Disney History - The Little Mermaid (Down to Disness)

[@KristinaHoogs]

I know people who don't like TLM argue that Ariel was just a young teen that gave up literally everything for a chance to kiss a man that she just saw on a boat and thought was "very handsome." Although that is true, I see Ariel as a strong, brave and stubborn girl who fought for what she wanted and took giant risks. She saved Eric's life when his ship went down and when Ursula tried to kill him with the trident. Eric really loved the girl that saved him, but of course didn't know she was there with him. TLM made me appreciate the relationship between father and daughter. The scene at the end when Trident and Ariel hug and she says "I love you daddy" gets me every time!

[@KristinaHoogs]

*Triton and Ariel

[@christiandacanay3086]

this! As a person who holds TLM in high regard for sentimental reasons, everything you said are true.

[@Amelia-ek2ig]

When I was about three, the little mermaid II was my favorite movie. I watched it probably daily and was obsessed with Ariel and her daughter. Keep up the good work.

[@iamvia9749]

I was soo obsessed with Ariel and her daughter too. I want a daughter named Melody like Ariels daughter

[@musicbox193]

Cutting "Part of Your World"? That is remarkably similar to the vetoed decision to cut "Over the Rainbow" from the Wizard of Oz. That is another want song that is much older and not from Disney

[@mirandaperry1889]

Omg. So many bubbles to draw. I can't even imagine.

[@emia8119]

Your hair totally matched the scenery! It looked so pretty :)

[@PrincessMeggala0913]

Ariel is my faaaaaaaaaaaavourite! *points to my profile pic* My fiancée and I are doing Little Mermaid theme for our wedding! We look like Ariel and Eric. ;)

[@kitteridgesimpson8144]

Also, so Beauty and the beast next!

[@gaelsacanell4547]

Do ATLANTIS next!! It is extremely underrated

[@matthewcreed5560]

Beauty and the Beast next

[@BreSinging]

As always, I enjoyed this so much and I want you to do Beauty and the Beast.

[@sadiegibson5973]

Princess Bre Yaaaasssss

[@sosexy354]

Princess Bre agree

[@Flightyalrighty]

Yoooo, agreed

[@farah_lynn]

Ariel has always been my favorite princess

[@christiandacanay3086]

Same, she's my top 1.

[@ModernMouse]

Love it! Love the green screen. I'm always blown away on the reasons for wanting to cut things that end up being iconic. I do think The Revival begins in with Bolt, but that's only cause Lasseter said so. I'm not a huge fan of The Little Mermaid but you have made me appreciate what it did for Disney and Animation. You're the best! :) -Dale

[@robinmacfarlane9719]

Little Mermaid was not the first animated film to have the "I want" song, Snow White was and she got two! There is "I'm wishing" at the beginning of the film and "someday my prince will come" in the middle of the film. Ashman talked about that back in the 80s/early 90s.

[@gabrielatienza4029]

Without Sebastian, Ariel would never got her happy ending.

[@isabelle8836]

I LOVE the little mermaid. I have so many shirts and most of th DVDs and vhs tape of the movie and two aril dolls.

[@bryloveguru5]

Amazing job on the history of The Little Mermaid and its still an amazing and beautiful looking film, Ariel is my favorite Disney Princess, i am an Indie Artist on the side and when i am doing Disney fanarts, Ariel keeps popping up on my mind and i am like darn i want to do a fanart of her?? I don't know what is it about Mermaids that i like? I don't know why is Ariel my favorite Disney Princess but i do like how she is rebellious, Spunky, Adventurous, loves treasure, bubbly and many more. I really like your videos they are awesome and i do love the Disney History as well i think they are very interesting, also is it normal that i like Mermaids?? Genies, Pirates, Thieves, etc? Another thing too Ariel is coming back in Kingdom Hearts 3 i am not sure if she is just a Summon or that Atlantica will be making a comeback i am not sure? And Ariel is one of my top favorite Disney characters.

[@christiandacanay3086]

She's a summon.

[@hfortner2010]

I love the Little Mermaid, but my favorite part of this video was the clear breakdown of the time periods, THANK YOU!

[@RIZIKIBENOIT]

Also Do Winnie The Pooh Released In 2011 Next Please From Benny Mufabiro. 🥺🙏🙏

[@satria222poxy]

Correction: They had to be moved and work to a studio warehouse in Glendale of Flower St.(You're welcome! You're the best!)

[@ChristinaandAngel]

Hello Sarah, What I appreciate about The Little Mermaid is how she would do anything to be with the one she loves. Also, had they cut the song Part of Your World, Traci wouldn't have done the cover for it and you wouldn't have gotten in a relationship with Leo. Furthermore, I love your necklace Sarah. 😀🌈❤️

[@christiandacanay3086]

You have a point there! Without that song Traci and Leo will have not become famous in the Disney KZbinr world.

[@oodololly2529]

Glen Keane also cites his wife as inspiration for Ariel's design---super sweet. Thanks for another great "Down to Disness," Sarah!

[@KeriJo12]

Little Mermaid was always a favorite of mine growing up. I definitely pretended to be a mermaid in the backyard swimming pool for many years. :) Any thoughts on Mayim Bialik's video titled "Late to the Party" posted about 4 months ago? She discusses her issues with the storyline of the Little Mermaid, and I think you'd find it interesting since you hint that it's not really a favorite of yours. THANKS!

[@richardranke7878]

Years ago when our family was on vacation in Denmark I saw grotto with a Little Mermaid statue. I had known Hans C. Andersen was the author of The Little Mermaid ever since I saw an old 1950s movie about Andersen, which included a Little Mermaid ballet.

[@fcv4616]

Thanks so much for this video! I can't believe I just found it, I love The little mermaid. Your research and way of explaining is great! One thing I appreciate from this movie, and that I don't hear much people comment on, are the sound effects, particularly the underwater sounds. If you pay close attention, you can listen to the water moving with nearly every character's movements. That combined with the millions of bubbles they drew really sinks you into the illusion of being under the sea!

[@lilyluvspink]

Hands down, your best Down to Disness yet!! Thank you so much, Sarah! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!! 😄

[@2602Jorno]

Thank you so much for doing my favourite Disney movie! -Also, Ursula was originally designed as a lionfish with a snakelike body, but then they saw a documentary about octopi and liked them more. -In the original fairy tale, Ariel fails to get the prince but, thanks to a deal her sisters make with the Sea Witch, she gets the option to kill him so that she can turn back into a mermaid and live out her life, but she cannot bring herself to do it. -Technically, Ariel is related to Hercules, providing her father King Triton is the same as Poseidon's son Triton. This would make them cousins once-removed. -Ariel and her sisters have tails of each colour of the rainbow. They also correspond in some way to each of the Seven Seas - Ariel, for example, is the Red Sea because of her hair. She is also made to stand out from them by letting her hair down and having a seashell bra a different colour to her tail, and being the only one with a name that doesn't end with A even though they all begin with A. -It's not confirmed, but is believed that Ariel's wedding dress was based off Princess Diana's.

[@Sofiehihi-n7v]

Love love love your Down to Disness videos! Hoped you would do The Little Mermaid. As I live in Copenhagen, the story and movie always has a special place in my heart, even though it's not at all my favorite Disney Movie. Thanks for another amazing video.

[@glambert169507]

When I was younger Ariel was my favorite princess simply because she was a mermaid and I anytime I would swim I would sing Part of Your World like Ariel thinking that I was a mermaid. You should do a Down To Disness on The Sword in The Stone next

[@jordancambridgetaylor]

Yay!!! 😆 finally!! This is my favourite Disney movie and I knew a lot of what was in this video but it was still a really interesting video!! Thank you Sarah!! 👍😉

[@theRealtensigh]

Can you do "Great Mouse Detective"? I thought it was really underrated! Great info on TLM!

[@rushfan2112_]

Loved the video! I think it would be interesting if you made a series on Disney history! I've always wondered more about the animator strike and more behind the scenes stuff. Just a thought! Can't wait for more, as always

[@francesca7505]

This video was great Sarah! You did the movie justice! Besides The Little Mermaid being one of my favorites, please do next a down to disness for Beauty and the Beast because it's my absolute favorite!

[@SarahPieTime]

The Little Mermaid has been my favorite since o first saw it in theaters as a little girl. I loved hearing you talk about it and now I want to go watch it again! Lol I think the only thing I didn't know was about Ursula only having 6 tentacles 😳 Thanks for this video!!!

[@nadineschulze8914]

great episode of down to disness... i always kinda didnt like the original fairytale and was superhappy with what disney did with it. I remember when it came out we went to the movie theater and the line was so long like 200-300 m ( just guessing it was like down the street and around the corner), i never saw a line that long at a movie again. and it was finally our turn to get our Tickets and they had just sold out so we had to get Tickets for the next show time. when i came out again i was at university and went to see it by myself surrounded by parents with little kids. Arielle has been my favourite princess ever since and when i first got to meet her at wdw i was like floating afterwards...

[@nicke.5036]

Once again - another informative, entertaining, and well presented video! Thank you for this!

[@suteiisan]

yaaas thank-you!! i've been waiting in anticipation for the little mermaid!

[@kentonclarkson1449]

As a writer and creative person I soooo wish I could have met Howard Ashman. A genius and a true gentleman

[@dancrhannah]

Isn't Jodi Benson also one of the only (if not the only) princess to voice her character in every one of her animated appearances?

[@timelordess1]

dancrhannah That's why she's a queen ❤

[@DaveLH]

I'm not a big fan of _Little Mermaid_ either... Neither the original Anderson story nor the Disney version. I like _Splash_ much better. And if I am compelled to watch LM, I tend to root for Ursula. :) But like Sarah, I appreciate how _LM_ started off the "Renaissance".

[@beethovensfidelio]

At least “Splash” flips the ending of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” on its tail by having the human male protagonist give up his family, his friends, his job, his home, and presumably his own species in order to spend the rest of his life 🎶under the sea🎶 with his mermaid girlfriend.

[@law0603]

I think Great Mouse Detective would be a good movie to do!

[@meakimon]

Thanks for the awesome video!^^ Question though, didn't Snow White and Aurora also sing about something they wanted, early in their movies?^^

[@SarahSterling]

They definitely did. I think TLM is just known for starting a really noticeable trend. After Snow White, Pinocchio and Bambi didn't have "want" songs, for example.

[@benjaminwambeke9458]

I'm so glad we have this trend, though. It's thanks to "Part Of Your World" that we have great songs like "Out There," "Almost There," and "How Far I'll Go," among others.

[@montanaperotti3561]

When Will My Life Begin, Almost There & How Far I'll Go are my favourite want songs, they are the very definition!

[@ladyblakeney]

Like Sarah says, it was really a more noticeable, purposeful trend starting with Mermaid. Ariel, Belle, Aladdin, Mulan, Tiana, Quasimodo, Simba, Pocahontas, Hercules, even Tarzan (although that movie is not a straight-up musical like the others) all have I Want songs that set the tone of the movie and set up the character arc for the leads. It's a Broadway writing technique that Howard Ashman taught to the animators and story department during the process of making Little Mermaid. If you watch the Waking Sleeping Beauty DVD bonus features (and I have because I am a giant nerd for that sort of thing) there's a whole ten(ish) minute clip of him talking about I want songs and song placement and how it can help establish character and pull your audience into the story and invest them in that specific character. That's basically the difference between the earlier princess movies and the other "animated masterpieces" made before the Renaissance--Renaissance era animated movies followed the two-act structure of a Broadway show--they all have an opening number that sets the tone of the movie, an I-want song, a villain song, a few reprises, a soaring romantic ballad, and a dramatic, mostly instrumental reprise at the end that probably has the Disney Chorus singing any actual lyrics (I'm thinking of Ariel and Eric's wedding, or the final stained glass panel in Beauty and the Beast, or the bells ringing as Quasi walks out into the city) but that serves as an expression of emotion that contributes to a satisfying ending. Recently they've stopped making movies with musical theater structure techniques that aren't specifically princess-themed, partly because Pixar's story team develops things more organically and integrating the two styles seems to have become fairly important to Disney. But the Renaissance was basically formed through Howard Ashman (he worked on three of the most immediately recognizable Renaissance movies, Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin), and his theory of story was handed down and kept alive through people like Don Hahn, Cheryl Wolverton, Alan Menken, and . . . like, honestly, pretty much anyone who worked with him on Little Mermaid or Beauty and the Beast. I'm going to cut myself off here, because film history in general is something I could ramble on about for days, and Disney history is like this perfect microcosm for examining film trends in each decade, and I have a thing for literary and film theory, and for real. I could write pages and pages on this, so I have to stop now or I never will. But the short answer is: pre-Renaissance, I want songs were the exception, and during hte Renaissance, they were the rule.

[@laurendewitt8403]

the little mermaid is my favorite movie most my adult clothes is ariel theme

[@marynwestern2723]

The Little Mermaid is one of my favourite Disney movies 😂 You should do the Aristocats next

[@SarahSterling]

I have done Aristocats! Check it out :)

[@AlycatIsAlive]

imSarahSnitch You should do Beauty and the Beast!! 😊❤

[@beckiejbrown]

Oh wow! Waited for this for so long. THANK YOU ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@samiandnolan]

Beauty and the Beast would be a great one to do next!

[@ashleybernstein7786]

Great job, Sarah! So enlightening.

[@kitteridgesimpson8144]

Sarah! I put on a Disney (Little Mermaid) shirt when this was uploaded

[@DoomBuggy86]

I learned so much! Thanks Sarah!!

[@memethyst]

yayy my favorite movie :D

[@miriamcq]

No Down to Disness for January 2017 :( Really hoping February's comes soon

[@SarahSterling]

Yeah, sadly I wasn't able to make one. I was sick for almost two weeks and I didn't get it done early in the month. Hoping to do one for mid-Feb and then go back to my end of month schedule.

[@miriamcq]

I'm so looking foward to it!! Thank you for puttting so much work on making this videos. They are my month break:)

[@artloveranimation]

You forgot to mention the dark age, with Black Cauldron

[@artloveranimation]

Will N Oh! That makes sense. Thanks!

[@trinkab]

How about The Rescuers? Or Meet the Robinsons? Or... since you did a Pixar ... how about a SKELLINGTON... The Nightmare Before Christmas?

[@miriamcq]

Not only we've been waiting for this episode for two years now, but also you explained something that a lot of us heavily asked you to talk about: Disney history and its eras!!! YAAAAAAAYY!!! Merry Christmas to you too!!!

[@AlyssumIvy]

I always love when you do these videos!!

[@sugar11monkey]

I've been following you on Instagram & Twitter for ages, and just started watching these videos. I'M OBSESSED. You're amazing, that is all.

[@katekat131]

I'd love to see one on the lion king!!!

[@toriandtilly]

I didn't realize that the "want song" was like a real termed thing but I was recently in a production of Legally Blond which does have a want song but it is flipped. It is called "What You Want" and while it discusses how Elle wants to go to Harvard it is flipped around so that is more about proving that what Warner wants is her. That is actually super clever!

[@trinkab]

The Disney Renaissance is 'probably the most famous era'? I am not sure how you judge that? I mean, how do you judge 'most famous'? Longevity? Cinderella and Snow White, Bambi, Jungle Book... still famous, recognizable and selling merch, much longer than the 90's stuff... Merch sales? Let's talk about 'Frozen', shall we?

[@aubreyezzo1011]

Please do Mary Poppins

[@quesadillo809]

Pls do monsters inc next!

[@MickeyGirl518]

This has seriously been my favorite Down to Disness thank you Sarah

[@hpboy13]

Awesome video! Gotta say, Ursula terrified me as a kid, but Poor Unfortunate Souls is kinda the best song ever.

[@JonasAlmostFamous]

I love Waking Sleeping Beauty so much

[@sarahcinense2900]

JonasAlmostFamous you and Sarah should do a colab vidieo

[@JonasAlmostFamous]

I would love that!

[@geboinzki.iman2828]

Its just Golden,Dark,Renaissance,Post Renaissance,and Revival.

[@kitteridgesimpson8144]

Here's a fact: the human edition of the feather duster and Vanessa have the same face model.

[@jaydenhurley1744]

Plus that film was why people like me, got into Caribbean style music like Reggae, Soca, Dancehall, and Calypso. Such a variety to look up in spare time! Music is not only for children, it’s for the people of the world.

[@WaltOGrams]

Yaaaaas! Thank you so much for this, been waiting. Awesome.

[@drmariopepper4354]

Happy New Year!!

[@HeavenlyImaginings]

You did fantastic. I learned a few new things. I always loved the music of the Little Mermaid it has a magical timeless and fun quality to it that is hard not to sing along to.

[@natalie8265]

5:22 I totally thought you were gonna say "Part of your world is...part of my world!" lol PS~ EXCELLENT series you run here. I just found it, and will definatly be coming back.Seriously love your informative yet not over complicated reviews. Its hard to find people on here who aren't just showcasing themselves , but focusing on the content. Great Job ;^)

[@sarahvanorden670]

My whole life I wanted to be a redhead, naturally a blonde... I could have been happy with my hair color my whole life... I'm happy with how it turned out though

[@miriamcq]

Sarah, could you please do a video about "the dark years of Disney" what happenned in the WDC from 1977 (end of the bronze era) to 1989 (beginning of the rennaissaince)?

[@sheenaplanetadvocate6289]

Great video as always! Please do a down to Disness on bed knobs and broomsticks. Classic film with cutting edge technology at the time.

[@amandawynn1040]

FINALLY! #Mermaids5Ever Also your hair is amazing Sarah! Welcome to the bright colored hair club :P

[@chrissysdollies]

Sarah, you should totally let Pasta pick the next down to disness and film it! Place 2 or 3 pictures/dvds in front of her and then whichever one she sniffs first is the one you do a video on. My favorite thing about The Little Mermaid? Hmm... I guess I really love how it's just something that I always grew up with. I remember having a bike with Ariel on it, I remember watching Return to the Sea and the tv show as a kid, and I'm pretty sure I've known the lyrics to Part of Your World for forever!

[@lugalan95]

yay ive been waiting this for so long and I loved it Sarah! thank you so much. I love these videos, I look forward to them every month. Great job! And Happy New Year from Uruguay! xxx

[@itzellaluna4299]

My daughter is 2 and she's obsessed with the Little Mermaid. We were Ariel, Ursula and King Triton for Halloween this last one. It was epic. @itzellaluna on instagram for the pic! I'm pretty proud of how they turned out. We made our own costumes!

[@VBaskin2010]

Do Mickey, Donald, and Goofy in The Three Musketeers next Sarah!

[@jenniferperez3772]

My God, people have made BEAUTY AND THE BEAST so overrated. I love the movie, but come on...it's not all that!

[@jakeleahy6447]

Always look forward to these!! You're amazing!! ❤️❤️❤️

[@Cucu4crafts]

I love this video so much, The Little Mermaid is one of my favorite Disney movies! For my Quinceanera the theme was "Under the Sea" and I had Disney soundtracks play all night.

[@hithere8291]

In the Little Mermaid Ride, during the Under the Sea scene, a fish from Bedknobs and Broomsticks can be seen behind you. This could be a reference to when Sarah said that Bedknobs and Broomsticks was the film to get an Academy Award recently received by Disney before The Little Mermaid got its Academy Award

[@DaveLH]

Sarah, have you read the book, _Mouse Under Glass_ by David Koenig? I think your "Disness" series goes hand-in-hand with that book very nicely.

[@evanp5911]

I think another big thing was Disney’s reputation majorly improved after the little mermaid. The 80s kids animation were dominated by Don Bluth (An American Tale, Land Before Time) disney wasn’t seen as making good quality cartoons anymore. I remember my dad was going to take me and my sister to see All Dogs Go to Heaven which came out the same weekend in ‘89 but it was sold out so he begrudgingly took us to see the little mermaid instead and he loved it as much as we did after the little mermaid Disney reclaimed the top spot as far as reputation for animated movies

[@danielsociety9234]

This was awesome Sarah!! I loved it. It really makes me want to watch Waking Sleeping Beauty. Let's hope it gets on Netflix!

[@jennifercampbell2512]

Thanks for the documentary suggestion! I saw The Little Mermaid at Disney World on a family vacation, long ago. My mom tells a great story of a younger me convinced that Ursula would win and not understanding my Dad saying, "it's a Disney movie." Mom took me out of the theatre but a cast member came to check on us.

[@fidingdisneyfindingdisney8646]

This honestly has to be my favourite episode of Down to Disness, there was so much information in a really understandable way. Really excited to see which movies you will cover in 2017 :)

[@tanyamckinley6227]

This was awesome! Great job Sarah! This is one I personally have been waiting for and requesting since you started. Great job!

[@ladybeavanerdventures]

dont forget the animated series OMG Spot the Orca is still one of my fav animals in like anything

[@lcadez]

I laughed out loud when you called it a "girls movie". When I was a kid, my cousin fought my mom tooth and nail over seeing The Little Mermaid because it was a "girls movie". Yet, when we took a bathroom break midway in, he asked my mom to tell the movie theater to pause it. lol

[@lizzfizzle92]

What I never noticed before but saw in a recent rewatching was that the song Les Poissons is the same melody as Be Our Guest haha loved this episode! I will definitely be checking out the Waking Sleeping Beauty film

[@CurlyVickzz]

I wrote my university dissertation on the representation of the princesses during the Disney Renaissance, I absolutely loved doing the research for it! The Little Mermaid is also my all time favourite film. 💖

[@amazingabby25]

Another thing, artists and others who worked on this movie were members of the sorority ZTA, so the secret password for that sorority is included in that movie! As well as a few other references

[@maz.s]

Hey this isn't a specific Disney movie, but can you talk about how Disney movies have been adapted to the stage? I believe that quite a few Disney shows have been on broadway, and I really find that interesting.

[@Esmeralda2diamon]

My favorite Disney movie. I love Ariel because she is kind, brave.aventours and fights for what she belives in. I love the story and the animation .

[@sandrixhozart7838]

Not paying attention, well sure I do get distracted but come on its that catchy, so blessed it is kept in movie. My #1 favorite princess Ariel, I love all 3 movies

[@curiouscoquettexcourtney4778]

Wow, that was one of your best Down to Disness yet! I definitely want to check out that documentary!

[@ellie_run]

Wow I'm so grateful for you and this series 🙌🏼 everything you talk about is so interesting 😍

[@evanp5911]

I distinctly remember my dad taking me and my sister to the theater to see All Dogs go to heaven ( which came out the same day and was Don Bluth who was king of 80s animation) it was sold out so we went and saw the little mermaid instead so glad we did. This movie truly revitalized Disney animation in the public eye

[@ohlivearoseeee]

Hi Sarah I'm so in love with this series, I've been using it in correlation with my thesis a study of story structure and disney and I just wanted to say thank you inspiring me to keep researching these films for myself!