"Five Days of Fairytales" Day 3: A Few Facts You May or May Not Know about Beauty and the Beast

1. The original title is La Belle et la Bete.

2. The first published version of the tale was released in 1740 and was written by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villenevue. This version was longer with subplots, like more backstory of the Beast with his father, and the fact that Beauty was the daughter of a king and a good fairy, and she was adopted by a merchant for protection from a wicked fairy.

3. The abridged version of La Belle et la Bete was released in 1756 by Jeanne-Marie Le Prince de Beaumont. This version is the classic tale we're more familiar with today.

4. In the original tale, Beauty had three brothers and three sisters.

5. The first English translation of the tale appeared in 1757.

6. The very first film version of Beauty and the Beast was a short, silent film released in 1899.

7. Disney's 1991 version of Beauty and the Beast was the first animated film to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture.

8. I know I'm putting up Favorite Fairytale Quotes tomorrow, but I couldn't help but put this quote from the original La Belle et la Bete today:

At noon she found dinner ready, and while at the table, was entertained with an excellent concert of music, though without seeing anybody.

But at night, as she was going to sit down to supper, she heard the noise Beast made, and could not help being sadly terrified.

"Beauty," said the monster, "will you give me leave to see you sup?"

"That is as you please," answered Beauty trembling.

"No," replied the Beast, "you alone are mistress here; you need only bid me gone, if my presence is troublesome, and I will immediately withdraw. But, tell me, do not you think me very ugly?"

"That is true," said Beauty, "for I cannot tell a lie, but I believe you are very good natured."

"So I am," said the monster, "but then, besides my ugliness, I have no sense; I know very well, that I am a poor, silly, stupid creature."

"'Tis no sign of folly to think so," replied Beauty, "for never did fool know this, or had so humble a conceit of his own understanding."

"Eat then, Beauty," said the monster, "and endeavor to amuse yourself in your palace, for everything here is yours, and I should be very uneasy, if you were not happy."

"You are very obliging," answered Beauty, "I own I am pleased with your kindness, and when I consider that, your deformity scarce appears."

"Yes, yes," said the Beast, "my heart is good, but still I am a monster."

"Among mankind," says Beauty, "there are many that deserve that name more than you, and I prefer you, just as you are, to those, who, under a human form, hide a treacherous, corrupt, and ungrateful heart."

"If I had sense enough," replied the Beast, "I would make a fine compliment to thank you, but I am so dull, that I can only say, I am greatly obliged to you."