Mermaids in popular culture: Difference between revisions
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'''[[Mermaid]]s''', like many creatures of [[mythology]] and [[folklore]], are regularly depicted in literature and film, especially fantasy fiction. |
'''[[Mermaid]]s''', like many creatures of [[mythology]] and [[folklore]], are regularly depicted in literature and film, especially fantasy fiction. |
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==Literature== |
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Perhaps one of the best known works featuring mermaids is [[Hans Christian Andersen]]'s [[fairytale]] ''[[The Little Mermaid]]'' ([[1836]]), which has been translated into many languages. Andersen's portrayal, immortalized with a famous bronze sculpture in [[Copenhagen]] harbour, has arguably become the standard and has influenced most modern Western depictions of mermaids since it was published. The story has been retold in other films and television programs, and regularly features in collections of fairytales. It has been adapted into various media, the most famous of which is the [[1989]] [[The Walt Disney Company|Disney]] [[The Little Mermaid (1989 film)|movie of the same name]]. |
Perhaps one of the best known works featuring mermaids is [[Hans Christian Andersen]]'s [[fairytale]] ''[[The Little Mermaid]]'' ([[1836]]), which has been translated into many languages. Andersen's portrayal, immortalized with a famous bronze sculpture in [[Copenhagen]] harbour, has arguably become the standard and has influenced most modern Western depictions of mermaids since it was published. The story has been retold in other films and television programs, and regularly features in collections of fairytales. It has been adapted into various media, the most famous of which is the [[1989]] [[The Walt Disney Company|Disney]] [[The Little Mermaid (1989 film)|movie of the same name]]. |
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Mermaids appear in [[Poul Anderson]]'s ''The Merman's Children'' (1979).<ref>John Grant and John Clute, ''The Encyclopedia of Fantasy'', "Mermaids" p 639 ISBN 0-312-19869-8</ref> |
Mermaids appear in [[Poul Anderson]]'s ''The Merman's Children'' (1979).<ref>John Grant and John Clute, ''The Encyclopedia of Fantasy'', "Mermaids" p 639 ISBN 0-312-19869-8</ref> |
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In''Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them'' (2001), [[J.K. Rowling]] writes of magical creatures in the Harry Potter world, including mermaids. They are described as having three different species such as [[Sirens]], [[Selkies]] and [[Merrow]]s. Similar to other humanoid magical creatures in the Harry Potter universe, they do not wield or understand magic themselves. |
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''[[Aquamarine (film)|Aquamarine]]'' (2001), a novel by [[Alice Hoffman]], is about two 13 year old girls who discover a sassy teenage mermaid. The novel was popular among teen and preteen girls. The novel was made into a film released in 2006 by Twentieth Century Fox and starred [[Sara Paxton]], [[Emma Roberts]] and [[JoJo]]. |
''[[Aquamarine (film)|Aquamarine]]'' (2001), a novel by [[Alice Hoffman]], is about two 13 year old girls who discover a sassy teenage mermaid. The novel was popular among teen and preteen girls. The novel was made into a film released in 2006 by Twentieth Century Fox and starred [[Sara Paxton]], [[Emma Roberts]] and [[JoJo]]. |
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In the book ''[[The Tail of Emily Windsnap]]'' (2004), by British author [[Liz Kessler]], Emily takes a swimming class and discovers her tail. She goes out looking for her dad and convinces King Neptune that humans and merfolk can live together. Two sequels were written by the same author. |
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In the [[comic book]] series, ''[[Tales to Astonish]]'', in issue #4 (July 1959), the 4-page story "I Love a Mermaid!" presented a sailor falling in love with a mermaid named Alethea. By story's end, the sailor turned out to be a lost merman who found his true home with Alethea at his side. |
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The [[comic book]] [[superhero]] ''[[Superman]]'' had a romantic love interest with a mermaid named [[Lori Lemaris]]. Her first appearance was in 1959. The name Lori Lemaris was probably drawn from [[Lorelei]] rock in the [[Rhine]] added to ''maris'', from the [[Latin]] ''mare'', meaning ocean. One may also note that she has the initials L.L., the same as several of Superman's other love interests including [[Lois Lane]] and [[Lana Lang]]. |
The [[comic book]] [[superhero]] ''[[Superman]]'' had a romantic love interest with a mermaid named [[Lori Lemaris]]. Her first appearance was in 1959. The name Lori Lemaris was probably drawn from [[Lorelei]] rock in the [[Rhine]] added to ''maris'', from the [[Latin]] ''mare'', meaning ocean. One may also note that she has the initials L.L., the same as several of Superman's other love interests including [[Lois Lane]] and [[Lana Lang]]. |
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==Film== |
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''Neptune's Daughter'' (1914), starring [[Annette Kellerman]], was the first feature film about mermaids. Kellerman played mermaids in several films of the silent era including "Siren of the Sea" (1911), ''[[A Daughter of the Gods]]'' (1916) and "Queen of the Sea" (1918). The 1952 film "[[Million Dollar Mermaid]]" is based on the life of Kellerman. |
''Neptune's Daughter'' (1914), starring [[Annette Kellerman]], was the first feature film about mermaids. Kellerman played mermaids in several films of the silent era including "Siren of the Sea" (1911), ''[[A Daughter of the Gods]]'' (1916) and "Queen of the Sea" (1918). The 1952 film "[[Million Dollar Mermaid]]" is based on the life of Kellerman. |
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[[The Little Mermaid (1989 film)]] is a movie produced by [[Walt Disney Studios]] which portrays a variant of the story by [[Hans Christian Andersen]] about the mermaid that wished for legs. This film was followed by a prequel TV series, a direct-to-video sequel ''[[The Little Mermaid 2: Return to the Sea]]'' featuring the title character's daughter and a DTV prequel movie in 2007. |
[[The Little Mermaid (1989 film)]] is a movie produced by [[Walt Disney Studios]] which portrays a variant of the story by [[Hans Christian Andersen]] about the mermaid that wished for legs. This film was followed by a prequel TV series, a direct-to-video sequel ''[[The Little Mermaid 2: Return to the Sea]]'' featuring the title character's daughter and a DTV prequel movie in 2007. |
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''[[Magic Island]]'' (1995) featured a character named Lily, a young mermaid who befriends a group of |
''[[Magic Island]]'' (1995) featured a character named Lily, a young mermaid who befriends a group of buccaneers (and [[Zachary Ty Bryan]]) and joins them on their quest for Blackbeard's treasure. |
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''[[She Creature]]'' (2001) featured a villainous mermaid who seemed to have a taste for human flesh and [[lesbian]] tendencies. |
''[[She Creature]]'' (2001) featured a villainous mermaid who seemed to have a taste for human flesh and [[lesbian]] tendencies. |
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The third and fourth films in the adult film series ''Talk Dirty To Me'' featured a mermaid who came ashore to find a man. Just like in ''[[Splash (film)|Splash]]'', the mermaid could walk on dry land, and her legs would become a fishtail in water. In ''Talk Dirty To Me Part III'', the mermaid was played by the 16-year-old (and therefore underage under US law) [[Traci Lords]]. This version of the film was pulled from shelves once Lords' true age became public and replaced with an edited version, which subbed in scenes reshot with [[Lisa DeLeeuw]] in the mermaid role. The edited version is called ''The New Talk Dirty To Me Part III'' and is the only version of the movie currently available. In the fourth film, [[Taija Rae]] played a mermaid in a costume that was far inferior to those of the previous film. In ''TDTM III'', the mermaid costumes were fair representations of mermaid's tails; they were skintight and reached as high as the actresses' waists. Rae's mermaid costume in ''TDTM IV'' was quite bulky, covered her breasts, and appeared to be fashioned from leaves, plastic daisies, and foam rubber scales. |
The third and fourth films in the adult film series ''Talk Dirty To Me'' featured a mermaid who came ashore to find a man. Just like in ''[[Splash (film)|Splash]]'', the mermaid could walk on dry land, and her legs would become a fishtail in water. In ''Talk Dirty To Me Part III'', the mermaid was played by the 16-year-old (and therefore underage under US law) [[Traci Lords]]. This version of the film was pulled from shelves once Lords' true age became public and replaced with an edited version, which subbed in scenes reshot with [[Lisa DeLeeuw]] in the mermaid role. The edited version is called ''The New Talk Dirty To Me Part III'' and is the only version of the movie currently available. In the fourth film, [[Taija Rae]] played a mermaid in a costume that was far inferior to those of the previous film. In ''TDTM III'', the mermaid costumes were fair representations of mermaid's tails; they were skintight and reached as high as the actresses' waists. Rae's mermaid costume in ''TDTM IV'' was quite bulky, covered her breasts, and appeared to be fashioned from leaves, plastic daisies, and foam rubber scales. |
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[[Fishtales|''Fishtales'' (2007)]] is an upcoming children's film in which [[Kelly Brook|Kelly Brook]] plays a [[Mermaid|mermaid]], Neried, who attracts the eye of an Oxford University professor, played by [[Billy Zane|Billy Zane]] and an evil fisherman, played by [[Alki David|Alki David]] intent on catching her for her tail. The tail used in the film was moulded specifically to fit [[Kelly Brook|Brook]] and her stunt double, UK [[Free-diving|free diver]] Hannah Stacey (Who holds the UK women's record) and took three and a half months to design and build. |
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Mermaids have long been associated with [[music]], and much like that of [[Orpheus]], the power of their singing voices is said to have had the ability to enthrall. Along with their legendary vanity, the hair-combing and mirrors, the association of mermaids with music is coupled with another association of a vocal nature: they are said to be able to confer verbal eloquence, much like the Muses of the ancient [[Greek myths]].{{Fact|date=March 2007}} |
Mermaids have long been associated with [[music]], and much like that of [[Orpheus]], the power of their singing voices is said to have had the ability to enthrall. Along with their legendary vanity, the hair-combing and mirrors, the association of mermaids with music is coupled with another association of a vocal nature: they are said to be able to confer verbal eloquence, much like the Muses of the ancient [[Greek myths]].{{Fact|date=March 2007}} |
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Another Finnish song, ''Koskenlaskijan morsiamet'' (Brides of Log Driver) is about a mermaid, who falls in love with a skillful [[log driver]]. Unfortunately, he has already been engaged to a human woman. When the mermaid sees her love riding the [[rapids]] with his human bride, she in a burst of [[jealousy]] raises a rock off the river bed, drowning them both. Seeing them drown and die, she immediately regrets her deed, and in the end of the song she is left weeping alone on the rock. |
Another Finnish song, ''Koskenlaskijan morsiamet'' (Brides of Log Driver) is about a mermaid, who falls in love with a skillful [[log driver]]. Unfortunately, he has already been engaged to a human woman. When the mermaid sees her love riding the [[rapids]] with his human bride, she in a burst of [[jealousy]] raises a rock off the river bed, drowning them both. Seeing them drown and die, she immediately regrets her deed, and in the end of the song she is left weeping alone on the rock. |
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== Television == |
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In the fifth season of [[Charmed]], there is a two-parter concerning mermaids; [[A Witch's Tail (Part 1)]] and [[A Witch's Tail (Part 2)]]. The Charmed Ones are drawn to an innocent mermaid who must elicit a proclamation of love from her mortal boyfriend or lose her immortality to a water demon known as the Sea Hag. Determined to save the mermaid, the Charmed Ones cast a spell, unfortunately turning [[Phoebe Halliwell|Phoebe]] into a mermaid. Confused and surprised by [[Cole Turner|Cole's]] unexpected return from the Underworld, Phoebe finds a new sense of independence in the sea and refuses to return to land. Fearing for the life of their sister, [[Paige Matthews|Paige]] seeks out Cole to aid her in returning to normal while [[Piper Halliwell|Piper]] and [[Leo Wyatt|Leo]] try to vanquish both the Sea Hag and the Skeleton Demon. |
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The anime series [[Mahou no Mako-chan]] is a 1970's modern retelling of the "Little Mermaid" fable |
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Episode 12 of [[Cutie Honey]] (Original series) Seiji tells a legend about a red pearl, The Mermaid's Tear. During the early 19th century a mermaid was found by a group of fishermen. She begged for freedom, and cried a red pearl in exchanged for liberty. However, the fishermen wanted more tears, and proceeded to beat the mermaid to death. The mermaid was known as Chiruru, and her sister, Marara swore to avenge her sister. She was later transformed into an android, Sea Panther. Honey faces Sea Panther, but does not like to kill her. |
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The television show [[Fantasy Island]] had a mermaid character named Naya, played by [[Michelle Phillips]] of [[The Mamas & the Papas]] in three episodes. |
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In the [[Futurama]] episode [[The Deep South (Futurama)|The Deep South]], the crew encounters Mermaids (which evolved from humans) who inhabit the fabled lost city of Atlanta in the year 3000. The concept of mermaids not having the same reproductive functions as humans in the show is a reference to the [[mermaid problem]]. |
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In a 1971 episode of ''[[Bewitched]]'' entitled "Samantha and the Loch Ness Monster", an old flame of Samantha's cousin Serena puts a spell on her - temporarily turning her into a mermaid. |
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There was an adaption made of the classic story "The Little Mermaid" in a 1987 episode of [[Faerie Tale Theatre]], starring ''[[Mork and Mindy]]'''s [[Pam Dawber]] as Pearl. |
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In 1991, manga artist [[Rumiko Takahashi]], creator of ''[[Ranma ½]]'', created a three-volume horror manga series called ''[[Mermaid Saga]]'', which was based on the Japanese myth that eating mermaid's flesh can grant immortality. The manga has yet to be completed, and its last installment was released in 1994. The series was adapted into two OVAs in 1991 and 1993, and later a thirteen-episode TV series in 2003, though its last two episodes were only released on video. |
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The anime series [[Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch]] and its sequel, [[Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi Pitch Pure]] focuses on mermaid princess and their adventures in the human world trying to protect both land and sea creatures. |
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The 1999 [[Disney Channel]] original movie [[The Thirteenth Year]], tells the story of a young boy that begins to gain mermaid characteristics when he turns thirteen. He then has an encounter with his real mother who is a mermaid. |
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In 1999, a made-for-television movie ''Sabrina, Down Under '' (a spin-off special from the TV series ''[[Sabrina, the Teenage Witch]]'') finds Sabrina ([[Melissa Joan Hart]]) traveling to Australia's Great Barrier Reef with her best friend Gwen ([[Tara Strong]]), a fellow witch from England, for a week-long vacation where they try to help protect a hidden mermaid/mermen colony whose habitat is threatened by ocean pollution, and by a local marine biologist, Dr. Julian Martin ([[Peter O'Brien]]), determined to find the colony as his claim to fame. While Sabrina finds romance with Barnaby (played by [[Scott Michaelson]]), a [[merman]] from the mermaid colony, his mermaid sister Fin (played by [[Lindsay Sloane]]), upset at Barnaby's interacting with the humans, tries her best to keep the secrets of the location of the merpeople colony safe from the humans. Barnaby in this story, is suffering from the effects of pollution, but is cured after meeting Dr. Martin. Sabrina eventually must save his mermaid sister, their mer-colony, and the Great Barrier Reef of Australia from the pollution as well. |
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In 2003 the television movie [[Mermaids (2003 film)|Mermaids]] was released. This TV movie starred Sarah Laine, Nikita Ager, and Australian model Erika Heynatz as a trio of mermaid sisters who band together to avenge their father's death. |
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[[Marina (TV series)|Marina]] was a 2004 TV show from the [[Philippines]] which starred Teleserye Queen and Filipino superstar [[Claudine Barretto]] (as the mermaid Marina). It was the first fantasy teleserye on [[ABS-CBN]] and became very popular. It first aired in February and ended in November. |
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The Canadian TV series ''[[Seriously Weird]]'' featured a mermaid in an episode entitled "Harris and the Mermaid", in which the main character (Harris) was desperate to learn to swim. The mermaid (Muriel) offered to teach him, but in the end, fooled him into switching places with him - leaving him with a tail, and her with legs. |
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In 2004, [[The Backyardigans]] was a chapter (''Viking Voyage'') where Tasha was a mermaid, and she sings "The Mermaid Song", inspired in the song "The Yellow Rose Of Texas". |
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Mermaids appear multiple times in the ''[[Super Sentai]]'' and Power Rangers franchise. In the 1985 Japanese TV show, [[Dengeki Sentai Changeman]], Change Mermaid symbolizes a mermaid. Two years later, a 20-minute film for the 1987 series ''[[Hikari Sentai Maskman]]'' featured a mermaid named Lei Lai (also known as "Ray"), who was engaged to marry Igamu, the prince of the Tube Empire, who was infatuated with her beautiful singing voice. Little did she know that she was being tricked by the prince, who was only using her voice to destroy the earth. |
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In the original cut of ''[[Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie]]'' (1997), a mermaid named Mandika was briefly featured, and was intended to help the rangers on their journey to the island of Muranthias. Due to timing restraints, her scenes were cut from the final film. The edited scenes included helping the rangers find the Ghost Galleon ship, rescuing Kimberly, Bulk, and Skull from drowning, & being saved from Divatox's torpedoes by Adam on a bungee rope. Later, another actual mermaid appears in two episodes of the 2000 series [[Power Rangers: Lightspeed Rescue]], where Chad (the blue ranger) finds a love interest in a mermaid named Marina, who had saved his life from an underwater rockslide. |
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In the 2005 Super Sentai series, [[Mahou Sentai Magiranger]], its heroes transform into gigantic Majin forms, and MagiBlue's Majin form is known as MagiMermaid. When the series was adapted into [[Power Rangers: Mystic Force]] the following year, her counterpart Madison (the Blue Ranger) turned into the Mermaid Titan. |
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In 2006, NBC's [[soap opera]] ''[[Passions]]'' added a mermaid character named Siren, brought to life by the toddler witch Endora to keep her half-brother's fiance from leaving him. Endora later turned her into a mermaid doll and left it in a fish tank, which she made disappear. |
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In 2006, ''[[America's Next Top Model]]'' cycle 6, after the girls went to ''[[Thailand]]'', their first photo shoot there was being a ''mermaid''. |
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A new anime series [[Seto no Hanayome]] has been airing since [[April 1]], [[2007]]. A teenage boy named Nagasumi is rescued by a mermaid San Seto, but then his life began to change when he is going to marry her. |
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Aquaman Tv series also featured mermaids that were from Atlantis trying to kill Aquaman. (see Mercy Reef (TV)for more info) |
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As with many other mythological creatures, mermaids appear in ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'' games (see [[Merfolk (Dungeons & Dragons)]]). |
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A [[cartoon]] mermaid is the [[mascot]] for the [[Chicken of the Sea]] brand of [[tuna]]. |
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The [[Starbucks|Starbucks Coffee]] [[logo]] is a [[Siren]], very similar to a mermaid, as medieval sirens and mermaid legends were intertwined. |
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A popular topic brought up in some circles is the [[mermaid problem]], which raises the question about engaging in sexual intercourse with a mermaid. |
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[[Category:Legendary creatures in popular culture]] |
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Revision as of 03:48, 27 July 2007
An editor has nominated this article for deletion. You are welcome to participate in the deletion discussion, which will decide whether or not to retain it. |
 | This article may contain minor, trivial or unrelated fictional references. |
Mermaids, like many creatures of mythology and folklore, are regularly depicted in literature and film, especially fantasy fiction.
Literature
Perhaps one of the best known works featuring mermaids is Hans Christian Andersen's fairytale The Little Mermaid (1836), which has been translated into many languages. Andersen's portrayal, immortalized with a famous bronze sculpture in Copenhagen harbour, has arguably become the standard and has influenced most modern Western depictions of mermaids since it was published. The story has been retold in other films and television programs, and regularly features in collections of fairytales. It has been adapted into various media, the most famous of which is the 1989 Disney movie of the same name.
Mermaids appear in the Peter Pan play (1904), in which they try to drown Wendy, and in adaptations of it (such as the film Hook).
L. Frank Baum (creator of Oz) wrote a novel about merfolk, The Sea Fairies (1911). Later, in The Scarecrow of Oz (1915), the same characters are rescued from danger by the mermaids.
In E. Nesbit's Wet Magic (1913), four children hear that a mermaid has been captured by a circus, and rescue her. Their reward is to visit the hidden kingdom of the mermaids.
T. S. Eliot, in "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" (1915), uses the metaphor of mermaids to emphasis Prufock's plight:
I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each.
I do not think that they will sing to me.
One of the stories embedded in L. Sprague de Camp's The Goblin Tower (1968), as being told by the book's story-telling protagonist Jorian, is about a human king who fell in love with a mermaid. The story tells with hilarious detail of the couple's difficult efforts to physically consummate their love, which nearly ends in disaster (he nearly drowns in trying to have sex underwater, and she is nearly killed by his bodyguards in revenge). In the end, the king marries a human woman, though keeping a platonic friendship with the mermaid.
Mermaids appear in Poul Anderson's The Merman's Children (1979).[1]
InFantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2001), J.K. Rowling writes of magical creatures in the Harry Potter world, including mermaids. They are described as having three different species such as Sirens, Selkies and Merrows. Similar to other humanoid magical creatures in the Harry Potter universe, they do not wield or understand magic themselves.
Aquamarine (2001), a novel by Alice Hoffman, is about two 13 year old girls who discover a sassy teenage mermaid. The novel was popular among teen and preteen girls. The novel was made into a film released in 2006 by Twentieth Century Fox and starred Sara Paxton, Emma Roberts and JoJo.
Comic Books
The comic book superhero Superman had a romantic love interest with a mermaid named Lori Lemaris. Her first appearance was in 1959. The name Lori Lemaris was probably drawn from Lorelei rock in the Rhine added to maris, from the Latin mare, meaning ocean. One may also note that she has the initials L.L., the same as several of Superman's other love interests including Lois Lane and Lana Lang.
Film
Neptune's Daughter (1914), starring Annette Kellerman, was the first feature film about mermaids. Kellerman played mermaids in several films of the silent era including "Siren of the Sea" (1911), A Daughter of the Gods (1916) and "Queen of the Sea" (1918). The 1952 film "Million Dollar Mermaid" is based on the life of Kellerman.
Later films include Miranda (1948), starring Glynis Johns and its sequel, Mad About Men (1954); Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid (1948) starring Ann Blyth; and The Mermaids of Tiburon (1962) starring Diane Webber, George Rowe, and Timothy Carey. Beach Blanket Bingo (1965) is a beach movie starring Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello and includes a sub-plot of the character Bonehead (Jody McCrea), falling for a mermaid portrayed by Lost in Space's Marta Kristen, while the 1968 film Head, starring The Monkees briefly featured two mermaids in the opening "Porpoise Song" sequence, surrounded by psychedelic effects. In Local Hero (1984), lead character Marina (Jenny Seagrove) is suspected by her love interest of being a mermaid. In the 2005 adaptation of "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe", mermaids (or Naiads) appear briefly at the end of the story.
On Finnish Pekka Puupää comedy film Pekka ja Pätkä sammakkomiehinä (Pekka and Pätkä as Frogmen, 1954) the heroes rescue a foundered mermaid and carry her to Pekka's apartment. They set her on the bathtub. Pekka's wife Justiina initially sees only her fish-tail and is initially surprised of "a big fish the menfolks have caught" and gets a knife to prepare her as a dinner, but she faints as she sees her upper body.
In Splash (1984), starring Daryl Hannah and Tom Hanks, Hannah played a mermaid who fell in love with a man. She could walk on dry land as a human female, but whenever water touched her legs they changed into a fish-tail. Much of the movie revolves around her humorous attempts to conceal her true identity from her lover. A made-for-television sequel, Splash, Too[2] followed in 1988. It starred Amy Yasbeck and Todd Waring.
The Little Mermaid (1989 film) is a movie produced by Walt Disney Studios which portrays a variant of the story by Hans Christian Andersen about the mermaid that wished for legs. This film was followed by a prequel TV series, a direct-to-video sequel The Little Mermaid 2: Return to the Sea featuring the title character's daughter and a DTV prequel movie in 2007.
Magic Island (1995) featured a character named Lily, a young mermaid who befriends a group of buccaneers (and Zachary Ty Bryan) and joins them on their quest for Blackbeard's treasure.
She Creature (2001) featured a villainous mermaid who seemed to have a taste for human flesh and lesbian tendencies.
The third and fourth films in the adult film series Talk Dirty To Me featured a mermaid who came ashore to find a man. Just like in Splash, the mermaid could walk on dry land, and her legs would become a fishtail in water. In Talk Dirty To Me Part III, the mermaid was played by the 16-year-old (and therefore underage under US law) Traci Lords. This version of the film was pulled from shelves once Lords' true age became public and replaced with an edited version, which subbed in scenes reshot with Lisa DeLeeuw in the mermaid role. The edited version is called The New Talk Dirty To Me Part III and is the only version of the movie currently available. In the fourth film, Taija Rae played a mermaid in a costume that was far inferior to those of the previous film. In TDTM III, the mermaid costumes were fair representations of mermaid's tails; they were skintight and reached as high as the actresses' waists. Rae's mermaid costume in TDTM IV was quite bulky, covered her breasts, and appeared to be fashioned from leaves, plastic daisies, and foam rubber scales.
Music
Mermaids have long been associated with music, and much like that of Orpheus, the power of their singing voices is said to have had the ability to enthrall. Along with their legendary vanity, the hair-combing and mirrors, the association of mermaids with music is coupled with another association of a vocal nature: they are said to be able to confer verbal eloquence, much like the Muses of the ancient Greek myths.[citation needed]
In the 18th century sea shanty, "The Keeper of the Eddystone Light", the singer's father is a lighthouse keeper and his mother is a mermaid.
Finnish musician J. Karjalainen has made a song Merenneito ja minä (Mermaid and Me), where he describes a wonderful tour in the underwater kingdom with a mermaid with whom he had fallen in love. In the song he was able to breathe under water due the magic medicine the mermaid gave him.
Another Finnish song, Koskenlaskijan morsiamet (Brides of Log Driver) is about a mermaid, who falls in love with a skillful log driver. Unfortunately, he has already been engaged to a human woman. When the mermaid sees her love riding the rapids with his human bride, she in a burst of jealousy raises a rock off the river bed, drowning them both. Seeing them drown and die, she immediately regrets her deed, and in the end of the song she is left weeping alone on the rock.
Television
The Australian television series, H2O: Just Add Water (2006), involves three teenage girls who, after encountering a mysterious island grotto, transform into mermaids whenever water touches any part of their bodies.
Other
In the Submarine Voyage ride at Disneyland, from 1959 until the ride's closure in 1998, female cast members clad in modest bikini tops and mermaid tails would sunbathe on a rock. They brushed their hair for long periods, waved at guests, and so on.
- ^ John Grant and John Clute, The Encyclopedia of Fantasy, "Mermaids" p 639 ISBN 0-312-19869-8
- ^ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096159/