What you don’t know about The Little Mermaid and how the original Richie changed Don

What you don’t know about The Little Mermaid and how the original Richie changed Don

How ‘The Little Mermaid’ changed the original’s songs — without being ‘sacrilegious’

When Disney released “The Little Mermaid” in 1989, it was a game changer for the studio, and for animation as a whole. The film was a critical and commercial success, and is still beloved by audiences today. But one of the most interesting things about “The Little Mermaid” is the way it changed the songs from the original story, without betraying the source material.

The original story of “The Little Mermaid” was written by Hans Christian Andersen in 1837, and was a dark and tragic tale. In the original story, the mermaid falls in love with a human prince, but in order to be with him, she must give up her voice and endure excruciating pain every time she walks on land. In the end, the prince marries someone else, and the mermaid turns into sea foam and disappears.

The original story didn’t have any songs, but it did have poetry, which was an important part of Andersen’s writing. When Disney decided to adapt the story into an animated film, they knew they wanted to include songs, but they also knew they had to be careful. The story was too dark for a children’s movie, and they didn’t want to stray too far from the source material.

 

What you don’t know about The Little Mermaid and how the original Richie changed Don

 

 

So, how did they do it? They brought in the brilliant composer Alan Menken and lyricist Howard Ashman tocreate the songs, and they were able to capture the heart and emotion of the story while making it appropriate for children.

One of the biggest changes they made was to the character of the sea witch, who in the original story was an old, ugly creature. In the film, she became Ursula, a glamorous and sinister villain with a show-stopping musical number, “Poor Unfortunate Souls.” This song was a perfect fit for the character, and helped to establish her as a memorable and formidable foe for the heroine.

Another change they made was to the character of the prince. In the original story, he was a fairly minor character, but in the film he was given a more prominent role, and two songs of his own. “Part of Your World” and “Kiss the Girl” helped to establish his character and his relationship with Ariel, and added a romantic element to the story that wasn’t present in the original.

But perhaps the most significant change they made was to the ending of the story. In the original, the mermaid dies, but in the film, she is saved by her father, King Triton, who gives up his own life to save hers. This allowed for a happy ending, and a message of love and sacrifice that was appropriate for a children’s movie.

What you don’t know about The Little Mermaid and how the original Richie changed Don

Overall, the changes that were made to the songs in “The Little Mermaid” were done with care and respect for the original story. The filmmakers were able to capture the essence of thestory while making it appropriate for a wider audience. And the songs themselves have become iconic, beloved by generations of fans.

In the end, “The Little Mermaid” is a testament to the power of adaptation. By taking a dark and tragic story and transforming it into a magical and uplifting film, Disney was able to create something truly special. And by changing the songs from the original story, they were able to enhance the emotional impact of the film, without being sacrilegious to the source material.

So, as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of “The Little Mermaid,” let us remember the importance of adaptation, and the power of music to enhance a story. And let us continue to enjoy the songs of this timeless classic, for generations to come.

Certainly! One of the interesting things about the music in “The Little Mermaid” is how it helped to usher in a new era of Disney animation. Prior to the release of the film, Disney hadn’t produced a successful animated musical since “The Jungle Book” in 1967. But with the success of “The Little Mermaid,” the studio found a winning formula, and went on to produce a string of hit animated musicals throughout the 1990s, including “Beauty and the Beast,” “Aladdin,” and “The Lion King.”

In addition to the changes made to the songs themselves, there were some changes made to the story as well. For example, in the original story, the mermaid’s transformation into a human was permanent, and she could never return to the sea. But in the film, she is given a limited time on land, and must return to the sea before the third day is over, or she will be permanently transformed into a human. This change was made to add a sense of urgency to the story, and to give the audience a clear goal to root for.

Another interesting aspect of the music in “The Little Mermaid” is the way it blends different styles and influences. The score includes elements of classical music, Broadway-style show tunes, and even Caribbean rhythms. This eclectic mix of styles helped to give the film a unique sound, and allowed the songs to appeal to a wide range of audiences.

What you don’t know about The Little Mermaid and how the original Richie changed Don

Overall, “The Little Mermaid” is a prime example of the power of music to enhance a story and create an emotional connection with audiences. The film’s iconic songs have become a part of popular culture, and continue to be beloved by fans of all ages. And while the changes made to the original story may have been controversial at the time, they ultimately helped to create a timeless classic that has stood the test of time.