♫ Tale as old as time
True as it can be
Barely even friends
Than somebody bends
Unexpectedly
Just a little change
Small, to say the least
Both a little scared
Neither one prepared
Beauty and the Beast… ♫
Can you believe that Disney’s Beauty and the Beast was released in theaters 20 years ago. It doesn’t seem like it was that long ago.
Not only do I love that movie (I fell in love with it the first time I saw it), but I am in love with the soundtrack too. It is one of my most favorite movie soundtracks. I still have my cassette tape. I purchased it when the movie came out and I still listen to it today (yes, it still works!). I can only listen to cassettes in my car. I don’t have a CD player.
On January 13, 2012 this timeless classic is going to be re-released in theaters, only this time the movie will be in 3-D. I think it’s wonderful that the movie is going to be introduced to a whole new generation.
Earlier this afternoon I was very fortunate to participate in a phone interview with Paige O’Hara. Paige voiced the character “Belle” in the movie.
Sometimes it’s hard to believe that there are real live people behind the voices of beloved characters. When we watch animated films we get so caught up in the storyline and the visuals that it’s easy to forget that the voices you hear are regular people like you and I. But without them the movie would not be the same. I cannot image Beauty and the Beast without the voices of Paige O’Hara (Belle), Robby Benson (Beast), Jerry Orbach (Lumiere) or Angela Lansbury (Mrs. Potts). Their voices helped make this movie the classic that it is.
There is so much more to Paige O’Hara then being voice of Belle. Paige has an extensive career including Broadway, opera, music and art.
Paige had to audition to be the voice of Belle five times. She had a strong feeling that she would get the role. As luck would have it she found out that she did indeed get the part of Belle just days after her birthday and getting engaged. Talk about a life changing experience.
Paige didn’t really know if Beauty and the Beast would be a success or not. It wasn’t until film received a standing ovation from some of the top movie critics did she know that the movie was destined to be a box office hit. Even the toughest critics were laughing and applauding throughout the film. That must have been an amazing experience for Paige and the other actors in the film.
Beauty and the Beast went on to become the first animated film ever nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards (Oscars). Even the music was nominated. To add to her excitement Paige was asked to sing live on stage at the Oscars that year too.
Here is a little interesting tid bit that Paige told us about. The show producers asked her if she wanted to lip sync or sing live on stage. Seeing as how she was a veteran of Broadway and live theater she opted to sing live.
Even though she sang in front of hundreds of people on Broadway she was still very nervous to sing on stage during the Oscars. It wasn’t until Angela Lansbury (Mrs. Potts), who was announcing her on stage, told her that she had nothing to worry about with a voice like hers. That wonderful compliment put her at ease.
During our phone interview Paige was asked if she could relate to Belle in anyway. Paige said she related to Belle quite well. In the movie Belle doesn’t feel like she fits in. She was also willing to give up everything to save her father. In real life Paige felt like she never really fit in with her peers either. While her classmates were jamming to Led Zepplin, Paige was listening to Gershwin.
Both Belle and Paige also have a great love of books.
In the movie Belle gives her life to the Beast in order to let her father go free. She would do anything for her father. In real life Paige put her career on hold for seven years to care for her ailing parents, a decision that she doesn’t regret at all.
Did you know that Disney used elements of Paige’s face for the character of Belle? Belle is also the first brown eyed Princess. Belle was not meant to be a “perfect Princess”. I was surprised to hear that Belle was given a European quality about her too.
Here are some more interesting things I learned about the movie and Paige O’Hara during the phone interview.
– Paige has not seen the entire movie in 3-D yet. She has only seen once scene so far (the ballroom dance scene).
– Her favorite character in the movie is Beast.
– Her favorite Disney movie is Mary Poppins. It was Julie Andrews who inspired Paige to pursue Broadway and movies.
– Paige also lends her voice to many Beauty and the Beast related material including Leap Frog games, toys, CDs and more.
– A few years ago Paige was honored with Disney’s Legend Award.
– When asked if she could voice any other Princess who would it be Paige replied “none”. She thinks all the Princesses already have perfect voices.
– During the making of the movie, Paige and Robby Benson (Beast) were allowed to work together in the sound studio, which is something that is pretty much unheard of. They were allowed to get creative and create scenes and the film makers decided if they wanted to work with them or not.
– Paige’s husband played the part of Beast in Beauty and the Beast when it was on stage in L.A.
– To this day children still recognize her voice as being Belle. That must be amazing! I can’t image what that would feel like to have hundreds of children want you to talk to them or read to them because they truly see you as the character you played in a film.
I personally asked Paige what her favorite scene from the movie was. She told me that her favorite scene from Beauty and the Beast was when Belle and Beast were outside in the snow and the little birds were sitting on Beast. She said that was the moment when Belle knew that she was in love with Beast. I think that scene is very charming and sweet too.
I also asked Paige what her favorite song from the film is. She said without a doubt it’s the movie’s theme song which was not sung by her, but Celine Dion. She said there was another song she really liked called Human Again which doesn’t show up in the movie but does appear in the Broadway version. I’m curious about that song. I’ll have to see if I can find it on the Internet to listen to it.
These days Paige keeps herself very busy. She is currently staring in a hit musical called Menopause the Musical at the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas. It certainly sounds like an interesting musical. I would never think that you can write songs, or a play, about Menopause. Ha Ha.
Paige is also working on a musical about Judy Garland’s life. Playing the part of Judy Garland would be a life long dream come true. She’s always idolized and admired Judy Garland. She also wants to play the part of July Garland in a positive way. There is another Judy Garland production in the works, but it focuses only on the later years in Judy Garland’s life. The production Paige is working on highlights Judy Garland’s entire life.
Paige has been an artist since she was three years old. I was surprised to learn that she has been a life long painter and most recently signed with Disney Fine Art- Collector’s Editions where she’sll be painting original artwork of her favorite scenes from Beauty and the Beast. The collection is called Belles by Belle.
Paige did end the interview with a little advice for those who are interested in singing on Broadway or perhaps even in film. She recommended getting proper training. She also strongly recommends finding a voice teacher that you can connect with and have a great rapport with. She also doesn’t think you should have a teacher that you are afraid of. I think those are some great words of advice.
I was thrilled to have the opportunity to chat with Paige O’Hara. I LOVE the movie Beauty and the Beast. Never in a million years would I think that one day I would talk to Belle on the phone. It’s rather surreal when I think about it. This is something I won’t soon forget – if ever. When I have grandchildren some day and I introduce them to Beauty and the Beast I’m going to tell my grandchildren that I spoke with Belle. 🙂
To learn more about Beauty and the Beast please visit www.Disney.com/BeautyandtheBeast. You can also follow the movie on Facebook, www.Facebook.com/DisneyBeautyandtheBeast.
If you would like to visit Paige O’Hara’s official website it’s www.PaigeOHara.net.
Don’t forget, Beauty and the Beast in 3-D is a limited release and will be in theaters on January 13, 2012. Hurry! You won’t want to miss out on this opportunity. Premiering right before the movie is a new short clip from Tangled called Tangled Ever After.
Kimberly
*I was not compensated for this post in any way. I am sharing this information for the benefit and enjoyment of my site readers. A very special “Thank You” to Disney for this wonderful opportunity.
jen says
If you have the DVD, there is an extended version of “Beauty and the Beast” that has the song Human Again in it. So you can watch it!
Or here it is on YouTube:
http://youtu.be/MetM68Lr9U8
If I got the facts correctly, this scene was animated about 10 years later than the original movie.