This week’s #SongLyricsSunday is “look for songs that are written or sung by someone named Tom/Dick/Harry or a song that includes one of these names in the lyrics.” At first glance, I thought about the song “Gaston” from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Then I realized that there is no Harry in this adaption, but a Stanley. This didn’t deter me to talk about my favorite Disney movie as well as my favorite fairy tale for this post.
(#SongLyricsSunday is a weekly song lyrics prompt hosted by Jim at A Unique Title For Me. Anyone is free to join. The rules on how to join are at the bottom of this post)
My Love For Beauty and the Beast
My very first movie was Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. I was two years old when it came out, which can be perceived to be really young to go to the theater. Nevertheless, my aunt took me to see it. I don’t remember if I liked it then or how did I feel afterward as I have no recollections of seeing it when I was little. I have to ask my mom or aunt about it.
Yet, I became obsessed with the movie when I was in elementary school. I would watch the movie every day when I was in the second grade. I would come home from school, pop in the VHS tape, and just watch it from start to end. I wonder if I annoyed my brother and mom every time I watched it.
I still watch the original animated movie from time to time. Recently, I have been watching more of the musical adaption as I recently found some low-quality footage of a national tour and the LA tryouts (before it went to Broadway). I also watch or read other retellings of the fairy tale (that isn’t related to the Disney version). Recently finishing the book A Curse So Dark and Lonely and I liked it a lot. (I would also recommend watching the recent Italian retelling with Alessandro Preziosi and Blanca Suárez.)
Why I am so entranced with Beauty and the Beast? It has to be the main character, Belle. She can be stubborn and headstrong, but she is kind, intelligent, and adventurous. She is highly independent while craves to be different from the crowd. She wants more than the provincial town she lives in. More than the average woman that lives in the town. Her personality is an inspiration as she is the type of person that I yearn for. Belle is my role model as I want to be independent, intelligent, and a bit adventurous.
My Favorite Adaption
I really enjoy the musical adaption as I feel there is more character development for each character, especially with Belle and the Beast. I know that the movie gets a lot of criticism of promoting Stockholm Syndrome; however, I don’t think the movie doesn’t show signs of it. Belle had a choice of leaving the castle (and almost did) but returned because she felt responsible for getting the Beast injured with the wolves. She could have left him to die but she didn’t.
If you watch the musical, you would understand more of The Beast’s personality. He might show an outward appearance of being arrogant and apathetic. But in the inside, he is really shy, insecure, and like a child. During the musical numbers like “How Long Must This Go On?” and “If I Can’t Love Her”, I felt sorry for the Beast more for the situation he was in.
There are talks that Disney will revive this stage production. If you ever have a chance, I would strongly watch it as it a fantastic production!
Who EXACTLY is Tom, Dick, and Stanley?
Now onto the main part of the post: Who is Tom, Dick, and Stanley?
Tom, Dick, and Stanley are followers of Gaston. They are background characters in the original animated film, usually appearing during scenes with Gaston. They appeared in the 2017 live-action remake with slightly bigger screen time and more character. It is unknown if they are ever-present in the original Broadway production.
In the original animated version, LeFou first mentions about three guys named Tom, Dick, and Stanley in the song “Gaston”. The purpose behind the tune was to boost up Gaston’s morals at the tavern. According to a Wikipedia for Disney movies, Lefou names “the shorter man Tom, the thin man Dick, and the husky man Stanley” while tooting about how great Gaston is.[1]
“If you ask any Tom, Dick, or Stanley”
Lefou in “Gaston”
The trio first appeared earlier in the animated version during Gaston’s failed attempt to marry Belle. You can see them with another goon of Gaston’s, who appears to be older, with the three. This older character was cut in the live-action version for reasons unknown. After the failed wedding, you can see the trio during the mob scene at the end of the film.
The characters saw that they got a bigger part and more character development during the live-action remake, especially Stanley. The husky man, portrayed by Alexis Loizon, has more character development and screen time than the other two.
No One Can Do It Like Gaston
To be honest, I really don’t like “Gaston”. I usually skip the song whenever watching the animated movie because I get bored with the song a lot. Maybe because I don’t like the character that much. Gaston is like the villain of the story: a guy who doesn’t want Belle to have her own happily ever after. He is egotistical, arrogant, and possessive — three traits that would turn me off from someone instantly.
If you have to ask me what are my favorite songs from all versions of Beauty and the Beast (animated, musical, and live-action), it would “Belle”, “If I Can’t Love Her”, and “A Change in Me”.
Even though I don’t thoroughly don’t enjoy “Gaston” due to the title character’s traits don’t mind you should skip this song. One of the last songs to have song lyrics to be written by the late Howard Ashman, “Gaston” is a fun song that is akin to a drinking song with its humorous lyrics. When revisiting the songs from the movie, composer Alan Menken reminisces the tongue-n-cheek nature of the lyrics. Menken remarked that “Gaston” was a “drinking song sung by basically a group of Neanderthal level guys in praise of a complete lug-head”.[2]
What do you think of “Gaston”? Do you have any favorite tunes from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (animated, musical, or live-action)? Or, do you have experiences with the movie that you like to share? Let me know in the comments below!
If you want to participate, here are the rules:
- Post the lyrics to the song of your choice, whether it fits the theme or not.
- Please try to include the songwriter(s) – it’s a good idea to give credit where credit is due.
- Make sure you also credit the singer/band and if you desire you can provide a link to where you found the lyrics.
- Link to the YouTube video, or pull it into your post so others can listen to the song.
- Ping back to this post will eventually work, as long as you are being patient, but you can also place your link in the comments if you don’t like to wait.
- Read at least one other person’s blog, so we can all share new and fantastic music and create amazing new blogging friends in the process.
- Feel free to suggest future prompts.
- Have fun and enjoy the music.
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References
[1] “Gaston.” Disney Wiki, disney.fandom.com/wiki/Gaston.
[2] “Alan Menken Revisits ‘Beauty & The Beast’.” ComicMix, 2 Oct. 2010, www.comicmix.com/2010/10/02/alan-menken-revisits-beauty-and-the-beast/.
I appreciate your side-notes and impressions about the main character. I think it is cute you used to watch the movie every day. My sons had their favorites like that also.
I can see from your post that you really like Beauty and the Beast. Thanks for sharing your music and explaining about Tom, Dick, and Stanley/
Interesting, I never noticed that before now. It is neat seeing how you broke down everything, this is one of my favorite movies.
This is so neat, I’ve never noticed that before and this is one of my favorite movies. I like your break down of everything, it made for a neat read.
I used to watch Disney movies everyday too! We didn’t have cable and the internet wasn’t a thing yet, so we just replayed Disney flicks. Time well spent!
How interesting! I never realized they had names. I like “Gaston” actually 🙂 It’s funny in a dry sort of way and very catchy.
I don’t like Gaston either, he is selfish and ignorant. I do love the Beauty and the beast, I watched both the original and the remake. I remember the cartoon, it was sooooo good! It’s still my favorite over the movie.
Okay, so Beauty and the Beast was also NB favorite Disney cartoon to the point that I memorized every single line, every single song and I’d even do their voices 😂 but never wondered about the trio. 😁 very interesting read 👍🏼
Disney will always be a classic! Loved reading this post.
I love all things Beauty and the Beast. My daughter is obsessed with the live action movie. I prefer the original.
I am totally a Disney girl, and I love both the animated and live-action version. I think my favorite song between both is “Forevermore” from the live-action movie. I watched Beauty and the Beast a lot, but The Little Mermaid was my every-day-after-school movie!
I love Disney movies..I may be 51, but with 6 Grandz I have seen so many..and with 5 of 6 girls I have seen all the princess movies. I love Beauty and the Beast!!
That is very interesting. I didn’t know that they actually named the characters Tom, Dick, and Stanley. Clever.
As much as I watch Disney movies, I haven’t notice it. You did well!
I reminisced & enjoyed listening to the video of Beauty & the Beast that you shared from Vevo. You’ve got an interesting list.
Just like you…I really like the Beauty and the Beast, I love Disney movies x
Beauty and the Beast is my favorite! I saw the live version on broadway years ago and it was Amazing!!!
Wow I didn’t know who these characters were and I’ve seen this a few times.
I love all things Beauty and the Beast! The characters, the plot and the ending of course!!
Kileen
cute & little
This is one of my favorite movies! I love that you mentioned the not well-known characters. You can’t have a slightly narcissistic man without his buddies who follow him around. LOL Thank you for sharing.
Beauty and the Beast is my favorite Disney movie. Thanks for sharing all this information.
Oh I love this! Beauty and the beast is one of my favorites. Still havent seen the live action though!
Interestingly, I had never realized this before. It’s good to see how you broke everything, it’s one of my favorite movies.
Excellent post! I feel the same about ‘Phantom of the Opera!’
Have a great week! 😊
I never really noticed them and I love Beauty and the Beast! LOL
I own the animated version but I have never watched this movie! Your enthusiasm for this movie makes me what to reconsider that! Thanks!
So I also love love beauty and the beast! I have seen the movies, the plays, live and on ice! This was so interesting and informative
Beauty and the Beast is such a classic! I loved it when I was a little girl. I like all of your insights too!
I love Beauty and the Beast! I’ve seen the movie a million times and the stage show twice. Now
I’ll have this song in my head all night!
Ha! Nothing beats the original
Celine Dion will forever be etched in my mind.
I’m a huge fan of Disney but I’ve actually never noticed this before. I don’t like Gaston either, he’s just selfish and arrogant.
I just watched beauty and the beast with my daughter the other day! We are going to Disney in February so we are fishing up on our Disney movies lol
What a fascinating post. My kids were big Disney fasn and it is always nice to read about some of the baclstories rto a production. I still love what they do.
This was some awesome info! I didn’t know. I can’t wait to test my brother in laws knowledge next time I see him!
How interesting. Beauty and the Beast is one of my all time favs too x
I watch Disney movies a lot and Beauty and the Beast is one of my favorites. 🙂
I’m not really a fan of Disney . I never watched this movie but it seems it’s a good one.
Thanks so much for the post.Much thanks again. Really Cool.