Beauty and the Beast
US (1991): Animated/Musical/Romance
The film that officially signaled Disney's animation renaissance, Beauty and the Beast remains the yardstick by which all other animated films should be measured. It relates the story of Belle, a bookworm with a dotty inventor for a father; when he inadvertently offends the Beast (a prince whose heart is too hard to love anyone besides himself), Belle boldly takes her father's place, imprisoned in the Beast's gloomy mansion. Naturally, Belle teaches the Beast to love. What makes this such a dazzler, besides the amazingly accomplished animation and the winning coterie of supporting characters (the Beast's mansion is overrun by quipping, dancing household items) is the array of beautiful and hilarious songs by composer Alan Menken and the late, lamented lyricist Howard Ashman. The downright funniest song is "Gaston," a lout's paean to himself (including the immortal line, "I use antlers in all of my de-co-ra-ting"). "Be Our Guest" is transformed into an inspired Busby Berkeley homage. Since Ashman's passing, animated musicals haven't quite reached the same exhilarating level of wit, sophistication, and pure joy. (David Kronke, Amazon.com)
6 nominations, 2 Awards
· Best Achievement in Music (Original Score) 1991: Alan Menken
· Best Achievement in Music (Original Song) 1991: "Beauty and the Beast" Alan Menken - Music, Howard Ashman - Lyric
· Best Picture of the Year 1991: Don Hahn - Producer (Disney, Buena Vista)
· Achievement in Music (Original Song) 1991: "Belle" Alan Menken - Music, Howard Ashman - Lyric
· Achievement in Music (Original Song) 1991: "Be Our Guest" Alan Menken - Music, Howard Ashman - Lyric
· Achievement in Sound 1991: Terry Porter, Mel Metcalfe, David J. Hudson, Doc Kane
First animated feature film to be nominated for Best Picture.