The Little Mermaid (1989)

The Little Mermaid (1989)

Author: TruStory FM May 21, 2025 Duration: 56:53
A Disney Renaissance ClassicJoin 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!
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Join filmmaker Nathan Blackwell from Squishy Studios and comedian Krissy Lenz from the Neighborhood Comedy Theatre as they dust off the VHS tapes and rewind the decade that defined blockbuster entertainment. the Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast isn't just a nostalgic trip; it's a fresh, often hilarious dissection of the films that shaped a generation. Each episode, this duo from TruStory FM applies their distinct professional lenses-one from the world of filmmaking, the other from live comedy-to explore the movies we remember fondly, the ones we might have skipped, and the hidden gems that deserve another look. They tackle the cultural context, the now-questionable special effects, and the enduring tropes, all through a modern perspective that acknowledges the significant haze of nostalgia coloring our memories. You'll hear deep dives into character motivations, production stories, and the sheer joy of rediscovering a classic, all wrapped in a conversation that feels like hanging out with two friends who are deeply passionate about cinema. This podcast celebrates the enduring legacy of 80s film while never shying away from a good-natured roast, making for a consistently engaging and funny listen for anyone who loves the magic-and occasional madness-of that era's movies.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

the Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Blood Simple (1984) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:46
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Above the Law (1988) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:27
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Never Say Never Again (1983) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:26
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The Living Daylights (1987) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:05
The Living Daylights: Cello Cases, Cargo Nets, and Timothy Dalton’s Big DebutWelcome to this episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Show. Hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell welcome special guest Nate McWhortor to d…
A View to a Kill (1985) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:28
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Can’t Buy Me Love (1987) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:51
Nerds, Fringe, and the $1,000 Question: Can't Buy Me Love Gets Its Day in CourtWelcome to this episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Show. Hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell are joined by special guest Grace Campb…
When Harry Met Sally… (1989) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:06
Can Two People Just Be Friends? When Harry Met Sally… Says: Complicated.Welcome to this episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Show. Hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell are joined by special guest Mandy Kaplan of Ma…
The Untouchables (1987) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:46
Nobody Gets Off This Staircase: Krissy, Nathan, and Pete Take On The UntouchablesWelcome to this episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies. Hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell are joined by special guest Pete Wright—po…
The Right Stuff (1983) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:25
Breaking Barriers: Krissy and Nathan Strap In for The Right StuffWelcome to this episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Show. Hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell strap in for Philip Kaufman's sweeping 1983 epic The…
Invasion U.S.A. (1985) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:24
One Man Army, Zero Armadillos: The Invasion U.S.A. SituationWelcome to this episode of The Most Excellent 80s Movies Show. Hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell are joined by special guests Francis Zagarigo and Jenna Ja…