Disney’s legendary producer, Don Hahn (Beauty and the Beast, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, The Hunchback of Notre Dame), takes his seat in the director’s chair for the self-funded documentary, Howard, sharing the untold story of Howard Ashman, the brilliant lyricist behind Disney classics like Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid and creator of musicals including Little Shop of Horrors.
This documentary features never-before-seen archival footage, personal films and photographs, as well as interviews with Howard’s friends and family, the film is an intimate look at the Disney Legend’s life, his creative drive, and the process behind the music. Spanning his childhood in Baltimore, to his formative years in New York, and his untimely death due to AIDS, Howardgoes in-depth to explore his journey to become the lyricist behind some of the most beloved and well-known classic family films in the world.
We caught up with Hahn and revealed some of the Disney Magic that it took in producing this film. This is a wonderful tribute to Howard Ashman, who with the blessing of his sister, allowed Hahn to produce and direct this film about a man who reminds us that we will never have another friend like him.
Hahn revealed that his composing partner, fellow Disney Legend Alan Menken composed the documentary as a tribute to his late friend. We also discussed how through Howard Ashman, the Jodi Benson the incredible voice behind Ariel in The Little Mermaid was discovered as they worked together in the New York theatre scene.
Don Hahn has a way of plucking every emotional string in the human body with his past works and with Howard. Thanks to him, we are reminded just how significant music is to hour lives and through Hahn, we know that we will never have a friend like Howard Ashman again, even if we didn’t know him personally.
Howard, had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival, is now streaming on Disney+.
