V is for — Vincent from Beauty and the Beast 
I’ve always loved the storyline of the Beauty and the Beast fairytale — the cursed beast-prince angry and brooding in his dark castle, saved by the love of a kind and beautiful woman.
In 1987, Ron Koslow created a TV show based on this fairytale, but with a twist. The Beast, in this case, isn’t a witch-enchanted prince, but an extraordinary man named Vincent (played by Ron Perlman) with princely bearing who looks to be part lion. His tawny hair resembles a lion’s mane, and his features, a lion’s face. He is tall and incredibly strong and fierce, but with the heart of a poet.
Beauty is a woman named Catherine (Linda Hamilton of Terminator fame) who initially works in her father’s law firm, then becomes assistant district attorney in New York City. In a case of mistaken identity, she is brutally beaten by thugs and left for dead in Central Park. Vincent finds her, takes her to his underground home, and nurses her back to health. Through an empathetic connection, he senses her feelings and knows when she is in danger, rescuing her often, like a guardian angel.
The story takes place in Manhattan, both above and below ground, focusing on Catherine’s life as an ADA and Vincent’s life with his adopted family/community that lives in tunnels deep underground, hidden away from the real world. Catherine and Vincent’s sweet relationship grows throughout the series, strengthening into pure and true fairytale love.
One of the things I loved most about the show was the classical music and poetry they wove into each episode. This is where I first heard the beginning of William Blake’s Auguries of Innocence.
“To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour…”
Vincent had the most wonderful voice that brought to life the poems he read aloud. My favorite was Shakespeare’s Sonnet XXIX. Absolutely exquisite. The episodes inspired me to delve into the music and literature referenced, which expanded my knowledge and appreciation of poetry and classical music in general.
I really enjoyed the first two seasons of the show. Linda Hamilton left the show early in the third season because she was pregnant, and the show never recovered and was cancelled.
An interesting bit of trivia: Author George R.R. Martin (Game of Thrones) was one of the producers of the show and wrote fourteen episodes.
To learn more about Beauty and the Beast, visit http://www.classicalliance.net/.
Photo Credit: IMDB
© Lori L. MacLaughlin and Writing, Reading, and the Pursuit of Dreams, 2015. All rights reserved.
Writing, Reading, and the Pursuit of Dreams 
Wow, I haven’t thought about this show in years! It’s one of the few I used to sit with my mom and watch. We were both sad when it never recovered 😦 Thanks for bringing back great memories! I may have to look at some of the scenes on You Tube!
http://www.heathermccubbin.blogspot.com
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I was sad, too, with what they did with Season 3, and then the cancellation. The first two seasons are available on DVD and are on my wish list.
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I remember the show. Shame it didn’t last longer. I wonder how many characters Martin killed off in that one.
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I wondered that, too, after I read that detail. I’m trying to think back now.
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I don’t remember this – another one that maybe didn’t make it across the pond?
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Probably it didn’t. It’s well worth seeing if you find it somewhere.
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I never even heard of this show!!!!
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It doesn’t sound like it went out of the U.S. If you like that type of story, it’s really good.
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Ron Perlman looks much better in his lion suit than without. I know, so mean of me to say! x(
Elizabeth Mueller
AtoZ 2015
My Little Pony
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The lion suit is an interesting look. It’s certainly unique.
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The Beast is my favorite guy of the fairy tales. Perlman’s characterization of him really brought him alive.
Take 25 to Hollister
The View from the Top of the Ladder
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I’ve always liked that tale, and Ron Perlman played the role perfectly.
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I remember this show being on, Lori, but never had the opportunity to watch it. The poetry as you described woven into the program does sound intriguing, as well as the masterful handling of the score. Now I’m intrigued and I’ll have to hunt it down.
And what an interesting tidbit about Martin too.
Loved the video. Cheers!
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I really enjoyed the show. It was romantic and different.
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Visiting you in these closing days of the #Challenge. An interesting theme. Enjoyed today’s post. A lot of work to participate, but I hope you have had fun. This is my 3rd year. If you have time or energy at this point in April, come and see what I’ve been up to. Love finding good blogs like yours. Thanks.
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Thank you! I plan on doing an A to Z road trip to catch up on all the posts I haven’t had a chance to read, so I’ll be over soon. Thanks for stopping by!
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I loved Beauty and the Beast – the animated movie, growing up. I never knew there was a tv show based on the fairytale.
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It was made back in the late ’80s, so it hasn’t been around for a while, but it’s available on DVD if you want to check it out. Beauty and the Beast is my favorite Disney animated movie.
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Ron Perlman has the best voice. This was such a different show. I didn’t catch all the episodes, but it stands out in my mind to this day.
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I loved his poetry readings. The first two seasons were really good.
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