VOA慢速英语2015 “灰姑娘”对于孩子们来说不仅仅是一部电影那么简

'Cinderella' Is More Than Just a Movie for Kids “灰姑娘”对于孩子们来说不仅仅是一部电影那么简

Years ago, the American writer Kurt Vonnegut often said there was one story that would always make a million dollars: Cinderella.

In Hollywood and in today’s economy, it is more like $70 million and that is just a start.

“Cinderella” made that amount in ticket sales when it opened last weekend. But the merchandising deals linked to the movie are also hugely valuable.

The respected British actor and moviemaker Kenneth Branagh directed “Cinderella.” It stars Lily James as Ella and Academy Award winner Cate Blanchett as her evil stepmother.

Reviews of the movie were mixed. Steven Rea of The Philadelphia Inquirer called the film “a winning re-do.” Richard Corliss of Time magazine wrote that “Disney finally got Cinderella right.” Other critics were not as happy with the film. Sara Stewart of the New York Post suggested the story-telling lacks substance. She wrote, “this Cinderella is all dressed up with nowhere very interesting to go.”

So the artistic¹ success of the film is open to debate. What is clear, however, is the movie’s business success. It is a hit in the theaters but it is also a hit in retail². And Disney widened its usual market for “Cinderella” products.

There are products connected to the Disney film targeted not only at little girls, but women, too. For example, the famous shoe designer Jimmy Choo partnered with Disney to create a version of Cinderella’s “glass slippers” or shoes. You can buy them for about $5,000.  At that price, you would not want to lose one at the ball, even if that is the way you get your prince. Several other shoemakers also accepted Disney deals to design versions of the famous footwear.

The makeup³ company MAC quickly sold all its products with official links to “Cinderella.” But lucky buyers were soon selling the products on the online marketplace eBay for many times the original price.

HSN is a popular television and online retailer⁴ of jewelry⁵, clothing and objects for the home. The marketer is now an exclusive seller of “Cinderella” products.

So, is there anything left for the children, those people we think of as the traditional audience for the age-old fairytale? Yes, you can find toys and other children’s products at the American retailer JC Penney. Of course, you can also visit a Disney store.

Disney also produced an animated⁶ version of “Cinderella.” It came out in 1950 and is considered a classic. Which do you think the Disney company does best: live action or animated films? Post your thoughts in the comments section.

Words in This Story

merchandising – n. the activity of selling products that are related to something (such as a television show, movie, or sports team) in order to make more money

retail – n. the business of selling things directly to customers for their own use

ball – n. a large formal party for dancing

original – n. a document, film, painting, etc., which is created by someone and from which a copy or translation is made

1 artistic   

adj.艺术(家)的，美术(家)的；善于艺术创作的

参考例句：

• The picture on this screen is a good artistic work.这屏风上的画是件很好的艺术品。
• These artistic handicrafts are very popular with foreign friends.外国朋友很喜欢这些美术工艺品。

2 retail   

v./n.零售；adv.以零售价格

参考例句：

• In this shop they retail tobacco and sweets.这家铺子零售香烟和糖果。
• These shoes retail at 10 yuan a pair.这些鞋子零卖10元一双。

3 makeup   

n.组织；性格；化装品

参考例句：

• Those who failed the exam take a makeup exam.这次考试不及格的人必须参加补考。
• Do you think her beauty could makeup for her stupidity?你认为她的美丽能弥补她的愚蠢吗？

4 retailer   

n.零售商(人)

参考例句：

• What are the retailer requirements?零售商会有哪些要求呢？
• The retailer has assembled a team in Shanghai to examine the question.这家零售商在上海组建了一支团队研究这个问题。

5 jewelry   

n.（jewllery）（总称）珠宝

参考例句：

• The burglars walked off with all my jewelry.夜盗偷走了我的全部珠宝。
• Jewelry and lace are mostly feminine belongings.珠宝和花边多数是女性用品。

6 animated   

adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的

参考例句：

• His observations gave rise to an animated and lively discussion.他的言论引起了一场气氛热烈而活跃的讨论。
• We had an animated discussion over current events last evening.昨天晚上我们热烈地讨论时事。