Movie: Sleeping Beauty
Release year: 1959
My reaction: Ahh, Sleeping Beauty. One of my all-time faves. I love the music (and the way it underscores so much of the movie), I love that they return multiple times to the “book” framing device, I love that Maleficent’s evil plan is to keep Prince Philip hostage until he’s old (too old for love?), and then to just let him go. I mean, that is devious. And this is all because she didn’t get invited to the party? I love all the repeat of voices we’ve heard before – Eleanor Audley, Verna Felton, Barbara Luddy, Bill Thompson, etc.
Fun Sleeping Beauty facts: The character of Aurora has a total of 18 minutes of screen time. The only Disney main character with fewer lines than Aurora is Dumbo, who doesn’t speak at all. Aurora’s mother doesn’t have a name (just “Stefan’s Queen”) although apparently some of the promo materials called her “Queen Leah.” What the what? Also, according to one site I looked at, there is apparently no record of who was her voice, although Wikipedia lists Verna Felton (who also plays Flora). The joke about “Pink or blue” was actually originally the filmmakers’ argument over whether her dress should be pink or blue.
The Cameraphone Diaries 
6 replies on “Disney Project 2014: Sleeping Beauty”
Haven’t seen this one in a while. Need to rewatch!
I was checking out your blog – I look forward to your sleeping beauty post =)
Nice catch…Disney was actually known foremost not for animation, but for using music to advance the plot. There were some great songs written for Disney movies that he cut because they just seemed like filler to him. Must have been frustrating for the songwriters.
Nice catch…Disney was actually known foremost not for animation, but for using music tfor advancing the plot. There were some great songs written for Disney movies that he cut because they just seemed like filler to him. Must have been frustrating for the songwriters.
One other thing…I showed this film to a high school class one day to illustrate plot/climax/etc. in literature, and near the end, when the witch turns into a dragon and booms out, “Now you will have to contend with ALL THE FORCES OF HELL!” there was a big thump from the back of the room–when a 260 pound, six foot tall student fell out of his chair and hit the floor. It was too good.
I remember that! Haha