Howard: The Howard Ashman Story (Documentary)

[Clindor]

I watched it yesterday twice and it’s a great follow-up to the ‘Waking Sleeping Beauty’ documentary (which I rewatched after that) I think you may as well reconsider it as a solid ‘annex’ to the latter (for that matter some parts really feel common to both documentaries.) It especially gives a deeper insight on Howard’s struggles to make the work done as he meant it to be while being weakened by the sickness, with further details about his personal life that remained untold (compared to DVDs/Blu-rays’ Making-Ofs, bonus features and other documentaries), his personal views on the situations, new interviews..

As all documentaries, it feels in some ways manipulative, but I won’t lie, it doesn’t struggle at all to get highly emotional. Not a bit. Made me cry just as WSB did 10 years ago. You can feel all the tension for the artist .. (until you can’t hold it anymore)

[MerPrincessJamie]

Howard Ashman's music saved my life. I cried like a baby and smiled too.

[NeoSuperBlissey]

The only thing I disliked about "Howard" was that Don Hahn neglected to mention that Howard Ashman did not make his Disney debut with The Little Mermaid, but with Oliver and Company ("Once Upon a Time in New York City," to be specific). But all in all, a beautiful film--and having Alan Menken do the music score was a definite plus.

[MerPrincessJamie]

The only thing I disliked about "Howard" was that Don Hahn neglected to mention that Howard Ashman did not make his Disney debut with The Little Mermaid, but with Oliver and Company ("Once Upon a Time in New York City," to be specific). But all in all, a beautiful film--and having Alan Menken do the music score was a definite plus.

Really? I didn't know that!

[Disney's Divinity]

Howard Ashman's music saved my life. I cried like a baby and smiled too.

Wow! No doubt Ashman made a big impact on my life as well and many other lives, too, to varying degrees.

[MerPrincessJamie]

Howard Ashman's music saved my life. I cried like a baby and smiled too.

Wow! No doubt Ashman made a big impact on my life as well and many other lives, too, to varying degrees.

8


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBzagBlPFVQ&t=2426s

(my story is mentioned at the 38:00 ish mark.)

[Farerb]

^ that is an awful thing to go through and I'm really glad you're okay. It's great to hear that Part of Your World saved your life. Ashman's songs have been important to me since childhood and I'm glad to see that they helped others as well.
Thank you for sharing your story

[Disney's Divinity]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBzagBlPFVQ&t=2426s

(my story is mentioned at the 38:00 ish mark.)

I heard her say the name Jamie to an audience member, which I assume was you. Were you the burn victim she talked about?

[Sotiris]

The only thing I disliked about "Howard" was that Don Hahn neglected to mention that Howard Ashman did not make his Disney debut with The Little Mermaid, but with Oliver and Company ("Once Upon a Time in New York City," to be specific).

He addressed that in an interview.

Q: Did you ever have stuff in the documentary related to Howard’s work on Oliver & Company?

Don Hahn: I did. I did. He wrote a terrific song for Oliver & Company. And it was noteworthy in that it was his first song there just like the Tina Turner script was his first thing at Disney. But in the end I pulled it out because it was kind of a detour. And I felt like unless I could play some of the song or show some of the production, it just became shoe leather, just to cover that as a biographical point. So yeah, the first cuts of the movie were three-hours long. And after a while, I just thought I have to focus on what is important in the end.

Source: https://collider.com/howard-director-do ... interview/

[Farerb]

Was the Tribeca cut pretty much what we’re seeing on Disney+?

HAHN: It’s really close. I mean, we made a few adjustments and swapped out a few photos, but it’s fairly close to what you’ll see.

I had a feeling about it when I saw the footages from Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast remakes. I don't think they were originally there since this documentary was released in 2018, completed way before Aladdin went into production.

[NeoSuperBlissey]

The only thing I disliked about "Howard" was that Don Hahn neglected to mention that Howard Ashman did not make his Disney debut with The Little Mermaid, but with Oliver and Company ("Once Upon a Time in New York City," to be specific).

He addressed that in an interview.

Thank you, Sotiris. I stand corrected.

[Disney Duster]

MerPrincessJasmine, that is amazing that his music saved your life! You're still here, and happy, because of such wonderful songs.

[MerPrincessJamie]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBzagBlPFVQ&t=2426s

(my story is mentioned at the 38:00 ish mark.)

I heard her say the name Jamie to an audience member, which I assume was you. Were you the burn victim she talked about?

Yes. It's been a beautiful 7 year journey that I'm writing a book about. I had no idea when I was in the audience that Paige and Jodi was going to mention me at all, much less call me her daughter in front of 1,000 people... I was very humbled .

[Disney Duster]

MerPrincessJasmine, if Ariel is your favorite Disney character, I get the "Mer" part of your name, but what about the "Jasmine" part of your name, because Paige O'Hara said your second favorite Disney princess was Belle?

[blackcauldron85]

Jamie, that made me tear up. I'm so glad that Howard's magic, Alan, Jodi, Disney really saved your life. You're incredibly brave- thank you for sharing that with us! <3

[Vlad]

Just watched it, and I loved it. It was a great follow-up to Waking Sleeping Beauty. It made tear up several times.

I loved the behind the scenes footage to The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast.

[DisneyFan97]

I never know he was gay.

[Farerb]

D23 Inside Disney Celebrates the Magic and Music of Howard Ashman:
https://youtu.be/wvE2xyo_L-s

Join us for a special video edition of the D23 Inside Disney podcast, celebrating the beautiful, moving film Howard, an original documentary now streaming on Disney+. Howard tells the story of legendary lyricist—and Disney Legend—Howard Ashman, who penned for Disney the unforgettable lyrics to songs from The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin.

Guests Include:
Disney Legend and songwriter, Alan Menken
Disney Legend and the voice of Ariel, Jodi Benson
Disney Legend and the voice of Belle, Paige O’Hara
Howard Ashman’s sister, Sarah Gillespie
Howard Ashman’s partner, Bill Lauch
Howard director and legendary producer, Don Hahn

[DisneyBluLife]

MerPrincessJasmine, if Ariel is your favorite Disney character, I get the "Mer" part of your name, but what about the "Jasmine" part of your name, because Paige O'Hara said your second favorite Disney princess was Belle?

It is Jamie, not Jasmine.

[Disney Duster]

Oh, yes you're right! God, that was dumb of me! Thank you for explaining DisneyBluLife!