Beauty and the Beast (1991) – Nostalgia Central

Set in 18th-Century France, this landmark animated musical romantic fantasy film from Walt Disney Animation Studios follows selfish Prince Adam (voiced by Robby Benson), who is cursed by an enchantress to live as a monstrous Beast.

To break the spell, he must learn to love another and earn her love in return before the last petal falls from an enchanted rose.

Years later, a spirited, book-loving young woman named Belle (voiced by Paige O’Hara) offers herself as his prisoner in exchange for her father, Maurice (Rex Everhart), who has been captured.

With the help of the castle’s enchanted staff – maître d’ Lumière (Jerry Orbach), who has been turned into a candelabra; tightly wound, rule-abiding butler Cogsworth (David Ogden Stiers) who has been transformed into a mantel clock; warm, matronly head cook Mrs Potts (Angela Lansbury), who is now a teapot, and her teacup son, Chip (Bradley Pierce) – Belle and the Beast gradually look past their differences to form a deep, life-changing bond.

The arrogant, narcissistic town hunter Gaston (voiced by Richard White) views Belle as a prize to possess and serves as the film’s main villain.

Beauty and the Beast was the first-ever full-length animated film to be nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards, competing against live-action dramas before a dedicated animation category existed.

It won two Oscars for Best Original Score and Best Original Song (for the title track).

Beast/Prince Adam
Robby Benson
Belle
Paige O’Hara
Maurice
Rex Everhart
Lumiere
Jerry Orbach
Cogsworth/Narrator
David Ogden Stiers
Mrs Potts
Angela Lansbury
Chip
Bradley Pierce
Gaston
Richard White
Lefou
Jesse Corti
Wardrobe
Jo Anne Worley
Stove
Brian Cummings
Bookseller
Alvin Epstein
Monsieur D’Arque
Tony Jay
Baker
Alec Murphy
Featherduster
Kimmy Robertson
Philippe
Hal Smith
Footstool
Frank Welker
Tom
Jack Angel
Stanley
Bill Farmer
Dick
Phil Proctor