I chatted with screen icon Lesley Ann Warren about her breakout role in “Cinderella” and why she thinks “Clue” has endured.

You starred in the 1965 version of “Cinderella.” What is it like being an entire generations Cinderella and one of the first?

It’s fantastic. It’s such an honor to be beloved by so many people. It doesn’t seem to stop. The fan mail I get is mostly “Clue” but there’s a lot of “Cinderella” too. It’s made such an impact in people’s minds and hearts. It’s carried down from grandparents, to children, to their grandchildren. It’s really beautiful.

You’ve been nominated for an Emmy, Golden Globes (winning one) and an Oscar for “Victor/Victoria.” What was that Academy Award experience like?

It was an out of body experience. ::laughs:: It was a little bit like when I got married to my current husband. The adrenaline is so high. You’re surrounded by all these magnificent people, directors and artists and now you’re considered one of them. Unless it’s happened to you quite a few times, it’s hard to take in. I know its a cliche but you’ve been invited into a club that you can never be kicked out of.

There’s hundreds of performances each year and you’re one of those Top five.

Yeah. It’s crazy. I never in my whole life thought about winning awards. You get thrown into the conversation if insiders think there’s a chance you can get a nomination and then a machine takes over. I was filming another movie when I got the call I was nominated. I knew there were certain ads going out and asked to do certain interviews, but I wasn’t putting much energy into that part of it. It was a surprise.

When you were filming “Clue”, did you know there were going to be different endings?

No, none of us did. That was great because we were able to still act suspicious toward each other. We didn’t know who did it! It was great for the theatrics of it all. When we got closer to the end of filming, we were told about the multiple endings; and I’m so glad I was one of them! ::laughs::

What was it like working with that impeccable comedic cast?

In my opinion, these were some of the greatest comic actors at the time. Not comedians, but actors who had a massive talent for bringing comedy. We were in love with each others work, and that was the truth. We would crack up so much which drove the director insane. It was like herding cats ::laughs::

In the past decade I feel like I’ve seen a lot of people dressed up as “Clue” characters and it’s always on television. Why do you think the film has endured and become a cult classic?

I think it’s just really funny. The laughs don’t stop. When I’m at these screenings, I laugh TODAY. And I was there! A lot of films have tried to emulate us, but we captured lightning in a bottle.

As an artist, what does it mean to have a film like “Clue” being passed down through generations of filmgoers?

To have that experience of all those generations loving it together is a beautiful, momentous gift.

There’s also a play!

I haven’t seen the play because I didn’t want another experience of it. Someone asked me if I would ever want to be The Fairy Godmother in another adaptation of “Cinderella” and I wouldn’t. That memory for me was sacrosanct. I feel the same way about “Clue.” I don’t want to detour from that memory.

You were also in a film in the late 90’s called “Teaching Mrs. Tingle” and it’s really hard to find on physical media. It’s not a straight horror, sort of a thriller comedy. Just wanted to thank you for being a part of that.

Oh wow! No one ever mentions that one!

If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?

My superpower would be to bring civility and kindness and humanity back to America. And to protect animals and children in every possible way.

Are you excited about bringing the “Clue” Anniversary screening to The Hippodrome?

You know, I’ve never been to Baltimore. I wont’ be seeing a lot because it’s going to be very cold, but I was told I MUST have crab cakes! I’m always excited to go to new cities. My favorite part of the experience is the Q&A’s and meet and greets because the audience tells me their connections with the film. It’s very meaningful to me.

“Clue” The Movie 40th Anniversary Screening takes place this Saturday at the M&T Bank Exchange at The Hippodrome! Buy tix