: And in my happiness, I forgive you all!

[Edward and Cinderella exit]

Stepmother: Forgive me? How *dare* she forgive me?

Chamberlain: [Explaining to Cinderella as to why she and Prince Edward can't be together] Your love for the prince and his love for you, well, that is a fine and private thing. Would that it could remain so, but the times demand something different. The prince must make a marriage of alliance with the princess blood royal. And that is why I am here, burdened with this unhappy task. You see my dear, in life, love cannot always find a way. You were born here, so you know that our little kingdom, whilst far from perfect, has enjoyed countless centuries of peace. Now that peace is threatened from without, there are some who look towards our frontiers with greedy eyes. You see only love and happiness staring you in the face, I see nothing but war and destruction; unless a sacrifice is made.

Cinderella: And that sacrifice is to be me?

Chamberlain: Yes. It's a lot to ask, but I have to ask it.

Cinderella: [after hearing the Puss and Donkey speak after changing bodies] I don't get it.

Snow White: The cat turned into a little horse that smells like feet. What's to get?

Cinderella: [singing] A dream is a wish your heart makes when you're fast asleep. In dreams you will lose your heartaches. Whatever you wish for, you keep. Have faith in your dreams, and someday, your rainbow will come smiling through. No matter how your heart is grieving, if you keep on believing, the dream that you wish will come true.

Cinderella: [hums then sings] So this is love.

[hums]

Cinderella: So this is love. So this is what makes life divine. I'm all aglow...

[hums]

Cinderella: And now I know...

Prince Charming: [singing] And now I know...

Cinderella, Prince Charming: [both sing] The key to all heaven is mine.

Cinderella: [sings] My heart has wings.

[hums]

Cinderella: And I can fly...

Cinderella, Prince Charming: [both sing] I'll touch every star in the sky. So this is the miracle that I've been dreaming of...

Cinderella: [hums]

Prince Charming: [hums]

Cinderella, Prince Charming: [both sing] So this is love.

[last lines]

[as Cinderella prepares to try on the slipper]

Grand Duke: Come, my child.

[beckons to the Page Boy, who runs carrying the slipper. The stepmother sticks out her cane and trips him, causing the slipper to shatter into pieces]

Grand Duke: Oh, no! Oh, no, no. Oh, no. Oh, this is terrible. The King! What will he say?

[clutches throat]

Grand Duke: What will he *do*?

Cinderella: But, perhaps, if it would help...

Grand Duke: [sobbing] No, no, nothing can help now. Nothing!

Cinderella: [bringing out the other glass slipper] But, you see, I have the other slipper.

Cinderella: [to the clocktower chiming] Oh, that clock! Old killjoy. I hear you. "Come on, get up," you say, "Time to start another day." Even he orders me around. Well, there's one thing. They can't order me to stop dreaming.

[after creating a coach, horses, a coachman, and a footman for Cinderella]

Fairy Godmother: Well, hop in my, dear. We can't waste time.

Cinderella: But, uh...

Fairy Godmother: Uh, uh, now, now, now, don't-don't try to thank me.

Cinderella: Oh, I wasn't... I mean, I do, but-but don't you think my dress...

Fairy Godmother: Yes, it's lovely, dear, lov...

[realizing]

Fairy Godmother: Good Heavens, child! You can't go in that.

[the Fairy Godmother appears as Cinderella sobs]

Cinderella: Oh, no. No, it isn't true. It's just no use. No use at all. I can't believe. Not anymore. There's nothing left to believe in. Nothing.

Fairy Godmother: Nothing, my dear? Oh, now you don't really mean that.

Cinderella: Oh, but I do...

Fairy Godmother: Nonsense, child. If you'd lost all your faith, I couldn't be here. And here I am.

Cinderella: Why, it's my...

Mice and Birds: Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!

Gus: Duh, duh, duh... Happy Birthday!

Jaq: No, no, no, no!

Cinderella: Why, it's like a dream. A wonderful dream come true.

Fairy Godmother: Yes, my child, but like all dreams, well, I'm afraid this can't last forever. You'll have only 'til midnight, and then...

Cinderella: Midnight? Oh, thank you.

Fairy Godmother: Oh, now, now, now, now, now, just a minute. You must understand, my dear: On the stroke of twelve, the spell will be broken, and everything will be as it was before.

Cinderella: Oh, I understand, but... it's more than I ever hoped for.

[naming the new mouse]

Cinderella: Now for a name. I've got one! Octavius. But for short, we'll call you Gus.

Jaq: New mouse in the house, brand new! Never saw it afore! Visitor, visitor!

Cinderella: Oh, a visitor!

[starts going through clothes she's made for mice]

Cinderella: Well, she'll need a dress, and...

Mice and Birds: No, no!

Jaq: [points at his coat and vest] He, he, he!

Cinderella: Oh, that does make a difference. HE'LL need a jacket, new shoes, and hat...

Jaq: Gotta get him out! Rat trap, rat trap!

Cinderella: What? In the trap? Oh, why didn't you say so?

[runs outside]

Stepmother: Well, I see no reason why you can't go... if you get all your work done.

Cinderella: Oh, I will. I promise.

Stepmother: And, if you can find something suitable to wear.

Cinderella: I'm sure I can. Oh, thank you, Stepmother.

[she exits]

Drizella: Mother! Do you realize what you just said?

Stepmother: Of course. I said, "If."

Drizella: [realizing] Oh! "If."

[they all laugh]

Cinderella: [to Bruno, the dog] Dreaming again. Chasing Lucifer? Catch him this time? That's bad.

[Lucifer snickers]

Cinderella: Suppose they heard you upstairs. You know the orders. So if you don't want to lose a warm, nice bed, you'd better get rid of those dreams. Know how? Just learn to like cats.

[Bruno groans]

Cinderella: No, I mean it. Lucifer has his good points, too. For one thing, he... Well, sometimes he... Hmmm. There must be something good about him.

[Bruno laughs at Lucifer]

Fairy Godmother: What in the world did I do with that magic wand? I-I was sure I...

Cinderella: Magic wand?

Fairy Godmother: That's strange. I-I always...

Cinderella: Why, then you must be...

Fairy Godmother: Your Fairy Godmother? Of course. Now, where is that wand? I- Oh! I forgot. I put it away.

[Literally pulls the wand from thin air]

Cinderella: Oh, well. What's a royal ball? After all, I suppose it would be frightfully dull, and-and-and boring, and-and completely... Completely wonderful.

[after the coach, the horses, etc. change back]

Cinderella: I'm sorry. I-I guess I forgot about everything, even the time, but... but it was so wonderful. And he was so handsome, and when we danced... oh, I'm sure that even the Prince himself couldn't have been more... more... Oh, well, it-it's over, and...

Jaq: Cinderelly. Look! Look! Your slipper. Your slipper.

Gus: Yeah. A slipper.

[the mice go on about the glass slipper still on her foot]

Cinderella: Oh!

[to the sky]

Cinderella: Thank you. Thank you so much for everything.

Cinderella: [upon hearing of the royal ball] Why, that means I can go, too.

Drizella: [to Anastasia and Stepmother] Hah! Her, dancing with the Prince.

Anastasia: [mocking Cinderella] I'd be honored, Your Highness. Would you mind holding my broom. Ha Ha!

Stepmother: [looking for Cinderella] Cinderella! Cinderella! Cinderella! Oh, where is that...

Cinderella: Yes? Here I am.

Stepmother: Oh. My daughters- where are they?

Cinderella: Uh, I think they're still in bed.

Stepmother: Oh. Well, don't just stand there. Bring up the breakfast trays at once, and hurry!

Cinderella: It's midnight.

Prince Charming: Yes, so it is. But, why...

Cinderella: Goodbye.

Prince Charming: No, no, wait. You can't go now. It's only...

Cinderella: Oh, I must, please. Please, I must!

Prince Charming: But, why?

Cinderella: Well, I-I, oh, the Prince. I haven't met the Prince.

Prince Charming: The Prince? But, didn't you know that...

[after Cinderella has surprisingly managed to procure a ball gown, Anastasia and Drizella protest]

Stepmother: Girls, please. After all, we did make a bargain, didn't we, Cinderella?

[notices her daughters' discarded articles on Cinderella]

Stepmother: And I never go back on my word. Hmm. How very clever. These beads - they give it just the right touch. Don't you think so, Drizella?

Drizella: No, I don't. I think she's...

[gasps]

Drizella: Why, you little thief! They're *my* beads! Give them here!

[rips them off]

Cinderella: Oh, no!

Anastasia: Oh, and look, that's my sash! Wearing my sash, she can't!

[the two stepsisters proceed to destroy Cinderella's dress completely]

Anastasia: And my ribbon!

Cinderella: No, please...

Drizella: You ungrateful little...!

Stepmother: Girls, girls. That's quite enough. Hurry along, now, both of you. I won't have you upsetting yourselves.

[She takes one look at Cinderella before leaving]

Stepmother: Good night.

[as the Duke is about to leave]

Cinderella: Your Grace. Your Grace. Please, wait. May I try it on?

Stepmother: Oh. Pay no attention to HER.

Anastasia: It's only Cinderella.

Drizella: Our scullery maid...

Anastasia: From the kitchen.

Drizella: It's ridiculous.

Anastasia: Impossible.

Drizella: She's out of her mind.

Stepmother: Yes, yes. Just an imaginitive child!

Grand Duke: [in an official and impatient tone] Madam, my orders were *every* maiden!

Cinderella: [enters stepmother's bedroom after Gus is found under a tea cup] Oh, please, you don't think that I would...

Stepmother: [interrupting] Hold your tongue! Now, it seems we have time on our hands.

Cinderella: But, I was only trying to...

Stepmother: [interrupting] Silence! Time for vicious practical jokes. Perhaps we can put it to better use. Now, let me see... There's the large carpet in the main hall- Clean it! And the windows upstairs and down- Wash them! Oh yes, and the tapestries and the draperies...

Cinderella: [interrupting] But I just finished...

Stepmother: [interrupting] Do them again! And don't forget the garden. Then scrub the terrace, sweep the halls and the stairs, clean the chimneys. And of course there's the mending, and the sewing, and the laundry... Oh, yes, and one more thing: see that Lucifer gets his bath.

Cinderella: [having sex with the prince] Fairy, Ah, Fairy Godmother, he gave me, Ah, snappin' pussy!

Cinderella: Just because it's what's done doesn't mean it's what should be done!

Lady Tremaine: [from trailer] Wouldn't you prefer to eat when all the work is done, Ella?

Cinderella: Yes, stepmother.

Lady Tremaine: You needn't call me that. Madam will do.

[from TV spot]

Lady Tremaine: What on earth have you've been doing?

Cinderella: Dreaming, that's all.

Lady Tremaine: Well, then wake up!

Cinderella: Mr. Lizard, I'm scared. I'm only a girl, not a princess.

Lizard Footman: And I'm only a lizard, not a footman. Enjoy it while it lasts.

Cinderella: [from trailer] It was my mother's old dress.

Lady Tremaine: It would be an insult to take you to the palace dressed in these old rags.

Captain: [to Cinderella] Miss. You are requested and required to present yourself to your king.

Lady Tremaine: I forbid you to do this!

Captain: And I forbid you to forbid her! Who are you to stop an officer of the king? Are you an empress? A saint? A deity?

Lady Tremaine: I am her mother.

Cinderella: You have never been... and you never will be my mother.

Cinderella: I shouldn't.

Prince Charming: You should.

Cinderella: I shouldn't!

Prince Charming: You should!

Cinderella: I will.

[She and Kit kiss]

Lady Tremaine: [points at Ella's breakfast plate] Who's this for? Is there someone we've forgotten?

Cinderella: [smiles] It's my place.

Lady Tremaine: Oh, it seems too much to expect you to prepare breakfast, serve it and to sit with us. Wouldn't you prefer to eat when all the work is done, Ella? Or should I say, Cinderella? Hmm?

Cinderella: [while she and Kit are dancing at the ball] They're all looking at you.

Prince Charming: Believe me - they're all looking at you.

Fairy Godmother: At the last stroke of midnight, the spell will be broken.

Cinderella: Midnight?

Fairy Godmother: Midnight.

Cinderella: That's more than enough time!

Cinderella: [as they're heading to the palace balcony to appear before the wedding crowd] Are you ready?

Prince Charming: For anything, so long as it's with you.

Cinderella: [to Kit] I have to leave. It's hard to explain. Lizards and pumpkins and... things.

Cinderella: [after Lady Tremaine shatters her glass slipper on the wall; horrified and angry] Why? Why are you so *cruel*? I don't understand it. I've tried to be kind to you.

Lady Tremaine: You? Kind to me?

Cinderella: Yes. And though no one deserves to be treated as you have treated me. Why are you doing it? WHY?

Lady Tremaine: Why? Because YOU are *young*, and *innocent*, and *good*, and I...

[she furiously turns to leave, locking Cinderella in her room]

Cinderella: No! No!

Cinderella: [sighs as she and Kit look at portraits of their parents in the gallery before going onto the balcony to greet the wedding crowd] They would have loved each other.

Prince Charming: We must have a portrait of you painted.

Cinderella: [giggles] Oh no, I do *hate* myself in paintings.

Prince Charming: Be kind.

Cinderella: [giggles again] And have courage.

Prince Charming: And all will be well.

Prince Charming: Who are you?

Cinderella: I am Cinderella. You're majesty, I am no princess. I have no carriage, no parents, no dowry I do not even know if that beautiful slipper will fit But, if it does Will you take me as I am? A good honest country girl who loves you.

Prince Charming: Of course I would. But only if you'll take me as I am, an apprentice still learning his trade. Please...

[Prince Charming invites Ella to sit on a nearby chair as the Grand Duke watches in fear, the Captain looks on with a smile as he places the slipper on Ella's foot. It fits perfectly! He takes Ella by the hand and is just about to kiss her when the Stepsisters burst into the room]

Drizella: [apologetically] Ella! Ella! My dear sister! I'm sorry, so very sorry.

[the two curtsy to Cinderella and the prince]

Cinderella: [to Lady Tremaine] I forgive you.

Fairy Godmother: [after the greenhouse and pumpkin transform into a golden carriage] There! One carriage!

Cinderella: [in amazement] You really are my fairy godmother!

Cinderella: But... All the ladies in the land are invited. By order of the king.

Lady Tremaine: It is "the king" I'm thinking of. It would be an insult to the royal personage to take you to the palace dressed in these old rags.

Cinderella: [appalled] Rags? This was my mother's.

Lady Tremaine: [Tremaine inches closer to Ella] Oh... Sorry to have to tell you, but you're mother's taste was questionable. This "thing" is so old-fashioned, it's practically falling to pieces.

[Tremaine tugs harshly the sleeve of Ella's dress causing the sleeve to rip completely]

Lady Tremaine: Now, here is how you will pay me, if you were to have what you desire. No one will believe you, a dirty servant girl without a family, if you lay claim to the Prince's heart. But with a respectable gentlewoman to put you forward, you will not be ignored. When you are married, you will make me the head of the royal household. Anastasia and Drizella we will pair off with wealthy lords, and I shall manage that boy.

Cinderella: But he's not a boy.

Lady Tremaine: And who are you? How would you rule a kingdom? Best to leave it to me. That way we all get what we want.

Cinderella: No.

Lady Tremaine: No?

Cinderella: I was not able to protect my father from you but I will protect the prince and the kingdom no matter what becomes of me.

Cinderella: I have to go!

Prince: [Blocking her way] No, please don't! I've been thinking it over and I've decided that after the ice-cream was served, I'd tell you that I was in love with you.

Stepmother: Cinderella, dear, you can do anything. Make the slipper fit on Anna's foot.

Cinderella: I... I can't.

Stepmother: Cinderella, darling, please try.

Cinderella: But I can't!

Stepmother: I order you to!

Cinderella: Never.