Staged Right - Episode 18: A Weird and Queer History of 'The Little Mermaid'
Вставка
- Опубліковано 26 тра 2023
- This episode talks about the queer origins of the fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen, the animated movie that changed the course of Disney forever, as well as the new live-action remake starring Halle Bailey. You'll also hear from my special Hadley Abrams and their perspective on the inherent queerness of 'The Little Mermaid'.
- Розваги
Although I do think the infamous queercoding of a lot of Disney villains is bad, I can’t say the same about the little mermaid since while Ursula is definitely the villain she’s written with so much love, especially she’s based off an actual person instead of a stereotype. Plus, she’s iconic as fuck and she has the best song
Agreed. There’s so much love for the character in how Pat Carroll plays her, how she’s written and animated. I actually fall in love with her more and more.
Also you can do that with sympathic villains way easier than protagonists.
I love how queercoding villains backfired and made them more lovable lol
Her being based off of divine makes her so much more likeable
One of my first movie theater memories was seeing The Little Mermaid when I was 7 and I was obsessed to the point where I got snorkeling equipment one Xmas so I could learn to dive (and I do have to agree with Sebastian about being Under the Sea). And as I got older, and learned more about the making of it, I fell even more in love. It speaks from the heart about wanting to find a place to be a part of and it's really incredible that it keeps resonating with people decades later, that's the sign of a true classic.
One correction- Katzenberg tapped only Howard Ashman for anything he wanted to do at Disney. He leapt at the chance to do Mermaid, and then brought along Menken.
Thank you.
Sadly some of the haters did come but they did watch through which is actually kinda funny.
This was a gorgeous Staged Right, I feel in love with your work from the Ethel Merman episode. I had a book bumper book of original tales from a group of fairytale writers/folklorists.
It was hard for me to get behind Andersen. Reading one after the other of his works as a child, a lonely man who believes heavily in his faith (as many did at his time) but also overly focuses on death as the only escape was disconcerting.
I recognise some of the whys but it made me sad for him not inspired by him.
I think the Disney film team did an incredible job of keeping some of the bittersweetness but giving his character agency. His only character who has ever had any agency is Gerda and she somewhat became Anna later through Disney. It's nice to see as the mermaid has gone on she's gained some self-awareness.
I stop rambling. Thanks for joining the dots of the way this story has been interpreted. As a queer allegory it makes a lot more sense and though it's not the first time I have heard that theory it is brilliantly discussed here.
You forgot to mention the Asian one they did for Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child.
I loved that series 💖
I was very upset they didn’t hire a drag queen to play Ursula and I’m conservative 😂😂😂😂
It’s awful but funny that you were talking about Little Mermaid’s connection to things like Swan Lake and my first reaction was “well yeah, because getting boned by the fine print in a TOS is universal across space and time”
I was too young to really care about prices when we were getting VHs, but DAMN, they were $24 in the 90s? that's like $50 now!!
A lovely essay! It is worth mentioning that Rosa Guy's MY LOVE, MY LOVE (and its musical adaptation ONCE ON THIS ISLAND) is also an adaptation of H.C. Andersen's tale. And now, it appears Disney is contemplating a film version of the Ahrens and Flaherty work.
Off-topic: I was a friend of David Ogden Stiers, and was at many of his recording sessions for both The Governor and Wiggins for POCAHONTAS.
May your beautiful work continue!
I took my daughter to see the original Disney version, she was three. I look forward to enjoying this newer version with her children.
The only Disney live action remake I wanna see is The Black Cauldron. That one might be fire.
So true about nostalgia being a double-edged sword when it comes from moving from animation to the live action version.
[and yet I have lots of feelings about the Pre-Renaissance films like FOX AND THE HOUND; ROBIN HOOD and BLACK CAULDRON - I did enjoy some of the live-action ones too like parts of BROOMSTICKS].
Glad you covered UNDINE - and MELUSINE - and I think of the Lorelei too - mermaids are definitely part of opera and ballet!
[in those forms - opera in particular - mermaids are so hyperreal].
Anime The Little Mermaid from 1975 respekt Hans Christian Andersen's fairytale 🇩🇰 and is on UA-cam and in English.
Thanks for this take on the little mermaid. Up to Disneys version the czeck version was my favourite, then Jody Bensons voice filled the cinema ... ❤
Yes, the Czechoslovak 1976 version is definitely my favorite version as well! Not just because it's one of the most faithful retellings, but because of how beautiful the sets and costumes are (done in part my the undervalued Ester Krumbachová). And while unique, the soundtrack is absolutely gloriousss.
Interesting that you mentioned Swan Lake, I think that there are strong connections, both are also based on Undina (Tchaikovsky recycled music from his Undina opera), and Tchaikovsky was gay, too. The whole thing with Vanessa could be also inspired from Black Swan Odile - also in the animated Japanese Swan Lake movie, she is copying the white swan's voice.
It's indeed such a everlasting story with Little Mermaid, and also the genderbending fan versions looks so great. I feel also that the remake is fitting a bit better to Andersen's tone as its with less slapstick...
The Vanessa/Odile parallel really struck me while working on this. Nice to know others recognize it, too. X
Undina?
You mean “Undine”?
If so, then you’re right since the tragic ending of the fairy tale came about because Hans Christian Andersen didn’t like how Undine’s salvation came from her marrying a human man.
@@beethovensfidelio yes, I mean Undine, of course, (I even read the original text and many other adaptions😊)/ Undina is the Russian name as in Tchaikovsky’s opera, which I have mentioned. It‘s interesting how many different Undine (or Ondine…) versions also as operas exist and then as ballets. I still don’t understand why first she marries and gets a soul, but later would turn to water (and she also kills the prince with a kiss…) - isomehow, Andersen’s version is also so different because here it’s a mermaid with fish tail, but all other versions of Undine or Melusine or Rusalka or Donauweibchen or La Fille du Danube are about water beings with legs or only partly a snake/ dragon tail ( as Melusine)…
What I remember (from reading the gossip columns of the time) Is that there were major meetings at Disney, because they had never had a red-headed heroin before! 😎
23:28 My parents got me the same Ariel doll as a Christmas gift once ♥
Excellent video as always!!! And thanks for the shoutout! 💜
Obsessed since I’ve seen the movie.. Which is incredible. Once again another top tier video from you. 👏
How was Jinkx Monsoon not chosen to play Ursula in the live action version?!?!?! WTF?
I have absolutely zero problem with a black Ariel, I think it's a fantastic idea, actually. But I just can't stand the concept of these live action remakes as a whole and it's awful that poor Halle will be the butt of all this one-dimensional criticism and racism. She doesn't deserve that. You're absolutely right that the original movie will always be there, just as all the adaptations will always be there. And if people enjoy it, that's great! It's just not something I want to give my money to. I don't have a huge connection to Disney as a whole, so I have no interest in it.
P.S - I'm not sure if this was intentional on Disney's part, but the original design for Ursula kinda looks like the design they used for Morgana in Little Mermaid 2.
Yeah I'm not big on the live action remakes either.
It seems to me to be mostly about keeping the property active.
You've got something wrong: in the original ending, the mermaid does indeed die when she jumps into the sea. The ending with the daughters of the air came with the second edition of Anderson's collection.
I grew up knowing the fairy tale before any film..and loved it. It was always one of my favorites..despite the ending. I saw the 70s anime version and loved it...but Ariel took the lead for me..Jodi Bensons voice and the songs and the animation ...its an amazing movie.
So I consider myself a true fan of the story..and I loved the Halle Bailey version. It has its flaws bit also filled in some plot holes from the 89 version..and not everyone was well cast, but Halle was very much perfect. Her look, her voice, her chemistry with Eric..she was perfect. Her skin color is a non issue
This was great. I took my daughter to the movie yesterday and I LOVED IT!! So much more than I expected and I can’t even say why. Favorite remake so far. We saw it at Alamo Drafthouse which had a whole reel before the show of all of the little mermaid stuff from the past, many were in your video. It was awesome
when i was a kid the little mermaid never clicked with me fully, but as i grew older and read the original it made me reconsider the story and helped me conceptualize my own longing and unrequited love.
As a trans woman this is my favorite fairytale
This was another great one. Hadley's commentary was a wonderful addition. ❤
I always tried to voice Ursula like fr since the first time I watched the 1989 film (like a few years ago) I found her voice to be odd yet strangely stereotypical on a few media with black women on stage I remembered watching.
Disney is Disney and Andersen is Andersen. The latter has - in his original language - given me all kinds of emotions, when I was a child. Growing up, he gave me more and more food for thought, eye and ear for beauty. And as an adult humour, irony, sarcasm and a critical look on human life - while maintaning a strong connection with the good and the beautiful. Disney just doesn't give a damn. They take the plot, pimps it up with a name, a hair colour, a skin colour and a lot of other silly frilly non-essentials for moneymaking entertainement business.
None of this ever, ever bothered me; not ever in my 64 years. I don't care if it's gay, straight, or somewhere in-between, black, white - I don't care. I care about the story, the magic, the love, the beauty.
I love this channel
I never saw any of the Disney renaissance animation.
I think it doesn’t matter who plays the role. I think, imho, Disney is adding to their oeuvre and if it’s more inclusive, great.
I think nothing surpasses Bambi, but that’s more about the animation and Tyrus Wong’s influence
I like the Shirley Temple version
you saw it? cool!
Say his name! HOWARD ASHMAN 🤍
is it. is it that hard to believe that katzenberg almost cut out part of your world. the man has not had a single good idea in his career.
Dont worry, I’ll watch this latest movie if I can.
Hello from Denmark.
I'm actually born in Odense, just like HC Andersen. Yes, his heritage is a pretty big deal in that town.
I, for one, am perfectly happy with Halle Bailey in the role. I don't see any reason she couldn't be Ariel.
HC Andersen's stories can be a bit... The little matchgirl DIES in the end! I HATED that when I was a child. lol
I don't know why he's considered a children's author.
But then again, children's stories shouldn't always be plain moralistic and instructional. Weird and strange stories are great!
Hi!! Thanks for watching and sharing your take.
I loved the little mermaid 2023, my few issues are.. 1) the French chef didn't make the cut, that would have been iconic 2) king tritons acting was weak 2) sebastains voice was weak, it lacked emotion which is crucial for cgi characters 3) prince Eric didn't save Ariel at the end. I know its like a female empowerment thing but she is strong plus she already saved Eric in the beginning, it makes sense that he saves her at the end scene 5) Ursulas puns were a bit much and corny 6) I didn't like who played scuttle, scuttle lacked the charm it had in the original. Besides those six things I absolutely loved this movie. They're small tweakments and no film is perf just my hot take. I loved the visuals and Halle as Ariel was perf, esp her singing. All and all I'd say a 7.5/10.
I'm glad you mention the original and the Disney and remake since their so unique in it's own way.
First! :D
Lol ✅ Live Your Best Life.
The biggest problem is the queerness in the live action is gone
Considering part of your world is still in tact and the fact they refrence Hans' original story many time if anything they added more queerness to it.
@@princedonovaughn1182 they took the queerness of Ursala way down and change it to a comedic role. They took out the queer French chef. All the depth of Ariel is so mudy that it makes less sense of a trans allegory. Just because they have part of your world changes into this is Ariel without any context. The thing is in all of the live action movie the queer coding is erased not just in the little mermaid.
Also the oroginal, of disney,not the hans christian, also did really dug deep in the yearning.
Downvoted for hate speech normalization. Keep justifying the return of the George Jefferson word