Film
Little Mermaid
1989
UK / British
Near mint minus; originally flat/unfolded (as issued)
John Musker, Ron Clements
Buddy Hackett, Christopher Daniel Barnes, Jason Marin, Jodi Benson, Kenneth Mars, Paddi Edwards, Pat Carroll, Rene Auberjonois
8″ x 10″ – Single Sided, British Front of House Lobby Cards – Complete Set of 8
“Somewhere under the sea and beyond your imagination is an adventure in fantasy.”
Walt Disney’s animated take on the classic Fairy Tale from Hans Christian Andersen “The Little Mermaid”. Released in 1989 and memorable as being the last Disney animated feature to use hand-painted cels and analog camera and film work. 1,000 different colours were used on 1,100 backgrounds. Over one million drawings were done in total. This pain staking attention to animations detail is perfectly evident here as this complete set of all eight (8) front of house lobby cards feature all of the characters and memorable moments you expect to see. Stunning, vibrant colours, animated imagery includes Ariel, Prince Eric, Ursula, King Triton, Louis, Sebastian. Originally flat and unfolded (as issued) these front of house lobby cards present superbly and represents a fine example of rare and collectable original Walt Disney cinematic memorabilia for a true classic. Undoubtedly one the best looking series of lobby cards produced for a movie that is an integral part of Disney animation history.
Trivia: In the opening scene when King Triton arrives at the arena, Mickey Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck and Kermit the Frog can be briefly seen in the crowd of sea-people as mermen when he passes over them.
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Little Mermaid Movie Poster
“In Disney’s beguiling animated romp, rebellious 16-year-old mermaid Ariel is fascinated with life on land. On one of her visits to the surface, which are forbidden by her controlling father, King Triton, she falls for a human prince. Determined to be with her new love, Ariel makes a dangerous deal with the sea witch Ursula to become human for three days. But when plans go awry for the star-crossed lovers, the king must make the ultimate sacrifice for his daughter.”
“The Little Mermaid” is one of the greater full length animated feature films that was made after Walt Disney. A story about Ariel (Jodi Benson) the Little Mermaid, who yearns to be part of the human world and who fell in love with human Prince Eric (Christopher Daniel Barnes) in the process. She makes a deal with Ursula (Pat Carroll) the Sea Witch and traded her voice for legs so she could rise to the surface of the waters. What follows is a romantic story in how Ariel tries to win Eric’s heart without her voice and an exciting race against time to ensure Ariel remains human, otherwise, returning back to the ocean and into the evil Ursula’s custody.
Ron Clements and John Musker did an outstanding job in directing this movie, grasping the audience’s attention at the start of the film with a musical sequence on the Prince’s ship, and then a spectacular entry under the sea when we are introduced to the mermaids, helped by a powerful music score. The solid plot quickly identifies the story’s main issue, Ariel, who is tired of being treated like a child by her father King Triton (Kenneth Mars). The issue is then expanded as Ariel struggles to win Eric’s heart when she goes to the human world while, at the same time, not knowing that Ursula has devious plans of her own to control the sea. All these plot elements and twists make this a very exciting Disney movie from start to finish.
The characters are very lovable and memorable, especially Flounder (Jason Marin), Sebastian (Samuel E. Wright) and Scuttle (Buddy Hackett). They added humor and spirit in the movie as they help Ariel with her issues. The music score and songs are some of cinema’s best work – Alan Menken and Howard Ashman did a marvelous job. “Under the Sea” is a very lively and dynamic Calyso-type song and “Part of your World” is a moving and commanding song; Jodi Benson had the perfect voice for Ariel – very soothing and serene. And, the artwork and graphics are some of the best I have seen in an animated film.
Overall, one of the best movies from Disney and remains a timeless fairytale for all ages.
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Mint
A poster that has never been used or displayed and may show the most minor signs of age and wear. The poster should have no holes or tears.
Near Mint
A generally unused poster with fresh, saturated colors. May have minimal tears at folds. Has no significant holes, no paper loss, may have minor tears along edges, may have fine pin holes.
Very Fine
A poster with bright colour and crisp overall appearance. It may have very general signs of use including slight fold separation and fold wear. It may have pin holes or very minor tears. This is the highest grade allowed for a poster that has been restored either on linen or on paper.
Fine
A poster with good colors and overall clean appearance. It may have minor tears small paper loss and minor stains. It may have some fold seperation.
Good
An average poster with overall fresh color. May have tears, minor paper loss, minor hazing. Paper may be brittle due to age, may have minor stains. May have a small amount of writing in an unobtrusive place. May have medium or major restoration.
Fair
A poster with faded colors and brittle paper, showing significant signs of use. May have tears and paper loss. May have tape, writing, stains in image area. In need of restoration or had major restoration.
Poor
A poster that is worn, torn, and/or damaged. May have staining, cracking, dry rot, and/or large tears. May be heavily soiled, may have pieces missing. In need of major restoration.
All photographs and images used on our site are photographs of the actual poster/item you are buying, we do not use stock photographs.
LOBBY CARD
11 x 14″ printed on heavy stock paper. Used as display in theatre lobbies. Originally made in sets of eight. Some sets have a title card, which contains credits and artwork, essentially a mini-poster. The remaining seven cards are coloured photographic credits and poster artwork showing different scenes from the movie.
WINDOW CARD
14 x 22″ printed on heavy stock paper with the top 4-6 inches usually left blank for the local cinema owner to fill in the cinema and the date it was due to play. Largely discontinued during the 1970’s.
HALF SHEET
22 x 28″ printed on heavy stock paper. The image displayed is normally a smaller version of the main poster, although some do have different artworks and sometimes come in two versions.
INSERT
14 x 36″ printed on heavy stock paper. Inserts usually have the same artwork as a one sheet. Popular with collectors since they are smaller and easier to frame. Normally come tri folded or rolled.
STYLE Y/FORTY BY SIXTY
40 x 60″ printed on heavy stock paper. Rare since they were primarily used for major motion pictures only. Designed to be used outside the theatre, on an easel, normally at a drive-in movie theatre.
ONE-SHEET
27 x 41″ printed on paper. This is the most common size of poster, intended to be displayed in a glass “marquee” case. It is the most sought after size by collectors. Since the 1980’s most posters are sent to the theatre rolled and maybe slightly smaller measuring 27″ by 40″ and with the advent of backlit light boxes a growing number of modern movie posters are available double-sided and the more traditional single-sided.
THREE-SHEET
41 x 81″ printed on paper. These were printed on two or three separate sheets designed to overlap, few survive. Used for larger advertising spaces, normally posted on walls, perfect for huge movie theatres the drive-in, where people could see them from a distance. From the 1970’s on, three-sheets were sometimes printed in one piece and issued as “international” versions to be used abroad.
BRITISH QUAD
30 x 40″ Most common poster size used in the UK. British Quads are horizontal and may have different artwork to the US one sheet. Like a US one sheet they normally come in two versions. Like a US one sheet they are usually supplied single-sided or more commonly now as a double sided poster.
BRITISH ONE-SHEET
27 X 40″, printed on paper. Very rarely used size.
ITALIAN LOCANDINA
13 x 28″ six inches shorter than the US insert, very nice size to frame. Italian poster illustrators are some of the best in the industry.
ITALIAN PHOTOBUSTA
18 x 26″ Glossy, high quality, used as lobby cards in Italy. Size may vary, either vertical or horizontal format. There are also double Photobusta or mini Photobusta.
2-FOGLIO (DUE)
(DUE): 39 x 55″ This is the standard poster size used in Italy. Italian poster illustrators are some of the best in the industry.
4-FOGLIO
(QUATTRO) 55 x 79″ Very large Italian poster printed in two pieces, often contains very beautiful artwork.
FRENCH
47 x 63″ (GRANDE) or 24 x 33″ (PETITE) French movie posters normally come with different artwork to either the US or the UK. Like the Italian’s some of the artwork is extrememly beautiful.
