"The Little Mermaid" is a classic fairy tale by Danish author Hans Christian Andersen, first published in 1837. The story centers on a young mermaid princess willing to sacrifice her life underwater to attain a human soul. It explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the clash between two worlds.
1909: Commission of the Little Mermaid Statue
Carl Jacobsen, son of the Carlsberg founder, commissioned the creation of the Little Mermaid statue in 1909, inspired by a ballet performance based on the fairy tale. This marked the beginning of the statue's journey to becoming an iconic landmark.
August 1913: Unveiling of the Little Mermaid Statue in Copenhagen
On August 23, 1913, the iconic Little Mermaid statue, sculpted by Edward Eriksen, was unveiled in Copenhagen harbor. Commissioned in 1909, the statue quickly became a symbol of the city and a testament to the enduring legacy of the fairy tale.
January 1958: Premiere of Shirley Temple's Storybook
On January 12, 1958, NBC premiered a new children's anthology series called "Shirley Temple's Storybook," hosted by the famous actress. This marked the beginning of a series filled with adaptations of classic fairy tales and family stories.
December 1958: Conclusion of the First Season of "Shirley Temple's Storybook"
The first season of "Shirley Temple's Storybook" concluded on NBC in December 1958, after airing sixteen black-and-white and colored episodes featuring adaptations of fairy tales.
January 1959: Reruns of "Shirley Temple's Storybook" on ABC
Starting January 12, 1959, thirteen episodes from the first season of "Shirley Temple's Storybook" were re-run on ABC, introducing a new audience to the show's unique blend of fairy tales and storytelling.
September 1960: Premiere of "The Shirley Temple Show"
The second season, comprised of twenty-five color episodes, premiered on September 18, 1960, under the new title "The Shirley Temple Show." Although the name changed, the show maintained its original format of adapting fairy tales and family-oriented stories.
March 1961: "The Little Mermaid" Adaptation on "The Shirley Temple Show"
On March 5, 1961, "The Shirley Temple Show" aired its unique adaptation of "The Little Mermaid." In this version, Shirley Temple herself played the mermaid who, unlike the original tale, didn't sacrifice her voice for legs. The episode offered a happy ending with Neptune's intervention.
July 1961: Conclusion of "The Shirley Temple Show"
On July 16, 1961, "The Shirley Temple Show" aired its final episode, marking the end of the series. The show left behind a legacy of bringing classic tales to life for a new generation.
1976: Release of the Russian Film Adaptation of "The Little Mermaid"
In 1976, a Russian cinematic adaptation of "The Little Mermaid" premiered, directed by Vladimir Bychkov and starring Viktoriya Novikova. Set in the 13th century, this version portrays the mermaid's quest to win the prince's love after saving him from a shipwreck orchestrated by other mermaids.
1985: Ron Clements' Inspiration for "The Little Mermaid"
In 1985, while working on "The Great Mouse Detective," Ron Clements came across Hans Christian Andersen's "The Little Mermaid" and envisioned it as an animated film. This marked the beginning of Disney's journey to bring Ariel's story to the screen.
1986: Approval of "The Little Mermaid" for Development
Following Ron Clements' discovery of the fairy tale in 1985, he presented a two-page treatment of "Mermaid" to Disney CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg. Katzenberg greenlit the project the next day, paving the way for its eventual production in 1986.
1987: Release of "The Little Mermaid" Episode on "Faerie Tale Theatre"
In 1987, Shelley Duvall’s "Faerie Tale Theatre" presented its rendition of "The Little Mermaid," featuring "Pearl" as the mermaid who lived under the sea with her father and sisters.
1989: Release of Disney's "The Little Mermaid"
Disney's animated musical, "The Little Mermaid," premiered in 1989, captivating audiences with its vibrant reimagining of the classic tale. This version introduced Ariel, a mermaid princess longing for human life and love with Prince Eric.
1989: Release of Disney's "The Little Mermaid"
Disney's animated musical, "The Little Mermaid," premiered in 1989, captivating audiences with its vibrant reimagining of the classic tale. This version introduced Ariel, a mermaid princess longing for human life and love with Prince Eric.
2000: Installation of the Little Mermaid Statue in Monaco
A new Little Mermaid statue, created by Kristian Dahlgard, was installed overlooking Larvotto beach in Monaco in 2000. This statue serves as a tribute to the Danish community in Monaco and commemorates the 50th year of Prince Rainier III's reign.
May 2010: Temporary Relocation of the Little Mermaid Statue to Shanghai
In a historic move, the Little Mermaid statue was relocated from its usual spot in Copenhagen harbor to Shanghai for Expo 2010 in May 2010, marking the first time the statue left Copenhagen since its installation.
November 2010: Return of the Little Mermaid Statue to Copenhagen
After a six-month stay in Shanghai for Expo 2010, the Little Mermaid statue returned to its home in Copenhagen harbor in November 2010, where it continues to captivate visitors from around the world.
2023: Release of Live-Action "The Little Mermaid"
In 2023, Disney released a live-action adaptation of their beloved 1989 animated musical, "The Little Mermaid," reimagining the story of Ariel for a new generation.