Beauty and the Beast | |
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Title frame from Beauty and the Beast. | |
Format | television series |
Creator(s) | Ron Koslow |
Company | CBS |
Run dates | 1987-90 |
Genres | drama, urban fantasy, romance |
Country of origin | USA |
Beauty and the Beast is an American television series created by Ron Koslow, which ran on CBS for three seasons from 25 September 1987 to 4 August 1990. It updates the concept of the fairy tale "Beauty and the Beast"; in particular, there is some connection to the Jean Cocteau film of 1946, La Belle et la Bête. The television series, however, has a double focus. On the one hand, it explores a secret Utopian community of social outcasts living in a subterranean sanctuary. On the other hand, it focuses on the relationship between Catherine (Linda Hamilton), a savvy assistant District attorney in New York, and Vincent (Ron Perlman), a mythic, noble man-beast. Vincent's makeup was devised by veteran Hollywood makeup artist Rick Baker.
The series follows the developing relationship between the characters and the division between New York and the hidden world beneath it. Through an empathic bond, Vincent senses Catherine's emotions, and becomes her guardian. In a twist from the original tale, however, this "beast" does not transform into society's idea of beauty after gaining her love. Rather, Vincent's inner beauty is allowed to remain the focus of his identity, and it is Catherine's life which transforms through her relationship to Vincent.
Beauty and the Beast was cancelled with a cliffhanger finale at the end of Season Two. However, after an strong fan petition for its return, the series was brought back. Jo Anderson became the new female lead, playing Diana Bennet, a police woman investigating Catherine's murder. Although still popular with its dedicated fans, the darker, more resolutely violent aspects of the reworked concept, coupled with the fatal loss of the all-important central relationship between Catherine and Vincent, led to a further decline in ratings; and the show was cancelled after an abbreviated third season.
- Adapted from the Wikipedia article on Beauty and the Beast.