The Little Mermaid (1989)

Ariel, the fun-loving and mischievous mermaid, is enchanted with all things human. Disregarding her father's order to stay away from the world above the sea, she swims to the surface and, in a raging storm, rescues the prince of her dreams. Determined to be human, she strikes a bargain with the devious seawitch, Ursula, and trades her fins and beautiful voice for legs. With her best friend, the adorable and chatty Flounder, and her reluctant chaperone Sebastian, the hilarious, reggae-singing Caribbean crab, at her side, Ariel must win the prince's love and save her father's kingdom - all in a heart-pounding race against time!

Drawing from a talented "pool" of vocal talent, THE LITTLE MERMAID's leading roles went to actors with extensive musical theater backgrounds. As the voice of Ariel, voice-over and Broadway star Jodi Benson supplies the perfect blend of innocence and wide-eyed wonder to the independent young mermaid. Hollywood legend Buddy Hackett turns in a top-flight performance as the squawking seagull, Scuttle, and stage veteran Pat Carroll provides the villainous voice of the crafty seawitch, Ursula.