Beauty and the Beast is one of those films that stays with you for a lifetime. We’re enchanted by its magic every time we watch it — and trust us, we’ve seen it a lot. Every time we press play, we learn something new (and a bit alarming). For instance, did you know…
11. The filmmakers wanted to open with a different spin on the typical storybook intro you see in classic fairytales.
So they captured that “once upon a time” feeling with beautiful stained glass that set the tone for the rest of the movie.
10. This prologue was written about 200 times before filmmakers finally landed on the one you see in the final version.
It was decided upon only months before the movie opened.
9. James Baxter, supervising animator for Belle, designed her movements after ballerinas.
Look there she goes that girl is poised, no question.
8. The opening number was written as an operetta.
Filmmakers rallied everyone together in the same room to record the liveliest, most dynamic version of the song that they could muster.
7. If you look very closely, the sign post that Maurice comes across in the woods reads Valencia, Anaheim, and Burbank!
All places of importance for the film’s animators, directors, and producers.
6. Beast took a long time to design. Initial sketches weren’t imaginative enough for the filmmakers, then things got a little too creative (think Mantis Beast, yikes!).
We’re not sure what this is, but we’re glad they went with the Beast we all know and love.
5. Gaston’s chin was a huge topic of discussion. Filmmakers were worried that if it was too pronounced, he would border into caricature and not be believable.
No one’s got a swell cleft in his chin like Gaston.
4. One of the audition songs for the part of Gaston was “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.”
Filmmakers consider it the precursor to his infamous song in the pub.
3. Windows are a major motif in Beauty and the Beast.
The camera pans in and out of several windows throughout the movie. And filmmakers considered eyes the windows to the soul.
2. Beast starts off very animal-like in behavior, but eventually stands upright, wearing less tattered rags and more layers of clothes.
There may be something there that wasn’t there before… and we don’t only mean good posture.
1. “Flowers…chocolates…promises you don’t intend to keep.” was ad-libbed.
Lines like this made the characters more lived-in and real.
What’s your favorite thing about Beauty and the Beast? Tell us in the comments!
Michele also contributes theme park news for Fox 35 Orlando 11pm news and on the radio on WDBO.
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