MovieChat Forums > The Little Mermaid (1989) Discussion > Perhaps this is where they got Ariel's l...

Perhaps this is where they got Ariel's look?

posted 8 years ago by atomicseasoning
2 replies | jump to latest

Based on conversations they had with the Disney animators back in the late 80s - early 90s, they claimed that the stereotype for a mermaid back in the 1980s was slim, blonde, etc., like Darryl Hannah in the 1984 movie Splash. Then I think one of the guys mentioned how they wanted to go for something different and made 'Ariel' a redhead.

Interestingly though, after watching an old TV commercials from the 1980s & searching 'Sea Wees' (mini mermaid doll toy sets which were produced from 1979-85), I came across this set of dolls on eBay, particularly this doll named 'Coral' who originally debuted in 1979! (A full decade before Disney's 'Ariel' the Little Mermaid debuted in the theaters.)

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CyTiq0iVEAECArx.jpg

[–] Andthatismytwocents 8 years ago

The Classic's Illustrated Comic off the fifties ALSO had a red headed Mermaid with a green tail

Also Louis Solboken Known for the Spaceship Under The Apple Tree series

also wrote a story The Mermaid Who Could Not Sing

Cynthia the mermaid looks like...............

[–] ZakkWyldeMyLittlePony 8 years ago

I honestly love how they made Ariel's hair blood red as opposed to ginger. I still joke she was a ginger though :)

Brony who is also a Metallica fan