Thirty Years of "Beauty and the Beast"

This year, we'll celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of Howard Ashman's "Beauty and the Beast." (The release date was in September 1991.)

As September approaches, you'll surely hear this observation: A few animated movies have earned Best Picture Oscar nods. (For example: "Toy Story 3.") A few musicals have earned Best Picture Oscar nods. (For example: "Moulin Rouge.") BUT there is only one Best Picture nominee in history that has fallen splat in the middle of the Venn diagram--one nominee that is *both* an animated film *and* a musical. That nominee is "Beauty and the Beast."

So many lines deserve to be immortalized: "As a specimen, yes, I'm intimidating....I'm especially good at expectorating...." "When I was a lad, I'd eat four dozen eggs...every day...to help me get large....And now that I'm grown, I eat FIVE dozen eggs....so I'm roughly the size of a barge...." "I thought I saw....that...for once....she didn't shudder at my paw...." "Try the gray stuff....It's delicious....Don't believe me? Ask the dishes....."

Well, as we get near to the important date, I ask you to share your own favorite moments. Remember, although the title song won the Oscar (justifiably), both "Belle" and "Be Our Guest" were *also* nominated.....

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