It is one of the most popular Disney animated classics of all time. It is also the last Disney animated feature to use hand-painted cels and analog camera and film work.
Whether it’s the storyline that you love, or the music, no doubt you’ll agree it’s a great movie. In fact, it won the Academy Award for best Original Score and Best original Song (“Under The Sea”) back in 1990.
Actress Jodi Benson voiced the main character Ariel in the movie. Last week, I got to speak with her. Being a big Disney-enthusiast, I couldn’t believe Ariel was on the other end of the phone line.
Phone rings.
Me: Hi, it’s Dave. (Standard answer)
Jodi Benson: Hi Dave, it’s Jodi Benson!
I couldn’t contain myself.
Me: Wow! I can’t believe Ariel is calling me…this is….is…just so awesome!
Jodi: (Laughs) Well..it’s good to meet you, Dave.
More freaking out, however, I realize my time with Jodi is only around 10 minutes. I then realize I better at least get some good info out of her.
Me: Let me just get this out of the way…what is your favorite song of all the AMAZING ones from “The Little Mermaid?”
Jodi: Well…of course… “Part Of Your World!” Alan Menken and Howard Ashman gave me an incredibly beautiful song to sing and I am so blessed I had the opportunity to bring it to life.
Me: Some of my other favorite movies you appear in is “Enchanted” and “Toy Story 2,” how much fun was it working on those?
Jodi: Fun…so much fun.I’m a Broadway girl, so “Enchanted” let me experience a little of that. Both of those roles came out of left field and they were a thrill to work on. This whole experience of doing these amazing films wasn’t part of my plan in life, so it’s all just been an incredible and fun surprise to me.
I should point out that Jodi has AMAZING energy. And yes, I am STILL freaking out that Ariel is on the phone.
Me: Do you remember the audition for the role of Ariel? What was that like?
Jodi: I was working on a Broadway show with Howard Ashman called “Smile.” Howard asked all the girls in the cast to audition the song, “Part Of Your World.” We had no idea what the song was for. A year and a half later I got the call that I was cast.
Me: A year and a half?
Jodi: Yes (she laughs)…I had pretty much given up getting the role.
Me: You also voice the attraction Ariel’s Undersea Adventure in the Disney Parks. How cool is it to ride with your friends and family and hear yourself in the ride? If it was me, I’d ride it all day.
Jodi: (More laughing)…ha ha, yes. It is incredible. It’s very surreal. Twenty eight years later, this “little” job is now a career. It’s my classic princess story.
Me: How many requests do you get from friends and family to sing at parties or special occasions?
Jodi: LOTS. (More laughs) I also get requests to record voice mail messages. I’m always happy to do it!
Right here I’m thinking about ending the interview and having her do that for me. Instead, I stay professional and move on.
Me: How many times have you seen “The Little Mermaid?”
Jodi: Wow. No idea. (More laughs) I’ll see snippets here and there. Sometimes with an audience. Every time it makes all the memories come back to me. It’s always really special.
Me: How would you explain the film’s appeal over the years?
Jodi: Put all the amazing people that worked on this film, add Howard Ashman and Alan Menken. Throw in the support we got from Michael Eisner and Roy Disney and you get a taste of Broadway on film. It is a classic fairy tale with an incredible score and great story. There you go!
“The Little Mermaid” is now available to own on Disney Blu-ray and DVD.
