Brandy Lorenz: Re your beauty and the beast theme inquiry you might want to consider THE FACE BEHIND THE MASK (Columbia, 1941), one of the most complex and celebrated of the major studio "B" films of that era; the b andb theme is central . Astonishingly, for a picture shot in just over three weeks, it is simultaneously a horror film and a social consciousness picture, with a touching love story, a strong impression of the immigrant, urban milieu, and a commentary on the treatment of the handicapped. The story concerns a hopeful new immigrant to the US who is severely burned in a hotel fire . Although an expert watchmaker, his resulting facial disfigurement causes him to be denied employment, until in despair he eventually drifts into a life of crime. Only when he meets a blind girl, unaffected by his appearance, does someone recognize his true nature, and he reforms, but she is killed by his suspicious former associates. He exacts revenge, sacrificing his life in the process; Peter Lorre had the lead, with Evelyn Keyes as the girl. The initial release lasted nearly three years, extraordinarily long for a "B" of the time, and it was rereleased on multiple occasions into the 50s. This indicates its general popularity, and although critically well received, some reviewers of the time found the realistic depiction of the beauty-beast theme offensive. Director Robert Florey was a friend of Cocteau and the French intellectual and filmmaking community in general. If this is of any help, there is more in my book on Florey. Brian Taves Motion Picture Division Library of Congress Tavesmail.loc.gov