The Little Mermaid (1989)

A young mermaid princess (Jodi Benson) is fascinated with all things human despite her father's (Kenneth Mars) orders to stay away from them. But when she saves the life of a man (Christopher Daniel Barnes) and falls in love with him, she unwisely strikes a deal with the evil sea witch (Pat Carroll) to become human. Starting in 1937 and SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS, Walt Disney had a great run of classic animated feature films through the 1960s. They pretty much had the market to themselves. They stumbled in the 1970s but this 1989 entry revitalized their animation reputation. Structured like a Broadway musical with tuneful songs by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman (LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS) and a simple but vibrant colorful animation palette, this is a lovely telling of the classic Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale. Imaginative and resourceful with a strong role model that many a young girl child identified with. Written and directed by Ron Clements and John Musker. Other characters voiced by Buddy Hackett, Rene Auberjonois, Edie McClurg and Samuel E. Wright who sings the Oscar winning Under The Sea.