Disney's Beauty and the Beast: Stories from the Studio Recording

00:00 - Introduction
00:28 - SizzleMap - LIKE / SUBSCRIBE / COMMENT
00:39 - Brief History of Beauty and the Beast
01:44 - David Friedman: Creating a Legacy
02:16 - Angela Lansbury's Previous Disney Films
02:52 - David Friedman: Angela Lansbury Turns Down the Roll of Mrs Potts
05:03 - The Origin of the 'Beauty and the Beast' POP Song Rumor
05:46 - When Songs are Moved, Things Change
06:32 - David Friedman: Changing Genders with Studio Magic
07:48 - David Friedman: A Tribute to Angela Lansbury
09:29 - Credits and Acknowledgments

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In this video we have some wonderful stories from the studio recording of Disney's classic Beauty and the Beast. Some of these stories have never been told before.

Thank you to legendary Disney Music Director and Conductor, DAVID FRIEDMAN, for giving us an insider's glimpse into the

In this D:CLASSIFIED video we will reveal:
- Some behind the scenes secrets from the studio recording session of the Disney classic Beauty and the Beast.
- How Angela Lansbury initially turned down her role.
- How ‘Be Our Guest’ had to change genders for Belle.
- And how a ‘perfect storm’ of talent created the first Academy Award nominated, animated feature.

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If you enjoy SizzleMap’s D:CLASSIFIED series, please remember to like this video and subscribe. And if you have any fun memories of the Disney classic Beauty and the Beast, or reactions to the information presented here, please leave a comment below.

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In 1991, Disney released the animated masterpiece that would captivate audiences around the world and forever change the landscape of animated storytelling. "Beauty and the Beast" not only enchanted viewers with its timeless tale of love and acceptance, but also showcased a musical score that elevated the film to stratospheric heights.

However, behind the enchanting melodies and soaring vocals, there lies a treasure trove of untold stories from the recording sessions that shaped the iconic songs we know and love today. With a deep dive into Disney’s historical archives, and with a short interview with David Friedman, Beauty and the Beast’s musical director and vocal arranger. You’ll soon realize there is a lot more to the history of this film that has previously been told.

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Back in the early '90s, the art of animation and musical storytelling converged in spectacular fashion. A dream-team of animators, writers, musicians and artists converged for the creation of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. As each person entered the room for the first time, the gravity and importance of the work they were about to do was felt deeply.

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Prior to Beauty and the Beast, Iconic actress of stage and screen, Angela Lansbury, had a relationship with Disney films for Decades. In 1971, she stared as a witch-in-training in Disney’s classic Bedknobs and Broomsticks. Twenty years later, she had the chance to voice the roll of Miss Potts in Beauty and the Beast.

But she initially turned it down.

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Even with all of the Voice actors in place, the script and the story were still evolving . The songs had been written and placed in the appropriate place within the storyline. But what happens when the story changes, or you want to move a song to a different part of the movie?

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There is an untrue rumor that has been spread for years that Be Our Guest was supposed to be a pop song. For the origin of this rumor, we’ll turn back to Angela Lansbury, and why she turned down the roll of Miss Potts, because she thought the songs were ‘too pop’ for her.

It turns out, she wasn’t wrong.

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Regardless of the challenges that took place in the studio, in the end, the project came together to give Disney fans a perfect film. Beauty and the Beast connected with the audience in a way that no Disney movie ever had before.
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David Friedman zoom interview with Forrest Mallard
June 03, 2023

Tale as Old as Time: The Making of Beauty and the Beast
DVD Extra / Buena Vista Home Entertainment

Beyond Beauty: The Untold Story of Beauty and the Beast
DVD Extra / Buena Vista Home Entertainment

Angela Lansbury Concert with The Tabernacle Choir (2001)

MUSIC:

Makiko Hirohashi - Beauty and the Beast Piano

@Disney @DisneyMovieTrailers @waltdisneyimagineering @DisneyChannelUK @DisneyMusicVEVO #beautyandthebeast #disney #disneyhistory

[aoalysa]

oh my goodness forrest you have knocked this one out the park!! such a classic film that was almost changed 🥺 angela was such a treasure and this is such a great way to honor her!

[michaelfarrow]

Working with David was a real pleasure. We recorded at RCA in NYC - all live: musicians, singers. What fun that was!

[tramposaurus]

This is a very exciting video for me as it contains untold stories from behind the scenes of the Disney classic. David Friedman has so many amazing Disney stories to tell. He is a TREASURE! I can not thank him enough for being part of this project. THANK YOU DAVID!

[fabiorameshanani]

Thank you for this and for honoring the memory of Angela Lansbury, a talented, gracious, and noble artist who will live in our hearts forever.

[stephenr]

I remember when Michael Eisner introduced Angela on a TV episode and said that this was the first time the title song, "Beauty and the Beast" was being performed anywhere. It felt like we were witnessing a part of Disney history in the making.

[judibethgamano]

I truly love angela ❤her voice was so magical you feel as if you were in the film ❤

[postdebut]

The late Howard Ashman’s contributions to Beauty and the Beast simply can’t be overlooked. He was really the driving force behind musicalizing the film (along with Alan Menkin of course), but he knew this project was his swan song and really gave it his all. It’s tragic that he died of AIDS a few months before the film was released and he didn’t get to see the amazing reception the film and its accompanying music received.

I hold the music of Beauty and the Beast to be the magnum opus of Ashman and Menkin’s partnership and their individual careers.

[lady_leucadia]

Another great video…brought me to tears. Beautifully done. Really enjoying your channel! Thank you for all you do.

[juliemitchell]

Bawling my eyes out for reasons I don't know ❤

[everybodyhasastorytotellwt]

Very nice!!! This channel is growing nicely too! Well done!

[zarachastellaris]

Jerry Orbach certainly had vocal talent, I couldn't tell that it was the same person from Law and Order!