Welcome to Screen Gems, our weekend dive into queer and queer-adjacent titles of the past that deserve a watch or a re-watch.With the world celebrating the release of Amazon’s new, reimagined version of Cinderella, complete with Billy Porter in a gown, we think it time to turn back the clock to another reimagining of the classic story…one which both Porter and director Kay Cannon cited as major inspiration.Cinderella raised a few eyebrows when it landed on ABC back in 1997 for some unconventional casting choices.
Detractors blasted the series for using a diverse cast of actors, and for casting an African-American woman in the title role, labeling the film “politically correct.” How little has changed in 20+ years, with defamers attacking.