I have very fond memories of my children and me going to the movies together. There used to be nothing as comforting to me as sitting between them, sharing the biggest bucket of popcorn, and watching them out of the corner of my eye (when I still had peripheral vision), transfixed with awe and wonder as they gazed upon the massive movie screen. These are amazing moments that are etched deep within my soul forever.
The best part was the discussions we would engage in as we traveled home. What was your favorite character? Which scene did you like best? Were you scared at any point? Did you like the costumes and sets? Was the story believable? Was there any part you didn’t like? Do you want to see it again? And if it were a musical, should I order the soundtrack? Do you want me to buy the DVD version when it is released? Yes, we always had lively chats in the car and for hours after.
What I loved even more was that I was subtly, silently planting seeds for them as to how to discuss what they saw thoughtfully. They learned how to be discerning without being mean or a know-it-all. They discovered their own tastes in different genres, and they became pros at defending their opinions without shouting or hurting someone else’s feelings if they didn’t agree. We did this with the books they read, the games they played, the plays they saw, and the people they met. Being able to lend a voice to their opinions is a great tool, and it was a definite confidence builder. It instilled a great love affair with the artistic world and all its future, creative endeavors.
Animated movies were probably their favorites. Where else could they experience those huge production numbers if seeing a Broadway play every weekend wasn’t in my meager budget? In 1991, my children and I experienced a special, outstanding Disney Studio production of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. It had all the necessary ingredients… a good story, an exciting fight, dangerous moments, awesome songs, and funny, touching, and serious dialogue. It also had the power to remind everyone never to judge a person by their appearance. Beauty is only skin deep. What is inside is much more important. Extraordinary, important words to live by. I am glad to say the film was a humongous hit in our family and around the world, as it grossed half a billion dollars. I was instructed to purchase the soundtrack and DVD version.
Walt Disney was reticent to create BEAUTY AND THE BEAST because he didn’t think he could make it better than the original, black and white, French tale that took the world by storm in 1946. It was only after the success of THE LITTLE MERMAID in 1989 that Walt Disney decided to give it a try. It was also the first film that the studio incorporated CGI background illustrations. Over 300 male and female animators created over 120,000 sketches and cells. It was the first film to win a Golden Globe for Best Animated Movie, and it received four Oscar nods for Best Picture and Best Sound. It won for Best Musical Score and Best Original Song. (BEAUTY AND THE BEAST)
There were over 25 minutes of music in the movie, and it never went more than 5 minutes between scenes without a musical number. My favorite production sequence was the spectacular, crazy creation of BE MY GUEST. What a kick to see inanimate objects come to life, singing and dancing with such pure abandonment. It was a breathtaking, memorable scene.
The voices chosen for each character were perfectly cast and include Paige O’Hara as Belle, Robby Benson as Beast, Dame Angela Lansbury as Mrs. Potts, Jerry Orbach as Lumiere, David Ogden Stiers as Cogsworth, Richard White as Gaston, Jo Anne Worley as Wardrobe, Jesse Corrie as Lefou, and Bradley Pierce as Chip. Most of these actors came from a Broadway background and had the goods to back up their expressive voices and emotional journeys. Chip’s part was only supposed to be one line, but the director thought he was fabulous and asked the writers to expand his role. Lefou actually translates to “dumb” or “little idiot” in French, and Belle literally means “beauty” in French as well.
The story unfolded as it was meant to be told due to the expertise of these veteran actors. The directing duo of Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise knew how to handle such a dynamic group of actors, as well as the animation department. They encouraged and incorporated ad-libbing during each voiceover recording. One line that stuck was when Cogsworth gave the Beast advice on how to woo a woman. “Flowers, chocolates, promises you don’t intend to keep,” was all from the comical mind of Stiers.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the phenomenal musical team of Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, who composed the lyrics and melodies that are so ingrained within every second of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. They were able to create, for each individual cast member, additional infinite layers of characterization. They supplied the images audiences needed to have a complete picture. Their songs inspired the world and have been performed and reimagined countless times since their inception. Bravo.
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST opened on Broadway in 1994, three years after the movie became a household name. It ran for over 5,000 performances,s winning a Tony for Best Costume. It still holds the record for the fourth-longest-running show of all time. It brought Walt Disney’s dream for this project full circle and encouraged a profitable franchise for decades to come.
There was a Latin phrase carved into the entryway stained glass at the Beast or Prince Adam’s castle. It translates into four words. “He conquers…Conquers himself.” This is the crux of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. It is simply an enchanting, romantic, intelligent, and sweet musical. It is “a tale as old as time” that ignited millions of imaginations with unforgettable images. It is a magical classic that demands a revisit now and again.
I look forward to sitting between my son and grandchild one day, stuffing our faces with popcorn and singing to each other BONJOUR in joyful
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST is available on Disney+.
