Only 70 percent of the animation was finished, so the audience saw 30 percent crude pencil drawings paired with the soundtrack, and nevertheless, by all accounts, it received a historically rapturous reception, with cheers throughout, and a 10-minute standing ovation.
For some perspective, the film was first shown to an audience in September 1991 at the New York Film Festival, in an unfinished “work print” cut. Only 70 percent of the animation was finished, so the audience saw 30 percent crude pencil drawings paired with the soundtrack, and nevertheless, by all accounts, it received a historically rapturous reception, with cheers throughout, and a 10-minute standing ovation. Beauty and the Beast went on to become the first animated film to gross $100 million in the United States, nominated for six Oscars. The soundtrack album was nominated for Album of the Year at the Grammys. The less said about the campy—financially successful, but featherweight—2017 remake, the better.