A life-long love affair with Beauty And The Beast will lead you down the path of subconsciously dressing like Belle, having an intense wanderlust, and a love of entertainment in all forms. France’s live-action La Belle Et La Bete 1946, Disney’s animated feature Beauty And The Beast 1991, France’s live-action La Belle Et La Bete 2014, and Disney’s live-action film Beauty And The Beast 2017 are just some of the well-known cinematic entertainment adaptations of the original fairytale. (Some other visual entertainment additions to that list are The 10th Kingdom 2000, The Shape Of Water 2017, and the television series Moonlight 2007.) No matter if there is a specific version you love or all of them are tied for favorite, welcome to the Beauty And The Beast fan club!
Though I personally strive to read and watch as many retellings and adaptations of La Belle Et La Bete through the years of entertainment as possible, this list will revolve around Disney’s 1991 animated feature Beauty And The Beast.
In both the 1930’s and 1950’s Walt Disney himself attempted to create a Beauty And The Beast cartoon but found that he could not come up with suitable treatment and the technology wasn’t where it needed to be for his envisioned tale of entertainment. Originally premiered at the New York Film Festival in September 1991, it was released as an incomplete work-in-progress edition. The complete version premiered that November and was nominated for academy awards in entertainment – for multiple Oscars and Golden Globes, winning the Oscar for both Best Music – Original Song and Best Music – Original Score, and the Golden Globe for Best Original Song, Best Original Score, and Best Motion Picture.
As mentioned, Beauty And The Beast originally premiered at the New York Film Festival in September 1991, as an incomplete edition. Though roughly 70% of the animated feature was completed, there is about 30% that ranges from still storyboard pictures to rough animated pencil sketches to the computer tests of the ballroom scene. Though there was a concern about how the audience would react, there was a strong, overwhelming, standing ovation. Finding the WIP VHS, (that can be converted to DVD), on eBay or another second-hand source is totally worth it because it is an extremely unique buy and a fascinating window into the animated entertainment process before computers.
Tale As Old As Time: The Art And Making Of Beauty And The Beast was originally published in 2010, but was then re-released to include information about The Enchanted Forest addition to Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland and the live-action 2017 film.
“The Beauty And The Beast legend has a universal appeal; the fairy tale exists in numerous versions throughout the world. In the West, it’s best known from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries French versions, which Walt Disney considered animating during the late 1930’s. Disney gave up on the idea, as he felt the original story was too claustrophobic and lacking in action.
Reapproached in the 1980’s, Beauty And The Beast has several false starts. It was originally conceived as an eighteenth-century period piece, directed by the British husband-and-wife team of Richard and Jill Purdum. After some changes, two new directors, Kirk Wise and Gary Trousdale were pin in charge of the project. Although he was initially reluctant to do another animated film after The Little Mermaid, the later Howard Ashman came on board shortly after the new directors. Over many months, the character and story gradually took form, but there were many changes and wrong turns. Sequences were created, reworked, cut, and added as the film gradually emerged, like a statue from a block of marble.
After all the ups and downs, Beauty And The Beast was released in 1991 to rave reviews and record-breaking business. The film was widely hailed as a technical and aesthetic breakthrough. It was the first of only three animated features ever to be nominated for the Oscar for Best Picture. Its success has since spin into a smash Broadway musical adaptation, intricately detailed environments at the Disney Parks, and a live-action movie musical directed by Bill Condon. This authoritative book features interviews with artists, producers, directors, writers, and voice actors. Illustrations abound throughout, including sketches, caricatures, sequences of animation drawings, and artwork from discarded sequences. It’s a treasure trove of delights for fans of this beloved tale as old as time.”
Something 90’s kids wished they could have had, Hot Topic released a replica of the Magic Mirror. Though they added some color to the detail based on original concept art, (instead of being all silver like in the movie), it is still a beautiful replica. Perfect for re-creating multiple vital scenes in the film, it is not only fun from children’s dress up but an adult’s cosplay.
Released in the 1990’s, this limited-edition piece was a part of the Enchanted Places collection. The Beast’s Castle is a large, three-d, highly detailed, model based on the castle in the 1991 animated feature. This model is what they used to design any castle related art and collectibles and Be Our Guest Restaurant in Magic Kingdom.
“The Beast’s Castle –
High on a hill, past the village and beyond the great forest, sits the Beast’s enchanted castle. Full of anger and regret, the Beast once roamed the castle’s dark and empty rooms. Then Belle’s love broke the spell, transforming the Beast into a handsome prince and his castle into a magnificent palace of light and beauty.
Film: Disney’s Beauty And The Beast
Original Release: 1991
Layout: Ed Ghertner”
Though I have only added a picture of one set, there are many, many limited-edition or limited-run Beauty And The Beast pins that are worth adding to your collection.
The pins pictured above are a Walt Disney World exclusive set, a limited-edition of 5,000. In a gorgeous pastel aesthetic, the rather large box is a soft pink, the top depicting the happily ever after stained glass scene. Inside are four pins, Prince Adam and Princess Belle fitting together like puzzle pieces, then there is a rose and crown. There is another set I recently acquired that that is the entire stained-glass image from the end of the film. The limited-edition puzzle set using four pieces to contain the whole scene was released a platinum release in 2002.
In addition to these sets, there are a large number of individual pins released since the introduction of Pin Trading. Due to the short-lived nature of the pin runs, pins from the late 2000’s onwards have fallen into the “limited-edition” list, such as the Vinylmation set with Prince Adam chaser. But, of course, there are pins purposefully made to be limited edition with a specific number, such as the pins from the 2012 Grand Opening Of New Fantasyland (also known as The Enchanted Forest expansion). Though I was lucky enough to get most of my pins at market value when they were released, there are a ton of pins offered through eBay and other second-hand options.
The last time I went to the Walt Disney World parks, I saw this Gallery Of Light available in the Magic Kingdom and Epcot art stores, (however, I cannot find it through the ShopDisney site), and there are both a limited-edition and open-edition. The limited-editions are labeled “One Wonderous Waltz” while the open-editions are labeled “Belle Dances With Beast”.
Part of the Art Of Disney Collection, it is an Authentic Original Disney Theme Parks merchandise, with a camouflaged button to turn the light on. A gorgeously detailed and elegant work of art, it is a simple but sophisticated way to display your love for the film and the iconic moment between Belle and Beast during “Tale As Old As Time”.
Now, this is a truly special and rare Beauty And The Beast item. A limited number was made for the 2012 Grand Opening Of New Fantasyland and was given away for special occasions – such as birthdays, anniversaries, and engagements – at Be Our Guest Restaurant alongside a special serving of The Grey Stuff.
Part of the Disney Showcase Collection, “The Beast Masquerade Figurine” was released, depicting Prince Adam holding a Beast mask. Though this is an ongoing collection with many beloved Disney characters in many different fashions, each figurine has a limited run. I am always pleasantly surprised to see merchandise with Prince Adam, given that it is a very rare treat. I highly recommend this collectible as an addition to your collection.
2016 marked the 25th anniversary of Disney’s Beauty And The Beast. Part of the celebration included the limited edition/limited release “Art Of Belle” collection sold by The Disney Store. This included the pin set shown above, a journal with concept art, a lithograph set, two mugs, a wallet and purse set, and some fashion tops. Featuring concept art that can be seen in A Tale As Old As Time: The Art And Making Of Beauty And The Beast, it almost exclusively celebrated the main heroine, Belle. Seeing her visual progression compared to the end result is very cool.
Winter Belle, limited-edition of 5,000.
“Disney’s Beauty And The Beast
The Disney Store is proud to present the worldwide limited-edition Belle doll. Revel in the timeless story of heroism, villainy, and enchanted romance from the iconic animated film Beauty And The Beast. With carefully crafted details, this intricately designed doll captures Belle’s curious and adventurous spirit. Beginning with her burgundy velvet cape, this richly detailed cloak features gold metallic cords. Beneath, a tonal metallic rose print embellishes her bodice and overskirt, while delicate gold lace adorns Belle’s sleeve cuffs and skirt hem. Gold embroidery with gems accents her neckline, sleeves, and overskirt for gorgeous finishing touches. Beautifully designed by Disney Store artists, this limited-edition doll is a must-have for collectors and fans alike.”
Winter Beast, limited-edition of 3,500.
“Disney’s Beauty And The Beast
The Disney Store is proud to present the worldwide limited-edition Beast doll. Revel in the timeless story of heroism, villainy, and enchanted romance from the iconic animated film Beauty And The Beast. Carefully crafted details reveal gold embroidery that fancifully decorates his velvet cape as he attracts several birds in this heartwarming scene. His finely sculpted cravat includes a gem-encrusted clasp, while his sash provides a polished finishing touch. Capturing a moment of compassion, Beast learns how to show kindness and mercy. Beautifully designed by Disney Store artists, this limited-edition doll is a must-have for collectors and fans alike.”
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