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'I can't believe it. I've never seen so many books in all my life!' |
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Beast made Belle a gift of the magnificent library; which, considering our heroine, got him off to a pretty good start. For us however, there are still more than a few books out there that delve into the many aspects of Beauty and the Beast... The books below are mostly those that directly mention or provide information on the Disney animated feature. Some others discuss the film in an academic way (Marina Warner, for instance) while others are simply curiosities. While you are here, take a look at Disney's own Book Factory, where you can find out what's currently in print - or search the mighty Amazon.com.
One Book Missing...Disney started a great trend with The Lion King, continued it with Pocahontas and The Hunchback of NotreDame; but have so far failed to produce what could be the outstanding publication in their Art of... series:
'The Art of Beauty & the Beast'
There is some hope, however. Although I've yet to see it in Britain, Disney appear
to have started a series of 'Sketchbook' titles, that show roughs and animation
sketches. The only one I have seen thus far is for 'Bambi' - but one for 'Beauty and
the Beast'? Alas, nowhere to be found...
A 'Beauty and the Beast' Bibliography... |
| Title | Author | Publisher | Price | ISBN | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Art Of Animation (From Mickey Mouse to Beauty and the Beast) | Bob Thomas | Hyperion | $39.95 (£25.00) | 1-56282-997-1 | The second half of this book is devoted to the making of Beauty and the Beast. It charts the progress of some key scenes - notably the one when Beast confronts Belle in his lair. Contains some superb artwork, including concept pencil work by Glen Keane, plus finished scenes. Well worth acquiring. Note that the second half of this book is separately bound and included in the Collectors Edition video boxed-set. |
| The Disney Villain | Ollie Johnston, Frank Thomas | Hyperion | $45.00 | 1-56282-792-8 | Interesting profile of the villainous aspects many Disney characters, including those of Beast and Gaston. Some beautiful stills and pencil work included - there are some fold-outs too. This edition covers up to 'Aladdin'. I got the impression that Mssrs. Johnston and Thomas were slightly disparaging about the success of Beauty and the Beast - however, don't let me put you off. Read it and see if you agree... |
| From The Beast To The Blonde | Marina Warner | Chatto & Windus (Virago: paperback) | £24.95 (Hardback), £10.99 (Paperback) | 123-4565445 (Hardback), 0-09-947951-6 (Paperback) | An intriguing exploration of the history and influence of classical fairy tales. Very complete background to Beauty and the Beast as an original story, and an interesting discussion of the role of Disney as the modern popular storyteller. |
| Managing Monsters (Six Myths Of Our Time) - 1994 Reith Lectures | Marina Warner | Vintage | £4.99 | 0-09-943361-3 | Marina Warner includes a discussion of Beauty and the Beast in this published version of her Reith Lecture broadcasts. |
| Beauty & the Beast: Visions and Revisions of an Old Tale | Betsy Hearne | Unknown | Unknown | 0-226-32240-8 (Paperback) 0-226-32239-4 (Hardback) | This book is mentioned in The Art of Animation, above. |
| Encyclopedia of Walt Disney's Animated Characters | John Grant | Hyperion | Unknown | 1-56282-904-1 (Hardback) | A comprehensive reference for the Disney films up to and including Beauty and the Beast. Includes plot and character summaries, plus credits and other details. Copies I've seen seemed to have printing and colour reproduction that could've been a lot better. I think a new version that has been/will shortly be released covers the more recent films, and includes a preview of the work on The Hunchback of NotreDame. |
| Disney's Beauty and the Beast: An Animated Flip Book | Walt Disney Feature Animation Department | Hyperion | £1.95 | 1-56282-888-6 (Paperback) | A tiny flip-book that shows 48 frames of animation from the Ballroom scene. The book is double-sided; the upper side, when flipped, shows the completed scene as it was in the film. When flipped from the other side you see the same scene as cleaned-up pencil drawings. Fascinating. |
| The Art of Beauty and the Beast | Unknown | Sotheby's, New York | Unknown | 0-9622588-2-8 (Paperback) | The auction catalogue for the Sotheby's auction of Beauty and the Beast art, consisting mostly of original backgrounds, reproduction cells and maquettes of the characters. |
| Disney's How to Draw Beauty and the Beast | Not Given | Walter Foster Publ., Laguna Hills, CA | Not Given | 1-56010-111-3 (Hardback) 1-56010-162-8 (Paperback) | An interesting book that gives basic advice on how to draw each of the major characters from Beauty and the Beast. Drawing principles such as the 'line of action' are shown, and for each character examples of a range of expressions are presented. Probably not much use for professional animators (to whom all of this would be well known) but interesting and fun for those who (like me) are curious as to how some of the basic principles behind drawing and creating the characters work. |
| Disney's Animation Magic | Don Hahn | Disney Press, 114 Fifth Avenue, New York | $16.95 | 0-7868-5041-8 (Hardback) | Not specific to Beauty and the Beast, but a fascinating journey through the many stages of animated filmaking. Copiously illustrated, readable and informative. Although it is targetted at a young audience, I'd say most people interested in the making of Disney animated films would find it a great read. |
| Title | Author | Publisher | Price | ISBN | Synopsis |