January 10, 2008
The Illustrated Man
WARNING: SUPER LONG POST. CONTAINS MATERIAL THAT MAY INDUCE WRITERLY PROCRASTINATION
The Sunday before last, I posted a list of silver screen icons my mom and grandmom used to drool over. This week, I’ve got an even better list of hunks. Only these hotties aren’t of the flesh and blood variety. In fact, they came from an illustrator’s imagination.
Set aside a few minutes and revisit some great movie moments featuring ten of my favorite animated heroes. In case you’re wondering, it took nearly an hour and a half to find this stuff, but it was a labor of love. So here’s my list in descending order:
NUMBER 10: Tramp (Lady and the Tramp, 1955)
I adore Tramp because I love badass heroes. Yes, he’s a dog, but I could say the same about a lot of men. When I was a little girl, I had a major crush on him. I kid you not. Tramp was the bad boy all the b*tches (I’m talking female canines!) would’ve chewed off a paw just swap fleas with. He had street smarts, courage and an attitude, that’s why he’s in my top ten.
FIRST DATE (Spaghetti scene)
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NUMBER 9: Captain Gray Edwards (Final Fantasy–The Spirits Within, 2001)
I adore Gray because he’s alpha through and through. You can best believe he’ll have your back when the going gets rough. He proved as much when he gave his life for Aki, the woman he loved.
THE KISS! (Gray and Aki)
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NUMBER 8: Shang (Mulan, 1998)
I adore Shang because he’s a fearless warrior who wouldn’t think twice about dying for a worthy cause. A man of discipline, strength and honor, Shang was the soldier all others longed to imitate. He stands as an excellent example of true courage. But even great champions like him are no match for Cupid’s power. And when Shang fell for Mulan, he fell hard. :::Sigh::: :-) I’ve always had a soft spot for proud tough guys who are humbled by love.


SPEAKING VOICE: BD Wong (left) SINGING VOICE: Donny Osmond (right)
TRAINING SCENE (Shang sings I’ll Make A Man Out Of You)
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NUMBER 7: Tarzan (Tarzan, 1999)
I adore Tarzan because he’s a strong and fearless hero, with an understated sensuality. He doesn’t know he’s sexy and that’s what makes him so yummy. He also has an innocence that appeals to a woman’s maternal instincts.
TARZAN AND JANE (Brief clip where he listens to her heartbeat)
BONUS: TARZAN AND JANE LOVESTORY MONTAGE (Song: You and Me by Lifehouse) This video sequence is beautiful, BTW.
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NUMBER 6: John Smith (Pocahontas, 1995)
I adore John because he’s soo, sooooo alpha, brave and very easy on the eyes.
Too bad he turned out to be a self-absorbed jerk in the sequel. LOL!

VOICE: Mel Gibson
JOHN SMITH AND POCAHONTAS (Their first meeting)
BONUS: JOHN SMITH AND POCAHONTAS (Pocahontas sings Colors Of The Wind)
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NUMBER 5: Aladdin (Aladdin, 1992)
I adore Aladdin because he didn’t let his station in life hold him back. He followed his dreams and his heart.


SPEAKING VOICE: Scott Weinger (left) SINGING VOICE: Brad Kane (right)
MAGIC CARPET RIDE (Aladdin and Princess Jasmine sing A Whole New World)
BONUS: The recording session for A Whole New World
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NUMBER 4: Prince Eric (The Little Mermaid, 1989)
I adore Prince Eric because he’s adventurous, fearless and he fought hard for Ariel once the Sea Witch’s spell was broken.

VOICE: Christopher Daniel Barnes
KISS THE GIRL (Ariel and Prince Eric take a boat ride)
BONUS: PART OF YOUR WORLD (Prince Eric wakes after Ariel rescues him from the sea)
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NUMBER 3: Dimitri (Anastasia, 1997)
I adore Dimitri because he was a antihero. It’s rare to find such a SEVERELY flawed male lead in an animated movie. And Dimitri was definitely flawed, in fact, I think it’s safe to say that his emotional transformation had the most impact on the plot. Starting off selfish and conniving, he had one goal throughout the movie. To make a huge fortune by deceiving a grief-stricken old woman, but when it was all said and done, he gave it up for love. Now THAT’S a true hero, ladies and gents!
THE END (Anya/Anastacia chooses Dimitri)
BONUS: (Once Upon A December–this sequence always makes me teary)
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NUMBER 2: Prince Phillip (Sleeping Beauty, 1959)
I adore Prince Phillip because he fought for what he wanted and never gave up. Ignoring pressure from his father, he followed his heart and found love with a lowly village girl. Only she turned out to be the very princess he was betrothed to. Then he courageously kicked Maleficent’s crazy ass with his trusty sword, a shield and a little bit of magic.

VOICE: SPEAKING/SINGING — Bill Shirley
ONCE UPON A DREAM (Prince Phillip meets Princess Aurora in the woods)
BONUS: THE END — DING DONG THE B*TCH IS DEAD (Battle Royale/The Kiss/HEA)
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NUMBER 1: The Beast/Prince (Beauty and the Beast, 1991)


I adore the Beast/Prince because he ROCKS!!! If we’re talking about giving it all up for love, NOBODY, absolutely NOBODY compares. A cruel, foul-tempered brute with an affinity for roaring at anyone who pissed him off, the Beast was slowly transformed by “Beauty.” And when his dream of breaking the enchantress’ spell was just within his reach, he let Belle go. Why? Because he valued her happiness above his own. That’s why he’s my number one.

VOICE: Robby Benson
FIRST “DATE” (Beast and Belle eat dinner and dance)
BONUS: THE END (Fight scene/Death/Transformation/HEA)







Nice, nostalgic romp
We lost the old VHS tape of Aladin years ago and just replaced it this Xmas. Still one of our favourites. Love all the characters in that one. And Beauty and the beast is right up there too. Great clips, Tanya.
THIS is why I can’t get rid of all those old VHS tapes!!!!!!! I LOVE Mulan (and I’m the only one in the family who does) *sigh* and I adore BD Wong (hello LAO LOL)
*sigh* nice trip down memory lane Tanya! Thanks!
My goodness, you HAVE been busy, lol.
Actually, John Smith WAS a shit…but we won’t go there…
Very sweet post. I remember like Tramp very much. Good memory.
Oh yes, but my favorite illustrated man was Robin Hood from Disney’s animal version of Robin Hood. His voice done by Brian Bedford, who I had the pleasure of seeing in a live stage performance of Much Ado About Nothing years later.
He was just as dreamy then too! :D
Disney does Fairy Tale Heroes very well.
What a WONDERFUL blog post! Brought back a lot of memories - lol. *sigh* Thanks, girl. Made my day.
I was kind of partial to Race Bannonn from Jonny Quest. I know, who? Although I do love Prince Phillip
Bailey - I loved watching Johnny Quest.
Ivan,
Good to see you round these here parts. :-)
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Vanessa,
I just bought the DVD to Aladdin. We’ve had the VHS tape for some time, but when the VCR broke, I was SOL
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Cece,
I love Mulan too. I watched it for the first time during Christmas and ended up buying the DVD. I thought the story was really great. And I’ve liked BD Wong since I first saw him in Jurassic Park.
Raine,
I know! Wasn’t he just horrible? I was really disappointed because I felt like they screwed the character up for the sake of the sequel. While I know Pocahontas and Smith never got together (considering the fact she was a child at the time) they could’ve gotten creative with the plot and gave them an HEA. I did like the guy she ended up with though. He was nice.
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Amy,
Now I’ve got to put that on my Netflix queue. I haven’t seen Robin Hood since I was a kid. I barely remember it.
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Lynn,
Yep. Disney can always be counted on for a great story, especially when they use traditional animation.
Lyn,
Glad you enjoyed it. I spent way too much time on youtube the other day. One video led to another, and then another. It all brought back a lot of memories, especially Sleeping Beauty’s waltz.
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Bailey,
Great to see you! I hope things are getting better for you and yours. I remember Quest but that other name isn’t familiar.
.