Aladdin Discussion

[D82]

How sad and unexpected. I listened to a podcast with him and Alan Menken not that long ago and he sounded fine there, but I guess he was already suffering from that illness. I agree, he was great as Iago. Definitely one of the best Disney villain sidekicks.

[Kyle]

This really sucks. He'll was known for many things, but of course iago is what I'll instantly always go to. I'm surprised someone like James earl Jones can live to be as old as he is, yet Gillbert has to die so young. I tend to think barring some kind of freak accident most celebs will just keep going until they're 80 or 90 something. I didn't even know he was sick.

Aladdin was my childhood crush! Next was Flynn but Aladdin still beats him everyday (probably cuz he doesn't wear a shirt lol)

aladdin with nipples is so cursed.

[Farerb]

30th Anniversary DMC exclusive:

[Disney Duster]

That's one beautiful cover.

[blackcauldron85]

Alan Menken on 'Aladdin' turning 30 and the journey of an animated classic
https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/24/entertai ... index.html

“Aladdin” 30th Anniversary Celebratory Performances to Be Held at The Soraya In Los Angeles
https://www.laughingplace.com/w/news/20 ... he-soraya/

[Sotiris]

I recently discovered that Lea Salonga had recorded the pop version of "A Whole New World" with Jose Mari Chan in English for the Filipino release of Aladdin.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlEuEpZW_ts

[Sotiris]

I knew about the anagram, but not about the expo trip.

[John Musker] recalls that on Aladdin, which debuted amid the Gulf War, he had to disguise the name Baghdad with its anagram Agrabah: “Because of the war, we couldn’t even go there to do research. Our big research took place at the Saudi Arabian expo at the Los Angeles Convention Center.”

Source: https://english.elpais.com/culture/2024 ... ncess.html

[Mooky]

Aladdin Star Scott Weinger Remembers First Time He Met Robin Williams: 'I'll Be Your Genie'

[Mooky]

"Prince Ali" rough vocal track where the whole song was sung by Robin Williams:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?si=3U4fM4hd ... e=youtu.be

[blackcauldron85]

Do we think he was just being a placeholder for the other voices to be recorded? Super neat to hear, though; thank you for sharing!

[Kyle]

My assumption is that, not being a trained singer, they didn't know what lines would sound good for what they wanted, so they just had him sing the whole thing, and picked out the lines that sounded the most appealing. They knew they wouldn't be using the full thing, to avoid sounding too samey, but this puts all their options on the table to cherry pick the best bits.

[blackcauldron85]

That makes sense! Thanks

[Thumper_93]

Yesterday I get the platinum edition (in spain it was released as Special Edition) and it gave me nostalgia. When the movie was released here Disney made a great marketing campaign. I don't know it it sold well but they put much effort on it. They did the same with Snow White release and with BATB.

[UmbrellaFish]

I don’t know if it’s true or not, but I remember when the Platinum Edition came out in the states, the speculation on fan forums was that it sold really poorly. IIRC Aladdin was available for a longer time than any other Platinum Edition DVD, although it did, eventually, get vaulted. At the time of its release in 2004, people speculated its poor sales were a result of Anti-Arabic attitudes post-9/11.

It was sort of interesting because for a long time after the seeming disappointment of the Platinum release, I just thought Aladdin had fallen out of favor with the public. I remember thinking it might not make the cut into the Diamond line. To be honest, I did not perceive a favorable change in its popularity until the passing of Robin Williams*. Everyone started talking about their favorites of his roles, with Genie being often mentioned. Then the live action remake surprised by hitting a billion, and Jasmine merch seems to sell pretty well, too. Nowadays, the Aladdin fanbase seems alive and well. It’s interesting how so much can change in 10-20 years!

* In a larger sense, I felt this was also true of Williams’ work in general. I wouldn’t have called him a has been, but when he passed he was in an awkward stage in his career. Somewhere between the height of his critical and popular success, and what might have been a last chapter as a national treasure… making cameos as beloved grandfathers and getting standing O’s presenting at the Oscars. That kind of thing. RIP.

[Thumper_93]

In Spain it has always been a beloved classic. The platinum edition is very easy to find in second hand shops and in websites and that makes me think that it sold well.
They also released lots of packs by the time. I remember one called "Tus tres deseos" (your three wishes) that included Aladdin, Home on the range and another one that I can't remember at all. My parents bought this pack for me.

[Farerb]

How come has no one mentioned here the original treatment by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken:
https://www.scribd.com/document/3616570 ... 988-31-pgs

I haven't read it all but it seems extremely different than how the movie turned out in the end. Here is a summary:

In the original story, originally set in Baghdad, there were two genies: The Genie of the Ring - who would serve as the film's narrator appear from time to time to comment on and explain various points of the story - and The Genie of the Lamp. Aladdin is actually not an adult; instead, he is about fifteen years old and is motivated by the need to prove to his mother that he is responsible, capable of growing up and making her proud. Babkak, Omar, and Kasim are Aladdin’s gang of friends. Jafar was not "Jafar" yet; instead, he was called The Wazir, and his "smart-mouthed, back-talking sidekick" parrot was named Sinbad.

However, most surprising is the description of Jasmine as “ a purely comic creation; the ultimate in pampered spoiled brattiness” as well as the character Abbi:

"The tomboy female component in Aladdin’s gang. (In West Side Story she’d play ‘Anybody’s.’) She’s the Girl-Next-Door to Aladdin, and he doesn’t even notice that she is a girl until fairly late in the proceedings. But when he does notice, boy are we happy."

The original love story of the film would be as follows:

"While on an epic adventure to save the princess, Aladdin would see Abbi’s love for him manifested as she protects him on his journey. Though he is offered the princess’ hand in marriage after saving her life and the kingdom, Aladdin ultimately refuses in favor of true love with Abbi."

Source:
https://lostmediawiki.com/Aladdin_(foun ... ilm;_1988)

What do you guys think? And which version do you prefer?

[Disney Duster]

I think that other version is too far from the original classic fairy tale in that Aladdin doesn't get the princess. It sounds like what I think a lot of '80s movies did where a tomboy becomes the desired choice of a boy in the end after he chased a more feminine girl before. I definitely prefer the one we got, though I do like the musical which uses Babkak, Omar, and Kasim.

[Thumper_93]

I think that other version is too far from the original classic fairy tale in that Aladdin doesn't get the princess. It sounds like what I think a lot of '80s movies did where a tomboy becomes the desired choice of a boy in the end after he chased a more feminine girl before. I definitely prefer the one we got, though I do like the musical which uses Babkak, Omar, and Kasim.

They also used the plot of Aladdin trying to make her mom proud of him in the musical. It seems that it was a concept that was around all the time. I don't know why they refused to use it in the movie. It's a very interesiting human feeling that would have apported more personality to him.

[Disney Duster]

Oh, yes, you are right Thumper, about all that!

[The Disneynerd]

Though the changes with a bratty princess and pals to lovers storyline along with Aladdins boygroup seems unique,  I love and prefer the version we got way more. Its way simpler as this had way too many distracting elements and the final one is more classic and  balanced with 1 genie and 1 love interest.

Glad it leaves them with opportunities to integrate the scrapped elements with spoiled princesses for other famous fairytale adaptations and the Boy makes Mama proud narrative for something like Beanstalk (yeah i know i mentioned it Million times by now)

They also used the plot of Aladdin trying to make her mom proud of him in the musical. It seems that it was a concept that was around all the time. I don't know why they refused to use it in the movie. It's a very interesiting human feeling that would have apported more personality to him.

I think its easier to determine the core of his character when he doesnt have multiple emotional goals. I also love the "make Mama proud" concept but it was a fine decision scrapping her altogether to mainly focus on his struggle with status and perception. Its something he has to learn for himself, not for his mother. Its also easier to write him off as a complete outcast this way with no place to stay or loved ones or friends other than a monkey.
But i still also love the Broadway version.