Lesley Ann Warren has given us over 50 years in historical (and historical-ish) flicks, so today we’re going to show her some love!
Cinderella (1965)
Fun fact: Lesley Ann Warren was cast as Cinderella in the film version of the hit musical starring Julie Andrews. Twenty years later, they would go on to share the screen in Victor/Victoria!
The Happiest Millionaire (1967)
Lesley Ann Warren did a lot of work with Disney in the beginning of her career. She also did a lot of “period” films where I had a hard time figuring out if it was supposed to be set in a historical period or if it was just the 1960s.
The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band (1968)
Here’s another one of those “I think it’s period…?” films, also for Disney.
The Daughters of Joshua Cabe (1972)
I kind of need to watch this based on Lesley Ann Warren’s costume, alone. The other costumes look equally insane.
The Legend of Valentino (1975)
Not to be confused with the Ken Russell biopic from 1977, starring Rudolf Nureyev. This was a TV movie starring Franco Nero as Valentino.
Harry and Walter Go to New York (1976)
This film has the most 1970s cast ever: James Caan, Elliot Gould, Michael Caine, Diane Keaton, Lesley Ann Warren (of course), and Carol Kane. What caught my attention was the costumes by Theoni V. Aldredge (Annie, Mrs. Winterbourne) look pretty good.
79 Park Avenue (1977)
This is another one of those films where I had to dig around the images for a while to figure out if it was actually a period piece, because the costumes look very 1970s. Apparently, it’s set in the 1930s.
Pearl (1978)
The only reason I know this is a historical flick is because it is about Pearl Harbor. Otherwise, I’d have just passed it off as yet another contemporary late-1970s fare.
Beulah Land (1980)
I almost don’t want to even include this one, because even 40 years it was slammed for being insanely racist and tone deaf. The only vaguely redeeming feature is the romance novel costumes are so over the top.
Victor/Victoria (1982)
This character is so horrible, but her clothes are SO good.
Clue (1985)
Miss Scarlet was a pretty seminal character for little Sarah. No denying this is Lesley Ann Warren at peak campy hotness.
Evergreen (1985)
The miniseries takes place over 50 years, from 1909 to 1959, centering on the character Anna, played by Lesley Ann Warren, a young Jewish woman who immigrated to America from Poland and climbs the social ladder in the first half of the 20th century.
Faerie Tale Theatre: The Dancing Princesses (1987)
I have fond memories of Shelley Duval’s Faerie Tale Theatre as a kid. This version of the classic fairy tale is set in the 1820s-1830s.
27 Wagons Full of Cotton (1990)
A “comedy” by Tennessee Williams in which the major plot points are xenophobia and rape. So, yeah.
Joseph (1995)
I generally don’t like biblical films as a rule, but the costumes in this one look really good. Lesley Ann Warren plays Potiphar’s Wife.
Going All the Way (1997)
Set during the Korean War, I have really no context for the character Lesley Ann Warren plays, but the costumes look really good.
What is your favorite historical costume film starring Lesley Ann Warren? Share it with us in the comments!
Cinderella was written for television, and the original Julie Andrews was a telecast, not a stage musical. It was remade with Warren to take advantage of color broadcasting.
If I remember correctly, Julie was unavailable for the second filming.
Victor Victoria is my fav, she plays that part with a certain relish. Her performance is perfect!
The ‘Chicago Illinois’ song-and-dance number is seared into my brain!
(also the delivery of the line “close the daw’)
And, “What’s with the soap??” I LOVE Noima!
I remember seeing the Julie Andrews “Cinderella” as a small child. When the Warren version came out I was still young enough to be confused at the difference between the two productions, but I imprinted so hard on her character that she will always be that character first and foremost for me. But after that? Definitely “Victor Victoria.” She is loads of fun in “Clue” too.
I know her best from Clue. Husband adores that movie.
It’s a three way ie between Cinderella, Victor/Victoria and Clue. I loved the costumes in them. IMHO Victor/Victoria and Clue probably had the best costumes.
Those Egyptian costumes in Joseph do look very good. Much more authentic than usual.
Even the wigs look good! :)
Yes they are.
Lesley seems to be wearing a g-string under her robe, those sashes should be red like in the reliefs, and I’m not sure about those stripes in the background but a respectable attempt.
My daughter and I loved “Faerie Tale Theatre,” especially “The Dancing Princesses” and Jeff Goldblum’s Big Bad Wolf. We need a FTT tribute!
I wanted Leslies’ Cinderella’s ballgown so badly I’d have eaten liver and asked for 2nds. yeah, Beluah land was pretty bad, so were the books. and I love Fairie Tale Theater, Robin Williams as the frog prince was wicked funny. I have them somewhere on dvd! I wonder if anyone’s streaming them…
Leslie’s dress (and hair) as Cinderella broke my brain as an eight year old and I have never gotten over it: I still swoon a little.
Oh, yeah.
The happiest millionaire is set in the Edwardian era, and the one the only genuine family band is set in the 1880’s.
Cinderella aired once a year for three years, and my sisters and I were addicted. One of our neighbors had given us her wedding gown (!), and it served as Cinderella’s ball gown during our productions for years. I love the music.
She is the best Cinderella for me…have been rewatching her on Prime in this role, and the words of all the songs come back to me from original watch when I was six. Now they are on repeat in my brain…
The Happiest Millionaire was my absolute favorite as a child and John Davidson was my beau ideal.