Trans Allegories in Film: 'The Little Mermaid' (1989)
Films can alleviate alienation by presenting realities where the viewers feelings are shared by onscreen characters. 'The Little Mermaid" film can be interpreted as a transgender story.
Alan Menken
Alan Irwin Menken (born July 12, 1949) is an American composer, pianist, music director, and record producer, best known for his scores and songs for films produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios. Menken's music for The Little Mermaid (1989), Beauty and the Beast (1991), Aladdin (1992), and Pocahontas (1995) has each won him two Academy Awards. He also composed the scores and songs for Little Shop of Horrors (1986), Newsies (1992), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996), Hercules (1997), Home on the Range (2004), Enchanted (2007), Tangled (2010), and Disenchanted (2022), among others. His accolades include winning eight Academy Awards — becoming the second most prolific Oscar winner in the music categories after Alfred Newman (who has 9 Oscars), a Tony Award, eleven Grammy Awards, seven Golden Globe Awards, and a Daytime Emmy Award. Menken is one of nineteen people to have won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony ("an EGOT").
Known For
Related Articles
‘The Little Mermaid’: Halle's Musical Debut Rockets to $400+ Million Dollar Box Office
Halle's belting, crystal clear notes, and warm tone infused something into this blockbuster that I thoroughly enjoy.
Halle Sings Her Heart Out in ‘The Little Mermaid’ But Ursula Gets ‘Drag’ged Without Nuance
Disney's live-action remake is vibrant and beautiful, with updated music and classic enthusiasm, but it fails to push the envelope and provide nuance for Ursula.
An Aquatic Tale of The Little Mermaid (2023)
The live-action remake brings adventure and shows viewers why representation is important in a Disney Princess movie.
Finding Happily Ever After in Disney's 'Disenchanted'
A surprise sequel takes place ten years after the original movie based on the title of the same name, but with a twist to the fairy tale.
Why ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’ is the Best Animated Disney Movie Ever Made
With such a raw look at the 15th century, it seems that Disney was really trying to step outside of its element with this motion picture.