A Disney Renaissance Classic
Join hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell with special guest Mandy Kaplan as they dive under the sea to explore Disney’s animation breakthrough The Little Mermaid. This 1989 film marked the beginning of the Disney Renaissance and set the template for modern Disney princess stories with its memorable songs and colorful characters.
The trio discusses how this film revolutionized Disney animation, introducing the now-standard “I Want” song with “Part of Your World” (which executives initially wanted to cut!). They explore how Ariel represented a new kind of Disney princess: rebellious, independent, and actively pursuing her dreams, even if those dreams involved marrying a handsome prince at sixteen.
From Ursula’s divine inspiration (literally—she was modeled after drag queen Divine) to the spectacular voice talents of Jodi Benson, Pat Carroll, and Buddy Hackett, the podcast examines what made this film so magical. They also hilariously point out the movie’s scientific inaccuracies and questionable life lessons while acknowledging its undeniable charm and cultural impact.
Key topics covered:
- How The Little Mermaid launched the Disney Renaissance
- The groundbreaking songwriting and animation techniques
- Scientific inaccuracies that plague the underwater world
- Ariel’s questionable decision-making as a lovestruck teenager
- Perfect villain creation with Ursula the sea witch
- The hidden Disney princess dress references in Ariel’s pink gown
- Voice actor highlights, including Mandy’s date with the voice of Prince Eric!
- The film’s enduring legacy and influence on subsequent Disney films
- Deep cut recommendations including Robin Hood, Enchanted, and the Descendants franchise
Whether you’re a Disney adult or just appreciate the film’s artistic significance, this episode captures why The Little Mermaid continues to enchant audiences decades later. As Krissy notes, “Whatever the magic is, they’ve got it.” So grab your dinglehopper, brush up on your seagull vocabulary, and remember to be excellent to each other!
