Background
In 1991, Disney released the animated film - Beauty and the Beast. It was a smash hit and has since grossed over $300 million in revenue. The main character was an eccentric girl named Belle, who ended up falling in love with the Beast (she was the "Beauty" in the film title).
Due to the popularity of the movie, Disney continues to release products based on Beauty and the Beast. And Belle is often included in the Disney Princesses line. Tonner Doll Company has the Disney Showcase Collection, which is essentially a premium collectible figure line featuring many of the most popular female Disney characters - one of which is Belle.
The Facts
Belle
Series: Disney Showcase Collection
Manufacturer: Tonner Doll Company
Material: Rotocast vinyl head, articulated plastic body, rooted saran hair
Dimensions: 15” tall (Tonner's teenage body)
Points of Articulation: 14 (neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists, chest, hips, knees and ankles)
Outfit: White cotton long-sleeved blouse; white petticoat; soft blue jumper with matching hair ribbon; black faux leather shoes
Accessories: Display stand
Edition Size: 1,000 pieces
Packaging
Belle comes packaged in the Disney Showcase Collection box. It's a fairly simple outer box design, with just blue and black vertical lines. Inside, the figure is tied in using ribbons and Styrofoam protection. The lone accessory/outfit item that is bagged separately are the shoes.
Our Opinion
Recently, most of the articulated figures that Tonner has been releasing are either based on film or comic book licenses. And the film licenses are usually live action movies. But probably one of their more popular lines - especially with girls - is the Walt Disney showcase Collection. Essentially, it's Tonner releasing the various "Disney Princesses" as dressed dolls.
Belle - from the animated hit Beauty and the Beast - is rather plain in her simple blue and white jumper and petticoat. (There is a version of Belle available in her yellow gown) But the outfit is the spitting image of her on screen version. It would have been great if the figure came with a few accessories though. Maybe the clock or the teapot from the film?
The Tonner folks also did a new head sculpt that looks great. This just reiterates my opinion that Tonner consistently aces female face sculpts (the guys...about 50% to 75% of the time). The front of the hair is styled just like the film, but the back is done in a weird bun/roll thing...and seems way too long.
Overall, I think this would be a great addition if you or your daughter collect Disney Princesses or Beauty and the Beast memorabilia. Of course, this isn't a figure that you'd want little Suzie taking outside and playing with (not for $150). But it would make a great addition to any Disney collection.
You can pick one up at the following:
TonnerDirect.com: $149.99
Belle Grades:
Figure Quality: 9/10
Sculpt: 9/10
Paint: 10/10
Accessories/Outfit: 9/10
Packaging: 7/10
Durability: 8/10
Fun Factor: 7/10
Value: 8/10
Overall: 8.9/10
